Decades of Rock Craftsmanship: Russ Irwin on His New Solo Album and Nearly Joining Van Halen

With a 30-year career that includes performing, songwriting, and/or producing for icons like Sting, Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, The Scorpions and Cheap Trick, Russ Irwin is a true veteran of the rock world. Fresh off a solo performance at New York City’s legendary The Bitter End earlier this month, Irwin is now gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated third solo album, King of a Thousand Fools, due out May 29, 2026.

The 10-track record is a bold, piano-driven statement featuring a heavy-hitting lineup of collaborators, including Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), **Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Bruce Watson (Foreigner), and Jamie Wollam (Tears for Fears). Co-produced by Charlton Pettus** (Tears for Fears), the album serves as a musical diary of love, loss, and social introspection.

Within our April 2026 conversation, Irwin dived deep into the meaning behind the album’s title track — a dark reflection on a world where self-interest is often rewarded over honesty. Beyond the new music, we explored Irwin’s fascinating history, including his Long Island roots, his time as a long-term touring member of Aerosmith, and the incredible story of becoming the first artist ever signed to the SBK record label.

For Van Halen fans, Irwin also shared the story of how he nearly joined the legendary band in the late 1990s. This interview serves as a perfect companion to our previous sit-down with his Aerosmith bandmate, Joey Kramer.

More on Russ Irwin and King of a Thousand Fools can be found here and here, while the music video for the title track from his new LP is embedded below along with our Zoom-based interview.

[Watch: Paltrocast Interview with Russ Irwin]

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[Watch: Russ Irwin — “King of a Thousand Fools” Official Video]

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[Related: Paltrocast Interview with Joey Kramer of Aerosmith]

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