Conversations with Richard Gibbs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Gibbs.

Hi Richard, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
– Forced to play classical piano at age 5
– Learned trombone at age 9
– Picked up guitar at age 9, after seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan
– Played in rock bands, marching bands, and stage bands all through high school
– Matriculated with a degree in Classical Composition from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA
– Moved to Los Angeles and began working as a session musician
– Toured with Chaka Khan as her keyboardist/musical director; toured with Tom Jones, playing keyboards; joined Oingo Boingo in 1980; Quit Oingo Boingo in 1984 when our first son was born
– Scored over 70 films and television series including Say Anything, The Simpsons, Battlestar Galactica, Dr. Dolittle, Queen of the Damned
– Worked with and acted as musical director for the band Korn. Also music director for the Muppets and Tracey Ullman
– Produced albums for Richard Page, Korn, Eisley
– Opened Woodshed Recording in 2004, hosting artists such as Coldplay, U2, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Chance The Rapper
– Started the Composers Breakfast Club of Malibu in 2011. Meeting every Monday for breakfast, hosting presenters and performers such as Jonathan Davis (Korn), Flea (RHCP), Diane Warren, Ozomatli in front of 50-130 people. Currently at Aviator Nation/Dreamland
– Started the non-profit Armory of Harmony, gathering gun metal from weapons shredded by police departments around the country, then distributing the metal to various musical instrument manufacturers to utilize in the making of instruments. Then giving said instruments to high school band programs around the U.S.
– Elected as governor of the music branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (Oscars)

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth as silk:)

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I have my own podcast – invisiblearts.com. I recommend it!

Contact Info:

• Website: richardgibbs.com, woodshedrecording.com, invisiblearts.com, composersbreakfastclub.org, armoryofharmony.com

Image Credits
The photo of Richard at the piano is taken by Linda Gibbs.
The photos of Woodshed Recording are taken by Alexander Vertikoff (https://www.vertikoff.com/).
The photos of the trumpet and of the metal + hat are taken by Keegan Gibbs (https://www.keegangibbs.com/).