Christopher Cross joins Questlove in Hollywood for a deep musician-to-musician conversation about songwriting, studio craftsmanship, and surviving meteoric success. Cross reveals the true origin of Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) and the outlaw mythology behind Ride Like The Wind, while recalling experiences like seeing Jimi Hendrix live, opening for Led Zeppelin, and singing background vocals with Carl Wilson. He breaks down the making of his classic debut album, his obsession with Steely Dan–level precision, and why his later records still matter deeply to him and his core fans. Along the way, Cross shares rare stories about Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Michael McDonald, and Jimmy Page — plus an unforgettable Ginger Baker milk-and-ulcers story.

Christopher Cross joins Questlove in Hollywood for a deep musician-to-musician conversation about songwriting, studio craftsmanship, and surviving meteoric success. Cross reveals the true origin of Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) and the outlaw mythology behind Ride Like The Wind, while recalling experiences like seeing Jimi Hendrix live, opening for Led Zeppelin, and singing background vocals with Carl Wilson. He breaks down the making of his classic debut album, his obsession with Steely Dan&ndash;level precision, and why his later records still matter deeply to him and his core fans. Along the way, Cross shares rare stories about Brian Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Michael McDonald, and Jimmy Page &mdash; plus an unforgettable Ginger Baker milk-and-ulcers story.

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.

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.

The Questlove Show

Christopher Cross

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/810d0306-1ca4-439c-9393-b454015e88ec/transcript

This 2023 Questlove Supreme episode gave way to a lot of the format you now hear on The Questlove Show. Ahmir, Laiya, Unpaid Bill, and Suga Steve ask Dave Matthews a mix of random icebreakers and some very specific questions about life and career. This interview, and the way audiences reacted to it, taught us all so much.

This 2023 Questlove Supreme episode gave way to a lot of the format you now hear on The Questlove Show. Ahmir, Laiya, Unpaid Bill, and Suga Steve ask Dave Matthews a mix of random icebreakers and some very specific questions about life and career. This interview, and the way audiences reacted to it, taught us all so much.

QLS Classic: Dave Matthews

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/54f969db-bb92-4967-b3ac-b04b00db6a19/transcript

In a recent conversation with Padma Lakshmi, Questlove brought up the near-sacrilegious act of putting ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago. Chicago native Open Mike Eagle reacts — while admitting he may already be disqualified from the debate for entirely different reasons. The podcast affiliate (and recent guest) also speaks about the hometown food he gravitates towards, name-checking some purveyors. 

The mini episode conversation with Mike and show producer Cousin Jake also veers into touring life, road food, and experiences traveling through Europe.

In a recent conversation with Padma Lakshmi, Questlove brought up the near-sacrilegious act of putting ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago. Chicago native Open Mike Eagle reacts &mdash; while admitting he may already be disqualified from the debate for entirely different reasons. The podcast affiliate (and recent guest) also speaks about the hometown food he gravitates towards, name-checking some purveyors.&nbsp;
The mini episode conversation with Mike and show producer Cousin Jake also veers into touring life, road food, and experiences traveling through Europe.

Open Mike Eagle Talks Touring, Europe, & Chicago Food

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/933df8dd-ac71-4798-b46a-b453013b4aa1/transcript

Angela Nissel joins Questlove for a deeply funny and moving conversation about growing up in Southwest Philly, breaking into television, and navigating grief after losing her mother—the subject of her new memoir, Good Grief, Pass The Bread, Mom Is Dead.

The longtime friends revisit their wild early days together, from telemarketing gigs and busted cars to building Okayplayer and discovering the early internet, while unpacking people-pleasing, therapy, and late-in-life self-discovery. Angela opens up about caregiving, moving her mother to Los Angeles, surviving Hollywood burnout, and rediscovering who she is beyond work—all with the sharp wit that helped shape shows like Scrubs and The Boondocks.

Angela Nissel joins Questlove for a deeply funny and moving conversation about growing up in Southwest Philly, breaking into television, and navigating grief after losing her mother&mdash;the subject of her new memoir, Good Grief, Pass The Bread, Mom Is Dead.
The longtime friends revisit their wild early days together, from telemarketing gigs and busted cars to building Okayplayer and discovering the early internet, while unpacking people-pleasing, therapy, and late-in-life self-discovery. Angela opens up about caregiving, moving her mother to Los Angeles, surviving Hollywood burnout, and rediscovering who she is beyond work&mdash;all with the sharp wit that helped shape shows like Scrubs and The Boondocks.

Angela Nissel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/591cedac-6b8e-43d0-a877-b44d01352f3e/transcript

Christopher Cross

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