Successfully Interviewing Rock Stars and Celebrities: 3 Keys to Capturing the Heart!

Your stomach twists with unease as the interview begins. The discomfort builds as he twists to the side and laughs with one of his band mates. His answers are clipped and he doesn't make eye contact. Oh-oh!

The classic warning signs! This super star is expecting another boring career interview.

But you can turn the tables with a challenging lively encounter that will interest and intrigue him. Maybe even make him lift an eyebrow and smile with surprised delight as you get to his "heart," the key to a great interview.

But only once you learn 3 simple things.

Getting To the Heart

Anyone can get facts and figures; just go to an Internet search engine. But only very skilled interviewers can get to the "heart." And it's the capture of that "heart" that will turn your interview into a great interview.

I was a radio rock reporter years ago when Supertramp and the Who were hot, when Bryan Adams was still scaling the rock star wall, and when Harry Chapin was still alive. I made mistakes but overall I got great interviews; I captured the "hearts."

The interviewing techniques I used then are the same ones I would use today. They were the same ones used long before the invention of the cassette tape player and will be the same ones employed long after DVDs are obsolete.

A great interview employs three things: research, creativity, and professionalism.

Research

Read, read, and read some more: books, online articles, book jackets, CD liners. What have they already been asked? At least a thousand times. Avoid those questions.

Find out what stokes their fires, what subject means something to them -- at the present time. Chapin loved talking about the World Health Organization and because I was prepped with this information, he let me interview him even while the concert promoter was encouraging him to get to the stage.

Make a list, not an exhaustive list, but a list of 10-12 questions will do. Be prepared to take a side trip in the interview. If you are truly listening to your subject, you will hear what makes them feel impassioned. Follow up that lead. If you allow the interviewee to espouse on a topic they love, they will be more likely to answer the more mundane questions on your list.

Creativity

Think like a celebrity. Ask yourself what question you'd like to be asked. What question would bring you joy? A great interview must be fun for the celebrity, too, because a relaxed celebrity with a genuine smile on their face will share their inner thoughts more willingly. Just ask Barbara Walters.

Listen to their music, really listen to their music. I was so taken with a harmonica run in one of Harry Chapin's songs, that I mentioned it. He promptly played it for me right there in the interview.

Bring a small gift, something practical or something catering to the celebrity's interests or a souvenir. If you live in a cold climate, bring them a toque bearing the name of your town. A gift can chip a large chunk off the interviewer/celebrity iceberg.

Professionalism

Be succinct. Don't try to impress the celebrity with your credits. They won't care. And you ramblings will be met with disinterest. Say who you represent, why you are there, and get to the interview.

Be clear in your questions. I cringe at the TV interviewers who are so interested in hearing their own opinions that the celebrity is nearly asleep by the time they get to the actual question. Ask your question devoid of preamble and let the celebrity provide the answer.

Don't ask stupid questions like what is their favorite color or their favorite kind of video game. They've been asked that before, too. Boring.

Maintain good eye contact. Know your questions well enough so that your written list is there only as a quick reminder. Remember, super stars have big egos and your lack of full attention may be misconstrued as disinterest.

Paraphrase. Repeat their response in your own words to ensure you have clearly understood their meaning. This will often initiate further clarification on their part. Some of my best quotes have come from these little add-ons. Like when Harry Chapin referred to his song lyrics as "all propaganda."

Be considerate. If the celebrity tells you they have another commitment or they are not feeling well, then honor that need and condense your interview. Tell them you will be quick and you may get a nice surprise. Adams told me "it was okay" and continued our interview even though he was exhausted, after I reminded him that I had taken enough of his time. Simple courtesy works, even with rock stars.

Leave your groupie hat at home, especially if you are female. You are a professional; act like one. Don't mimic the TV entertainment interviewers who fawn all over the celebrities they interview. Conduct your interview, thank the person, and leave.

And finally

Will all your interviews be great? Heck, no. But most will be very good. And much better than the majority of other interviews if you remember to make your main quest the capture of your subject's "heart."

Will you know when you've hit the mark? Oh yes.

That flicker of intensity in his eyes and the wide smile on his lips as he leans forward in his chair will confirm your victory - you have just landed another great interview.