Jeff Alder

I recently spent too many years writing "How to be a Lighting Guy (During the Pirate Years of Concert Touring)", a book about my experiences during the development of rock concert lighting. It covers running liquid lightshows in the early '70s, once for Grand Funk when they were still a railroad, to working with the first analog moving lights, the Cyklops, when I designed lights for a War tour with Fantasee Lighting in the mid '70s, to suggesting to Morpheus Lights that we should R&D the mass production of computer-controlled moving lights in the late '70s/early '80s. I got fired for taking the blame for technical difficulties from Morpheus Light's first big tour with Devo where Panaspots were predominant. I've directed lighting on tours with Warren Zevon Jimmy Buffett, Pablo Cruise, Steve Miller Band and I directed and designed lighting for Huey Lewis and the News, Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Aerosmith, Ozzie, Alice, Grand Funk, who bookended my career, which collapsed by the mid '90s due to a collapsed vertebrae.

I enjoy listening to my old friends on your podcasts, It's like catching up with the ones I lost touch with.

March 4, 2026

The Pirate Years of Concert Touring - Rock Lighting Legend with Jeff Alder

In this episode, Jeff Alder shares his journey from a young lighting enthusiast to a pioneer in the concert lighting industry. He discusses the evolution of lighting technology, particularly the introduction of moving lights like the Cyclops, and how these innovations have transformed live performances. Jeff recounts his experiences working with various artists, the challenges he faced on tour, and the importance of collaboration in creating memorable lighting designs. The conversation also touches on the future of lighting technology and its impact on the music industry. In this engaging conversation, Jeff shares his journey through the music industry, detailing his experiences with Huey Lewis and the News, Santana, and the challenges of touring. He emphasizes the importance of camaraderie, standing up for oneself, and the impact of personal health on a career in music. Jeff reflects on his transition from touring to corporate work and the lessons learned along the way, culmin…

Guest: Jeff Alder

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