By “Tampa” Earl Burton, Rock At Night Tampa
Interview: Blackie Lawless of W.A.S. P. – Recorded August 27, 2026
Few figures embody the raw, theatrical energy of heavy metal quite like Blackie Lawless. As the founder, leader, and iconic bassist/vocalist of W.A.S.P., Lawless has been a formidable force in the rock world since his early days prowling the Sunset Strip in the late 1970s. Decades later, he is still carrying the banner high. W.A.S.P. is currently hitting the road with K.K.’s Priest for the highly anticipated 1984 to Headless Tour, which will be making a stop locally at Ruth Eckerd Hall on September 22nd.
Ahead of the show, Blackie sat down with Rock At Night‘s own “Tampa” Earl for a fantastic, wide-ranging conversation. In this episode of the podcast, they dive deep into the legendary early days of the Sunset Strip—including the night Van Halen famously signed their record deal—and reflect on the intense music censorship battles of the 1980s. They also discuss the heavy metal camaraderie of teaming up and sharing the stage with another genre legend, Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing.
Tune in below for a fascinating look into the history and enduring legacy of one of rock’s true trailblazers.
Rock At Night’s Podcast Channel– Apple Podcasts or Spotify or Amazon Music or YouTube or YouTube Music
VIDEO
“W.A.S.P. -1984 TO HEADLESS”
09-10 – El Cajon, CA The Magnolia
09-11 – Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
09-12 – Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center
09-13 – Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theater
09-14 – Santa Fe, NM Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
09-16 – Austin, TX Emos
09-17 – Tulsa, OK Tulsa Theater
09-18 – Dallas, TX House Of Blues
09-19 – San Antonio, TX Aztec Theater
09-20 – Houston, TX House Of Blues
09-22 – Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckard Hall
09-23 – Daytona, FL Peabody Auditorium
09-24 – Jacksonville, FL Florida Theater
09-25 – Raleigh, NC The Ritz
09-26 – Jim Thorpe, PA Penn’s Peak
09-27 – Portland, ME Aura
09-29 – Boston, MA House Of Blues
09-30 – Hampton, NH Hampton Beach Casino
10-01 – Wallington, CT Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10-02 – New York, NY The Palladium
10-03 – Carteret, NJ Carteret Performing Arts Center
10-05 – Montreal, QC Mtelus
10-06 – Ottawa, ON Hard Rock Casino
10-07 – Pickering, ON Pickering Casino Resort
10-09 – Des Plaines, IL Des Plaines Theater
10-10 – St Charles, IL Arcada Theater
10-11 – St Charles, IL Arcada Theater
10-13 – Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
10-14 – Harrisburg, PA Capitol City Music Hall
10-15 – Cleveland, OH Agoura Theater
10-16 – Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater
10-17 – Green Bay, WI EPIC Event Center
10-19 – Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre
10-21 – Edmonton, AB Midway Music Hall
10-22 – Calgary, AB The Palace Theater
10-23 – Coquitlam, BC Great Canadian Casino Vancouver – SOLD OUT
10-24 – Coquitlam, BC Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
10-25 – Seattle, WA Moore Theater
10-27 – San Jose, CA San Jose Civic
10-29 – Rancho Mirage, CA The Show @ Agua Caliente
10-30 – Las Vegas, NV House Of Blues
10-31 – Anaheim, CA The Grove
Tickets and VIP: www.WASPnation.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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