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RIP Ron Banks and T Bone Wolks
Ron Banks, the leader of the Dramatics, best known for the 1970's
song What You See Is What You Get died recently. He had such a high sweet falsetto, and was one of the people who influenced and inspired me.. Another great musician that I had the pleasure of jamming with once has also passed away recently. Tom T Bone Wolk played bass for Hall And Oates from 1981 until his death. He was also well known for his big black top hat on Saturday Night Live, where he also played. In addition to being the bassist for H&O, he was also a co-producer of much of their work. So Ron Banks is singing the high end now in the Celestial band, and T Bone is supplying the bottom in the pocket. RIP guys, you done good. A long overdue update
I realized that it's been a LONG time since I posted to the blog. There are a lot of reasons for that. For quite a while, I was in the mountains working all week every week, putting in 12-14 hour days. When you are only home on weekends, you have other priorities!
Since July, I've had surgery on my right eye to repair a detached retina, treatment for glaucoma in both eyes and surgery on my forehead for a tumor. So that's slowed me down a little as well! I'm starting to write with a collaborator for the first time since Debbie died. I'm excited about that. I'm also revamping The Rhythm Express line-up. I know, AGAIN. I'll keep after it until I get the right lineup. I'm picky. Pleasure Grove Productions Going Into Overdrive
I've always been the round peg in the square hole, and my business plan reflects that. My motto is "If you're gonna do it, do it right." That means thinking big, so that I have all the financial tools to make it happen. I plan on investing in real estate for both a nightclub and recording studio, vehicles for the transportation of both bands and equipment, as well as a marketing and advertising budget to build
our bands' name recognition and credibility. More sad news
I got some sad news today that a guitar player that Jamming Julian knew from N.Carolina was killed in a tragic auto accident on the way back from a gig. He was only 18. I also heard recently about both Arthur Lee of Love and Maynard Ferguson passing away. Different genres, but both extremely creative musicians who did exciting work. They'll be missed.
Progress on the Production Company
Today I got together with several musicians at RockHouse Studios - Studio C to talk about the production company and play some damn good music as well! Thanks Rob, for all the help getting the studio set up for us . I'm optimistic that the company is going to take shape and blow Denver away. We're going to have some fine players and singers!
I'm so excited!
The jam at the Lakewood Grill was well attended last night, even though there were not many musicians who showed up to play. X was there and played a killer set! I played a hell of a fun set, as well and after the jam was over, X, Toni and I talked for quite a while and decided to join forces and see what we can make happen. I think we are going to do some VERY interesting things together. I'm so excited!
So Long, Syd Barret and Milan Williams. We'll miss you both.
Syd Barret, a founding member and HUGE influence on Pink Floyd and Milan Williams, a founding member of the Commodores, have both died :(
Syd started out as the primary writer, guitarist and vocalist for the Floyd before quitting due to mental health issues. David Bowie, Marc Bolan and of course the remaining members of Pink Floyd were all influenced greatly by Syd, even long after he'd left the music business. A lot of the indie bands out there today sound like they owe a debt to Syd, as well. Milan Williams was a founder of the Commodores(remember Machine Gun?). A great musician and a great human being, he'll also be deeply missed. With the Commodores, he helped to continue bringing Funk to the masses. Thank you fo' tha funk, Milan. I know you're up there jamming with Billy Preston, ain'tcha! :) Not one but two giants gone :(
Both Ahmet Ertegun AND Johnny Jenkins have died recently, and the world is much poorer now because of it. Ahmet Ertegun was the Atlantic Records giant who worked with Aretha, Dusty Springfield, The Rascals and the list goes on and on and on. Johnny Jenkins was one of the guitarists who played with Otis Redding and was one of the architects of Otis's incredible sound, in addition to providing some of the tastiest guitar licks on a lot of Stax and Capricorn releases. He also had a huge influence on another guitarist that enjoyed a little bit of fame and recognition - a cat named Jimi Hendrix! Jimi copped a lot of licks from Johnny, as well as emulating Johnny's musical theatre bits, like playing guitar with his teeth and behind his back. Johnny was a hell of a fine guitar player, the kind of musician that Ahmet Ertegun loved listening to. And when Ahmet liked you, you knew you had something going on. :)
Charles Smith
Charles Smith, the guitarist for Kool and The Gang, died recently. This guy was way talented - he could play jazz, soul, funk, R&B, you name it! He'd been ill for a long time and like Billy Preston, he was way underrated. I'm bummed :(
A Day In The Life
Good jam at the Lakewood Grill, however I'm parting ways with the rest of the band. I'll be putting together a new lineup soon. I'm talking with a fantastic multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, sax and flute, as well as a 2nd guitarist and bass players. And I have a keyboard player that I think will work out well. After playing with Brian and Sharon since last September, it became obvious tonight that the communication just isn't there. And if it isn't there now, it never will be. I wish them the best of luck. Time to move on to something that will be better for me and hopefully what they do will be better for them.
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Love the site Rhythm, the girl in the Youtube videos sings real nice--Love the theme to your site also-it has a warm flavor to it....I should have visited a long time ago...let give you guys a page on site...check it out I have changed some things, keep up the good work.