Radio Kimbolita: Article #164

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“Radio Kimbolita”Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #164 October 2024By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


   So Mr. Zer0’s 55113 Roseville, opened in October 2009. I opened the shop with the help of some silent partners and some close friends, it was quite a process for sure. Almost all of those people have moved on, some I keep in touch with, some I do not. However a strange thing happened back in June of this year one of Mr. Zer0’s very 1st customers dropped in after a 14 year gap, And we got reacquainted. So I asked her “Well, what have you been up to for the last 14 years?” she responded “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I answered “Yea, that’s why I bothered to ask” anyway, I ended up telling her what I have been doing for the past 14 years, besides having Mr. Zer0’s open for 16  “July 4th”s I play in ‘KISSin Time’ ‘StarChild’ “Bang GanG’ Johnnie Bolin’s Dreamers’ ‘Marko And Friends’ and ‘Thee Mod Garage’ appearing on the Radio Stations WDGY, WFNU, KFAI, WMNS, WXYG, AM940, KTNF and KQ92. As well as writing this monthly music column and at one point writing a movie column. The amazing thing to me is I have spent my whole life dedicated to the music biz, and all 25 years here in the Twin Cities, yet everyday I get someone asking me about comics, trading cards and sports, which I find simply astonishing …. as I have absolutely nothing to do with these other interests ???????   


I digress, so this young lady shows some interest in my music history and I ask her if she would like to guest on my radio show. And so she agrees, but asks me “Do I get to pick my own songs?” I had to inform her, “Sorry no, only my former co-host Missy Marrz has ever had that honor. However she agrees and does appear on these; Episode #289 “Tommy Bolin: YouTube Videos” from July 2024 and Episode #292 “Beatles Film Music” in August 2024. Then we begin to talk about music and she is telling me how much she loves “Classic Rock” and I asked “oh really, like what songs” So she starts to name off a few, and I start thinking, hey most of these I have played on my previous Radio Shows. So I then decide, “Tell you what, pick 10 songs and we will make your very own radio show !” And so she does, so Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show presents “Radio Kimbolita” I will now give you a brief history on what these songs mean to MrZerr0, Kimberly only really offered “Because I like them”. 


“House Of The Rising Sun” The Animals: June 1964 (BB #1)From Episode ##79 in February 2019Beisdes seeing this song on a TV Show, my Uncle Jeff once showed me how to play this one in  Dec. 1980. 


“Tomorrow Never Knows” The Beatles: August 1966From ‘Thee Mod Garage’ Episode #163 in October 2020I am pretty sure my Uncle Jeff got me this record for Christmas 1980.


“You’re Time Is Gonna Come” Led Zeppelin: Jan 1969From Episode #138 in April 2020I saw the band Quiet Riot perform this song in Clear Lake, Iowa at the Surf Ballroom, and I loved their version.


“Teacher” Jethro Tull: January 1970From Episode #82 in  March 2019My good friend B. Acela was a really big fan of this band, it took me a few years but I eventually got into them myself after I saw them in Aug 2002 in Prior Lake. 

“Instant Karma” John Lennon Feb 1970 (BB #3)From Episode #120 in Dec 2019I was attending “Old East Jr.” when I 1st heard  this song, i really love the chorus. 


“I’m Your Captain” Grand Funk: July 1970 (BB #22)From Episode 86 in March 2019I became a fan of this band when my Uncle John and I saw them in “ABC’s In Concert” in 1973.


“Green Eyed Lady” Sugarloaf: August 1970 (BB #3)One time when I was hanging out with Kimbolita she was carrying her Bluetooth Speaker and announced “You didn’t know I came with my own soundtrack, did ya?” and this was the song that was playing. 

“Lucky Man” Emerson, Lake & Palmer: February 1971 (BB #48)From Episode #60 in September 2018I discovered this song while hanging out in my Grandma Margie’s living room while she was baking Christmas Cookies in  the kitchen. 

“Tumblin Dice” Rolling Stones: April 1972 (BB #7)From Episode #167 in November 2020I am quite sure I heard this song on radio KSCJ when I was a kid living in Sioux City.

“Breathe” Pink Floyd: March 1973From Episode #162 in September 2020 It seems like most people I ever met loved Pink Floyd, well being clean and sober, this band never reached me. I do remember my family friend Derek L. introducing me to this band, and later my high school friend Margaret trying to get me into this band …. still, has never happened. 


You can hear the last 90 Episodes of Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show at www.MrZeroS.Com – Podcast. Also 8am Sundays on Radio WDGY: AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. You can hear MrZer0s other Radio Shows at www.MixCloud.Com under MrZeros “Evolation” and “Rick Burnette’s Hits And History” 
Until our next installment ….. MrZerr0 


Mr. Zer0’s *Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.Com$ELLING:
Classic Music,Retro Toys,Vintage Video Games,Shirts and Movies too.Where “Nerd Is The Word” 

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Local Legend Drummer Johnnie Bolin

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“The Passing of Johnnie Bolin”
Dr. Rox Remember When?
Article #163 September 2024

I found in trying to write this article, this was the most difficult I have ever attempted. To try and write about my friend, who just passed. John Vern “Johnnie” Bolin: 17 August 1954: Sioux City, Iowa. 5 September 2024. The story goes something like this.

I first heard of Tommy Bolin from my Uncle Jeff S. when he lived with us on 34th and Douglas in Sioux City, Iowa back in 1971. My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cindy used to go see Tommy in his 3rd Band “A Patch Of Blue” (a film from 1965) perform at Heelan Catholic High School also in Sioux City. As my Grandparents moved to Scottsdale, AZ. my Uncle Jeff stayed behind as he had plans to move to Eugene, OR. Tommy had already released his 2nd album with ‘Zephyr’ “Going Back To Colorado” by this time. Jeff knew how much I loved music and specifically at this time The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s” was my jam, he told me he knew someone who released a record, that would be Tommy Bolin in Zephyr. I was amazed, as at that time I thought only mega rock bands released records, The Beatles, The Monkees, Steppenwolf etc. I was in disbelief, how could a guy from our neighborhood release a record album, as at this time I was so naive I actually thought they made only one copy of each album. (I remember I was shocked the the first time I saw a second copy of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”).

By late 1974 my family had moved to (Brandon) Jackson, Mississippi, being Catholic in a Baptist area there was only one church for us to attend, and the was St. Jude in Pearl, MS. I would find out many years later from Ricky Lee Reynolds of ‘Black Oak Arkansas’ that none other than Drummer Tommy Aldridge was in fact from Pearl, MS. Unfortunately Tommy Bolin died on 4 Dec 1976. In late 1977 my family moved back to Sioux City, Iowa on 25th and Pierce St. Then in Spring 1979 my Mom (Carol) had some news for me “Did you see we have some new neighbors that moved in across the street, next to the McClure’s?” me “yea, so” my Mom “well, maybe you’re familiar with their last name, Bolin?” me “You mean Tommy Bolin’s parents live across the street from us?” my Mom “Yes they do”.

Summer of 1979, the Bolin’s had a backyard BBQ, and there was a lot of people over there, including the band ‘The Penetrators’ which Tommy’s younger brother Johnnie was their drummer. My younger sister Michelle and her friends went across the street to see what all the fuss was about, I sheepishly followed behind, we ended up getting Johnnie’s autograph. I have to admit I was star-struck. On a few occasions Tommy’s mother Barb “Keek” used to come over to our house to have coffee with my mom. One time I saw “Keek” going to get the mail, I stopped her and asked her “Say Mrs. Bolin, I heard you have the tapes for Tommy’s 3rd Solo album?” she replied “Oh, we have tapes” Later in Dec 1980 my family was about to move from 25th and Pierce to W.16th street. So on a Saturday night in December I went over to the Bolin’s as the would let fans in to look at photo albums and sometimes even listen to Tommy’s own personal reel to reels, I went this night because I had heard Johnnie was in town and as luck would have it he was and he brought with him former ‘Energy’ percussion and vocalist Archie Shelby. So we hung out in Bolin’s Kitchen for several hours, it was then Johnnie told me that ‘The Penetrators’ would be no more and they had made some changes and now be ‘DVC’. In 1981 I moved to Mesa/Phoenix I was in a mall bookstore when I saw an ad for the DVC album, I was impressed I thought “Bolin’s got a new band, cool”. Eventually I moved back to Sioux City and I saw DVD headline the “Battle Of The Bands” in May 1982, and later that year I attended and recorded the last DVC show at “The Patio” in Sioux City, my memory was they played there on Friday and Saturday night, but I only recorded Saturday night, a couple weeks later I saw Dare Force open for KISS in Sioux City.

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After DVC, Johnnie was recruited to replace Mark Miller in Dare Force sometime in early 1983 while on tour with ‘High Fever’ on a night off I saw Dare Force in St. Paul at Libation Station in Summer 1983. I worked at RecordShop when “The Ultimate” was released in 1989, and the Bolin’s signed a merchandising deal with Roellco Ind. out of MLPS, I had worked with Steve for about 3 years by that time, and I told him about my tale of Sioux City and The Bolin family, so he gladly gave me one of the 1st Tommy Bolin “Teaser” t-shirts ever printed. Yes I still have it, but back then T-Shirts ran about 1 or 2 sizes smaller than today. In the fall of 2003 I saw an ad for a Black Oak concert in October 2003 at the Medina Ballroom, so I thought I would head over and try to reconnect with Johnnie after all these years. I did end up going and meeting up with Johnnie before and after the show. It was this night Ricky Lee Renyolds asked me “How do you know Johnnie?” I told him how when we moved back form Mississippi the Bolin’s moved in across the street. Ricky Lee informed me “Mississippi, huh… well our old Drummer Tommy Aldridge was from Pearl, MS.” I exclaimed “Pearl, well that is where I attended St. Jude Catholic Church was in Pearl, MS.” wow, what a small world.

In 2001 I was a staff member on the book “KISS: Alive Forever” I made sure to make sure Tommy and Johnnie were mentioned in the book. Starting about Spring 2005, I started making regular trips back to Sioux City and every time I went I would stop by and I showed Johnnie the book i was part of, and one day in 2006 Johnnie called me at work and asked “Say Rik, would you like to do a book on my brother?” I answered “I would be honored” so I went to Sioux City about 1 weekend a month and went through every room of the Bolin house sorting, filing and reading everything in that house, including things that did not pertain to Tommy. It was  on one of these visits that Johnnie told me, his favorite drummer was in fact Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones. In 2009 I decided I would like to own at least one “Strat” type guitar, so I created a “Tele-Strat” in tribute to Tommy’s “Coffee Brown” Tele-Strat, I named it “Alexis” and had Johnnie sign it for me, this same day Johnnie took the time to show me how to play “Walk In My Shadow” “Owed To G” and “Take 5” (Crazed Fandango).

I remember on one visit Johnnie was writing the liner notes to “Last Concert In Japan” re-issue CD on Fridays Music released in 2012. He handed me his hand written notes and asked me “Proof this will ya, and see if it’s ok” I responded “I’d be honored, a few months later when I bought the CD, the was the exact same liner notes I had proofed only a few months earlier in Bolin’s dining room. Since 2005 I had spent a lot of time in Johnnie’s house, not as much as some but way more than many, I think it’s a real tradition in Sioux City for folks to hang out in the kitchen, and Bolin’s was no exception. The things that went on in “Bolin’s Kitchen” were unreal, when I tell people some of them or when Johnnie and I would retell the stories, we used to laugh and laugh and he would look and me and say “You know we could make a lot of money if we were able to film the things that go on in here and sell it as a reality TV Show, “Bolin’s Kitchen” …. you know what I mean?”

In 2019 Johnnie heard me sitting in with Billy (Holmberg) Hart’s BanG GanG, singing and playing rhythm guitar. After I walked off the stage Johnnie came up to me and said “Hey Rik, that was pretty good” I thought he was busting my chops the way we do in Sioux City, so I replied “Then let me sit in with your Tommy Bolin Tribute Band, I have been asking you to do so for years” JB replied “Yea, maybe, we’ll see next year” and So from 2020 to 2024 I was able to sit in with Johnnie’s Tommy Bolin Tribute Band, and perform songs like “Gettin Tighter, Teaser and Walk In My Shadow, now while it was my dream come true, the first couple times it was very nerve racking, but my dream come true none the less. All thanks to Billy Holmberg, Jesse Christian and Dean Christopher.  

I have worked for Johnnie Bolin in one way or another since 2006. and this month my friend passed away. On the day I received the news I thought “I should call him, I haven’t heard if he got my Birthday Card, with my joke to him inside. About 30 min after I had this thought I got the call he had passed. I am beside myself. I will miss him dearly and to think I will never get to sit at that kitchen table listening to and telling stories for hours on end and laughing it up, I will miss his dry sarcastic sense of humor. In fact the last time I was there Johnnie made my son lunch, PB&J, Chips and a bottled water. I am choked up writing this. I could not attend Johnnie’s funeral, but his son Bobby made me an honorary Pallbearer, I am honored. So in return I tried to tell Bobby’s Fathers story in short. The second to the last conversation I had with Johnnie he said to me “You know some people think I just ride on my brother’s coat tails, but you I had my own musical legacy too you know. Bear, I got that job through my audition, not because of Tommy’s name drop. DVC, Bartle and I put that together, because we had played together for so long. And Dare Force was because of my ability, I suppose my name didn’t hurt. And Black Oak, sure they knew Tommy but they hired me for me, not Tommy. I just wish people could remember what what I did too” So to honor Johnnie’s wish, here is a list of what Johnnie accomplished, to the best of my memory, forgive me if I have left something out.

Here is a history of Johnnie’s bands and recordings:

‘IBM: Instant Blues Machine’ based at Central High School. From 1970-71

‘Legs Diamond and Hothouse’: 1972 to 1974: with Stanley Henry Sowienski Jr: 4 Mar 1949- 29 Jan 2021: Vocals and Bass. Phil Kelly: Guitar, Marc Engel: Guitar and Jeff Byrne on Drums, eventually replaced by Johnnie Bolin. Stanley eventually took the name “Legs Diamond” years before national act form L.A.

‘Sailing’ 1974-76 John Bartle on Vocals and Guitar, Johnnie Bolin on Drums. Johnie told me they had a regualar gig playing the local truck stop in Sioux City.

‘The Gassers’ Summer 1975: John Bartle, Tommy Bolin: Guitar, Johnnie Bolin and Roger Rothwell: Bass. When Tommy Bolin came back to Sioux City he would call up the members of “Sailing” and perform as ‘The Gassers’ there is a couple of recordings of this band thanks to Andrew Wissing.

‘Tommy Bolin Band’: Johnnie was asked to join his brothers band after long time Drummer Bobby Berge had left to join Buddy Miles Express, Buddy was a childhood friend of Berge’s. Johnnie was in the Tommy Bolin Band MkIII from August to October 1976. There is an Video on YouTube from 29 August 1976 in Denver, CO. with Johnnie on drums.
Hear are the Tommy Bolin band releases Johnnie appears on:
CDS:
“Live 9/19/76: King Biscuit Flower Hour” Albany, NY. TBACD-22. 2001

“Albany NY, September 20, 1976” TBACS-6. 2004

“Live at Northern Lights Recording Studio, Maynard, MA. 22 Sep 1976” TABCD-4. 1996

“Alive In Detroit”: 5 Oct 1976: JVBolin #TBB 3-10576. 2023

“Live at the Jet Bar” 24 Nov 1976 #TBACS-7. 2005

This may have been when Johnnie moved to Florida for a while.

‘Malachi’ 1977: Sioux City. Johnnie has a Concert Poster for this band hanging in his memorabilia room in his house. 

‘Richard T. Bear’ 1978-1979. with Bob Kulick: Guitar, Mark Clarke:Bass and Johnnie “Boots” Bolin on Drums. After Johnnie left the Tommy Bolin Band, he told me, he started auditioning for national acts, whereupon he landed the drum seat with Richard T. Bear, the unofficial Keyboardist of KISS, which is where Bear picked up Bob Kulick to be his guitarist. Bear Johnnie the nickname “Boots” for the thigh-high leather boots Johnnie used to wear. There is a Video film at SIR Studios in NYC, of Bear and his band including Bolin and the #41 Billboard Hit “Sunshine Hotel”
Albums released by Bear that features Bolin on drums:
“Captured Alive” 1979 RCA #PL-13462 (Johnnie appears on the back cover)
“Bear” 1979 RCA #AFL1-3313

‘The Penetrators’ Des Moines, Iowa; 1979 -1980: John Bartle, Johnnie Bolin, Rob Forest, David Ducharme-Jones, Rockin Rick Reed. After Bartle left ‘The Jan Park Band’ (Columbia Records) the above-mentioned formed this band in Des Moines, Iowa.

‘DVC’ (Latin: Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas: Speed, Accuracy, Power) Minneapolis from 1981 to 1982. Ducharme and Reed left The Penetrators and Forest and Bolin recruited New Jersey transplant to Minneapolis, one Max Padilla on Vocals and Bass to create this band.
Albums released by DVC:
“1st” 1981 Alpha #AAB-11005
Japan Release 1982 #ULR-28005
and 2 Single 45s “Let Me Be Your Fantasy” and then “Goosebumps”
“2nd” 1982 (2023) #JVB #03005-11005-1

*Recorded Live Shows:
8 August 1981: Silver Dollar Saloon; Sioux City, Iowa
2 May 1982 Sioux City Auditorium: Video
24 September 1982 Maplewood Bowl; Maplewood, MN.
8 December 1982: Patio; Sioux City, Iowa

‘Dare Force’ Minneapolis Bolin’s stint: 1983 to 1988. Brian Bart: Guitar and Vocals, John O’Neal: Vocals and Guitar, Brian Lorenson: Bass, Mark Miller: Drums. In 1983 Miller left Dare Force due to health issues, and Bolin took over for the next few years.
Albums released by: Dare Force featuring Bolin.
“EP” 1985 #DME-224-949
“Makin Our Own Rules” 1985 #DME-1002

‘Brian Bart’: Solo 1987. Brian Bart released his 1st solo album with Bolin on Drums for the Tommy Bolin Cover “Post Toastee” on the Cassette:
“Future Vision” 1987 Logic Recordings #2630

‘Bolin’s Alley’ Early 1990s, with Rick “Pudge” Bolin on Vocals and Johnnie on Drums.

‘Rogue’s Gallery‘: 1988 Minneapolis. When Dare Force finally called it quits, John O’Neal and Johnnie Bolin formed this band, apparently this band did not last for very long.

‘Black Oak (Arkansas)’: Johnnie left Rogue’s Gallery to fill the drum throne of Tommy Aldridge in Jim Dandy’s Black Oak on and off from 1988 all the way up to 2018.

CDs Johnnie appears on;
“Wild Bunch” 1999 Cleopatra #CLP-0705-2
“Back Thar Over Yonder” 2013 Atlantic #535984-2

‘Chill Factor’: Sioux City mid 1990’s John Bartle, Dave Napier: Sax, Bob Birch: Bass, Johnnie Bolin. Bartle and Napier were in the Sioux City band “7 Sons” in the early 70s. Norm Waite of Gateway Computers opened a record label and signed his old High School friends. They released one CD. Including a re-make of a DVC song form their 2nd album “Tonight’s The Night” “Some Like It Cold” 1996 Antipreneur #602582100026

‘Tommy Bolin Tribute Band’ Colorado and Texas: After the 2nd Annual “Tommy Bolin Music Festival” Glenn Hughes (Trapeze, Deep Purple) and johnnie Bolin took their tribute band on the road.
CD and DVD releases:
DVD: “Tommy Bolin Tribute” 23,24 August 1996 in Denver, CO. at Bluebird Theatre 1997 #TBADVD-2

“Hughes/ Bolin 1997 Tribute” 1998 #TBACD-12

‘Sioux City Rockestra’ Early 2000s. I saw this show in May 2009 (I believe it was) at the old Central High auditorium, which I had not been in since 1971, it was very cool, just time travel.

‘Bolin/ Bartle Blues Band’: Sioux City 2000 teens With Sam Irish: Bass. After Johnnie left Black Oak he went back to playing with his old musical partner Bartle.

I have made 2 radio shows on Johnnie Bolin:
Johnnie Bolin PsychoGello Show Episode #106: Aug 2019

DVC PsychoGello Radio Show Episode #259: July 2023

Both can be found at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast

You can hear Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Radi0 Show 8am Sundays on Radio WDGY. 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. Since 2017. Also you can hear the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. And hear Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” and “Hits And History w/ Rick Burnett” at www.MixCloud.Com, under MrZeros.

Mr. Zer0’s
*Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
$elling:
Music, Toys, Movies, Shirts and Vintage Video Games.
Where: Nerd IS THE Word.

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Mr. Zer0’s Favorite Singers

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“My Favorite Singers?”Dr. Rox Remember When?Article #161 August 2024By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


    So earlier this month I was lucky enough to perform at the 30th Annual Tommy Bolin Music Festival in Sioux City, I was asked to perform with Johnnie Bolin’s Tommy Bolin Tribute Band featuring Dean Christopher and Jesse Christian. They let me sing “Gettin Tighter” and “Dealer” (Deep Purple 1975) and “Teaser” (Tommy Bolin 1975 and DVC 1981). The reason they let me do this is, after 30 years of practice I can pull off Glenn Hughes after all these years, and at my age.  

As I have covered many times I was born in Sioux City, in the very same hospital that Tommy Bolin was, and I lived there two different times over 10 years. I was living in (Brandon) Mississippi when Tommy died, but Tommy’s family moved in across the street from my family in 1979, that’s when I met Johnnie for the 1st time. Now while living in Sioux City, I was aware of Tommy’s music as my Cousin John, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cindy were friends of Tommy’s before he took off to Cincinnati in 1967. I knew of his stints in Zephyr, James and Deep Purple, however it seemed everyone I ever met had “Teaser” (1975) and “Private Eyes” (1976) they were played everywhere I went. 


But, back then records weren’t as plentiful as they later came to be, and you couldn’t just walk into any record store and buy whatever you wanted anytime you wanted. As records went “Cut Out Of Print” and no longer made or sometimes the Record Label they were released on went out of business, and consequently were no longer made. And there was just not that many “Used Record Stores” until the mid- 80s. And so I did not score a copy of “Come Taste The Band” 1975 Deep Purple until I was living in Phoenix (Mesa) in 1981. I bought a copy on 8-Track From Walgreens in Tri City Mall as my Uncle Mike had a 8-Track player in my bedroom. I raced home  to put it in … well, it certainly was not “Machine Head” or “In Rock” or even “Burn” the songs and guitar were totally different in every way, except Coverdale’s voice and Lord’s keyboards. But Then! I heard track #3 “Gettin Tighter” and I was blown away. Glenn Huges voice just moved me and Bolin’s guitar work was fabulous. I couldn’t get enough of that song. And to a lesser extent “This Time Around” and “You Keep On Movin” it was then Summer of 1981, I started practicing to sing and imitate the vocal stylings of Glenn Hughes. It only took 20 years or so to get there, but I came close enough to get to sing In Johnnie Bolin’s band. 
It was about this time in 1982 or so I started trying to find everything Hughes had sung on, little did I know what a chore this would become. Glenn had recorded a mountain of work. 


Born on 21 August 1950 (as told by Hughes himself, incorrectly listed on wiki) in Cannock Staffordshire, England. He has released over 25 Solo albums from 1977 to 2016. 8 albums with Trapeze, 14 albus with Deep Purple Mk3 & 4. Black Sabbath, Phenomena. Hughes/ Thrall, Hughes/Turner, Hughes/ Johnnie Bolin, Gary Moore, John  Norum, Tony Iommi, Roger Glover and many more and 85 guest- session appearances on others albums.


I just loved the way he sings and his tonality and phrasing. In 1992 in Ames, Iowa I met his ex-wife Karen U. (I have copies of their wedding photos) through Eric Singer of KISS, Hughes had  been in Black Sabbath with Singer in 1985- 86. At the moment of the meeting it did not occur to me that the same Karen had been engaged to Tommy Bolin, they were together from 1968 to 1976.


I suppose I should mention my other favorite singers not by my choice but when they released material. 

George Harrison: Born on  25 Feb 1943 in Liverpool, England – 29 Nov 2001. He was involved with and a member of the Beatles from 1958 to 1970. While in The Beatles he released 2 solo albums. After The Beatles he released 17 solo albums and 28 singles. With 15 songs on the BillBoard Charts. Some of my favorite vocals by George “Wah-Wah” “What Is Life” “Wake Up My Love” “Beware Of Darkness” “Hear Me Lord” “Faster” “Soft Touch” “Not Guilty”I discovered The Beatles/ George HArrison from my Uncle Jeff S.   

Micky Dolenz: Born on 8 Mar 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. He was a member of The Monkees from 1965 to 1971, releasing 17 albums and 14 singles with 21 songs on the BillBoard Charts. He did release 14 solo albums (I am credited on the release “Live In Japan”) and 13 singles. My favorite vocals by Micky. “Words” “Saturday’s Child” “Sometime In The Morning” “Porpoise Song” “Tell Me Love”  I will be seeing Micky In Concert on Fri 13 Sep 2024 In Clear Lake, Iowa at The Surf Ballroom, and hopefully getting my Monkees guitar signed. I discovered The Monkees on my own by watching the TV show as a toddler. 


Ozzy Osbourne: Born on 3 Dec 1948 in Birmingham, England. He was a member of Black Sabbath form 1968 to 1979 releasing 11 albums and 12 singles with 2 songs on the BillBoard Charts. In 1980 he began a solo career releasing 20 albums and over 40 singles with 4 songs on the BillBoard Charts as well as 12 other appearances with other artists. Some of my favorite solo vocals by Ozzy: “Gets Me Through” “Rock And Roll Rebel” “Don’t Blame Me” “Waiting For Darkness” “Thunder Underground” “Hellraiser” “Miracle Man” “Hero”. My favorites from his Black Sabbath years: “Supernaut” “Hand Of Doom” “After Forever” “Junior’s Eyes” “A National Acrobat”. I was introduced to Black Sabbath through my Uncle John U.


Gene Simmons: Born on 25 Aug 1949 in Haifa, Israel. He was a member of KISS for 50 years releasing over 33 albums and over 50 singles with 26 songs on the BillBoard Charts. In his solo career he has released 3 solo albums. Some of my favorite vocals from Gene in KISS: “Sweet Pain” “See You In Your Dreams” “Got Love For Sale” “Charisma” “Great Expectations”. And Gene solo vocal favorites “Tunnel Of Love” “Feel Like Heaven” “Fire Starter”   It was my neighbor Jimmy S. that turned me onto KISS. 

Be sure to catch “Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show” 8am Sundays On Radi0 WDGY from St. Paul. 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. Since 2017. Fro 292 Episodes So Far. You can hear the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. Also check into www.MixCloud.Com for “Mr. Zer0’s Evolation Show” for 32 Shows. And “Rick Burnett’s Hits And History w/ MrZero” for 17 Programs. 


And there you have fans, another installment from MrZerr0, tune in next month. 


Mr. Zer0’s *Est.20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.Com$elling:Music,Movies,Toys,Shirts,Vintage Video Games.“Where Nerd Is The Word” 


Check Out CRYPTICON MPLS: 13 – 15 Sep 2024 Fri-Sun. In Plymouth, MN. at The Crown Plaza Hotel.Catch THEE MOD GARAGE In Concert 15 Sep 2024 Sunday Noon at The Joint in MPLS. 

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MrZerr0’s Favorite 80s Music

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“MrZerr0’s Favorite 80s Music”
Dr. Rox Remember When?
Article #161 July 2024
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

    So having been playing in bands for the last 12 years here in the Twin Cities area it has astounded me that most music fans in this area are firmly stuck in 1988 MTV land. And with the current YouTube generation (unfortunately) including my son, if  a song does not have a “Music Video” for the song itself, no one seems to know it. It would seem if there is only an image people tend to not listen to the song, they tend to only watch the ones with an actual video.

I am a little perplexed by this, as music is sound for the ears, not a visual to watch with some background sound, I always thought that was called a film… one thing I grew to dislike about “Music Videos” someone else I did not know was creating a meaning for a song that I liked and as a by product changed what I felt the song was about, usually with something that had absolutely Nothing to do with the lyrics,  Another thing I find curious is “The 80s” is mostly remembered for Just “Hair Bands” and people seemed to push aside a lot of other types of music and bands.

Another curious thing I found out in the very first few months when I started in “The Music Biz” way back in 1985, was that people wrongly assume that you are into the very same music they are into. One more thing that has to be addressed 1983 to 1991 was absolutely and undeniably the Cassette Era, no one was really buying vinyl back then and though CDs were introduced in Japan in 1982 CDs did not reach the USA until Late 1985, how do I know, well I was there, if we sold a title guaranteed it was 8 Cassettes and maybe 1 on vinyl and 1 CD, sorry folks that’s just the way it was, whether you like it or not.

I feel I should address something else, I have been writing this “Music Column” for 13 long years (April 2011) playing in bands (again) since Fall 2012, and on WDGY since 2017 and everyday, month after month, year after year, people come up to me and want to talk to me about comic books, sports and video games, somehow totally ignoring the fact that all I am into Music and bands … completely perplexing to me, I do not get it. Anyways here are some of my favorite artists and bands from the 80s, and folks if it’s not on this list … well, quite simply I am not really into that artist. As of yet I have not seen Madonna in concert.  

*Prince
Born Prince Rogers Nelson on   7 June 1958 in Minneapolis, MN. passed on 16 April 2016. My 1st real memory of hearing Prince was in English class at West High School the song “I Wanna Be Your Lover” though released in Aug 1979, I am certain I heard it sometime in Spring of 1980. Then in the Fall of 1983 I heard the entire “1999” Cassette while working in Bemidji, MN. and I thought to myself “Wow this is really good even though this is not my usual kind of music” in no particular order some of my favorite songs: “My Name Is Prince” “Bob George” “Dance” “Loose” “17 Days” “The Cross” “When You Were Mine”  “Hello” “She’s Always In My Hair”  “Anotherloverholenyohead” “Thieves In The Temple” I was able to see Prince twice Dec 1997 in Ames, Iowa and June 2000 in MPLS.

*Madonna
Born on 16 August 1958 in Bay City Michigan. I suppose I found out about Madonna the same way as everybody else on MTV in 1984, however I never cared for those MTV videos, I certainly did not like her look. The 1st song I heard by her that caught my attention was “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” from Nov 1984. I have to say my favorite CDs of her’s are: “True Blue” from June 1986 and “Ray Of Light” from Feb 1998 and then “Bedtime Stories” from Oct 1994.

*Hanoi Rocks
Formed in 1979 in Helsinki Finland. It was my good friend Eric DeW. who turned me onto Hanoi Rocks. I was explaining to him back in 1984, how I was wanting to put together an updated version of New York Dolls, Eric informed me “This already exists, Hanoi Rocks” so I had to check it out. I think I bought “Self Destruction Blues”  Aug 1982, “Back To Mystery City” May 1983 and “Two Steps From the Move” Aug 1984, all at the same time. Hands down my 2 favorite CDs are the last two I mentioned. I love this band I have almost everything they’ve ever released including solo material. I saw Michael Monroe and Sam Yaffa in Oct 2011 in St. Paul.

*Skid Row
Formed in 1986 in Toms River, New Jersey. I 1st heard Skid Row’s 1st Cassette in Jan 1989 when it was released at work (RecordShop #67 Valley West Mall) Joe and Rachael played it all the time. I thought it was pretty good though not my kind of music at the time, I did see Skid Row in Ames, Iowa April 1989, and I was blown Away! My favorite CDs by the band are: the 1st release and “Subhuman Race” sorry “Slave To The Grind” June 1991 is last of the original 3. I feel most bands in the early 90s were trying desperately to make their own Metallica “Black Album” And I feel the best song on the CD was left off 1/3 of the releases “Get The F*** Out” I have probably seen Skid Row and Sebastian Bach 7 times or more.  

*Faster Pussycat
Formed in 1985 in  Los Angeles, CA. again I 1st heard Faster Pussycat at work (RecordShop) the Cassette came in July 1987 and I thought “This looks good” I put it on and loved it!  Now I have to say I like the 2nd CD “Wake Me When It’s Over” Aug 1989 the best of the original 3 and “Whipped” Aug 1992, the 2nd best. I have seen Faster Pussycat at least 10 times Starting in June 1990 in Iowa. In fact our RecordShop #66 store in Southridge Mall had an “In Store” with the band. Over 1000 people showed up for this event.  

*The Cult
Formed in 1983 in Bradford, England. I was introduced to The Cult by my ex-girlfriend Lisa P. from New York. She was in love with Ian Astbury. Now at the time the “Electric” album was out Apr 1987. Honestly I did not care for this album whatsoever. I hate the production. But then “Sonic Temple” was released in April 1989 and I just love the song “Edie” so I gave the band another listen and it turns out I loved the album “Love” Oct 1985, I even liked “Ceremony” Oct 1991, but still I just could enjoy “Electric”. However in late 2000 I found a bootleg of the “Peace” CD which was the original recordings for “Electric” which sounded closer to the “Love” album, only then could I hear how great the songs really were. Worth mentioning the CD “Beyond Good And Evil” has some great songs too: “Rise” “The Saint” and “American Gothic” back in 2017 the band “Fatal Kaliber” opened for my band “KISSin Time” and they performed “Rise” I was blown away their vocalist Peter H. just nailed it. I have seen The Cult many times, July 2001: MPLS, Oct 2001: MPLS, Nov 200: Maplewood, Aug 201: MPLS and I met Ian Astbury in MPLS in Apr 2004.

*Electric Boys
Formed in 1987 in Stockholm Sweden. Now this band has a unique story for me. I was introduced to the band by a free t-shirt from their record label sometime in 1990. The Label Rep gave me the shirt and I looked at the Logo and thought “Now this is my kind of artwork” so I put on the CD and I was hooked.

*Warrior Soul
Formed in 1987 in New York City. I was turned onto Warrior Soul by a guitar player I used to play with in Des Moines Tim F. he knew of my love for Black Sabbath and he handed me a Cassette “Last Decade Dead Century” April 1990 and said “Check out Lullaby on the 2nd side” Woh, I was blown away, as well as the last song on the Cassette “In Conclusion”  

*Saigon Kick
Formed in 1988 in Coral Springs, Florida. I remember their 1st CD Feb 1991 being released, and not thinking very much of it until their 2nd CD was released in June 1992. I heard the song “Freedom” and I was hooked, this band is great. In the mid 2000s I was in touch with Jason Beiler online.

Now of course there are literally hundreds of songs by other artists that I love from the 80s, but usually no more than 1 to 3 by other artists, so I don’t really consider them a favorite, more so just songs that I like by a particular artist or band. I really did cover this in a previous article.

So there you have it folks, MrZerr0’s favorite 80s.

Be sure to catch Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Radi0 Show 2024 on Radi0 WDGY. 8am Sundays. 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. Since 2017 from St. Paul, MN. You can hear the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com – Podcast. You can Hear Mr. Zer0’s 32 Programs of the “Evolation Show” at www.MixCloud.Com as well as 17 Programs of the “Hits And History Show with Rick Burnette”

Mr. Zer0’s
*Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
www.MrZeroS.Com
Classic Music,
Retro Toys,
Vintage Video Games,
Shirts and Movies too ….
Since 2009.
Where:
“Nerd IS The Word”

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Father’s Day with MrZerr0

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“Father’s Day” 
Dr. Rox Remember When? 
Article #160: June 2024
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

   When I was first made aware of Father’s Day I was a kid in Brandon (Jackson), Miss. I really didn’t understand the concept-idea. To me, my (step) Dad worked all the time, usually 2 jobs and when he was home he was always in a bad mood, sitting on the right end of the couch, cigarette in one hand, a glass bottle of Coca Cola in the other chewing on the inside of his cheek. He rarely spoke, much less to me, he usually just gave me the glare of death. I did not fully understand he worked 2 jobs that he did not particularly like, just to support a wife and 4 kids (I have 3 sisters). I did not grasp how hard it was to work so hard just to make ends meet, which sometimes did not happen. My Dad’s favorite things to do were to go for long walks in the woods (Iowa and Mississippi) or in the mountains (Montana) barely saying a word, he did fancy himself an artist, as he would (try) to make art out of wood or other materials, he used to draw while he was on the phone, he loved nature show and 1950s Science Fiction. 

And when I was young he played drums (a gold sparkle Japanese stencil kit). He told me back in Brooklyn Park he once played with “The Trashmen”, (many years later Dal of The Trashmen, said this was probably not true) in Sioux City he played with Merle Pithan of “The Boyz” and in Jackson, Mississippi he played with “Baker’s Dozen”. We were not particularly close when I was growing up, but as I got older I found out that I did actually learn a lot from him. I also came to learn that he did in fact love me like a son. I also realized just how hard he worked to support his family. My Dad was larger than life sometimes, so much so I created a comedy bit based on him. (see the link down below)

My birth Father raised me until I was about 4 or 5. But he gave me up (for adoption) before I was 6. Now as I understand he worked very hard too, as a union electrician. Although I do not remember much about him from my first few years. I learned later on he loved cars, that was his true passion and racing, seems like most years my birthday fell on the day of the Indy 500, and he spent most of his time following the race. He also loved money  and was very careful with it. Though I wasn’t around him much I did inherit some of his traits. His friends that I happen to know told me “He was so smart there wasn’t anything he could not figure out or do, and he loved to work, and had a sarcastic sense of humor”   

For about less than 2 years I myself was a Step-dad, I have always known that it would be a tough situation because no matter what “You are not my dad” would be the usual response, no matter how hard you- I wanted a situation to work out both people have to be on the same page. 

As I grew older I began to realize, I really did not want children, as in some ways I didn’t really grow up myself, and I didn’t want the extra responsibility. Nor could I have handled it, really. Then way late in my life, I met my son’s mother, we began to hang out and go places, then Boom …. my son was on the way. I have to admit I was scared at first. But I knew in my heart I was not going to be an absentee Dad, I just wanted to make sure he was ok, when he came out. It changed me. Now I wanted his mother and I to stay together but life had other plans. Now that my son is 4 and we just had another Father’s Day, I find myself reflecting on my Father and my (step) Dad, and facing some of the same challenges, I have to say it  is not easy, and I now know what my Dad was going through. 

However I am lucky enough that I have a good son, he is very smart, thoughtful and interesting. And I actually learn so much from him and by teaching him. And so I created this “Father’s Day Show” for my Father, my Dad, my Son and myself. 

PsychoGello Show Episode #198 

“Daddy Cool” The Rays 1957 Cameo Records #3 on The Billboard Charts

“My Dad” David Jones  September 1965 on Colpix Records 

“Daddy You Have Been On My Mind” September 1965 written by: Bob Dylan

“Daddy’s Song” Harry Nilsson July 1968 

“Daddy’s Little Man” O.C. Smith a #9 Billboard Hit in August 1969 

“Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” Wayne Newton #4 in April 1972

“Father To Son” Queen  March 1974 

“Oh Daddy”  Fleetwood Mac  February 1977

“Daddy Rollin Stone” Johnny Thunders & Phil Lynott October 1978

PsychoGello Father’s Day Show 2025 June

Marvelettes “My Daddy Knows Best” #67 August 1963 

 Dolly Parton “Daddy Come And Get Me”  #67 February 1970 

Cat Stevens “Father And Son” August 1970 (#30 June 1971)

Bill Withers “I’m Her Daddy” May 1971

Gladys Knight and The Pips:  “Daddy Could Swear I Declare”  #2 March 1973

James Brown “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” #31 August 1974 

Harry Chapin “Cats In The Cradle” #1 October 1974 

John Lennon “Beautiful Boy, Darling Boy”  November 1980

Eric Clapton “My Father’s Eyes” #16 March 1998 

  You  can catch Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Radi0 Show 8am Sundays on Radi0 WDGY 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1 Since 2017. You can listen to the last 90 Episodes of The PsychoGello Show @ www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. Also  check into www.MixCloud.Com under MrZeros “Evolation Show” for 32 Episodes and “Hits And History” for 17 Programs. 

You can see 
Thee Mod Garage: Alive!
Performing Groovy 60s Psychedelic Songs 
7 July 2024 Sunday Noon
in MPLS 55404
with Guest Guitarist: MrZerr0 

Mr. Zer0’s 
*Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N. 
Roseville- St. Paul, MN. 55113
www.MrZeroS.Com 
$ELLING ONLY:
Classic Music,
Retro Toys,
Vintage Video Games,
Movies and Shirts too …..
Where “Nerd IS The Word” 

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The Yardbirds: 1963 -1968

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“Yardbirds: So How Can This Be?” Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #159 May 2024
By: RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0 
   So when I was a kid growing up in Sioux City, I heard this song on my Grandma Marge’s radio “For Your Love” I was blown away, this song was so amazing to me, I just couldn’t get enough of it, many years later a Manager (Dennis) at Hospe’s Mr. Music showed me how to play it and I thought to myself, “It’s much like “Steppinstone” by The Monkees. Much later on in life I learned Tommy Boyce had a tendency to listen to The Top 40 Radio and write songs similar to the current top 40 hits. A few years later I heard “Heart Full Of Soul” again I was blown away, so just exactly who was this “Yardbirds” as I usually hung around people 1 to 5 years older than me, I asked around, I got answers like “A 60s blues band from England” but then my Uncle Brad informed me “Yardbirds, I think they eventually became Led Zeppelin, I have an album of the 3 of them (Clapton, Beck, Page) playing together, it’s nothing but tear jerkin blues” so I was again blown away as at that time Led Zeppelin was my Jam. 


I was puzzled as to how this band The Yardbirds, launched the careers of Clapton in “Cream”, Beck in “Truth” and Page in “Led Zeppelin” and so many I seemed to encounter were unaware of this fact? So I started looking for Yardbirds recordings. Where I lived there really wasn’t “Used Record Stores” yet, so I looked and looked all I could really find were a few 45 Singles on Epic Records of The Yardbirds, CDs had not been introduced yet, I did find one Cassette, however it was from the band’s early years, so mostly just old blues standards. But I kept searching only to  find out that This Band at one time or another had 3 of the Most Famous Guitarists of  all TIME!

  
Eric Patrick Clapton 30 March: 1945: Surrey, England Joined in October 1963 and left in March 1965, he recorded 4 Singles and 2 Albums. I had heard these songs by Clapton before I realized he was in The Yardbirds: Eric Clapton “Cocaine” “I Shot The Sheriff” “Let It Rain” 

Geoffrey “Jeff” Arnold Beck: 24 June 1944: Surrey, England – 10 January 2023. He was in the band from March 1965 to November 1966. He recorded 5 Albums and 8 Singles. Likewise I had heard these songs by Beck before I knew he was in the band “”She’s A  Woman” “Blue Wind” and “Superstition” by “B. B. A.” 

James Patrick Page; 9 January 1944: Middlesex, England. He was in the band from June 1966 to July 1968. He recorded 2 Albums and 4 Singles. My first exposure to Page was “Whole Lotta Love” “Stairway To Heaven” again I did not know he was in The Yardbirds.  


Now the interesting thing about these 3 guitarists and their time in this band, is that there is a certain amount of overlap in their recordings over their 10 Albums and 19 Singles. Yet only Beck and Page recorded together. In England the band was on Columbia Records, and on Epic in the USA for some reason you can not get all of the singles in one collection, for years I thought it was due to different labels but that’s not the case other than 1 single from Germany and 1 single from Italy, it would seem there is 3 different sets of licensing and ownership over certain periods of time, between Clapton, Beck and Page, all periods being separated by in large and controlling interests. 

The other members of the band were:  William Keith Relf: 22 March 1943 in Richmond, England – 12 May 1976: by guitar amplifier electrocution in his basement. He was the Lead Single, Harmonica Player and Guitarist. He released 2 Solo Singles. As well as in the bands: Renaissance, Medicine Head, Armageddon and Illusion.James Stanley McCarty: 25 July 1943 in Liverpool, England on Drums.Christopher Walenty Dreja: 11 November 1945 in Surrey, England on Rhythm and Lead Guitar and Bass.Paul Granville Samwell-Smith (born Paul G. Smith): 8 May 1943 in London, England on Bass. 


Another interesting thing about The Yardbirds, like most British bands of the day, they were heavily influenced by American Mississippi-Chicago Blues Artists. And conversely the American Artists of the time were influenced by the British artists of the time. Also, The Yardbirds just like most British artists would release a single, and later a full album, and Not put the latest single on the full album, unlike the American artists, that did just the opposite, American artists would put out a full album, and then release singles off of the album. One more bit of trivia, the band really only had 2 full LPs of original material, they relied heavily on old blues stands and a lot of Bo Diddley covers and hits by songwriter for hire Graham Gouldman of 10CC. Another unusual thing about The Yardbirds, when it came to their singles, the “A” Side would be “Pop” oriented music and generally the “B” Side would be straight up “Blues” apparently the genre they actually preferred to play and record. 

The Yardbirds played MN. several times: 5 August 1966 at Dayton’s Auditorium, MPLS. 2 shows. 7 August 1966 in Mentor, MN. at Maple Lake Pavillion. 8 August 1966 Detroit Lakes at the Pavillion. all with Beck. 18 April 1968 in Winona, MN. at Memorial Hall with Page. 
Another thing that piqued my interest in The Yardbirds was all the other Artists that made references to them or covered songs by the band such as:

Aerosmith “Aint Got You”  “Train Kept A Rollin”  “Think About It” 
Rainbow “Still I’m Sad” 
Ace Frehley “Over Sideways Under Down” Chris Issak “Heartful Of Soul” 
Mick Marrs & John Corobi “Happenings 10 Years Time Ago” 

And when I opened Mr. Zer0’s in 2009 a loyal customer Wes W. brought me “Mr. Zero” by Keith Relf, a #50 hit in 1966. After logging all this particular info, I have decided to create a new “Cover Up Show” for WDGY.

Coming Soon Mr. Zer0’s Cover Up Show 2024 on The Yardbirds:
With Artists Such as: Herman’s Hermits, Manfred Man, New Colony 6, Stillroven, Human Beinz, Clevedonaires, Apple, David Bowie, Nilsson. So stay tuned to WDGY


Here is the information on;
The Yardbirds: PsychoGello Show Episode #62 October 2018 A Certain Girl
For Your LoveHeartful Of SoulShapes Of ThingsOver Under Sideways DownMr. ZeroHappenings 10 Years Time AgoHa Ha Said The ClownThink About It
Catch Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show (285) 8am Sundays on Radio WDGY (Since 2017). Listen to the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can also hear Mr. Zer0’s Evolation Show (32) and Hits And History Show (17) at www.MixCloud.Com undr MrZero 

Go hear Thee Mod Garage Alive on 16 June 2024 Sunday 1pm in MPLS. at The Joint. with Guest MrZerr0. They will be performing several Yardbirds songs at this show. You can hear Go-Go Dancer C. C. Ryder on Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show 2024 Episode #285 on Sunday 8am 9 June 2024.
Mr. Zer0’s *Est. 2009 on 1744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville (St.Paul),MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com$ELLING ONLY:
Classic Music,Retro Toys,Vintage Video Games,Movies and Shirts too….(NO: comics NO cards, NO sports, NO boardgames, NO porn, NO smoking accessories)

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Mr. Zer0’s Turns 15 In Roseville

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles — No Comments ↓

“Mr. Zer0’s Turns 15” 

Dr. Rox Remember When? 

Article #158 April 2024 

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


   So Mr. Zer0’s came to existence on Tuesday 14 April 2009 in Eagan, MN. 55121 at 1st as an “On-Line” business stemming from my “Mail Order” Business “Dr. Rox Remember When?” that I had from 1988 up to that point in time. I started working in the Music Biz in Sioux City right out of High School, I toured with a band for awhile and ended up in Minnesota, from there I moved to Des Moines, where I worked in a stereo store for a few years, until I moved on to RecordShop (Wherehouse), where I worked at several locations in several different states for about 8 years, then I was at Best Buy a couple years, then on to Wax  Works/ Disc Jockey and eventually fye for about 5 years. From there I worked at an inde store in MPLS for about 4 years, until I was pushed to open Mr. Zer0’s in Roseville.


 It was my former boss who gave me the idea to come up with a name and a character to go with it. While I was at the Inde Store I came up with the idea of “Mr. Zer0’s” from The Monkees TV Show Episode #52 “Devil and Peter Tork” where Tork accidently sells his soul to Mr. Zero (the devil). As a little kid I always liked “The Joker” and The Beatles “Yellow Submarine” was my jam. So somehow I came to think of a Jester, when we opened I asked my friend Peggy to draw a Jester in purple and lime green, for us, but not too close to The Joker, she did, from that I took the drawing to Jose Delbo, who worked on “Yellow Submarine”. I had met him through my friend Aaron M. who happened to know Angel Medina, who worked on KISS “Psycho Circus” comics. Through a joke in Italian I was able to get Delbo to create our Iconic Image, a combination of Ringo, Paul, Nowhere Man and the Chief Blue Meanie.    

In 2011 the local band “Jesus Chrysler” wrote and recorded a theme song for Mr. Zer0’s, the 1st of many. There have been so many I hope I don’t leave anyone out: Missy Marrs, Leslee McKee, Reaper, Shock Trigger, Amy Fauble, Dennisota, Mitch from MrZERo, John The 10th from Snellebration, Westside Mikey, Wailin Gregg, Norrell, Fil-Tyr, Conspiracy Business,  In 2016 or so I started writing a theme song for the store, my Dad used to say he played with The Trashmen: “Bird Is The Word” and a customer came in one time wearing a pink shirt with blue lettering “Nerd Is The Word” so, I went with that, and wrote and recorded “Mr. Zer0 says Nerd Is The Word” we finished the song up in early 2017. 

You can find us on these social media platforms, fb, X, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, Pinterest, MySpace, RosevillePatch.com. We have an Email Newsletter of Over 33,000 subscribers. People often ask “Will you take less for that” Well we can IF You Use Our Coupons found on any one of these mediums, also when you buy something in Mr. Zer0’s we give you a Coupon for your next purchase. Or you can Trade in your merchandise from our list of Product We Need for Trade Credit. (See the List below).

Mr. Zer0’s From the very beginning, Mr. Zer0’s has always been a Classic Music Store selling Vinyl Records, CDs, Cassettes, 8-Tracks and Reel To Reels.As well as an Ol’ Skool Movie Store selling VHS, DVDs, Laserdiscs, CEDs, and 8mm.And selling Vintage Video Games: Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and Xbox.Mr. Zer0’s also sells Retro Toys Still In The Package, from 10 Years ago or older.And Vintage T-Shirts.
Here’s What YOU’RE Looking For And So Are We !!!


Mr. Zero’s: Hit List: 2024- 2009


MUSIC: Vinyl Record LP & CD;
Zappa, Neil Young, Yardbirds, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Townes Vanzandt,  T-Rex, Talking Heads, Smiths, Rush, Replacements, Ramones, Pink Floyd, Gram Parsons, Parliament,  New Order, Motley Crue, Metallica, Megadeth, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Kinks, Joy Division, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Jimi Hendrix, Gypsy, Guns N Roses, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Dio, Cure, Costello, James Brown, Clash, Bowie, Tommy Bolin, Black Sabbath & Beatles, 60s R&B, 60s Blues & Jazz, 70s Reggae, 70s Punk, 80s Metal, 90s Grunge.

80s Technics & Sony Turntables

VIDEO GAMES;Gameboy: Pokemon
N64: Super Mario, Pokemon, Diddy Kong, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Kirby, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, Star Fox, Zelda, Killer Instinct Gold.
SNES: Crono Trigger, Earthbound, Final Fantasy, Megaman X, Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Metroid, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Kirby, Rock N Roll Racing
NES: Contra, Mike Tyson’s Punch Out, Techmo Super Bowl,  Bubble Bobble, Excitebike, Dr. Mario, Zelda, Metal Gear, Bucky O Hare, RBI Baseball
GENESIS: Boogerman, ToeJam & Earl,  Earthworm Jim, Vectorman,  NHL ’94, Phantasy Star IV, Shinobi III, Castlevania
PLAYSTATION: Final Fantasy VII, Soul Reaver, Suikoden, Oddworld, Silent Hill, Twisted Metal, Resident Evil, Tomb Raider

NeoGeo, TurboGrafx, Virtual Boy, Jaguar, Lynx, Sega Master System, 3DO, Gameboy Micro,  & Pippin.

MOVIES: DVD & VHS;
Concert and Music Videos and “B” Horror Films

TOYS:
Alien, Predator, Terminator, Friday The 13th, Nightmare on Elm St. Child’s Play, Halloween; Michael Meyers, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hell Raiser,  Nightmare Before Xmas, MacFarlane Rock Musicians:  Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Hendrix, Morrison, Joplin, Transformers, 80s GI Joes, He- Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Planet Of The Apes, Beatles, Monkees, 70s KISS, 60s Marx Soldiers, Mego Dolls, Dr. Who, Horror & Sci-Fi.

So if you’re looking for New Digital 180Gram Vinyl, unfortunately Mr. Zer0’s Does NOT carry much of that. 
What Mr. Zer0’s Does NOT Carry: comic books, trading cards, sports, board games, porn, gaming cards, bongs etc. 
Why on earth do people think we are Comic Books, Trading Cards, Sports, Smoking Paraphernalia, and Porn ????? We have absolutely nothing to do with these items or anything to indicate that we would have these things. Now we hear frequently “Your website says you do” well, NO, it is “Google” that incorrectly lists this miss-information, and will not let us remove it. And Since when did a “Jester” become the universal symbol for “Pot Smoking” ? When I “Googled” it this came up:

“The Jester/Joker” 
*Humor and Playfulness: The joker or jester is often associated with humor, wit, and playfulness. *Rebellion and Nonconformity: In some cases, a joker or jester can be a symbol of rebellion or nonconformity. It may signify a desire to challenge societal norms and conventions. *Balance of Light and Dark: The joker can symbolize the balance of light and dark, happiness and sadness, comedy and tragedy. It’s a reminder that life is a mixture of both joy and sorrow. *Cunning and Intelligence: The joker is often portrayed as clever and quick-witted. *The Unpredictable Nature of Life: The joker can also symbolize the unpredictability and capriciousness of life. It serves as a reminder that circumstances can change unexpectedly.
So on The Jester/ Joker; Absolutely no reference to “Pot Smoking” whatsoever  the closest thing was a reference to “Batman”  


Here are some upcoming events you may want to check out:


*KISSin Time: a Tribute to KISS from the years 1974 to 197725 April 2024 Thursday 10pm at Route 47 in Fridley, MN. MrZerr0 formed this band in April 2013.


*Musician’s Trade Fair 27 April 2024 Saturday 10 to 3pm at The Eagan Civic Ctr. in Eagan, MN 55121.MrZerr0 will be there. 


*Thee Mod Garage 5 May 2024 Sunday 1 to 4pm at The Joint in Minneapolis, MN.MrZerr0 has been sitting in with this band since Dec 2022. MrZerr0 is scheduled to play 2 sets at this show. 

*The Bang Gang: A Tribute to Tommy R. Bolin and the Music Of The 70s3 August 2024 Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa at The Marquee.Mr. Zerr0 has been playing with this band since 2019.


*Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show has been on Radi0 WDGY Since Spring 2017, and can be heard every Sunday 8am on AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. The  last 90  Shows can be heard @ www. MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. 


*MrZerr0 was on Radio WFNU for the “Early Morning Show” from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019. As well as “Rick Burnett’s “Hits And History Show” from 2018 to 2021. And “Mr. Zer0’s Evolation Show” from Summer 2019 to Winter 2021. Many past shows can be heard at www.MixCloud.Com. 


> Mr. Zer0’s <
*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville (St. Paul), MN. 55113

 www.MrZeroS.Com 

Sunday: Noon to 4pm

Mon to Thur: Noon to 7pm

Friday: Noon to 6pm

Saturday: 11am to 6pm

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MrZerr0, Why The 60s?

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“MrZerro, Why the 60s?” (Thee Mod Garage)

 Dr. Rox Article #157 March 2024

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0


 So when I was a little kid growing up on the Westside of Sioux City my parents were into music but late 50s and early 60s music, like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Gene Chandler, The Trashmen, and hundreds of One Hit Wonders. I have documented many times it was my Aunt Debby who played Dave Clark 5 and The Beatles records for me, and my Uncle Jim and his friend Vince H. used to play The Rolling Stones and The Kinks records for me, my Uncle John used to play The Monkees and The Osmonds records for me, I do remember my mom playing the Mama’s and Papa’s album “Farewell” in late 1967, I really love that album. I may have mentioned before that when a was a baby my Grandparents Bob and Irene used to call the fireplace and the Christmas Tree “Ricky’s Babysitter” because all the had to do was sit me in front of one or the other and I would not move unless the fire went out or the tree came unplugged. In fact my Grandma Irene used to show that different things turned different colors when they burned in  the fireplace, the one that I remember most was the package of Pall Mall cigarettes (which she smoked) would burn green flames, I was amazed. so this must be the origin of my infatuation with moving colored lights. 


So sometime in 1970 my parents (Carol and Bill) moved into a house on 34th and Douglas on the Northside of Sioux City, and in the basement they made a makeshift bar, with an orange lamp with a white bulb that read “Pub” on it, and a band practice area, my Dad had a Japanese Gold Sparkle “Stencil” drum set, as he was a drummer in the Brooklyn Center/ Osseo area of the Twin Cities in the early 60s (he told me he sat in with The Trashmen back then, before he want to Viet Nam). Sometime in 1971 my Uncle Jeff, a tue Hippy in every sense of the word and a friend of John Bartle, and an acquaintance of Tommy R. Bolin, moved in with us and he brought his Vinyl Record Collection and gave me my very 1st guitar a Dutch made Egmond acoustic in tobacco sunburst. Now my parents were very young when they had me and some of their friends like Bob P. Sue L. Vince H. Lenny S. were a couple years younger than them, so upon occasion they would have parties in the basement “Pub” with snack foods and loud music, I used to sit on the cold air vent and listen to the music, wow it was great, and I would sneak some meat and cheese and crackers and deviled eggs, as I was suppose to be in bed, sleeping. I can vividly remember hearing The Tremeloes and Atlantic “Super Hits Vol.1” from 1967 and “Sgt. Pepper’s” blasting away from downstairs. This music shaped my life. I would stare at those album covers for hours. 


The 60s seemed to promote “Peace And Love And Everything Else” I was really drawn to this idea as I was a total Nerd growing up and picked on all the time, I like the idea of “Peace & Love” also in the late 60s into the early 70s most advertisements had an element of Psychedelic Art to them as well as TV commercials. I was fascinated by the vivid colors and the swirling patterns that formed images, specifically “7up” ads from about 1969 to 1974, which was created by my favorite artist Peter Max (Peter Max Finkelstein: 19 October 1937 Berlin, Germany). in 1967 John Lennon wanted Peter Max to create the artwork for the next Beatles film “Yellow Submarine” when Peter Max was deemed too costly, they called in Heinz Edelmann (20 June 1934; Ústí nad Labem, Czechoslovakia – 21 July 2009), to create the artwork in the style of Peter Max, ironically, Both Artist are German! Later Jose Delbo:(José María Del Bó; 9 December 1933  Buenos Aires, Argentina – 5 February 2024) was contracted to do the art for the “Yellow Submarine” Comicbook. As “Yellow Submarine” was my Jam in 1968 or 69, and one of the few things I still collect (Beatles: Yellow Submarine Merchandise) after all these years I was fortunate enough to get Delbo to create the Mr. Zer0 character for us (I did have to pay him), I met him through Comic Artist Angel Medina, I feel this is one of my crowning achievements.      


While as a toddler I was 1st introduced to the “British Invasion” and I Love that music; The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Troggs, The Dave Clark 5, The Kinks, The Who, Herman’s Hermits, The Yardbirds, The Moody Blues, The Animals, The Hollies, The Zombies etc. I found later when I was a little older about 9 or so I found I liked the American Bands much more: The Monkees, Boyce And Hart, The Byrds, Mamas And Papas, The Rascals, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield, The Doors, and Steppenwolf (though German-Canadian) to name just a few.  I was trying to form my own 60s Psychedelic Band called “PsychoGello” since about 1993, with no luck, I could never find 3 to 4 other people to share my vision, so I ended up calling my Radio Show “PsychoGello”. 
And then …. 3 friends of mine formed ‘Thee Mod Garage’ in the Fall of 2020 consisting initially Xenia on Bass and Vocals with Matt The Bat; Lead Vocals and Drums, Groovy Gerhard: Lead Guitar and Lead Vocals, Far Out Phil: Guitars, Keyboards, Ocarina and Lead Vocals and in Fall of 2022 Le Ann Lovechild; Bass and Lead Vocals and in Spring 2024 Jennifer M. as the Go-Go Dancer. 
I 1st saw THEE MOD GARAGE at the Driftwood in MPLS. I was so blown away by them I have made 3 “PsychoGello Shows” on them:

Episode #163 Oct 2020

Episode #240 Dec 2022

Episode #279 March 2024

With a 60 song canon of 60s Psychedelic Music including The Yardbirds, Cream, The Doors, The Animals, The Monkees, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steppenwolf, Paul Revere And The Raiders, The Troggs, The Seeds, Blue Cheer, The Litter, The Castaways, even Surf Music like Santo And Johnny, The Chantays and Dick Dale and dozens of other bands from 1965 to 1969. The deliver the goods 

Catch THEE MOD GARAGE Alive! 

30 March 2024 Sat. 8pm 

Shaw’s 1528 University Ave. NE.

MPLS 55413 

Call: 612. 781. 4405 For ALL Info 


Being a huge supporter of the band In Dec 2022, the band let me sit in with them for a few songs and now I am a regular guest in their live show: So I MrZerr0 will be will be playing on “Steppinstone” “Just Like Me”  “Birthday” “Magic Carpet Ride” “Born To Be Wild” “Jumpin Jack Flash” “Satisfaction” “Wild Thing” “96 Tears” “Pushin To Hard” “Ramblin Gamblin Man” “Let’s Work Together” at their next upcoming show! 


And there you have it, a brief insight as to why MrZerr0 loves the 60s Music and Art. So “Tune In and Drop out” and check  in next month. mZ

Hear MrZerr0 on the “PsychoGell0 Show” 8am Sundays Since 2017on Radio WDGY740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1Check Out the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast*Sponsored By: Music Go Round Roseville 55113also check out:www.MixCloud.Com Mr Zero – Evolation (32 programs) – Hits And History w/ Rick B. (17 programs) 

 
Mr. Zer0’s 
*Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. N.St.Paul – Roseville, MN. 55113

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Artists who are being forgotten

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles — No Comments ↓

“What Happened to the 90s and 2000s?”

Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #156 Feb 2024

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


    Well, as I may have mentioned many times over the past 13 years, I have been in the Music Biz in one way or another since 1982, so it is suffice to say music is my life. I believe it is also well known that the 1960s are my jam, specifically 1965 to 1969, so much of the greatest music was made by so many of the greatest artists. However I hate to say this out loud but it seems the Twin Cities are firmly stuck in the year 1988, and that all of their favorite music comes from the era of when MTV aired Only Music Videos, almost to the point that if there was not a Music Video made for any certain song, it simply did not exist. 


While I once was a fan of certain bands when I was younger; Led Zeppelin, Journey, AC/DC. Def Leppard to name a few after hearing the same songs over and over every single day I can simply no longer hear this music. Let’s look at this way, let’s take Led Zeppelin they recorded 9 Studio Albums with 74 Songs, unfortunately 14 of them were cover songs or obscure older songs ripped off  to create a “New” Song, and yet somehow people only ever get to hear the same 8 or so songs decade after decade. So many might argue, “Well, that’s the songs people want to hear” is it , really, am I not a person with an opinion, how about actually asking some actual music listeners with real opinions. For example there is one very popular local radio station with a playlist totalling only 350 songs. On my WDGY radio after 7 seasons for my show, I have played conservatively 1932 songs that were probably never played on their station. What is my point …. Well I personally feel there are a great number of artists that are being overlooked or even forgotten such as. 


Marshall Crenshaw:
Marshall Howard Crenshaw 11 November 1953 in Detroit, Michigan He started releasing music in 1982 releasing at least 13 Albums and 13 Singles with “Someday Someway” #36 on the Billboard Charts. As well as at least 5 contributions to other artists albums. Some of my favorites by Marshall: “Mary Ann” “Soldier Of Love” “Calling Out For Love” “Somebody’s Crying” “Some Hearts” “Let Her Dance” “Some Place Where Love Can’t Find Me” “Don’t Disappear Now” “Deliliah” “2541” “Television Light” “T.M.D.” I have seen and met Marshall many times. The 1st time at The Electric Fetus and The Fine Line in MPLS in 2000 and at a venue in the Warehouse Dist. in MPLS (wish I could remember the name) in 2001 and 12 June 2004 at First Ave. with MC5-DTK. I 1st heard Marshall working at RecordShop #67 at Valley West Mall. My manager Matt played the Cassette, yes, Cassette, as no one was buying vinyl by this point, of “Mary Jean and 9 Others” in the Fall of 1987. I really like the Pop sensibility of his songs, somehow a mixture of 50s and 60s but with a modern approach. Then in 1989 I heard his album “Good Evening” and I was hooked.


Chris Issak:

Born Christopher Joseph Isaak on 26 June 1956 in Stockton, Calif. He started releasing music in 1985 with 16 Albums and 36 Singles with 6 Songs on the BillBoard Charts and 8 contributions on other albums. I saw and met Chris and his band on 9 Aug 2003 in MPLS. and again on 13 Dec 2004 in MPLS some of my favorites by Chris “Another Idea” “You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love” “Fade Away” “Suspicion Of Love” “Wicked Game” “Wrong To Love You” “Two Hearts” “End Of Everything” “American Boy” “Washington Square” “I Lose My Heart”. Like everyone else I suppose I heard Chris via “Wicked Game” which did grab me as it was a 50s style song but with a dark 80s feel. However it was his 2nd album from 1987 that really pushed me over the edge with the song “Fade Away”. 


The Smithereens:
Formed in Carteret, New Jersey and started releasing music in 1986 with 15 Albums and 26 Singles with 4 songs on the BillBoard Charts. Some of my favorites “Blood And Roses” “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” “House We Used To Live In” “A Girl Like You” “It’s Alright” “Now And Then” “House At The End Of The World” I saw and met them on 24 June 2012 in MPLS at Famous Dave’s, their original Roadie and long time friend Jim Brandt introduced me to the band, Jim used to be a good customer of mine back in 2008, Jim also worked with former New York Dolls, Johansen & Sylvain on their first 2 post Dolls albums. How I found out about The Smithereens, my co-worker Kevin S. in late 1986, handed me a Cassette he recorded and said “You like 60s music, I think you will like these guys” it was The Smithereens “Especially For You”. The songs “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” and “Blood And Roses” blew me away. By Sept 1991 when “Blow Up” was released, I was a total fan.

Matthew Sweet:

Sidney Matthew Sweet born on 6 October in Lincoln, Nebraska He started releasing music in 1986 releasing 20 albums and 9 Singles “Sick Of Myself” was #58 on the Billboard Charts. 18 other contributions to other artists’ recordings. Some of my favorite tracks: “Girlfriend” “Evangeline” “Divine Intervention” “Devil With The Green Eyes” “Magnet And Steel”  my all time favorite “Faith In You” I saw and met Matthew at First Ave.  on 20 Feb 2001 and again on 22 Oct 2008. I plan to make a “PsychoGello Show” on Matthew in the future. I remember Matthew’s “Earth” CD being released in early 1989, and then “Blue Sky On Mars” in Mar 1997, but was the song “Faith In You” from the film “Drive Me Crazy” released in Oct 1999, that hit me straight between the eyes, I was now a Fan! 

Don Dixon:

Born on 13 Dec 1950 in Lancaster, S. Carolina. Don’s credits are numerous and vast. Why do I mention him, because at some point he has worked with: Crenshaw, Smithereens and Sweet and even R.E.M. In writing this article I came to realize Dix is the common denominator with this kind of music I love so much. I remember reading Dix’s name throughout the 80s however more as a producer than an artist. I have to say I love his style. 
In closing there is so many artists and so much music I fear is being forgotten, so fans sometimes it’s totally worth it to take a chance on a name you are mildly familiar with, in this case I kept seeing the name Don Dixon associated with these artists so I dug deeper to see what more there was.  


You can hear me on Radi0 WDGY 8am Sunday AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1, this is my 7th Season of The PsychoGello Show (2017-2024 for 277 shows). You can hear the last 90 Shows @ www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can also hear 2 of my other Radi0 Shows @ www.MixCloud.Com MrZeros – Evolation (32 Shows)  -Hits And History (17 Shows) with Rick Burnett  

You can see MrZerr0 sit in with Thee Mod Garage Alive 16 March 2024 Saturday 7pm in Roseville at The VFW Post #7555. Worth mentioning This IS MrZerr0’s Favorite band. Check them out @ TheeModGarage.Com and on YouTube. 

Until my next installment … do some investigation MrZerr0 
Mr. Zer0’s *Est.20091744 Lexington Ave. N.St.Paul- Roseville, Mn. 55113www.MrZeroS.ComClassic Music, Retro Toys, Vintage Video Gamesand Movies too.Where Nerd Is The Word. 

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Article #155: The Solo Beatles

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“Hey MrZerr0 how about The Solo Beatles?”Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #155 Jan 2024By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


   It’s a new year, with a new article, it’s amazing to think back when I started writing this article for the “St. Cloud Buzz” all the way back in April 2011, my 1st article was on Jimi Hendrix. Then in February 2013 I was asked to write for Roseville Patch my 1st for them was on Badfinger, for a while the 2 were published simultaneously, then in September 2021 I was asked to write for “Twin Cities Buzz” my 1st article there was on “T-Rex” and again the 2 ran at  the same time. Sometime ago someone I once knew offered, “I like the article more when you give your personal perspective on the topic, band, artist etc. so every now and then I do just that. I have well documented how when I was about 10 months old my Aunt Debby K. used to play 45 singles on her record player for me to dance to (1964), mostly Dave Clark 5 and Beatles such as “She Love You” “I Want To Hold Your Hand” “Can’t Buy Me Love”. 


I remember later my Uncle Jim U. had the first few Beatles albums (1969) like: “Meet The Beatles” and “Something New” then later on my Uncle Jeff S. lived with us for a while on Douglas St. (1971) and he had “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Abbey Road” those really tripped my trigger, and my sister’s baby-sitter Stacy P. used to bring over her Beatles 45s (1973), by this time I was thoroughly engrossed in all things Beatles, however being so young at the time I was unaware that The Beatles had already disbanded in December 1970. So I was very confused when I heard Solo Beatles songs on radio KMNS. 


I would say the very 1st song I heard was Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance” then probably McCartney’s “Live And Let Die” and then my Mom Carol’s favorite Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” but I know for sure the one that totally knocked me out Starr’s “Photograph” with Harrison. Then in no specific order “Another Day” “Isn’t A Pity” “Back Off Boogaloo” “Imagine” “Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey” “#9 Dream” “Give Me Love” “You’re Sixteen” “My Love” “Oh My My” “Jet” “Power To The People” “No No Song” “Band On The Run” “It Don’t Come Easy” after that it was an open flood gate of Solo Beatles songs, too numerous to mention or try to log in order. Then later as I began to collect records myself, specifically  the 45 Singles, I started finding songs I never heard on the radio yet they were on the BillBoard Charts “Junior’s Farm” “Mind Games” “Dark Horse” “Snookeroo” and others like that. 


Now when I lived in Sioux City, I remember hearing Ringo on the radio the most, in fact Ringo had more “Top 40 Hits” than Lennon until 1980, when Lennon was killed in December 1980, he got 3 Top 40 Hits off of his last album “Double Fantasy” consequently bumping Ringo out of the #2 Solo Beatles success. In order of Hit Single success McCartney landslide. Lennon at 13, Harrison at 13  and Starr at 11. Now to clarify this is Top 40 Hits, not charting singles,as those numbers are vastly different. 


The Beatles going solo: I am not sure everyone is aware 3 members of The Beatles started doing solo work While they were in The Beatles. Here is a breakdown:  


Paul McCartney: “The Family Way” soundtrack from January 1967.

George Harrison 
“Wonderwall” soundtrack from November 1968″Electronic Sound” from May 1969

John Lennon”Two Virgins” from November 1968
“Unfinished Music: Life With the Lions” from May 1969

“Wedding Album” from November 1969

“Live Peace In Toronto” from  December 1969

45 Singles: “Give Peace A Chance/Remember Love” July 1969

“Cold Turkey/ Don’t Worry Kyoko”  October 1969

“Instant Karma/ Who Has Seen The Wind” January 1970


When Lennon was asked about Yoko splitting up The Beatles Lennon had this to say “Why not thank Yoko for all the great music created by Paul, George and Ringo created after The Beatles”.  

I have created many Radio Shows on the Solo Beatles on WDGY (www.MrZeroS.Com) and WFNU (www.MixCloud.Com) Here is the info on these Shows.

John Lennon #120: Dec 2019
Paul McCartney #125: Jan 2020
George Harrison Part 1A Early: #5: Aug 2017George Harrison Part 2B Later #275: Feb 2024
Beatles George Harrison: #221: May 2022Ringo Starr: #32: Mar 2018
Beatle Ringo Starr #238: Nov 2022


Which leads up to one of my latest Shows Episode #271 on the Solo Beatles.


Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show 2023
Episode #271 “The Other Hits Of The Solo Beatles”

 John Lennon:

Power To The People (#11) Mar 1971

Mind Games (#18) October 1973 

Whatever Gets You Through The Night (#1) September 1974 (with Elton John)

Paul McCartney:

Another Day (#5) February 1971

Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey (#1) August 1971

Hi Hi Hi (#10) September 1972

George Harrison:

Bangla Desh (#23) July 1971

Dark Horse (#15) november 1974

You (#20) September 1975

Ringo Starr:
Back Off Boogaloo (#9) March 1972 (with Marc Bolan)

Oh My My (#5) February 1974

Snookeroo (#3) February 1975 (with Elton John)


And there you have it, some information on The Solo Beatles, check in next month for a new instalment Of: Dr. Rox Remember When? 2024. 


Upcoming Concert:”A Hard Day’s Night” Presents “The Day The Music Died” a Tribute to Buddy Holly and The Music Of The 50s3 February 2024 Saturday 1pm at The Hook And LadderCall: 612. 345. 7166: For ALL Information3010 Minnehaha Ave Minneapolis, MN 55406


You can hear MrZerr0 on Radi0 WDGY8am Sundays740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1and hear the last 90 Episodes Qwww.MrZeroS.Com -Podcastalso the other shows of MrZerr0@ www.MixCloud.Com: UnderMrZerosEvolation (32 Shows)Hits And History w/ Rick Burnett (17 Shows)


Mr. Zer0’s *Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. NRoseville-St. Paul, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.ComVinyl, CDs, Cassettes.VHS, DVDs, LaserDisc.Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, XboX, Atari.Toys in Package, Shirts.and That’s IT!
Where: Nerd Is The Word…. 

https://patch.com/minnesota/roseville/how-solo-beatles

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