Episode 53: Josh Ramos of The Storm & Hardline

Chicago-born guitarist Josh Ramos got an early musical start in life by playing in the church band before he ever hit double digits. Later in high school he formed and played in bands around the Chicago area. A year out of high school Josh formed LE MANS in 1983. This band recorded two albums, one on the Shrapnel Label and one with Columbia Records. It was during this time that Josh moved to the Bay Area of California and became associated with Neal Schon and his line of "Schon guitars". Josh joined THE STORM in 1991. The Storm recorded an album with Interscope Records and had a #3 hit with "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love" and a #10 hit with "Show Me The Way", while giving tour support to Bryan Adams, Peter Frampton and Tom Cochran. The album was near gold and the band was established as one that could deliver radio friendly hit songs.

The band received a Bay Area Music Award ("Bammie") for Best Debut Album and a BMI Award for airplay for "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love". In January, 1997, Josh and Kevin Chalfant traveled to London, England to attend the "Frontiers Awards", and to accept awards for "Best Song" and "Best Album" for The Storm's second album "Eye of the Storm" (on the Music For Nations label). The album features songs like "Waiting For The World To Change", "Don't Give Up", "To Have And To Hold" and several others that possess the same quality and mass appeal as the first.

Josh joined CA rockers Hardline for the 2nd album and recorded and played live with the band for almost 15 years. Beyond that Josh has been involved in other notable bands/projects such as Two Fires, China Blue, L.R.S. (Tommy LaVerdi, Josh Ramos, Michael Shotton) as well as releasing two solo albums and working with many great musicians along the way.

*This podcast was conducted back in April of 2023 and presented on our YouTube channel but was never shared on the streaming platforms until now.