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1971 in my High School rock band "RIOT". With George Harris on drums, Roy Cartier on keyboards, John Pajak (not pictured) on bass, John Steinmetz on Guitar, me on lead vocals. Two things I notice here. I had hair like a football helmet, and my brother Jim in the background pleading with George to never force him to hold his cymbal.
My High school rock band "Riot" performing in 1972. Here I am showing the audience an early version of "Lord Of The Dance".
Preparing for an evening of rock and roll. Let's see...guitar..check, long hair..check, beard..check, looks like I'm ready...all I needed was somewhere to go.
1975 The Toast Band. Here the band and the roadies pause as they hitch hike to The Southern Rock Tough Band Competition. Pictured left to right: Bill Henigman, David Hibay, Chuck Beringer, Brian Carnahan, Rick Ali, Bob (BS) Carnahan, Tom Balisteri, Bill Ali.
In concert 1979. You'll notice that as I sing and dance the band can't stand to look at me.
I would explain to everyone I wasn't an Elvis impersonator. I was like an actor playing a part in a musical. It was just part of of a show. Honest..I mean it. For some reason no one believed me.
Here we are putting everything we have into our hit song "Ina-Gadda-Da-Veeda Polka".
I still have that guitar. I don't have the hair.
Often when we performed they would put up a fence like you would see around animals in a zoo. We later found out it was for our protection from country music lovers.
1987 I played bass guitar for the country rock and roll group "Gashouse". Steve Derose on lead guitar, Shirley Dragovich vocals and rhythm guitar, George Harris on drums. Steve is an excellent guitarist. So good in fact that he would not play while I was playing bass guitar.
2007 Toast had a big event at a local club celebrating 35 years as a band. (With various lead singers) I was invited back to sing a few songs that we recorded way back in 1975. They looked about the same. I on the other hand was getting AARP discounts at the bar without even asking.
Now I spend my time wandering through the forest singing to animals.
Occasionally I sing on the internet.
Which to some people is the same thing.
Once a year I shave to remind myself why I have a beard.
I have a autographed picture of you as Elvis
ReplyDeleteIt gets closer to qualifying as an antique every day.
DeleteYou or the picture ?
DeleteYes. :)
Delete