954.404.0848
Born & Raised in Queens, NY
Graduated Bayside HS, 1st seat Band & Orchestra (Bassoon)
Attended C.W. Post College, Queensboro Community College, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
First Audition: Age: 13, Song: 'Keep Me Hanging On' (Vanilla Fudge Version)
First Original Band: Cold Sun 'Power Trio'
First Gig: P.S. 189, Bayside NY Age: 15 (Jumped after the gig by local gang 'Casey's Boyz')
First Bass: Hofner (Copy), Second: Gibson EB3, Finally Found My Fender '62 Jazz
JOEY DEE AND THE STARLITERS
Performed
with Joey Dee all over the United States. Joe had a number one hit in 1962
called 'The Peppermint Twist". He was quite big in his day, made a few
movies and had some not yet famous players in his band one of them being Jimi
Hendrix! That always made me feel good knowing Hendrix was a Starliter himself.
Believe it or not The Beatles actually opened a show for him in Germany back
in those glorious days.
Since Joey Dee is one of the few acts on the 'Oldies' circuit who actually has his own band, The Starliters would regularly be billed with several other acts that needed us to back them up. We would usually have a quick rehearsal (on stage) before the show with whoever the flavor of the day was, sometimes 3 or 4 acts and just do it! I had a lot of fun as a Starliter. We did an awful lot of driving and covered every state east of the Mississippi and a few more. Lots of nice cruises, lots of big venues and twice as many little clubs. Got to meet and play with a whole lot of latter day superstars and learned to love the music of the 50's.
JOEY DEE & THE STARLITERS VIDEOS
ANGELA BOWIE
I
was called by my great friend Chico Rey to work on the Angela Bowie project.
I adopted Chico when we were 16, he was living in foster homes and though
I couldn't convince my mom to take him in we were inseparable for many years.
I would drive him back and forth to Co-op city in the Bronx practically everyday.
We had our first band together in short time and played our hearts out to
every little groupie who found us. Wish I had a photo or a tape of those first
bands, video...ah that would have been nice.
It was a cool project to work on. Chico wrote, produced & directed and Keith Angelino engineered. Angie was fun to work with. She was living at the Chelsea hotel and hanging out there is always an experience. The only live gig was at 'The Peppermint Lounge'. Isn't that strange, I ended up with Joey Dee who made that place a landmark with his 'Peppermint Twist'!
HUNTER
I
know the exact moment I fell in love with country music. I was dating a girl
from Tennessee (Teri Drinna). Terri and her mom and sister used to sing along
with 'Judd' records constantly. They were so cute (see picture) that I was
easily hooked.
Hunter came to see me play with my Rock band 'Fire n' Ice'. I knew our singer was leaving the band and I was ready for a musical change. I loved the songs, especially the 'girl' songs. So innovative, 'New Country', the women really went out of the old school rules and crossed over to Pop, Rock, Alternative, etc.. It was a good time to be playing country, there were plenty of clubs doing that format and people were getting into line dancing so the whole scene was 'hot'! I went with Hunter to Nashville for a week to network and showcase some original songs at the local clubs. She's a great singer and a hell of a performer, probably the best I've worked with. It was a fun trip, saw some fantastic bands, (got some great clothes), and even ran into a former band mate from NYC 'Gemini Jones'. The band finally disbanded after a couple of years, the pedal steel player, Alan, had to go on tour with his 'other' band....The Bee Gees.
POP HEROES
This
was a fun band, Pop Heroes. Mark Houghtaling, (the guy missing his shirt),
was the writer/director/keyboard player and he wrote some catchy fun tunes.
Out front were two beautiful/hot singers, Lisa Miller and Carolyn Dows. The drummer
was Adam Newman and his mom played 'Bernice'
on the TV sitcom 'Barnie Miller'. The guitarist in all the videos was
Pete Rose. Lisa
was dating Rob Morrow, 'Northern Exposure', and he was always at our shows
at Trax. Because of this relationship there's a Pop Heroes song ,'Until the
records through', in the opening scene of the movie 'Private Resort'. We always
played nice clubs in Manhattan and did a show with Tom Chapin (Harry's brother)
at Lincoln Center. I don't remember if the band broke up or I just left but
I haven't seen anyone since, except Lisa Miller, I saw her quite by chance
in a small role on 'Law & Order".
POP HEROES VIDEOS
