Celebrity Travel: Go away with Paul Rappaport

In Paul Rappaport’s memoir “Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay, and the Art of Rock Promotion” (Jawbone Press), the former Columbia Records senior vice president of rock promotion captures an era of music (the late 1960s through the 1990s) that he considers magical. Besides sharing stories about legends like the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, Rappaport provides an insider’s look into dealing with promoters, managers, disc jockeys and others who played an instrumental role in an artist’s success. At 76, the Long Island author spends his down time surfing, playing guitar in a band and, on occasion, performing magic.

Q: Did you write any of your book on your travels?

A: Yes, in airports and on planes. I always carried a notebook or laptop computer with me on my travels. The down time and isolation are good for writing.

Q: What stories can you share about being on the road with music legends?

A: When traveling with artists, I tended to fall into their lifestyle. If it was reggae legend Peter Tosh, that meant a healthy lifestyle of nuts, berries and mint tea with honey – plus a fair amount of ganja. When I went on tour with The New Barbarians, a band put together by Ronnie Wood to promote his solo album featuring Rolling Stones bandmate Keith Richards on guitar and Bobby Keys on sax, I barely ate or slept for an entire week! One of my greatest moments was playing live on stage with Pink Floyd at the London Arena. It was a thank you present for all I'd done for them. I even got to trade licks with David Gilmour!

Q: Do you feel that certain cities had different vibes?

A: Rock‘n’ roll is a universal language, so crowds in the United States, England, Italy or France pretty much react the same. But I believe rock audiences in New York and Philadelphia have an extra, unparalleled energy.

Q: What was the longest you’ve spent on the road?

A: Back in the day, one could take a two-week vacation and we did. When working with any artist, the longest would be for one week, because I was in charge of so many. I needed to return to my office to take care of business for everyone.

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?

A: Yes, England to promote my book and then Turkey, which sounds quite exciting.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Italy – the people, the food, the beauty. Plus, I root for the Ferrari F1 team.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: I believe Greece falls too far under the radar. The Greeks are so wonderful, the food is so healthy, the artisan jewelry is magnificent and the history is amazing.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

A: I grew up in Southern California. My favorite day trip was to a place called Vasquez Rocks [Natural Area and Nature Center near] Agua Dulce. It's a striking outcropping of rocks used in many western movies and TV commercials. My sister and I would climb all over them and dream about the cowboy bandits who once hid out there.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: People are pretty much the same the world over. We all want peace, someone to love, good food and a roof over our heads we can count on.

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?

A: Fine dining because I have been blessed on occasion to eat well-thought-out meals with paired wines that I consider fine art. But honestly, my favorite place to eat is at home. My wife is an amazing cook. So whether it’s a steak cooked to perfection, a creative chicken dish or risotto – you name it – it’s always incredible.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: Believe it or not, staying overnight in a hip hotel in New York City. New York is a very romantic town and its endless offering of great food and so many interesting things to see and do make it lots of fun. My best weekend getaway was a birthday surprise. A long weekend trip to Paris. January is a fun time to go and that's when all the sales are too.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: My mom used to fly the whole family to Mexico or the Dominican Republic for Christmas and New Year’s. They were all very special.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?

A: Took French in high school. I can still read it, but can't really speak it fluently. I also read Hebrew very well. I usually pick up a few phrases when we travel. Grazie mille!

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: New York, San Francisco, Paris, Athens and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which I realize is not a city, but [it’s] the most beautiful place in the world.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Tahiti. For the history, the beauty and I want to surf there.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: I wear daily contact lenses, so those plus saline solution, Calvin Klein deodorant and fragrance, sunscreen and a crossbody sling bag.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: Anything sweet. Gelato, local candies and baked goods.

Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?

A: I'm spoiled. My sister-in-law Carolyn and her husband Robert travel the world constantly. They always plan trips and then invite Sharon and me to go along. We just say, "Yes," and off we go.

Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A: Without a doubt, the best trip ever was our recent trip to Italy where we toured Pompeii and stayed in a villa on the Amalfi Coast for a week. We also spent a couple days in Sicily. Best linguine and clams you'll ever eat!

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)