Today on another brand new episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to Adam Nimoy, son of actor, director, pilot, musician and much more, Leonard Nimoy. We spoke to Adam about growing up the child of one of the most beloved actors of his generation because he portrayed one of the most iconic characters of the 20th century, Spock from Star Trek in television and film. Of course, not too long ago we spoke to Adam's sister Julie Nimoy and brother-in-law David Knight and we learned a few things about Leonard. But this one is just a bit different.

On this episode, we learn from Adam about the relationship, struggles and finally acceptance he had with his father which was outlined in two books, 2008's My Incredible, Wonderful, Miserable Life:An Anti Memoir and 2024's The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy. Among other things, it was with the help of getting sober and a 12-Step program that both father and son leaned on to connect after a period of estrangement and also how it helped to be open and honest and share – something that was in limited supply for most of Adam's life.

Along the way, we take a deep dive in L.A. nostalgia including our shared education at University High School in West L.A, restaurants he and his family frequented, several of his father's automobiles, the Paisley Underground scene of the 1980s, how the band the Rain Parade were his first clients when he was becoming a lawyer via his relationship growing up with them as a kid, Leonard's TV movie Baffledwhich holds a special place in host Josh Mills's heart and how the last vestiges of the beloved Stan's Donuts in Westwood has finally closed shop.

This is the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story. Live long and prosper friends. Take a listen.

Today on part two of the Rarified Heir Podcast with guest Leo Sidran, we focused on the career of Grammy winning (but not Oscar winning as we find out) musician Leo Sidran about growing up the son of jazzbo, Ben Sidran. On this episode we dig deep into Leo's career as an in demand musician for film and commercial scoring as well as his production work and his record label. We also get into discussing his podcast, The Third Story which has a lot in common with this one quite frankly – and it's terrific.

Our conversation takes us from Wisconsin to Spain, where Leo spent quite a bit of his years in high school and in his twenties after a study abroad program kicked his love of the country into high gear. As we find out it was Ben who inadvertently made this all possible simply because he wanted his young son to speak Spanish as a kid. Somehow that leads to gigs in Spain, living in Seville, a very important tribute to Spanish poet Frederico Garcia Lorca and an Irish pub in Andalucía became a major part of his life and career.

Moreover, we discuss how James Brown's 'Funky drummer' Clyde Stubblefield became a major part of Leo's life when he quit the JBs and moved to Madison Wisconsin. How we manage to weave all these disparate tendrils into a cohesive (ahem) podcast episode is beyond even me. But that's one of the things about the Rarified Heir Podcast, because everyone has a story. This is a Sidran story. Take a listen.

Today on part one of this interview on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Grammy-winning musician Leo Sidran, son of jazz musician, professor, radio host, VH1 TV host and author Ben Sidran. Now if you are a jazz fan, likely you know the name Ben Sidran. In a career that spans more than 50 years, Ben Sidran has had a truly remarkable career as a solo performer and has somehow performed with, recorded with or produced pretty much everyone in and out of jazz. Like who? How about Steve Miller, Diana Ross, Boz Scaggs, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, Mose Allison and so many more.

But as we learn from Leo on this episode, Ben's literate background, his poetic lyrics and his fantastic piano playing make him, we would argue, more than just a musician but more of a national treasure. There is just something about a world class jazz musician who can also write lyrics that make you think, and often times laugh, that just gives you pause. It's a rare talent and Ben Sidran has it.

So on this episode we learn about Leo's entre into music. Yes of course it's via his dad but it also involves going on tour with The Steve Miller Band where technology plays a major part in his world on the tour bus. From there we learn how Leo became a songwriter before he could drive, how he was looked after by the Steve Miller Band band members and how it set him up for his first recording date not too long after.

Along the way we discuss the importance of merch, Camus, Madison Wisconsin, the importance of having a mother who was a travel agent – and much more than that, why his parents left Los Angeles when Ben's solo career was just getting going and much more. This is the Rarified Heir Podcast and everyone has a story.