Welcome to the inaugural episode of Rock Star MBA! I'm your host, Martin McDermott, author of the upcoming book, Rock Star MBA: 77 Untapped Lessons on Life, Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, & Leadership from Rock Stars.

This podcast explores the surprising truth: art and business aren't opposites, but powerful partners in understanding creativity, value, and human connection. We'll challenge you to see the world differently, drawing inspiration and actionable insights from the lives of rock stars and artists.

For our very first episode, I wanted to go big. As a 16-year-old, I was blown away by the band Riot, especially the powerful bass lines on albums like Born in America, Restless Breed, and Fire Down Under. To me, the bass player is the unsung hero of any band.

That's why I reached out to Kip Leming, the legendary bass player from Riot's classic lineup—and he graciously called me back! As I discuss in my book, often the bigger the rock star, the nicer the person, and Kip was no exception.

Join us as we dive into a conversation with Kip Leming, where you'll discover:

From one traffic light to world stages: How a small-town New Jersey kid honed his skills on dirt roads to become the powerhouse bassist for the legendary rock band Riot.

The surprising secret to a gig every night: Kip reveals the unexpected advantage of being a bass player in a town full of guitarists and drummers.

"What can you do? I'm the bass player!" Hear the hilarious and pivotal moment on a school bus that launched Kip Leming's lifelong journey into music.

Let's jump right into this incredible interview! Click the play button below.