Vanessa Warwick has spent decades telling rock and metal stories, from presenting MTV’s Headbangers Ball to filming some of the biggest bands on the planet. For The MetalTalk Lowdown, Vanessa takes us flying with Iron Maiden, Metallica and Motörhead to Wacken with Sabaton, an unforgettable birthday courtesy of Ghost and a rather less welcoming encounter with Marilyn Manson.
Along the way, there is country music, the importance of good health and a simple philosophy for when the music stops. You can find Vanessa on Instagram and subscribe to her Trust In Rock series on YouTube.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done?
Flew on a plane with Skid Row, Motörhead, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden and many others, flying to Monsters Of Rock concerts in Brazil. Also, flew with Iron Maiden in a helicopter to a private football match in Brazil and flew on Metallica’s private jet in Europe.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever worked at, and why?
It’s an honour and a privilege to work at any gig, and I can’t think of any that were bad apart from the US Ozzfest, where there were clouds of mosquitoes, and I got completely covered in mosquito bites from head to toe. Very itchy and painful!
What’s the best gig you’ve ever worked at, and why?
Too many to mention, but I really enjoyed Wacken Open Air in Germany this year, where I was filming a documentary with Sabaton. It was so incredibly well organised. The line-up was awesome, and the backstage food was amazing. I reunited with many friends, including Def Leppard, Kreator, and Sepultura and I got to sleep on a tour bus again.
If you could relive one night from your career, which one would it be?
When Papa V of Ghost sang Happy Birthday to me from the stage in San Diego last year on the Ghost Skeletour World Tour, all the fans joined in. It was so moving, and my eyes welled up with tears. I managed to get a clip of it from the iMag screens for my own private enjoyment so I can relive it any time I like.
What’s your greatest fear?
Losing my mobility to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. My husband and I are outdoors nearly every day, walking, hiking, open water swimming, having adventures in our motorhome. So I would detest not to be able to do that.
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience.
What’s the trait you most deplore in musicians?
Arrogance and not truly caring about the fans. I also dislike musicians who jump on political bandwagons without fully understanding the reality of a situation and just doing it to be trendy and get ‘likes’.
Describe yourself in three words.
Work in progress.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
I am a bit partial to country music.
What makes a band genuinely exciting to you?
Authenticity.
What’s the worst thing a musician has ever said to you?
Marilyn Manson turned up late for an interview in the US, and I introduced myself and my crew. He replied, “I don’t care who you are or where you came from. Get the fuck on with this interview.” He was obviously feeling a bit stressed that day.
What’s the worst thing anyone has ever written about you?
I get misogynist-type comments from time to time. A lot has changed for the better since my heyday in the ’90s, but sadly not that.
If you had not ended up working in music, what would you have done?
I don’t honestly know. There were things I would like to have done, like becoming a Doctor, but I didn’t have the A levels for that.
What’s one album outside Metal that you secretly love?
Third Eye Blind self-titled album
When did you last cry, and why?
When my cat of 16 years, Dylan, passed away 18 months ago.
What keeps you awake at night?
I can get anxious knowing there’s a big day of filming the next day and all that entails.
Fame, money or good health?
Good health.
How do you want to be remembered?
It would be great just to be remembered. I guess I would like to be remembered as always putting the bands first and doing my best for them and the fans to tell the stories that inspire and matter.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you?
To look after your physical and mental health and be present to the moment, because it passes so quickly. Being on the road is my happy place, whether that be on a tour bus or in our motorhome.
What happens when the music stops?
Feel gratitude for the music, the artists, the concerts, the creativity and the people you met through music. Be grateful for these gifts and fill your heart with love at the thought of them.