Bruce Hornsby joined Questlove Supreme in 2020 for a deep-dive that went way beyond “The Way It Is,” tracing his late-blooming journey from Virginia jock to conservatory-trained improviser to unlikely pop star. Bruce broke down how playing with The Grateful Dead rewired his approach to live performance, why he’d spent decades upsetting soft-core fans, and how a small-town Southern upbringing informed his blunt (and progressive) songwriting about race and class. He shared wild, personal stories about mentoring Allen Iverson, getting discovered by Michael McDonald, and being the piano heartbeat behind (fellow QLS guest) Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Hornsby also talked about doing (fellow QLS guest) Spike Lee scores, his modern Classical influences, and why he’d rather chase new harmonic territory than nostalgia. It was a rare, funny, and candid portrait of a virtuoso who kept reinventing himself—even as his most famous song found new life with artists from 2Pac to Polo G.

<p data-assistant-stream-block="" data-assistant-stream-block-index="2">Bruce Hornsby joined Questlove Supreme in 2020 for a deep-dive that went way beyond &ldquo;The Way It Is,&rdquo; tracing his late-blooming journey from Virginia jock to conservatory-trained improviser to unlikely pop star. Bruce broke down how playing with The Grateful Dead rewired his approach to live performance, why he&rsquo;d spent decades upsetting soft-core fans, and how a small-town Southern upbringing informed his blunt (and progressive) songwriting about race and class. He shared wild, personal stories about mentoring Allen Iverson, getting discovered by Michael McDonald, and being the piano heartbeat behind (fellow QLS guest) Bonnie Raitt&rsquo;s &ldquo;I Can&rsquo;t Make You Love Me.&rdquo; Hornsby also talked about doing (fellow QLS guest) Spike Lee scores, his modern Classical influences, and why he&rsquo;d rather chase new harmonic territory than nostalgia. It was a rare, funny, and candid portrait of a virtuoso who kept reinventing himself&mdash;even as his most famous song found new life with artists from 2Pac to Polo G.</p>

The Questlove Show builds on the award-winning Questlove Supreme podcast, bringing listeners into intimate, one-on-one conversations with peers, influences, and friends. Hosted by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected — from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest’s journey. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, always curious, QLS offers rare insight into leaders in music, film, television, comedy, literature, mental health, and beyond. It’s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source — a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.

<p>The Questlove Show builds on the award-winning Questlove Supreme podcast, bringing listeners into intimate, one-on-one conversations with peers, influences, and friends. Hosted by Ahmir &ldquo;Questlove&rdquo; Thompson, each episode uncovers the unexpected &mdash; from morning rituals and hidden talents to the art and experiences that shaped a guest&rsquo;s journey. Sometimes playful, sometimes profound, always curious, QLS offers rare insight into leaders in music, film, television, comedy, literature, mental health, and beyond. It&rsquo;s a fresh, unpredictable spin from a trusted source &mdash; a place where randomness is encouraged, tangents are welcomed, and conversations are anything but ordinary.</p>

The Questlove Show

This week on Questlove Supreme mega talented, multiple award winning singer songwriter, composer and pianist Bruce Hornsby shares his story.

QLS Classic: Bruce Hornsby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc46283a-eb51-425f-a2aa-ae3200a0b69a/transcript