PsychoGello Xmass Show 2023

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“PsychoGello Xmass Show 2023” Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #154: Dec 2023By: RLSchwinden aka  MrZerr0


   When I was a kid growing up in Sioux City, Iowa (home of Tommy Bolin) I remember Christmas of 1969 my family stopped by my Sister Michelle’s Godmother Darlene L.s house and there Darlene was sitting in rocking chair drinking eggnog and listening to Christmas records on her record player, I thought this was so awesome the lights of the Christmas tree and the sound of Christmas music, I remember thinking this is what I want to do when I get older. Then in 1983 while working in a stereo dept. store in W. Des Moines, IA., I started to discover Christmas music by Rock N Roll Bands, so I made my very 1st Xmass Rock Tape in Dec 1985. Then in Dec 1999, I was able to make my very 1st Xmass Rock CD, and ultimately in Dec 2017 I aired my very 1st Xmass Rock Radio Show on Radio WDGY. 


    Now I as I have been in the Music Biz in one way or another since 1982 and all I am interested in is music, I research bands and songs, tirelessly, even on artists I am not that into. Unbelievably I found about 40 Christmas songs I did not know about, so this year in 2023 for the 1st time ever  I made 2 new Xmass shows, one R&B and a Pop Rock one too. With my new co-host  DJ Megz Lonewolff of “Drinking The Cool-Aid” A True Crime Podcast which she launched in March 2020 and just released Episode #195, already fantastic, check out her show folks. You can catch me live on a new Radio Show “Ghost Box Radio” with Greg Bakun on Radio AM950 KTNF on 9 January 2023 Tuesday 10pm, I am going to try to get Megz on this show too. And so let us cover my 2 new Xmass Shows for this year.


“PsychoGello Pop Rock Xmass Show 2023”
Episode #270


“Baby’s 1st Christmas”  Connie Francis: 1961Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on 12  December 1937 in Newark, New Jersey.

“Not So Merry Christmas”  Bobby Vee: 1962Local Hero he was born Robert Thomas Velline 30 April 1943 in Fargo, North Dakota, I, MrZerr0 was on FOX 9 News covering his death on 24 Oct 2016 in Rogers, MN.

“My Boyfriend’s Coming Home For Christmas”  Toni Wine: 1963 ( BillBoard #33)She was born on 4 June 1947 in Washington Heights, New York. 

“The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle” Bobby Vinton: 1964He was born Stanley Robert Vinton on 16 April 1935 in Canonsburg, Penn. 

“Santa And The Sidewalk Surfer”  The Crossfires: 1964 They formed in Los Angeles as The Nightriders and then The Crossfires in 1964 and eventually became The Tyrtles and also recorded as Christmas Spirit and later on Flo And Eddie. 

“It’s Christmas Eve” The Galaxies: 1965Formed in 1961 in Tacoma, WA. from the same music scene as The Kingsmen, The Sonics and Paul Revere And The Raiders.  

“Cool Yule”  Donnie Burns: 1966On ARC Records, I can not find much on this artist, but I love this song. 

“Sock It To Me Santa”  Bob Seger and The Heard: 1966He was born in Detroit, Michigan in May 1945. And later The Bob Seger System and then The Silver Bullet Band. 

“Gingerbread Man” Tommy James And The Shondells: 1968He was born Thomas Gregory Jackson 29 April 1947 in Dayton, Ohio. The Shondells were formed in Niles, MI. If you want some great research look into his manager Morris Levy. 

“What Child Is This”  Mark Lindsay: 1969He was born in Eugene, OR. 9 March 1942 and was a member of Paul Revere And The Raiders from 1960 to 1975.

“Jesus Christ” Big Star: 1978They formed in 1971 in Memphis, TN.

“PsychoGello R&B Xmass 2023” Episode #269

“Blues For Christmas” John Lee Hooker: 1954He was born on 22 August 1912 in Tutwiler, Miss. Passed on 21 June 2001.

“Christmas Tears” Freddy King: 1961Born on 3 September 1934 in Gilmer, TX. and passed on 28 December 1976.

“Merry Twist-Mas” The Marcels from 1961 They were formed in 1959 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
“I Remember Christmas”  by The Drifters: 1964
They were formed in New York City in 1953.

“Presents For Christmas” Solomon Burke: 1966He was born James Solomon McDonald on21 March 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and passed on 10 October  2010.

“Who Took the Merry Out Of Christmas” The Staple Singers: 1972The formed in 1948 In Chicago, Ill. 

“I Want To Come Home For Christmas” Marvin Gaye: 1972He was born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. on 2 April 1939 Washington, DC and Passed 1 April 1984. 

“Christmas Just Aint Christmas” The O’Jays: 1973They were formed in 1958 in Canton, Ohio.

“Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin” Albert King: 1977  He was born Albert Nelson on 25 April 1923 in Indianola, Mississippi and passed on 21 Dec 1992.
MrZerro went to school in Mississippi, a Brandon Bulldog for 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Grades. 

“25th Of Last December”  Roberta Flack: 1977She was born Roberta Cleopatra Flack on 10 February 1937 in Black Mountain N. Carolina.

“All Alone On Christmas” Darlene Love: 1992 She was born Darlene Wright on 26 July 1941 in Los Angeles California.


And of course there were 6 other Xmass shows before these 2, if you want to track them down, with my former co-hosts: De Dee, Evangeline, Missy Marrz, Asha Moonglow and Nikola. 

Episode #21 Xmass 2017  
Episode #73 Xmass 2018

Episode #122 Xmas 2019

Episode #172 Xmass 2020

Episode #212 Xmass 2021

Episode #242 Xmass 2022


   Tune into Radio WDGY AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1 on Sundays 8am. You can hear the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. And hear my past “Evolation Show” (32 Shows) and “Hits and History Show” (17 Shows) at www.MixCloud.Com under MrZeros. There are 2 other shows out there “Album Breakdown” and “Cover Up” to check into as well.
I am MrZerr0 and this was the year 2023. Stay tuned for 2024.


Mr. Zer0’s Inc.*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

Vinyl Records, CDs, Cassettes.VHS, DVDs, Laserdiscs.Nintendo, PlayStation, Sega, XboX, Atari.Toys in the Package and Shirts.

Where: “Nerd Is The Word”

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3 Songs and Vinyl Memories

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“3 Songs By Any Band and Music History”
Dr. Rox Remember When?  
Article #153 November 2023
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

   Being in the Record Business Since 1985 I learned straight away that most customers assume you love the artists they love and or that you love the format that they love. In many cases this is simply not true, after over 100 years (the 1st recording was made in 1877) there are now literally thousands of artists and bands, and dozens of genres of music to choose from. Let’s start off with the reproduction medium. 

Vinyl Records

The very 1st format was the Cylinder introduced as a “Record” originally round like a drinking cup with no bottom made by putting wax on the outside of the cylinder, later a hard wax was developed topping out at a 2 minute run. Finally a hard plastic version was released that could hold 4 minutes. This format was offered from 1896 to 1929. 

Then came the 10 inch 78rpm Record requiring a thicker heavier grade stylus (needle). They were made of shellac and then in the 1940s they were made from  polyvinyl chloride (PVC) henceforth “Vinyl”. Usually double sided (holding 2 songs) The machines were both manual and electric. This format was manufactured from 1912 to 1959. The typical music genre offered was, Big Band, Vocal and Easy Listening, therefore the original “Blues” music is very sought after, very rare and highly collectible and expensive. At the time a kind of photo album was made and sold to hold your records in, usually 50 to 10 sleeves, which evolved into calling “Records” by the name of “Albums” as they held 10 songs by themselves.   

Edison Diamond Disc Record 10 inch record holding up to 5 minutes running at 80 rpms, rather than the standard 78 rpms, these discs were almost twice as thick as the standard 78 rpm, and typically were single sided (containing only 1 song) they are not compatible with 78 rpm machines. Having a very short lifespan being manufactured from 1921 to 1929.   

 Transcription Records from the 50s into the 60s. They ran at 16 rpm and up to 20 min per side albeit with very low fidelity designed for mainly speaking voices, such as interviews or documentaries and occasionally background music in business’.  Chrysler actually offered a factory under- dash record player from. 1956 to 1958

7 inch 45 rpm Single, with usually 2 songs, on rare occasion 2 songs on the B-Side. They often had a “Non-LP B-Side” meaning a song that was left off of the original album and in some cases both songs not being on the current album. Until 1969 all 45 rpm singles were mixed in “mono” (vs stereo) and usually an edit or even alternate version from the LP cut. in the 60s these still had a price point of .98 cents, unless you found them in the “Cut-Out” Bins then they were generally .25 ot 10 for a $1.oo.  RCA was the biggest supporter on the 45 Single. These were made from 1948 to about 1992.  

 In 1948 Columbia Records rolled out the 33 1/3 rpm “album” usually containing 10 songs, in the 50s and 60s usually 12 songs holding up to 18 minutes per side, in the UK 14 songs. In the 70s the time was expanded to and past 20 minutes. In a last ditch effort the industry had figured out a way to compress the recording in get 30 minutes per side on a vinyl record such is the case of Def Leppard’s 1987 release “Hysteria” alas by then, no one, and I mean NO ONE was buying vinyl Cassette was the chosen format.  


In September 1987 “NARM” and the 6 major labels at the time: BMG, CBS, EMI, PGD, UNI and WEA agreed and announced that 1987 would be the last year of Vinyl Records on a major scale and offered to us Record Stores to turn in 2 Vinyl Records for credit towards 1 CD, in a combined effort to boost less than stellar CD sales and plumitiing vinyl sales  but all vinyl must be returned by 2 January 1988. They did offer a  “Special Order Program” until October 1989. This was the predominant selling format until 1982, when Cassettes took over the number 1 selling format.   

Many people have disputed this information, however one time my former boss Matt M. chimed in “Not only is he correct he left out part of the story, he only had 2 days off in Dec 1987 (5 Dec 1987 Sat & Christmas the 25th)  and the first one was the Saturday after KISS played Vets (Fri 4 Dec 1987) when 1 one of the roadies, Jim, who he met the day before in our store and another roadie, Romeo who Rik knew from years before, brought Paul Stanley of KISS into our store to see Rik, so Rik didn’t get to see Paul that day as  I gave him the day off because he had to spend the whole month of Dec handwriting vinyl returns, because the deadline was 4th Jan 1988”  

12 inch Extended Mix Single up to 5 mixes of 1 song and usually a Non-LP song, with the popularity of Disco in the late 70s these were rolled out and became very popular, until they turned into CD5 or Maxi-Singles in the early 90s.

Universal Fire  1 June 2008 BLDG.6197 somewhere between 117,000 and 185,000 master tapes that could possibly be up to 500,000 songs  Master Recordings 

180 Gram Vinyl “Digital” Recordings
In 1982 Steppenwolf’s album “Wolf Tracks” was completely digital. Starting in 1985 almost all recordings went to digital from analog. Essentially this is the same digital file used to make a CD, but now pressed to vinyl. The reason for using 180 gram vinyl is to hold a broader sound range. A 180 gram record has about 10% of the high end and 10% of the low end cut off when transferred to vinyl from the digital file. Also by using colored vinyl it creates better reproduction as colored vinyl is virgin vinyl with no impurities, as opposed to black “recycled” vinyl. Translucent vinyl simply has less impurities. While vinyl has been available in one way or another since the massive extinction in 1989, for example the UK never really walked away from vinyl as did Eastern European Countries, who purchased the USA record presses when “The Wall” came down and the Eastern Block opened up in Dec 1991.      

Mobile Fidelity Half Speed Master Recordings
Founded by Brad Miller in 1977, began releasing “Half Speed” Vinyl records boasting the best reproduction sound possible, by transferring the master tapes at half speed, a process he discovered while trying to get the best possible transfer of nature sounds to vinyl. Mobile Fidelity would generally only print 3500 to 7500 copies of each of their titles. However in August 2022 the company was exposed about the fact that up to 60% of their releases were made using the DSD system, creating doubt that analog is truly better than digital. This same year the company lost a fraud lawsuit costing them $25 million in damages. 

Reel To Reel: 
Invented by the Germans in 1939 it was rolled out to USA consumers in 1958 and was available until 1984. This format could hold up to several hours of music depending on which one of the 6 available speeds the info was recorded at. It was Bing Crosby that championed this format, investing $50k in  Ampex in 1947 to get this format into production. In my opinion this is the best quality reproduction ever made available. This format co- existed with Vinyl and 8 Track, however Reels were primarily for the Audiophile or business’.         

8- Tracks:
The stereo 8 was rolled out in 1966 primarily for portable music for  automobiles and was manufactured until 1983. A lot of muscle cars from the 60s and 70s were equipped with stock 8 Track Players. This ran at a faster speed therefore having great sound reproduction, the set back having 4 channels songs could be split up and with an 8 channel playback head the tracks could sometimes bleed over in sound. In the mid 70s 8 Tracks sold up to 40% of the market with Vinyl being the chosen format.  

Cassettes 4 Track:
 Introduced in 1966 named “4 Track” as a more compact alternative to 8 Track and Reels, this format ran at a slower speed therefore not the same sound quality as Reels or even 8 Track, it did however hold 15 minutes up to 2 hours of music depending on the cassette you purchased. As with all “Tapes” they were a  $1.oo to pay the mechanical  royalty to Ampex, until the royalty ran out in the mid 80s. Cassettes really did push Vinyl out of the main selling format in 1982, and ruled the sales market until 1991 when the price of car stereo CD players were greatly reduced. So you know all that 80s music you’re looking for on Vinyl, you know why it is so expensive and so hard to find, well that’s because Cassettes sold about 80% of the market share during the 80s.

Cassingle: 
 Introduced in the UK in 1982, as an alternative to the 45 Single, this format rolled out in the USA in 1987 as the end of Vinyl was near. Initially only one song per side, very quickly went to both songs on both sides. This format lasted until 2001.

CDs:
Invented by the Phillips CO. in 1974, this format got the green light in 1981 when  the then President of Sony in Japan, who was also a Classical Conductor wanted to get all of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony on a single recording format without interruption. The 1st CD sold in Japan was The Beatles “Abbey Road” master from a vinyl record in 1982. rolled out in the USA in September 1985, I know because I had to attend a class on the new format at that time. Also many of the early CDs titles sold then contained a Video on the disc that needed a CD Player with a Video out to view, an example Jimi Hendrix “Smash Hits” 1st press.  

CD5 and CD Maxi-Single:

With the end of vinyl and the intention to eventually end cassettes too, the labels introduced in 1990, 2 new types of CD singles, one with 2 songs like a 45 singles and the 2nd to replace 12″ vinyl singles. The cool thing about the Maxi Single is that you usually got a song not contained on the full CD. Imports from the UK or Japan were the absolute best as sometimes they contained up to 3 Non-LP or Live tracks not on anything else. 

Napster:
A Peer To Peer (P2P) file sharing program introduced in 1999 ushered in the collapse of the Music Industry, as once a person bought a CD they could share it with anyone at no cost, and therefore no revenue to the Artist or Record Label that created it. A lawsuit was filed immediately and Napster was shut down in 2001, only to reopen as a subscription service only to end in 2002. This however did lead to other streaming services. 

Ipod:
 A portable media player rolled out in  2001 which held  512 MB to 256 GB depending on which version you bought and when you bought it. It is my understanding that when a single song cost .99 cents, Apple Music paid about .10 cents to the artist and .25 cents to the Record Label and Apple received the rest as they were the ones to offer the service. Sometime in about 2007 many Sony artists banded together and filed suit against Apple claiming they should get a larger share, as they created the music they are selling and the record labels recouped their investment decades ago. An agreement was reached and Apple agreed to pay the artists .25 cents by raising the cost of a single song to $1.29. I personally saw many music listeners sell off their entire collection after they loaded it onto their Ipod, only to find out later, the information could not be transferred from one device to another, so I would see them return to repurchase their favorites once again. This format came to a close in 2022.  

Streaming:
 As a result of Napster this option was created in the late 90s. It seems to be the most popular format of the day, what consumers may not know is that some artists only receive a .008 of a cent for every play. What does that mean? The artist gets .08 cents for every 1000 plays. Hum … this just doesn’t seem right to me. 

Now myself, my chosen format is Reel To Reel, analog recordings with no pops or clicks. but only a few hundred rock titles were ever made on reel, I own less than 100 of them. Next I would have to say CD would be my preference, they can hold up 79min. and many CD reissues have the Non-LP B-Sides, which I love, included on them, I own about 8000 CDs. Then vinyl, I probably have over 2000 Albums and 1500 Singles. 
I have said for many years Love ALL Kinds of music, and I do mean all kinds, However that does not mean I am a fan of every band, and specifically the most popular bands.

But As I started off talking about I love all music I can most generally find 3 songs by any artist that I do love no matter who they are, here are just a few examples:

Garth Brooks: 

That Summer: 1992
The Night I Called The Old Man Out: 1993
Hard Luck Woman: 1994

The Cars: 

Bye Bye Love: 1978 
Since You’re Gone: 1981
Drive: 1984

Johnny Cash: 

Ring Of Fire: 1963
Long Black Veil: 1965 
Hurt: 2002

Cinderella:
Shake Me: 1986
Don’t Know What You Got: 1988
Gypsy Road: 1988 

Neil Diamond:

Cherry Cherry: 1966
Love To Love: 1966 
Solitary Man: 1966

Foreigner:
Long Long Way From Home: 1977
Girl On The Moon: 1981
I Want To know What Love Is: 1984 

Guns N Roses:
Knockin On Heaven’s Door: 1988
Pretty Tied Up: 1991
Locomotive: 1991

Rick James:

You And I: 1978 
Give It To Me Baby: 1981
She Blew My Mind: 1982
 

Led Zeppelin: 

Battle Of Evermore: 1971
Achilles Last Stand: 1976
Ozone Baby: 1982

Loverboy: 

Turn Me Loose: 1980
When It’s Over: 1981
Lucky Ones: 1981

Metallica

Fade To Black: 1984

Wherever I May Roam: 1991
Memory Remains: 1997

Pink Floyd: 

See Emily Play: 1967
Wish You Were Here: 1975
Comfortably Numb: 1979

Public Enemy:

Bring The Noise: 1988

Fight The Power: 1989 

911 Is A Joke: 1990 
 

Quiet Riot:
Slick Black Cadillac: 1978

Metal Health: 1983
Wild And The Young: 1986

Bob Segar: 

Feel Like  A Number: 1980

Her Strut: 1980
You’ll  Accompany Me: 1980 

Bruce Springsteen: 

Pink Cadillac: 1984
Trapped: 1985
Brilliant Disguise: 1987

Rod Stewart:

Passion: 1980
Baby Jane: 1983 
Infatuation: 1984 

Warrant: 

Heaven: 1989
Uncle Tom’s Cabin: 1990
I Saw Red: 1990

Winger:
In The Day  We’ll Never See: 1990
Who’s The One: 1993
Down Incognito: 1993 

Be sure to tune in to my “PsychoGello Show” weekly Radio Show on Radio WDGY 8am Sundays, since 2017. You can hear the past 90 Episodes at www. MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can find MrZerro’s “Evolation Show” at www.MixCloud.Com for 32 Programs under Mr. Zeros as well as my guest spot on Rick Burnett’s “Hits And History” for 17 Programs. 

Until my next installment …

Mr. Zer0’s
*Est. 2009
1744 Lexingtone Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
www.MrZeroS.Com
Classic Music,
Retro Toys,
Vintage Video Games 
and movies too….
where
“Nerd Is The Word”   

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Why, Paul Revere And The Raiders?

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“Why Paul Revere And The Raiders”

Dr. Rox Remember When? 

Article #152 Oct 2023

By RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


   When I was a kid growing up in Sioux City, Iowa there were not a whole lot of musical options, so any chance I could I  took advantage of what I was able to hear or see. My Mom asked to get HBO installed into our house as she loved to watch movies, as did I. In the summer of 1979 I saw the film “Animal House” (July 1978)  on HBO in the soundtrack. I heard “Louie, Louie” by The Kingsmen, I loved it. Now, at the time in Sioux City, there was only a few places to buy Vinyl Records, the main independent store “Uncle John” owned by Mike Duncan (eventually his daughter Mindy ran this for him) and a store where my Grandfather Willis, my Dad Bill, and his brothers all worked which was Woolco. At The time a new album cost about $7.99, an older title like the ones I was looking for, as I was looking for artists from the mid 60s , in the late 70s (Disco sucked) IF, you could even find them were about $5.99. Well, I made about $1.95 an hour working at Woolco, yes 3 generations all worked at the same store. 


Well at Woolco they had what was called the “Cut-Outs” Section. My Mom (Carol) had to explain this to me as she sold records at  Kresge’s “Certain records are not made forever they stop making them if they don’t sell well” retail stores like Woolco or K-Mart (Kresge’s) had huge “Cut-Outs” Sections. So What is a “Cut-Out” it literally means “Cut Out Of Print” (No Longer Made) the 6 major records labels being; CBS, Capitol, MCA, RCA  WEA, PGD, when they stopped making certain titles they would make a “Saw Cut” in the side or have the “Corner Cut Off” or make “Drill Hole” in the top corner, or have “Hole Punched” through the corner. and the price points were: .99, $1.99, $2.99, $3.99, $4.99, then those price stickers were color coded for a specific 3 month period, and after a year they dropped down to the next lowest price point until finally .49 and after that they were destroyed Woolco alone destroyed thousands upon thousands of KISS records in 1979 -80. 


Starting in the 80s CBS began to melt down it’s overstocked records rather than sell them at a reduced price the thinking was “CBS Records will not devalue it’s artist catalog” these slow selling records were recycled into new records. Well, not making very much money and wanting every record I could get my hands on I shopped the “Cut-Outs” Section, it was there I found artists like  The Byrds, Paul Revere And The Raiders and Thin Lizzy. It was here I found my found Raiders record Paul Revere And The Raiders “Greatest Hits” with their version of  “Louie, Louie” not the same version that I heard in “Animal House” but at least I had the song to play at home in my room. You see kids, the very 1st time I ever heard of the internet was Winter 1986, so if you wanted to look up music you had to use a giant book called a “Phonolog” at a store like “Musicland” which the 1st one I ever saw was at Southern Hills Mall about 1982 (the mall opened in Mar 1980). 

The album cover really appealed to me, I loved the colonial uniforms, as I always like a sense of uniformity of the 60s bands, everyone wearing the same suits or at least similar suits, I had Marx Revolutionary War toy soldiers only a few years earlier, so I thought the Raiders looked really cool, and I loved 5 songs on this record. Later in 1988 when I started to get all of The Raiders catalog, I found out I loved a great deal more songs.  


Originally formed in 1958 as “The Downbeats” When Paul Revere Dick (7 Jan1938; Harvard, NE. – October 4, 2014) met Mark Lindsay (9 Mar 1942 Eugene, OR.)  in Boise, ID. in 1960 the band changed their name to Paul Revere And Te Raiders, they later relocated to Portland, OR. in 1962. The band has had some 37 members in it’s 56 years career, Guitarists: Drake Levin, Jim Valley, Freddie Weller, Sioux City, Iowa born Doug Heath (9  Oct 1948), Paul’s own Son Jamie Revere, Bassists: Doc Holliday, Phil “Fang” Volk, Keith Allison (cousin of The Crickets Jerry Allison) and Ron Foos, Drummers: Mike Smith, Mississippi born Joe Carreo Jr. and Omar Martinez, just to name a few. In their career they have released 25 Albums, 42 Singles with 30 Songs on the BillBoard Charts. They have appeared on countless TV shows such as: “Batman” (1966) “Where The Action Is” (1965-67) one was filmed here in MPLS, “Ed Sullivan Show” (1967) “It’s Happening” (1968 -69), “Milton Berle Show” (1966), “Mike Douglas Show” (1966) “Lloyd Thaxton Show” (1965- 66). 


Another cool thing I later figured out about The Raiders, much like their contemporaries of the time they used VOX Guitars and Amps, specifically Volk used a “Phantom” Bass and Weller used a V288 Aristocrat and Lindasy played a “Phantom” 12 String. Just like The Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Monkees used VOX Guitars and amps like the AC30 or “Super Beatle” 100w The Rolling Stones used a  MkVI Teardrop and  a  V298 Wyman Bass, The Monkees used V219 Bobcat and V238 Country Western. I saw and met Paul Revere And The Raiders twice in Des Moines, IA. in 1993 and 1997 I found him to be the consummate showman, always on making plenty of jokes , though I was supposed to see them in 1989 in Williamsburg, IA. but car trouble prevented me from doing so. I finally  saw Mark Lindsay in St. Paul in 2012, as I was supposed to see him in 1993 in Des Moines, and 2009 in Milaca, MN. Unbelievably Jim “Harpo” Valley became a children’s artist after The Raiders and also performed in Des Moines, I did not find out until a week later, when my friend Reno informed me he met him after the show. In 1997 I met Jon Vasey ESQ. a VOX collector, and the biggest Raiders fan I ever met. He and I had the endless argument about who was a better vocalist, Mark Lindsay or Micky Dolenz (fans what do you think ?)
It took me a long time to do so, but I have created (so far) 4 Radio Shows on Paul  Revere And The Raiders, with 2 more in the works. Here are the set lists for these shows. 


WDGY “PsychoGello Shows”Paul Revere And The Raiders

Part #1: 1965 -1968

Fever: 1965, Just Like Me: 1965 , Steppin’ stone: 1966, 1001 Arabian Nights: 1966, Louie, Go Home: 1966, I Hear A Voice: 1967, I’m A Loser Too: 1968 ,Happening ’68: 1968.

Part #2″ 1969 – 1976
Ride On My Shoulder: 1969,I Dont Know: 1969, Just Seventeen: 1970, Indian Reservation: 1971, Powder Blue Mercedes Queen: 1972, Love Music: 1973, All Over You: 1974, Gonna Have A Good Time: 1975, The British Are Coming: 1976.

“Mark Lindsay Solo”
Reason To Believe: 1969, Arizona: 1969, Silver Bird: 1970, Been Too Long On The Road: 1971, Something Big: 1972, California: 1973, Mamacita: 1975, Sing Your Own Song: 1976.

WDGY
“Cover Up Show””Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian” 1965 John D. Loudermilk: 31 March 1934; Durham, NC. 21 Sep 2016

“Louie Go Home” 1966 The Chambermen: Spokan, WA.

“Steppin Out”  1966 The Atheanians: Edinburgh, Scotland

“Birds Of A Feather” 1969Keith Allison: 26 Aug 1942; Coleman, TX. 17 Nov 2021

“Freeborn Man” 1976 May The Outlaws; Tampa, FL.

“Hungry” 1977 Jan Sammy Hagar: 13 Oct 1947; Solinas, CA.

 “(INY) Steppingstone: 1979The Mertron Parkas; London, ENG.

“Kicks” 1986 June The Monkees: 1965 L.A. CA.

“Just Seventeen” 1998Crawlspace; Perth, AUST.

Coming soon to WDGY
Paul Revere And The Raiders: “Top BillBoard Hits” Just Like Me #11: Nov 1965, Kicks: #4: Feb 1966, Hungry: #6: June 1966, Great Airplane Strike: #20: Oct 1966, Good Thing: #4: Dec 1966, Him Or Me: #5: April 1967, I Had A Dream #17: Aug 1967, Too Much Talk #19: Feb 1968, Mr. Sun Mr. Moon: #18: Jan 1969, Let Me: #20: April 1969, Indian Reservation: #1: Feb 1971.

“Mr. Zer0’s Evolation Show” trying to get on Radio WVIC
55 min. Featuring:Paul Revere And The Raiders, The Brotherhood,
The Unknowns, Mark Lindsay, Jim Valley, Freddie Weller,
Keith Allison, And several Cover Versions.

You can catch my Radio Show “Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show”  on WDGY AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1, Sundays at 8am (occasionally at 7am too). You can hear The past 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can find “Mr. Zer0’s Evolation Show” (32 programs) and “Hits And History” (17 Programs) at www.MixCloud.Com.
Check in next time. Until then … Nerd Is The Word” 


Mr. Zer0’s *Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville (St. Paul), MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.Com$ELLING:
Vinyl, CDs, Cassettes,VHS, DVDs, LaserDiscs,Retro Toys In Package,Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, XboX.Shirts, and That’s Is ALL!

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Article #151: Why The Monkees

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“Hey MrZerr0 Why The Monkees?” 

Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #151 September 2023

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

So many years ago when I lived on the Southside of Des Moines, I auditioned for a “Local Cover Band” I do not recall the name they used then, but they eventually became ‘Seven Hells’ incidentally I did sit in with them a few times in 2009. As we were going over the setlist, of what I consider the usual; KISS, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Judas Priest etc. their singer Chris W. asked me “Am I to understand you like The Monkees?” I replied “Why, yes, that’s true” he asked “I just don’t understand how this can be true, you are into hard rock like the bands we just rehearsed and you are into kids music like that?” 

I responded “You see Chis, I am a little older than you and I started listening to music at about 11 months old, I’d guess, when my Aunt Debby would play 45 Singles on her record player for me to dance to, she played the bands she liked Dave Clark 5 and The Beatles. My father Dick told me and my Mom Carol wrote it down in my baby book, that my favorite TV shows as a toddler were ‘Batman’ ‘Lost In Space’ and ‘The Monkees’ back in the olden days “Prime TV” started at 6pm EST. I didn’t know any different pertaining to TV Stations and times, but Batman was on at 6 O’Clock Wednesdays and Thursdays on ABC (Channel 9), Lost In Space was on CBS (Channel 14), Fridays and The Monkees were on NBC (Channel 4), Mondays, so as a toddler I would sit in front of the TV waiting to see these shows and listen to the music, coincidentally another favorite band of mine Paul Revere And The Raiders appeared on Batman in Nov 1966. So you see Chris it’s quite simple. I was listening to music in the mid 60s, Before the bands you liked even existed, what was I supposed to do, sit and wait and hope one day there would be a band like Black Sabbath, so I had something to listen to?”     

I do vividly remember sometime in 1969 my favorite song was “Last Train To Clarksville” my Uncle John was a Monkees fan back then he had the 1st album and “Headquarters” and a few 45 singles for sure, he even had the Monkees talking hand puppet, and in ’69 when Peter Tork left the group, John pulled Peter’s head off the hand puppet. Also in ’69 I remember watching “Scooby-Doo” when it 1st aired September 1969 on CBS, incidentally I am currently watching these very episodes with my son Oblieon, David Jones appeared on Scooby-Doo in Dec 1972.  I remember seeing Kool-Aid and Nerf commercials with the Monkees Trio David, Micky and Michael, as CBS started to air The Monkees in re-runs from Sept 1969 to Sept 1972. 

It was about this time my mom’s best friend Toni C. would come over with her 2 children Spencer and Chris, and they would ask to watch The Monkees TV show, as they were into  comedy shows, however by this time I had discovered “Star Trek” and “Planet Of The Apes” so Sci-fi was my bag you dig. As they were our guests we watched The  Monkees, now I have to say at this time, watching the show I found it to be kinda silly, how I was still drawn to the music.I vividly remember seeing the songs “Words” “Love Is Only Sleeping” “Randy Scouse Git” and Tim Buckley performing “Song To The Siren” I loved This Music, and I have to say this show planted the seeds for the idea of me wanting to be in a band, I liked the idea of having 4 best friends (Spencer, Chris, Eric W. and I) playing  in a band wearing matching raspberry shirts playing in small clubs to people dancing or sitting listening  to us perform. I thought to myself “yea, this is what I want to do, this is definitely the life for me”.

I suppose it was also fueled by the fact may Dad Bill played drums in Merle Pithan’s  band “The Boyz (from Sioux City)” and my Uncle Jeff (who knew Tommy Bolin) played guitar and gave me my 1st guitar, and the same Uncle John (mentioned) played drums in the band “Freedom Of Wild Water II” 
At 1st I wanted to be the singer- drummer like Micky Dolenz, (I thought he had the coolest haircut) but as my dad tried to teach me drums, we learned, sadly I did not have what it took, and my friend Chris C. DID already played drums, I decided I wanted to be the Mike Nesmith (guitarist- singer) in the band, as Uncle Jeff had already given me a guitar. Well it took many moves and many years later until I met Mike Langley who got me onto my guitar playing journey with his group “The Magic Acid Band”. Earlier this year I got the guitar I always dreamed of from way back then, a Red Sunburst Hollow Body (Thanks to the guys at Music Go Round Burnsville). In 1986 The Monkees got back together for a reunion tour that lasted for the next 3 years. Since then I have seen The Monkees in one form or another over 50 times in over 8 different states. As the following: David, Micky & Peter, Peter Solo, David Solo, Micky Solo, Michael Solo,  Boyce & Hart, Micky & David, Michael, Micky & Peter, Michael & Micky. In fact I have met some of my very best life long friends because of The Monkees either collecting or at concerts. 

Some of my Monkees related accomplishments. I was able to interview Michael Martin Murphey for Gary Strobl’s book on The Monkees; pertaining to Murphey’s involvement with The Monkees writing the songs “What Am I Doing Hanging Round” “Oklahoma Backroom Dancer” “Texas Morning” and “I, Prithee (do not ask for love)” and his band “Lewis And Clark Expedition” who was signed to the same record label, thanks to Nesmith.I worked on a job for David Jones in 1994 researching his performing, writing and producing credits. In Sept 2005 David Jones played my Catholic Church (St.John Neumann) function and earlier that day Jones I filmed a segment for VH1, unfortunately my part did not get used. In 2020 my name is in the credits on the CD/Vinyl “Micky Dolenz: Live In Japan (1982)” as I was the only one who interviewed and documented his trip to Japan in 1982. 

When I decided to open Mr. Zer0’s Record Store in 2009, I decided to use a name I saw in Monkees’ Episode #52 “Devil And Peter Tork” Mr. Zero ran the pawn shop where Tork accidently sold his soul to the devil ‘Mr. Zero’ Mr. Zer0’s will be celebrating their 15th Xmass in the very same location. In 2012 when I was asked to make my 1st KFAI appearance, they asked me if I had a name for my show. I decided to use “PsychoGello” from Monkees Episode #58 “Frodis Caper” where Nesmith is making fun of the hippy psychedelic movement calling it “PsychoGello” I made 7 appearances on KFAI as “PsychoGello” and in June 2017 I moved this show to WDGY and is still on today, about to air my 7th Xmass show.  So what are some of my favorite Monkees’ songs you might ask, well it goes like this:”Sweet Young Thing” (Nesmith)  from their 1st album in Oct 1966. I played this song over and over so much my Aunt Cat had to say “There are other songs on the album”

“Look Out (hct)”  (Diamond -Jones) from “More Of” released in Jan 1967, I just love those early songs of Neil Diamond this one “I’m A Believer” “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” “Love To Love” “Black And Blue” 

“You Told Me” (Nesmith) from “Headquarters” released in Mar 1967. another fine tune form Nesmith with a bit of country added to it with Tork’s banjo.

“Words” (Boyce And Hart -Dolenz -Tork) from “Pisces” released in Nov 1967. This is my favorite song of all time. I was able to interview Tommy Boyce about this song in June 1986. Later in 1990 I became an acquaintance of Bobby Hart. 

“Zor And Zam” (Chadwick -Dolenz) from “Birds And Bees” released in April 1968. What a haunting masterpiece. This blew me away when I first heard it as a teenager. Later, alos in 1990 I befriended this song’s writer Bill Chadwick. 

“Long Title (dihtdtaoa)” (Tork) from the soundtrack to “Head” released in Nov 1968. Well this song just plain rocks and rings so true for me. Buffalo Springfield is the backing musicians on this one.

“You And I” (Chadwick -Jones) from “Instant Replay” released in Feb 1969. Another rocking tune that once again rings so true. This one is again written by Chadwick, with Lead Guitar from Neil Young of Buffalo Springfield.

“Looking For The Good Times” (Boyce And Hart -Jones) released in Oct 1969 from “Present”. another rocker.

“Tell Me Love” (Barry -Dolenz) from the final LP “Changes” released in June 1970 a great ballad. 
“Cripple Creek” From “Live 1967” finally a Tork song with banjo.

“Time And Time Again” (Chadwick -Jones) From Missing Links Vol. 1″ slated for “Changes” another Chadwick song and a great ballad. 

“I Prithee” (Murphey -Dolenz) From “Missing Links Vol. 2” slated for the 1st LP. later recorded with Jones in ’67 and later again with Tork in ’68. A great psychedelic tune.
“You’re So Good” (Stone -Dolenz) From “Missing Links Vol. 3” slated for “Present” a greta R&B tune as that’s what the Trio were into at the time. Sam And The Good Timers are the backing musicians on this track. 

“Something To Show For It All” (Chadwick -Jones) still unreleased as of yet. Slated for “Changes” but used in the syndicated TV Show “An Evening With…” from April 1970. I got this unreleased recording from the songwriter and producer himself Bill Chadwick in 1992. A lovely ballad. I would like my son to play this at  my wake.

I have a son and when he was born I got him a drumset. A Ludwig that I am re-wrapping in Pink Sparkle, Dolenz had a Champagne Sparkle Kit. When I was asked why I wanted to have a kit of that color, I responded it is my dream to be in a Monkees Tribute Band” the person responded what did they have 1 hit?” Ummm, no here is a list of their Top 40 Hits:

11 Top 40 Hits:

-1966-

“Last Train To Clarksville” (Boyce And Hart)

“I’m A Believer” (Diamond)

“(iny) Steppinstone” (Boyce And Hart)

-1967-
“A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” (Diamond)

“Girl I Knew Somewhere” (Nesmith)

“Pleasant Valley Sunday” (Goffin And King)

“Words” (Boyce And Hart)

“Daydream Believer”

(Stewart)

-1968-“Valleri” (Boyce And Hart)

“Tapioca Tundra” (Nesmith)

“D.W. Washburn” (Leiber And Stoller)


And so this is why The Monkees, like I tell my son “Everybody’s different” Check back next month. Until then … MrZerr0

Tune into my Radio WDGY “PsychoGello Show” 7am Sundays and 8am. On AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. To hear the last 90 Episodes go to www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. To hear my “Evolation” (32) and “Hits And History” (17) Shows go to www.MixCloud.Com.


Mr. Zer0’s *Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.Com“Where Nerd Is The Word” Classic Music,Retro Toys,Vintage Video Games,And Movies too.And That’s IT! 

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Do We Need Tribute Bands?

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“Why Do We Need Tribute Bands?”

Article #150 August 2023By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 


The Duluth Veterans Tribute Fest is 26 August 2023 at Bayfront Festival Park. So being in KISSin Time for the last 10 years I get  these questions:


 1. Why are you in a tribute band and not just a cover dance band? For me I was always a fan of a specific band and I loved playing just one band’s songs, keeping to a certain theme. The very first project I was involved with we just played songs by The Beatles. Also I never really liked playing a variety of songs, especially songs by certain bands. Just like nowadays, go to any club and you will see several different bands playing the exact same songs, what can be the differentiating factor, who plays this song the best, these guys or those guys? 


 2. Don’t you feel silly? No, I get to live out my childhood dreams, and most people never get that opportunity. I always liked dressing up for more than just Halloween. I also wanted to be an actor, I have appeared in several films since 2011. (check IMDB).


3.  Why don’t you play original music? Well I have been in several original bands over the decades and while I enjoyed playing music I created or helped create. It was hard to get booked to play shows after 1987. In addition, in most cases people were not getting into your music they  had never heard before. And for decades now, a band has to realize they are not really going to “Make It” in the music biz, so why not do it for fun and make a little money in doing so. 


4. Are tribute bands really necessary? 
Overall I say Why Tribute Bands. Easy answer.  These 4 for example; The world’s favorite band of all time Led Zeppelin stopped touring in July 1980. The Beatles stopped touring August 1966. Jimi Hendrix last show was in Sep 1970. Jim Morrison’s last show was Dec 1970. Van Halen performed their last show in Oct 2015.  This list could go on and on. The Sweet will be playing the Twin Cities soon, as the other 3 original members are dead, the only original member left is Guitarist Andy Scott (born in June 1949), and several new hires, true the music is still there but when it is down to just one original member, and not even the lead singer on the recordings,  how far off is it really from a band paying tribute to the original band? What if you’re a huge Tom Petty fan, well unfortunately he died in 2017, so you can not see him anymore, or if you love Fleetwood Mac, even though they have had over 18 full members, sad but true Christine McVie is gone, since 2022.  


In the late 60s there was a trend to put together 50s Rock N Roll Revival Shows, like having Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis on the same bill (program) even then those artists were in their 30s and 40s. Berry was born in OCt 1926, so in 1969 he was 43 on tour playing these revival shows.  


For example when the Monkees toured as a trio in 1986 they were crucified over the fact all 4 original members weren’t there and they were in the 40s, yet many of the 80s hairbands are now in their 50s and 60s and the touring bands are down to maybe 2 members or just the lead singer and a backing band example Brett Michaels, Tom Keifer, Geoff Tate. How about Quiet Riot, the band is down to its 2nd Bass Player Rudy Sarzo. Let us look at Foreigner the only original member to still perform with the band is Mick Jones (born Dec 1944) albeit occasionally at best even though lead vocalist Lou Gramm is still active he he is not in his own band, while there are a few other famous people in the band; Pilson & Hansen, in my opinion Foreigner is nothing more than an “Authorized Tribute Band”  For the record Brett Michaels was born March 1963, Tom Keifer born Jan 1961, Geoff Tate was born in Jan 1959.


How about the 90s bands most of those lead singers are dead, Cobain, Staley, Cornell, Hoon, Weiland, Nowell and Wood, yet some of these bands still continue on. Since most of these 90s singers are in fact dead you could go see “Wicked Garden” and get the 90s experience in a live setting. An example TOOL is a great band, unfortunately they do not tour that often, so if you’re a TOOL fan, you can go see “10,000 Days”  


I saw the Ronnie James Dio Hologram in June 2019, and to me, it was like a bad cartoon with a really good backing band. There was talk of taking the Jimi Hendrix Experience Hologram and the Michael Jackson Hologram backed by the remaining Jackson Brothers, but I never saw anything materialize outside of the Dio Hologram tour. 


How about the major Stadium Tours, such as KISS, where Paul Stanley’s vocals are pre-recorded backing tracks, I know I saw this myself from only several feet away in Milwaukee, May 2022, or Motley Crue, Lee’s drums, Sixx’s bass tracks and Neil’s vocals. Sure these are very expensive shows costing millions of dollars, so the companies really wouldn’t want anything to go wrong, but is it right to charge $150.oo to watch a pantomime?  


I ask this question when you see tribute bands, do you prefer them to dress the part or the band just walk out and perform in their usual attire, whatever that may be? For many it’s the music and they really don’t care who is up there, as long as they can drink and dance and have a good night out. Some want to relive their glory days or a time that has long since gone by. Myself I do want to the music to be correct, and sometimes it’s necessary to have a keyboard player off to the side to recreate the sound, and in many cases a tribute band needs to have a female singer to recreate the vocals of a 22 year old male from decades ago, but I am also going to watch the show, so I myself would like to see the band at least make an effort to look the part, and not have to watch what looks like 4 guys that just got off work and went to the club to play the favorite songs. 


I have been in the music biz since 1981 in one way or another, I started working full time in a recordstore in 1986, I sold thousands upon thousands of Led Zeppelin cassettes back then. They were done as a band for over 5 years, so how would a 16 year old kid who just discovered Led Zeppelin get  to enjoy the live experience of his new favorite band without the advent of “Tribute Bands”? Keep in mind there is not a whole lot of Led Zeppelin video footage out there as their manager Peter Grant wanted the fans to pay to go see his band live, not be  able to watch them for free on TV. Or a young person sees KISS on Scooby Doo and wants to learn more about them, yes there are tons of video on KISS, but to be there and see it live is a spectacle to behold. 


While there will always be a need for new original music and I fully support this, I feel there is also a need for Tribute Bands helping fans relive the past in a way they are able to. So until someone invents a time machine I recommend you go see the tribute bands while they are still around. 


Check out my WDGY Radio Show 8am Sundays on WDGY: Am740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. You can hear the last 90 episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com under Podcast. Check out Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” (32 Episodes)  and “Hits And History Show” (17 Episodes) at www.MixCloud.Com. 
See you in Duluth.StarChild of: KISSin Time. 


Mr. Zer0’s *Est.20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville-St.Paul, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.ComWhere:
“Nerd Is The Word” Classic MusicRetro ToysVintage Video GamesAnd Movies too. AND THAT’S IT! 

Article #149: DVC from MPLS

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D.V.C. from Sioux City to Des Moines then to Minneapolis.Dr. Rox Remember When? 
Article #149 July 2023By: RL Schwinden aka MrZerr0


When I was growing up in Sioux City, Iowa all I really wanted to do was be a “RockStar” as my Dad Bill was a drummer in the Twin Cities area in the early 60s, this only fueled my fire. As I have mentioned many times Tommy Bolin (1 Aug 1951 – 4 Dec 1976) was from my neighborhood, my cousin John, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cindy were friends of Tommys. While I was inspired by bands like The Beatles, The Monkees, Steppenwolf, Deep Purple, The Osmonds, Black Sabbath and KISS, I thought it must not be too hard to become a rockstar, at first my dad tried to teach me the drums, we found I had no rhythm, my mom told me I could not sing a note, so I was drawn to the guitar, one that really appealed to me was a Red Hollowbody Electric. By this time my dad was playing in a band called “The Boyz (from Sioux City)” with Merle Pithan on Keyboards, this really began to pique my interest. As I got into my teens and I began to hang out with Mike Langley, I started to realize that I might not hit the heights of superstardom like my idols. When I was about 16 The Bolin Family moved into the house across the street on 25th and Pierce, it was then Summer of 1979 I first met Johnnie Bolin, Tommy’s younger brother and former drummer of the Tommy Bolin Band and Richard T. Bear, Johnnie was at that time the drummer for the  Des Moines Band “The Penetrators” in Dec 1980 one Sat. night I hung out with Johnnie and his pal Archie Shelby in the Bolin’s kitchen, Johnnie signed a ‘Penetrators’ poster for me which I still have. So just after high school (West ’81) I split town upon my Uncle Jeff’s suggestion and moved to Phoenix with my Uncle’s Mike and Brad. While visiting Tri-City Mall in a book store I saw an ad for the new “D.V.C.” album on Alpha Records. I thought “Will you look at that, Johnnie (Bolin) has a new band with a record out (NO ONE called them “Vinyls”) that band was “D.V.C.” an abbreviation for “Power, Accuracy, Speed” in Latin. And so our story begins.


The Cast:
John Valoyce Bartle 22 October; 1950 Sioux City, Iowa
John Vern Bolin: 17 August 1954; Sioux City, Iowa

Robert Alan Forest 15 June 1953; Ames, IowaDavid

Ducharme Jones 20 Jan 1960; Des Moines, Iowa

Rick Reed 1959; Des Moines, Iowa

Maximilian Cross Padilla: 15 March 1955; Manhattan, NYC

Brian Arther Bart: 18 August 1958; Minneapolis,  MN.

Eric Holtz: Sioux City, Iowa


The band “D.V.C.” roots go all the way back to 1967 at Central High in Sioux City, Iowa, where a young Tommy Bolin meets John Bartle whose friend is Eric Holtz.Bolin and Bartle jam on guitars together. Bartle eventually joins the Sioux Falls band “Chateaux” a young Tommy Bolin is fired from “A Patch Of Blue” and also joins Chateaux, before leaving for Cincinnati, OH. in late ’67. Bartle then joins “Seven Sons” from the ashes of “A Patch Of Blue”  with George and Brad Larvick, David Napier and 3 others; they release several 45s before breaking up. John Bartle and Johnnie Bolin began playing together in a band called “Sailing” in a local truck stop in Sioux City some time in 1972. Sometime in 1975 while on a break from Deep Purple, Tommy is back in Sioux City and throws together a band called “The Gassers” which lasts from 1975 to 1976. There is a Live CD of this lineup titled “Tommy Bolin Live At The Jetbar”  Bartle once told me “It’s my face on the cover and my voice on the recording, yet it’s credited to Tommy?” (laughs). The band consisted of Tommy Bolin on guitar, Johnnie Bolin on drums, John Bartle on lead vocals and guitar and Roger Rothewell on bass. Tommy passes away in 1976. Johnnie goes on to Richard T. Bear for 2 albums on RCA records “Bear” and “Captured Live” both from 1979 and Bartle goes onto “The Jan Park Band” from Des Moines, Iowa, they release 1 album on Columbia Records also in 1979, however Bartle told me in an interview: “We recorded a 2nd album that didn’t get released, because Jan’s husband wanted her out of the business, I still have the tapes for it, maybe someday I’ll release them, let them come after me, what are they going to do other than give me free publicity” 
While in Des Moines sometime in 1979 Bartle meets one David Ducharme-Jones a guitar player and vocalist who was playing a residency at Courtney’s in downtown Des Moines. Ducharme had met Johnnie Bolin in Okoboji, IA. and Johnnie sat in with his band to play on some Tommy Bolin songs. Bartle was working on a 2 song demo for a new record deal and asked Ducharme to play on the sessions. While recording Bartle had the idea to form a new 5 piece band with 3 lead guitar players to play triple guitar harmonies, and 4 part vocal harmonies especially on cover songs that had keyboards. Ducharme suggested his good friend (Rockin) Rick Reed for bass and another local talent from Ames, IA. Rob Forest. Bartle of course brought in Bolin on drums, and The Penetrators were born. From an interview with Ducharme: “Bartle came to pick me up in his Cadillac he bought with his advance money from the Jan Park deal, I was all of 19 years old so I was impressed, we spent the whole winter (1979) reheasering covers writing originals; “Now I See It” “Ain’t That The Way It Goes” Bartle being the main songwriter then, Forest wrote some; “Goosebumps” and playing gigs gearing up for the pending record label deal, since we had 3 guitar players who ever sang the lead on a song that was who played the solo of that song, we recorded some demos at Studio 2000 on Ingersol in Des Moines. Now I had just turned 20 and these guys were a older so they were more seasoned at the rock n roll lifestyle than I was and I decided that just maybe this wasn’t my scene, as I was in a serious relationship and getting married (17 Aug 1980) I decided to leave and relocate to Calif. man, was Bartle pissed about that, and he let me know it. Eventually Bartle played with my cousin Pat Morley the future drummer for “Soul Asylum”. I have a tape of my last show with The Penetrators”and here is a partial setlist:     


The Penetrators:
August 1980in Des Moines, Iowa @ So’s Your Mother
Bye Bye Love (cars)Let The Good Times Roll (cars)Don’t Do Me Like That (tom petty)Now I see It (Bartle)Ain’t That The Way It Goes (Bartle)Goosebumps (Forest)Desire (rockets)Teaser (tommy bolin)The Grind (tommy bolin)Homeward Strut (tommy bolin) Owed To G (deep purple 4) Same Old Song And Dance (aerosmith) 


It seems to me, John Bartle, especially was heavily influenced by “The Cars” and how could he not be, The Cars had 5 Top 40 Hits in just over a year from 1978 -79. Incidentally I did meet Ric Ocasek and his wife Paulina in Dec 1987 at a bookstore in Valley West Mall in W. Des Moines, Iowa and I saw Easton and Hawkes with “The New Cars” May 2007 in Shakopee. It was about this time that Tommy Bolin’s Ibanez Destroyer was stolen along with the rest of the band’s gear from a rehearsal space adjoined to a bowling alley in Minneapolis. 


Enter Max Padilla;So with Ducharme leaving the band, so does his good friend Rick Reed. Bartle and Bolin set their collective sights on the bassist / vocalist Max Padilla from the band “Headstone” based in Waterloo, IA. Max had also played with”Footloose Band” and “Night Flight”. Padilla: “Bartle approached me first as they had a pending record deal, Johnnie came up to me later and was just as nice and humble as could be, Johnnie and I hit it off great we were best buds, we did everything together, now I was aware of his older brother Tommy, I had seen The James Gang on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, I had read his name in the credits of “Come Taste The Band” and “Spectrum” but never did think I would meet his brother Johnnie at “So’s Your Mother” in Des Moines, Iowa. Eventually Johnnie and I lived upstairs in the band house on Christmas Lake in MPLS. I remember one time Johnnie brought me some of Tommy’s stage clothes to wear on stage, he was just as nice as could be.” So Max joins The Penetrators, but as the band gets signed to Alpha Records they decide they need a  new name, I believe it was Bartle who came up with the name “D.V.C.” Eric Holtz has left Columbia Records and joins Japanese label Alpha Records who did have some other artists like LuLu, The Police, Erasure, Depeche Mode, Falco, Billy Vera, Max-Q, George Benson and several others. Holtz produces the first album using a layering technique, where they would record the 3 singers, and then re-record the same parts and stack them upon each other really filling out the sound (Roy Thomas Baker did the same thing with Queen)   


1st Album Summer 1981 Alpha #AAB-11005 (lead vocals)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Padilla)Goosebumps (Forest)Turning (Bartle)Ain’t That The Way It Goes (Bartle)Teaser  (Forest)Go For It (Forest)Now I See It (Bartle)Stop Foolin Around (Padilla)Baby Wants More (Bartle)Terrified (Forest)


My personal favorites from this release: Let Me Be Your Fantasy, Goosebumps, Terrified, 
Released in the USA on Vinyl and Cassette and Japan on Vinyl.I remember seeing an ad in “Circus” magazine for a contest to design the album cover for this release, and there was a follow up article showing the 2 runners up for the 2nd and 3rd place winners.  3 Single 45s were released for this album”Teaser/ Go For It” which was a hit in this area at the time late 1981 -1982″Let Me Be Your Fantasy/Now I See It” #7009″Goosebumps/Ain’t That the Way It Goes” #7013In fact “You Better Go For It” was used in a local Minneapolis Auto Dealership radio ad in spring- summer 2015.

Johnnie Bolin: Interview with me: “Well, Eric (Holtz) didn’t think the recorded really represented what we sounded like live, specifically my drums, I explained to him, well live I am using Steve Smith’s (Journey) 9 piece Sonar kit live, and in the studio you had me play a 5 piece, it’s just not the same I just can’t do as much. The problem we had then was they really didn’t know how to market us as a band were we “Rock” or “AOR” or “Heavy Metal” remember that was a transition time period from “New Wave” (post punk) to “Heavy Metal”.” Ducharme: “I am pretty sure that’s my guitar work on a few of those songs, that I did not get credit for, oh well”Bartle: “Washburn was really starting to come back at that time, they gave me a custom A-20 Bullseye model, and a black one with an endorsement, what happened to them… I sold ’em” 
Padilla: ” I played my 1976 Fender Blonde Precision, I bought at Taizio Music in NJ. for most of the album, but when I used a flanged sound I used a Yamaha BB-1200″ 
A friend of Johnnie’s Kurt J. recorded a show of DVC, here is the setlist and who sang what, and who the original version was by:


Aug 1981 Silver Dollar N. Sioux CIty, Iowa
Bye Bye Love (cars)Tough Guys (reo) Stop Foolin Around (DVC) Max Padilla Fantasy Girl (38 special) Aint That The Way It Goes (DVC) John Bartle When Your World Is Running Down (police)Walk Away (james gang)Funk #49 (james gang )Rocky Mountain Way (barnstorm)In The City (joe walsh solo 1979, then eagles) Party’s Over (journey)Majestic (journey)Where Were You (journey)Make Your Move (DVC – Penatrators) Rob Forest Baby Wants More (DVC) John Bartle Gone Gone Gone (bad co)Now I See It (DVC) John Bartle Rock N Roll Manager (DVC- Penatrators) Bartle & Forest Terrified (DVC) Forest


Bolin: “Remember this was a different time back then, back then bands could play up to 5 nights a week, usually Tuesday to Saturday for about the same money bands are getting paid today, on that where is our “cost of living increase” (laughs). But all that started to change in the early 80s when that Lightner girl was killed by a drunk driver, her mom formed “MADD” Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, I’m not sure about every state but Iowa changed the drinking age from 19 to 21 July 1986. With that it effectively ended the ability of bands like “DVC” “Dare Force” and “Chameleon” to earn a living playing locally because bars and clubs were folding like dominos, because there were no new customers for almost 3 years, and in Iowa it seemed most bars and clubs had about a 18 month to 3 year life span.” 
Padilla: “I remember living in the band house on Christmas Lake and Bartle borrowing my portable cassette recorder working on “I Want Your Body” Bartle was a great songwriter and simply amazing in the studio and Forest showing the “Drop D Tuning” for “One More Time” I had never seen that before. Holtz turned in the acetates to the record label, and they came back with “We would like to hear some Keyboards on these songs” were just not down with that, we were a guitar band that’s the way we wrote and recorded those songs so we stuck to our guns, and while we waiting, Bob F. at the label was fired and pretty soon the record label folded. ”  
Bartle: “Yea I have the masters for the 2nd album, I think I am going to put them out soon, I mean why not Alpha folded decades ago, who’s going to come after me, and what could they possibly do? I have been working on a cover for the CD, check these out (shows me about 4 different paintings) I paint them with a brush, NOT An Air-Brush. You know I re-recorded “Tonight” on the Chill Factor CD on Antipreneur Records back in 1996.” “Chill Factor” consisted of: John Bartle, Johnnie Bolin, Dave Napier (from Seven Sons) and Bob Birch (from Board Of Directors) they also covered a Tommy Bolin and Gassers favorite they performed live “Wang Dang Doodle”. 

 
2nd Album 
Post Toastee (Forest)Crash Landing (Forest)Nobody Wins (Bartle)Right Between The Eyes (Forest)One More Time (Padilla)Rock And Roll Women (Forest)Tonight Will Last Forever (Padilla)All I Need (Forest)I Want Your Body (Bartle)


My personal favorites from this release: Right Between The Eyes, One More Time, I Want Your Body, All I Need. I remember in April 1983 I saw a local Sioux City  band with a female lead singer perform “Crash Landing” at the bar at KD Stockyards Station. They announced it with this “And now an original song from some friends of ours”  
The story I heard at the time, still living in Sioux City was: “Bartle was tired of touring and being on the road and was about to get married so he decided to leave DVC, and form a new local band “Glass Hammer” I still have a promo poster and until recently I had a Fender Twin Speaker Cabinet once used by the band (Glass Hammer). In April I found out DVC was going to be performing at the Auditorium with 4 other bands, one being the “Free Beer” band, I am afraid I do not recall the others, I do remember one was a local Native American Band. My memory of this next show is vivid, not just because I have actual photos I took, but Jack Forest (Rob’s brother) gave me a 25 min TV Station filmed VHS recording of the show. The band came out and there he was Johnnie Bolin behind the drums the very same Chrome Ludwig he played in his brother Tommy’s band summer of ’76 wearing white sunglasses. Bolin: “I was wearing sunglasses on stage, how did that happen, I can hardly see as it is, so for me to wear sunglasses, I don’t know” and Rob Forest front and center dressed as a 1920s Newspaper Boy, somehow this look was so cutting edge and Rock N Roll at the time.

Forest playing Johnnie’s Ibanez Candy Apple Red Destroyer, with his teeth! Forest was a phenomenal guitar player and equally as great of a vocalist. To his left was Max Padilla, the consummate rockstar, he looked like a human jaguar, the first guy I ever saw with highlighted hair he looked surreal and the way he moved on stage he would lick his right hand fingers as he plucked his bass strings, then he would do a half jump as the same time, he wore these extra long white sweatbands. Padilla: “That’s because I was sweating so much, I would become dehydrated, my fingers would stick to the strings if I didn’t, like our name said ‘Power, Accuracy, Speed’ we brought it 110% everytime, and remember, back then you had 110 watt par cans hanging behind your head and in your face, no LEDs back then, we were sweating me and Johnnie, and after the show behind Bolin’s drum it was just sawdust, man. The dude hit hard, you know what I am saying, Johnnie and I were a unit, we knew what each other were doing, solid rhythm”. And Padilla could sing almost exactly like Steve Perry of Journey and played bass at the exact same time and was a fantastic bass player at that. This is THEE Show where I had the idea “I doubt I can be a superstar, but I think I can do what these guys are doing. In fact I have actually played a few songs live with Johnnie Bolin on drums! In fact I will do so again on Sat. 5th Aug in Sioux  City. this was John Bartle’s last show with DVC, and Brian Bart did come out and play the encore with the band. 


2 May 1982Sioux City Auditorium Bartle’s last show (from Video and the best of my memory being front row taking photos) Teaser Goosebumps Let Me Be Your Fantasy Crash Landing Aint That The Way It Goes I Want Your Body Terrified Now I See It Stop Foolin Around Go For It On My Way Pushin Your Luck Post Toastee

The 2nd album was in a slightly different direction, firstly Forest wrote and sang the majority of the songs, and ultimately his image became part of the logo for the band (Forest with his back facing forward in front of a full Marshall stack turning up the volume to 10)  secondly the music was heavier than on the 1st album.
Alpha Records closed in July 1982 due to a slump in music sales in general due to Disco and the 8-Track. While Disco was a huge trend in the music biz from roughly 1977 to 1980, people generally went out and danced and for the most part did not actually buy Disco records. Many Music Retail Stores invested heavily in 8-Track inventory which was popular from about 1976 to 1980, when the 4-Track Cassette virtually killed the 8-Track format overnight in late 1979 the music stores were stuck with inventory they could neither sell or return. Having worked with many people who were in the biz at the time, one being Mike P. of Wax Works Ent. from Owensboro, KY. he had this to say “So Disco was over and there we were eating 8-Tracks for breakfast, wondering what we were going to do next, then “Thriller” came out in Nov 1982 and single handedly saved the Record Business 4th quarter in ’82″May 1982; Enter Brian Bart of “Dare Force” this band had been around in the Twin Cities since the late 70s. The band consisted of: Brian Bart; guitar and vocals, Johnny O’Neal; vocals and guitar, Brian Lorenson; Bass and Mark Miller; Drums. Dare Force has released 4 titles on Cassette, CD & Vinyl in their career. With Bart joining the band they really head in a new harder and heavier direction and yet still keeping their Pop sensibility. Padilla: “When Bart joined, it was tough to watch him leave his childhood buddies, but when he came on board he really took charge and got things done and steered the band in a new direction.Bolin: “As far as I could see Bart only joined DVC because we had a record deal at the time with Alpha, I could tell he later regretted leaving Dare Force when the label (Alpha) folded. But Bart was a big Tommy Bolin fan, so I know he liked that aspect of being in the band” In 1987 long after DVC Bart and Bolin recorded a version of “Post Toastee” in the same vein as the DVC 2nd album version. On Bart’s 1st Solo Cassette “Future Vision”. Pudge and Johnnie Bolin’s Friend Kurt J. recorded a show of DVC Mk2, here is the setlist, who sang and where the original song came from. Reading over this you can see how different the setlists from back then used to be, a lot of songs that were current hits on the radio, as this was a year or 2 before MTV ruined the Music Biz, because just after MTVs launch, people only remember a song if it had a video on MTV. My point is; go to any club or bar today and it’s the exact same song by the exact same bands they saw on MTV in 1988, nothing has changed in 35 years.  


24 Sep 1982: Maplewood Bowl, Maplewood, MN.
Seventeen (DVC) set for 3rd LP (Forest)Homeward Strut (Bolin)Hollywood (Thin Lizzy) (Padilla)Blue Wind (Beck & Hammer)Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Larry Williams & Beatles) (Forest)Keep On Rockin (DVC 3rd LP) (Forest)Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Kinks & Van Halen) (Forest)
Im The One (Van Halen) (Forest)Soul On Fire (Dare Force) Brian Bart SoloGo For It (DVC 1) (Forest)Majestic (Journey)Where Were You (Journey) (Padilla)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (DVC 1) (Padilla)Pushin Your Luck (Dare Force) (Bart)Walkin On The Moon (police) (Padilla)When Your World Is Runnin Down (police) (Padilla)Rock N Roll Women (DVC 2) (Forest)Guitar Solo Brian & RobTerrified (DVC 1) (Forest)Whole Lotta Rosie (ac/dc) (Bart)Misty Mountain Hop (led zeppelin) (Bart)The Power (rainbow) (Padilla)On My Way (Dare Force) (Bart)Teaser (tommy bolin) (Forest) 
Owed To G (tommy bolin)
Rock And Roll (led zeppelin) (Bart)Right Between The Eyes (DVC 2) (Forest)Goosebumps (DVC 1) (Forest)Drum SoloOne More Time (DVC 2) (Padilla)I Want Your Body (DVC 2) (Forest)Crash Landing (DVC 2) (Forest)The Grind (tommy bolin) (Bart)Post Toastee (tommy bolin) (Forest)
I mentioned Brian Bart joins the band and changes the direction. I remember Bart played a White Gibson Explorer and he used to pull the headstock forward to recreate the Eddie Van Halen divebomb sound. Bart: “Yea, I still have that guitar, crazy thing all those years I did that it never affected the neck or the playability, crazy huh?” With Alpha records shutting down, DVC starts looking for a new record label. As I understand it they were working on a 3rd album with Brian Bart, as they had a few songs leftover and some new ones written with Bart and the 3 originals Bart brought with him from Dare Force. Here are some possible songs for inclusion.
3rd LP: 1983Are You Ready (Forest)Keep On Rockin (Forest)Seventeen (Forest)Make Your Move (Forest)Rock And Roll Manager (Forest)Post Toastee (2nd version) 1986 single By Bart & BolinOn My Way (Bart)Pushin Your Luck (Bart)Soul On Fire (Bart)


Bart: “Are You Ready, oh yea I forgot about that one, Forest and I wrote that one together, that song rocks, a great one to open with. You know Bolin recorded Post Toastee with me for my solo album ‘Future Vision’   
After several months of looking for a new record deal, apparently Bart is discouraged and decides to go back to Dare Force.Forest: “I am leaving the band and getting married, and moving to Reno, NV. to be a blackjack dealer, we are still hopeful we will be releasing the 2nd album on a new label” So DVC play their last show in Sioux City. I recorded the show on a bitter cold Wednesday night. I do recall seeing DVC another time between May and Dec. Unfortunately I can not recall exactly where and when it was, I do believe I saw DVC the night before at The Patio, and also went the following night and recorded the final show. The Patio was a tiny little dive on Pierce street about a mile south from the Bolin’s and my family’s house, we used to go there all the time because there was not much else to do in Sioux City, and drinking age was 18 maybe 19, it didn’t really matter as I went to my 1st bar at 16 after work one night at the Plaza. I recall them playing 2 sets. They had these 2 white lighted pedestals that Padilla and Bart stood on. For the last song, “Walk In My Shadow” Johnnie told me this was a Bolin Brothers Favorite. Johnnie’s younger brother (Rick) Pudge sang lead vocals, John Bartle played lead guitar and so did Johnnie, Forest played bass and Bart played drums.
Padilla: “Yes, our Saturday show was canceled due to weather, Our very last show was at Libation Station in St. Paul on Sunday the 11th Dec. 1982, every musician in town came out to send us off”


8 Dec 1982 The Patio: Sioux City, IowaAre You Ready To Rock (DVC original written by Forest & Bart) (Forest)Homeward Strut (Bolin)Hollywood (Thin Lizzy) (Padilla)Blue Wind (Beck & Hammer)Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Larry Williams & Beatles) anniversary Lennon was killed (Forest) Where Have All The Good Times Gone (Kinks & Van Halen) (Forest)I’m The One (Van Halen) (Forest)NOVO COMBO (up periscope) (Forest)Rock N Roll Women (DVC from 2nd LP) (Forest)Brian Bart’s Solo (Dare Force)Terrified (DVC 1) (Forest)On My Way (Dare Force) (Bart)
Teaser (Bolin) (Forest)Let Me Be Your Fantasy (DVC 1) (Padilla)Pushin Your Luck (Dare Force) (Bart)Walkin On The Moon (Police) (Padilla)When Your World Is Running Down (Police) (Padilla)Right Between The Eyes (DVC 2) (Forest)GooseBumps (DVC 1) (Forest)Johnnie Bolin’s SoloOne More Time (DVC 2 written by: Forest) (Padilla)Rob Forest’s SoloCrash Landing (DVC 2) (Forest)Post Toastee (Bolin & DVC 2) (Forest)Max Padillia’s Solo Walk In My Shadow (Free & Energy) (Rick “Pudge” Bolin)John Bartle’s Solo
And so DVC ended in Dec 1981. Unbelievably we saw Brian Bart just 3 weeks later open for KISS on Thurs. 30 Dec 1982 in Sioux City, Iowa at the Auditorium with Dare Force, yet another band that really inspired me, as DVC had just ended. Incidentally I just got a British Import CD Board Recording (NO VINYL) of the entire KISS show from 30 Dec. 1982. So Bartle formed “Glass Hammer” Brian Bart goes back to “Dare Force” Max Padilla moves to Milwaukee to join “Breathtaker” Forest moves to Reno, and for a brief moment the “Forest -Bolin Publishing Company” is formed (I have some stationary from this venture) and in only a few months Johnnie Bolin will replace Mark Miller in Dare Force and the band will put out their 2nd release. Pudge Bolin: “My brother and Max are joining a new band, they really want Max because he can sing those Journey songs so well”


In the summer of 2010 DVC got inducted into the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, and there is a movement to reunite DVC to play the event.Bolin: “I found Max, he’s a truck driver in Florida, I talked to him about the event, he is kinda on the fence about it, I talked to Rob too.”
Padilla: “If we’re going to do this we are going to do it right, no half ass, I want to have some practices, and it has to be the original 4 or I’m out” 
Forrest: “That was a really long time ago, I don’t think I am really interested in doing that” 
And so Bartle and Bolin performed as usual, sadly without the other 2.
And there you have it MrZerr0’s story on DVC. In my life some people have bothered to ask me who was a major influence to me, I do not hesitate and answer “DVC” from Sioux City, Des Moines and MPLS. Rob Forest absolutely influenced my vocal style (when I am NOT doing my tribute bands) Max Padilla influenced my stage presence, and Johnnie Bolin influenced my sense of humor.    


Check in next time …. MrZerr0


You can hear my weekly RADIO Show on WDGY AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1 8am Sundays. Since 2017.You can hear the last 90 Episodes Including My Radio Show On DVC, at www.MrZeros.Com -PodcastYou can hear 2 of my Past Radio Shows at www.MixCloud.Com under Mr. Zeros “Evolation” and “Hits And History” 
Mr. Zer0’s*Est. 20091744 Lexington Ave. N.Roseville- St.Paul, MN. 55113www.MrZeroS.ComClassic Music
Retro ToysVintage Video GamesAnd Movies tooAnd Nothing Else but;Where Nerd Is The Word 

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MrZerr0’s Favorite Guitars

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

“MrZerr0’s Favorite Guitars” 

Dr. Rox Remember When?

Article #148 June 2023

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

   As you may or may not know, I (MrZerr0) has been in the “Music Biz” for over 40 years, yet everyday I encounter someone  who thinks my love is Video Games and Comics, yet Mr. Zer0’s 55113 Roseville is a Vinyl Record & CD Store, that also sells VHS, DVDs, Toys Still In Package, Shirts and Vintage Video Games. But  MrZerr0’s real personal passion is guitars, ever since I saw The Monkees on TV in 1966, I wanted to be the guitar player- singer in a pop band. Honestly, I think I wanted to be a singer- drummer 1st, like Micky Dolenz and Ringo Starr & Jerry Edmondton (Steppenwolf) but I soon realized playing drums was really hard, even with my Dad (Bill) as my personal instructor. I had to break it to him, I wanted to play guitar, he was to say the least, disappointed. Then I started to focus on the guys in front; like Michael Nesmith, George Harrison and Alan Osmond. I just thought they looked so much more cool standing there, in front with their guitars, Nesmith and his Red Monkees Gretsch, Harrison with his Rickenbacker 12 String and Alan with his White SG Special. I fell in love with the sound of Louie Shelton’s guitar work on “Last Train To Clarksville” and “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” and Harrison’s guitar on “Day Tripper” and “Paperback Writer” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”  and Alan Osmond’s guitar on “Hold Her Tight” and “Crazy Horses” … And Then, my Uncle John introduced me to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, wow this changed my life, and shortly after this I discovered Jimi Hendrix on my own specifically “Purple Haze” and “Foxey Lady”. Now, of course before all this, I was of course aware of Tommy Bolin, through my Uncle Jeff, who knew Tommy in Bolin’s 3rd band; ‘A Patch of Blue’ in 1966-67. I would  have  to say this was the beginning of my love affair with the guitar. Also for my 7th birthday, this same Uncle Jeff gave me his Egmond acoustic 6 string made in Holland (The Beatles used them). I had this guitar for many years until I traded it in for a Washburn in 1980.

I was about 9 years old when I started thinking about what guitar would look the coolest on me. I remember first thinking and liking a Red Gibson ES-330, it was like Nesmith’s but not Nesmith’s. I must confess I was really drawn to the cheaper Japanese knock-offs of the Gibson models. They seemed to look so much more exotic. But then about 1976 when I really started liking harder rock music, I started thinking a ES-330, was not really hard rock looking at all, it was cool enough for the 60s music I loved so much, but not for the rock of the 70s I was into. It seemed like everybody either played a Gibson Les Paul (Jimmy Page: Led Zeppelin) or a Fender Stratocaster (Ritchie Blackmore: Deep Purple), I felt I wanted to be different, I started to realize pretty early on I was not going to possess the ability to play Lead Guitar like my idols, so I started thinking more along the lines of being a singer who played rhythm guitar like: Paul Stanley (KISS), Marc Bolan (T-Rex), Ray Davies (Kinks) and Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) I thought I should play a guitar that was not associated with “Lead Guitar” so not a Les Paul or a Stratocaster. In 1976 I saw the “KISS: Alive!” album and the booklet that came with it. In the centerfold of the booklet Paul was playing a white Les Paul looking guitar, made by Gibson but not a Les Paul. Sometime in 1980 isaw a catalog that had this guitar shape in it for sale. A Gibson L6-S. I knew that was the guitar for me. When I lived in Phoenix in 1981, I saw a wine red L6 Deluxe for sale at Milano’s, alas I could not come up with the money to buy it. 

Some of my favorite guitar players include: Tommy Bolin usually a Stratocaster, Ace Frehley (KISS) usually a Les Paul, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) usually a SG, Jimi Hendrix; usually a Stratocaster, Larry Byrom (Steppenwolf) usually a Gibson ES-335. The Edge (U2) Usually a Explorer, Wes Montgomery usually a Gibson L5, Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane) usually a ES-345.  

MrZerr0’s Favorite Guitars:

Vox Mk VI (Teardrop) 

A solid body and hollowbody Teardrop shaped, inspired by the Lute made in  6 string, 9 string and 12 string models. First introduced in 1963 made specifically for Brian Jones as he preferred a Fender Telecaster but wanted something different in appearance. The first model was made in white, with 2 single coil pickups and a 3 way switch 1 volume 1 tone and a fixed fender bridge, later models emulated the Stratoaster with 3 single coil pickups 1 volume and 2 tone controls with a 3 way selector switch. Notable users; Brian Jones (Rolling Stones), Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls), Tom Petty, David Bowie and Siouxie Sioux. While I do not own an original Vox, I do own a Phantom Works USA model, a Chinese Brian Jones Model, and a Apache/ Vox. 

Gibson L6

Introduced in 1973 the models include L6 “Midnight Special” (supposedly only 160 made) the Deluxe and the L6-S. This model looks very much like a steamroller ran over a Les Paul, a wider, thinner single cutaway. A 24 fret neck, with 2 pickups usually 1 volume 1 tone and a 3 way switch, the “S” model had a 6 selector rotary phase switch and 2 tone controls with 1 volume. Notable users are: Paul Stanley (KISS), Dave Davies (Kinks), Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), Brad Delp (Boston), Bob Mothersbaugh (Devo), Prince. I love this model so much I have created a photo album solely dedicated to the “L6” contained in the fb for KISSin Time MPLS. There are over 200 photos of all the variations I could find of the “L6”  

In Jan 2018 while I was staying in St. Cloud (I also had bronchial pneumonia  at the time) I came across, for sale, for the 1st time ever an original “Midnight Special” from Oregon, They wanted $1000.oo for it, I made a counter offer, they showed me that there was another one for sale in Germany for $2000.oo. Unbelievable! Then by March 2018 a 3rd one showed up for sale in New Jersey for $1200.oo. I could not believe this as I had searched for one since 1976 and had never seen one for sale, ever, much less THREE!. In Dec 1982 (in Sioux City) I even asked Paul Stanley himself in-person, if I could buy his from him, he replied “Yes, I still have it, in a warehouse in New York, sorry no” (he did eventually sell it in 1998 for several thousand dollars). Shockingly in April 2018, a guy I kind of knew (Jim E.) comes walking in with a guitar case, I had to tell him “While I love guitars, we can not buy them here at Mr. Zer0’s, please take it 4 doors down to Music Go Round” he replied “I am not here to sell it, as I just bought it, I came here to show it to you” he pulled a guitar out of the case and it was a “Midnight Special” I exclaimed “You bought the one from New Jersey!” Jim answered “No, I just bought it from Willie’s here in St. Paul” I about passed out. How could this be a 4th one for sale only miles from my Record Store. And here it was I was finally holding an Original 1974 Gibson “Midnight Special” sadly no, Jim did not offer to sell it to me until years later. I do own a “Midnight Special” in Cream Sparkle, (thanks to Casey Guitars)  a Deluxe in Pearl White and an “S” in White Sparkle. All made in 1975. And a Japanese version named “Encore” in wine red with a maple neck.

Gibson SG

A solid body “SG” means “Solid Guitar” introduced in 1961 to replace the Les Paul, usually referred to as the bat wing, or double design.    In the beginning basically 5 models were made the Junior, the Special, the Standard and Custom and also a Bass, offering 1 pickup 1 volume nad 1 tone, or 2 pickups, 2 volumes and 2 tones, and even a 3 pickup model, usually in Cherry or Walnut, sometimes, Red, white or even Black.. Notable users are: Tommy Bolin, Robby Kreiger, Tony Iommi, Michael Nesmith, Glenn Buxton (Alice Cooper Group), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent Band) Eric Clapton (Cream), Pete Townshend (The Who), Carlos Santana. I do own a 1972 Special in (yellowed) white, which was my very first SG I picked up in Sioux City in 1982 and has been all over the country with me. And a 1969 12 String in Copper, and a 1968 EBO (SG) Bass in wine red, and a 2010 Standard with a custom psychedelic painting by ‘The Butthole Surfers’ (so I was told when it was sold to me) 

Gibson ES-330

Introduced in 1959 a thin line hollow body as a single pickup and a 2 pickup model, the 330 has a shorter scale as the neck joins the body at the 16th fret vs. the 335 that joins at the 19th fret. Another difference between the 330 and the 335 is the 330 is completely hollow and the 335 has a block in the center of the body. Also this model has similar dimensions as the Epiphone Casino used by The Beatles and Martin Barre (Jethro Tull). I first bought an ES-355 from Ye Olde guitar Shoppe in Des Moines in 1985, then traded that for an ES-330 (completely redone) in 1987. This one was played by a local Des Moines 60s band, the guitarist that owned eventually became a lawyer.

Gibson Grabber Bass 

Introduced in 1973 with a maple  bolt on neck which is unusual for Gibson, a single humbucker and 1 volume and 1 tone control, made in Natural, Black and Wine Red. Notable users include: Gene Simmons (KISS), Mark Evans (AC/DC), Suzie Quatro, Gerald Casale (Devo). 

Unfortunately I have never owned a Grabber, when I was in 9th grade in Sioux City, I worked and saved all summer to buy a wine red one at Hospe’s, alas when I had enough to get it, they had clearanced it out for a mere $175.oo. 

This article is dedicated to Music Go Round Roseville 55113 and in Burnsville 55337. VIG Guitar Repairs St. Paul 55104. Rardin Guitar Repairs St Paul 55104. Mr. Mark Music, Anoka 55303. RD Electronics Cottage Grove 55106. Capitol Guitars St. Paul 55104. Impact Picks St. Croix Falls 54024. 

Be sure to check out Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Radio Show on Radio WDGY AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1, Sundays 8am. You can hear the past 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast. You can also hear Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” (32 Episodes) and “Hits And History” (17 Episodes) with Host Rick B. on www.MixCloud.Com under MrZeros. 

With that, MrZerr0 has left the station.

Mr. Zer0’s

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Rosville – St. Paul, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com

Where:

“Nerd Is The Word”

$elling:

Vinyl, CDs, Cassettes, VHS, DVDs,

Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation, Xbox

Toys in Package & Shirts.

And That’s IT!  

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Mr. Zer0’s Turns 14 on The 14th

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

“Mr. Zer0’s 14 on the 14th” 

Dr. Rox Remember When?

Article #147 May 2023

By: RL Schwinden aka: MrZerr0 

Last month Mr. Zer0’s turned 14 Years Old on the 14th of April, it’s amazing to me that after 14 long years people still do not understand what Mr. Zer0’s is about, and what they have absolutely nothing to do with. 

   It goes like this: I (MrZerr0) started listening to music at about 11 months old when my Aunt Debby used to play her Dave Clark 5 and Beatles 45 records for me to dance to. I should mention my Mom (Carol) worked in the Record Dept. at Kresge’s before I was born. I bought my 1st record in 1969 with my birthday money. I sold my 1st “Used Record” in the summer of 1977 in Jackson, Miss. I started playing “Live” music in the summer of 1980, with “The Magic Acid Band” then I was in “Palace Guard” followed by “Scepter” and then “Black Diamond”. I worked in concert production in Dec. 1982. I went on tour in Winter 1983 with “High Fever”. I started at a retail store selling stereos and VCRs in 1984. and I started in the retail Vinyl and Cassettes biz in 1986. I started with RecordShop, then to Archives, and then Wherehouse then to Musicland, and the Best Buy then to Wax Works and then fye, and finally DiscLand before opening Mr. Zer0’s in 2009. I also had a “Mail Order Cassette & VHS” biz in the late 80s into the early 90s. I helped out on my 1st radio show in Des Moines, Iowa in summer 1992. I started writing for a Monkees Fanzine the same year, 1992. I started writing a music column for “St. Cloud Buzz” in April 2011 and started writing a “Film Column” for “Lost My Stub” in Nov 2011.  So for the majority of my life I have been involved in the music biz in one way or another, so I do know a thing or 2.

In 2011 Dave Columbus and I formed the band “MrZERo” with Mitch and Zach. In 2013 Greg C. and I formed “KISSin Time” and in 2015 I formed my solo band “StarChild and The St. Paul Starz” I also used to sit in with “ACK” “Rough House” “Hollywood Blvd.” “Rock Godz” “Mad Mike’s Funhouse” and “The Party Army” In 2019 Billy Hart enlisted me into “The Bang Gang” In 2022 my dream came true and I performed with Johnnie Bolin’s “Tommy Bolin Tribute Band” and also in 2022 I started sitting in with “Thee Mod Garage” I wrote and recorded the Theme Song for Mr. Zer0’s “Nerd Is The Word”.  In 2012 I was asked to guest on Radio KFAI, and I did so once a year until 2018, I then got on with Radio WDGY in 2017 in which I am still on today. In 2018 I started as a guest host on Radio WFNU, for the “Early Morning Show” and then the “Hits And History Show” and eventually my own “Evolation Show” until 2021, I have a new radio show “Cover Up”  that I am hoping to get on Radio WVIC, sometime soon. I have also appeared on WMCN, KQ92 and WXYG. In 2010 I appeared in my 1st of several films “Attack Of The Moon Zombies” followed by: “Not Quite Lying Eyes” “The Giant Spider” “Adjust Your Tracking” “Lake Street Detective” “Guns Of The Apocalypse” up through  2018. I have been on Local TV; TC-15, and Fox 9. I have been working on books on the bands, KISS, The Monkees, Black Sabbath and Tommy Bolin, as well as a fiction novel “Daniel’s Inferno” and “For What War?”I have contributed to books on KISS, The  Monkees, Michael Nesmith & U2. I started collecting toys back in the early 90s. 

So I when I opened Mr. Zer0’s in April 2009, I based it on the things that I love, Music, Movies, Toys and to help pay the bills we added Vintage Video Games. We have advertised this extensively for the past 14 years.  

So I am always a little perplexed when people think I am into sports and comics and other things that are not Music and Movies related, as that  is what I have done my entire life. Even more so when people come into Mr. Zer0’s asking for things we have absolutely nothing to do with EX: comics, sports, Cards, porn, bongs, cellphones …etc. Because our 10 foot marquee sign clearly reads “Music, Toys, Games, Movies”  yet every day we get questions like “What do you have for gymnasts?” “What do you have for a pool table supplies” “Where is your religious memorabilia section” “You don’t carry many comics for a comic book store” “I want to sell you my baseball card collection” “My friend told me you buy cellphones” “Where’s your screens section?” 

We made a museum case in the back of the store, the idea of my former partner Nikola, to help people understand that Vinyl ended in 1987 and did not come back into production on a large scale until 2012. And That Cassettes ruled the sales market from 1983 to 1991, when CDs took over. You see, depending on the time period, many things were only made on certain formats and or only certain formats sold very well or very poorly during certain periods of time, and you simply cannot get certain titles on some formats no matter what the internet might tell you. I am in “Adjust Your Tracking” explaining that literally thousands of films are only available on VHS, many alternate versions only exist on LaserDisc, and hundreds of films are only available on DVD, and not VHS. 

People always seem to think I am  into what they are into, and sometimes offended when they find out I do love the same things they love. SO I have bothered to include some of MY Favorite things.  

Now of course I have a couple thousand vinyl records, but I have about 8000 CDs, I simply think they sound better and indisputably have almost twice the content. But if you ask me my chosen format, the overall sounds the best, it would be “Reel To Reel Tape” the set back being only a few hundred Rock N Roll titles were ever made on Reel To Reel from about 1964 to about 1978. So finding your favorites is near impossible and Very Expensive, IF you can find them.   

Some of my Music favorites: The Monkees, KISS, Tommy Bolin, Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, The Byrds, Deep Purple, Steppenwolf, Dean Martin, Partridge Family, Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, New York Dolls, Type O Negative, Matthew Sweet, Smithereens, Tori Amos, The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones, RUSH, Osmond Bros. U2, Paul Revere and The Raiders,   

So what is Mr. Zer0’s all about: we $ell: Vinyl Records, CDs, Cassettes, 8-Tracks, Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, Xbox, Atari Coleco, VHS, DVDs, LaserDiscs, Toys from the 1960s to 2000s, T-Shirts, Books. 

Some of my favorite Films: High Fidelity, Yellow Submarine, Flirting, Planet Of The Apes, Prophecy, Fooling Around, Prince Of Darkness, Aliens, Mad Max, Predator, Passion Of The Christ, Wrath Of Khan, Ghost World, UHF, Silent Running.

Some of my favorite Books: Anthem, Level 7, Animal Farm, Alas Babylon, How To Make Friends And Influence People. 

The Toys I collect: Monkees, Beatles, KISS, Planet Of The Apes & 60s Star Trek. 

What is Mr. Zer0’s looking to buy from the customer? Here is our desired product list. So if an item is not on this list, we do not carry it and we are NOT interested in it. I am quite sure there are many other places that deal in those kinds of items, it is just not here at Mr. Zer0’s 

Mr. Zero’s: Hit List: 2023- 2009

Here’s What YOU’RE Looking For And So Are We !!!
MUSIC: Vinyl Record LP & CD;
Zappa, Neil Young, Yardbirds, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray Vaughan, T-Rex, Talking Heads, Smiths, Rush, Replacements, Ramones, Pink Floyd, Gram Parsons, New Order, Metallica, Megadeth, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Kinks, Joy Division, Iron Maiden Kiss, Jimi Hendrix, Gypsy, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Dio, Cure, Costello,  Clash, Bowie, Black Sabbath & Beatles, 60s R&B, 60s Blues & Jazz, 70s Reggae, 70s Punk, 80s Metal, 90s Grunge.

80s Technics & Sony Turntables

VIDEO GAMES;
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;
Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Scarface, Godfather, Dark Knight, Good Will Hunting, Reservoir Dogs, Evil Dead, Apocalypse Now, Big Lebowski, Good-fellas, Detroit Rock City, Jaws, Dr. Who, James Bond, Friday The 13th,  Donnie Darko, Nightmare On Elm Street, Warriors, Let It Be, Princess Bride,  Blade Runner, Shawshank Redemption, Fight Club, Exorcist, V for Vendetta, Wrath of Khan, Casino, 2 Lane Black Top, Forrest Gump, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Good, Bad & Ugly, Little Mermaid, Rocky, Lord of the Rings, High Fidelity, Empire Records, KISS Meets The Phantom, Decline Of Western Civilization #2, Harold &  Maude, Karate Kid, Pride & Prejudice, Song Remains The Same, Anne of Green  Gables, RAD, Godzilla,  Heartburn.

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.

MEMORABILIA: Shirts, Etc.
Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Twisted Sister, KISS, Beatles, Monkees, Bob Dylan, Iron Maiden, AC-/DC, Van Halen, Elvis, Marilyn, Johnny Cash, 60s Psychedelic, 80s New Wave, 80s WWF.

So to our future customers, we do hope this article clears things up, as to what Mr. Zer0’s $ELL$, and what Mr. Zer0’s is wanting to Buy. We pay cash on the things we need. Store Credit on items we could use, and the stuff we have too much of, well, we will take it off your hands if you want to give it to us. The days we do “Customer Buys” are Tues: 1-6pm and Thurs: 1-6pm.

Mr. Zer0’s 

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave N. & Larpenteur

Roseville- St. Paul, MN.

55113

SUN: Noon -4pm

MON – THURS: Noon -7pm

FRI: Noon -6pm

SAT: 11am to 6pm

www.MrZeroS.Com

“Nerd Is The Word” 

WDGY 8am Sundays

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WXYG “The Goat” Article #146

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“WXYG: The Goat”

MrZerr0 is the Saturday Guest DJ

Dr. Rox Remember When? 

Article #146: April 2023

   So way back in 1992 in Des Moines, Iowa I had an idea to do an hour long radio show on the Pop Duo ‘Boyce & Hart’ so I went to Dick Youngs at KIOA, to talk to him about doing so, I found out without a producer to pay the bill the FCC will not allow you to do a show on one artist. In Aug 2012 DJ Liberty and DJ Izzy asked me to guest on their show “The Pop Shop” on KFAI, which I did appear a total of 7 times from 2012 to 2018. In April 2017 I was asked to do a show for WDGY. My 1st show aired in June of 2017 which I am still on to this day 8am Sundays on Radio WDGY. In October 2018 I was asked to guest on “The Early Morning Show” on WFNU which I did appear until April 2019. In Dec 2018 I was asked to guest on Rick B.’s “Hits And History Show” on WFNU, and I did until Jan 2021. Then I launched the “Evolation Show” on WFNU from July 2019 to Feb 2021. In Oct 2018 and Aug 2019 I appeared with KISSin Time on WMCN, for 2 different shows. And for a all too brief moment I was on KQ92. 

So recently I received a call from Al Neff on WXYG “The Goat” AM540, FM: 94.3 & 107.3, would I like to be “The Saturday Guest DJ” on “The Goat” I responded “Why sure I would, as April is Mr. Zer0’s 14th Anniversary in this very location, and what a way to celebrate it by being on one more radio station!” So, Al told me “Pick about 25 songs and trim it down to about 20 or so and will have you one live from noon to 2pm  Sat. 15 April 2023.” so I did. Al wanted me to pick songs that could define my musical journey, well, that’s a tough challenge as I have been listening to music for almost 6 decades and in the “Music Biz” for 41 years now. 

*1st Hour; The Goat Herder*

“Love You Too”: Beatles – Aug 1966

“Mr. Zero”: Keith Relf/ Yardbirds -May 1966

“Dont Be Taken In”: Dave Clark 5 -Aug 1965
“Roisin Dubh: Black Rose”: Thin Lizzy w/ Gary Moore – April 1979
“Daddy Rollin Stone”: Johnny Thunders & Phil Lynott -Oct 1978
“I (believe In me)”: KISS -Nov 1981

“You And I”: Monkees w/ Neil Young -Feb 1969

“I’ll Meet You Halfway”: Partridge Family w/ David Cassidy -Feb 1971

“Are You Sleeping”: Harry Nilsson -Dec 1970
“Sweet Mary”: Byrds w/ Roger McGuinn – March 1973
“Foggy Mental Breakdown”: Steppenwolf – Nov 1970

   I think my love for the Beatles is well documented as is my favorite Beatle; George Harrison. Longtime customer Wes W. was the one to bring to my attention “Mr. Zero” by Relf-Yardbirds, when ‘Mr. Zer0’s’ 1st opened in April 2009. I have mentioned on more than one occasion, it was my Aunt Debby K. who used to play her DC5 singles for me when I was just a toddler. Being 31% Irish, it only comes natural, that I love “Thin Lizzy”, one of the few bands I discovered on my own. It was my longtime friend and fellow musician Eric DeW. that turned me onto the New York Dolls and Johnny Thunders. Many KISS fans lambast “The Elder” but for me it came out at just the right time only a few months after I was out of High School, and this album seemed to speak to me, even guide me if you will. My Mom and my Father have told me and I have seen it written down from back in the day, as a toddler my favorite TV shows were: “Lost In Space” “The Monkees” and “Batman” henceforth my RecordStore is called “Mr. Zer0’s” from the Monkees Epiosde #52, the mascot is a jester like “The Joker” but in the style of “Yellow Submarine” and my Radio Show is “PsychoGello” from The Monkees TV Show Episode #58. When the Partridge Family was on primetime TV I was at the right age and many of my family members played instruments, so it was my dream to have a “Family” band in 1973. I remember Nilsson was insanely popular in Sioux City, I remember watching the TV Movie in 1971, and my Uncle Jeff named his dogs after that very film. And I named my son a variation of the main character “Oblio”. I discovered The Byrds, kind of on my own from a 1979 TV show on the 60s. I heard “Turn, Turn, Turn” on that show. Steppenwolf, I have told the story many times, in 1971 my Dad had a white VW Bug, with an 8-Track Player and only 3 tapes Steppenwolf “7” being one of them. 

*2nd Hour: The Moai Island*   
“Standing In The Rain”: James Gang w/ Tommy Bolin -March 1973
“Gettin Tighter”: Deep Purple: mk4 w/ Tommy Bolin -Oct 1975
“Snowbound”: Alphonse Mouzon w/ Tommy Bolin -(Feb)1975
“Heartlight”: Energy w/ Tommy Bolin – (Nov)1972
“Someday Will Bring Our Love” Tommy Bolin -Aug 1976

“I Don’t Wanna Discuss It” -Little Richard w/ Larry Williams -Jan 1967  

“The Core”; Eric Clapton & Marcy Levy -Nov 1977
“Cadillac”: T-Rex w/ Marc Bolan -Jan 1972
“Anthem”: Rush -Feb 1975
“National Acrobat”: Black Sabbath -Nov 1973

   I was born and for the most part raised for 13 years in Sioux City, Iowa, for us from this town, our local hero was Tommy R. Bolin who went on to play with Zephyr, James Gang, Billy Cobham, Alphonse Mouzon, Deep Purple and 2 solo albums. And this is really how Al Neff and I bonded, over our appreciation for Tommy Bolin. I remember James Gang playing Morningside College in ’73 when I was attending East Jr. I bought the “Come Taste The Band” 8-Track when I lived in Phoenix. Not long before he passed away I became acquaintances with Alphonse Mouzon. And Tommy always said his favorite band he was in was Energy. I remember hearing “Private Eyes” playing all the time at “Uncle John” recordstore. I looked into Little Richard because of The Beatles. I used to stay in St. Cloud, with a love of my life, a song we bonded over was “The Core” and on my drive up there on Hwy 10w there used to be a giant billboard with that name on it, so I felt obliged to play that song for her. T-Rex was a huge inspiration to me since “Bang A Gong” I always liked Marc Bolan’s voice, and that one was also for DeDee. Rush was one of my very 1st concerts in May ’78, I saw them play this song that night, and this led me to read the works of Ayn Rand. I have to thank my Uncle John for turning me onto The Osmonds and Black Sabbath.  

Cut from my Playlist :

“Can’t Explain” The Who -1964

“Come On Up” The Rascals -1966

“Hold Her Tight” The Osmonds -1972

“Papa Was A Rolling Stone” The Temptations -1972

“Private World” New York Dolls -1973

“Hard Way” The Kinks -1975

“Don’t Misunderstand Me” Rossington- Collins Band (Lynyrd Skynyrd) -1980

We ran out of time for the rest of these, with the exception of The Osmonds, (they got vetoed) 

To recap I have now appeared on these stations. 

KFAI

WDGY

WFNU

WMCN

WXYG

So there you have it folks, my newest appearance on a new station, with much thanks to Al Neff. 

Check in next month to read what’s next at Mr. Zer0’s ventures. 

You can hear me every Sunday 8am on Radio WDGY: AM740, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1.

Hear the last 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast.

You can also hear the “Evolation Show” at www.MixCloud.Com under “MrZeros” and hear me on Rick B.’s “Hits And History” show at this same website. 

*Catch KISSin Time Alive In Concert with The Dream Police: 6 May 2023 Sat 8pm

At  Jersey’s in Inver Grove Hgts, MN. 55076

Mr. Zer0’s Inc.

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville – St. Paul, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast

$elling Only:

Classic Music,

Retro Toys,

Vintage Video Games,

And Movies too.

Where: “Nerd Is The Word” 

https://patch.com/minnesota/roseville/mrzerr0-wxyg-goat

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Gary Moore: Article #145

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

“There’s a leprechaun backstage:Gary Moore” 

Dr. Rox Remember When? 

Article #145 March 2023

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

Special Thanks To:Kenny Rardin.

    Being 31% Irish (my Grandma Margie’s Father Charles was from Ireland)  I am naturally drawn to Irish musicians (even if they are from Belfast, Northern Ireland) for me the 1st one that comes to mind is Thin Lizzy, like everyone else I discovered them by the song “Boys Are Back In Town” probably on the radio in Jackson, MISS. however about 3 years when we moved back to Sioux City, I used to cruise the “Cut-Out Records Section” (these were records that the Record Labels discontinued manufacturing so they cut or drilled or hole punched the corners so they could not be returned to the Record Label for full credit, and sole from .99 to 4.99.) one day I saw 3 albums by Thin Lizzy “Johnny The Fox” “Bad Reputation” & “Black Rose” with Gary Moore.. Now I loved the album “Johnny The Fox” and “Bad Reputation” was pretty good, but, at the time I could not get into “Black Rose”. I started working at RecordShop #67, Summer of 1986, so I remember when Gary Moore’s “Wild Frontier” CD was released in March 1987, again at the time I was not too impressed. I also remember when “After The War” was released in Jan 1989, this caught my ear as Ozzy sang lead on “Led Clones”. Then Gary released “Still Got The Blues” in March 1990, and the customers came in asking for this ‘New Blues’ CD (Vinyl had stopped production in Dec 1987, science fact) from the NEW Blues Guitarist Gary Moore, I was outraged, I would inform people, Gary has been around since the late 70s (little did I know) so at 37 years old Gary is Hardly a NEW Guitarist …. but in March 1992 Moore releases “After Hours” firmly labeling Gary  as a ‘Blues Guitarist’. Then unbelievably Moore, joined Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker to form “BBM” (presumably a failed “Cream” Reunion”) in May 1994. 

Now some time in Summer 1992, while working at RecordShop #66 Southridge I rediscovered Thin Lizzy with the CD release of “Radio One BBC Concert” of the 28 August 1983 Reading Festival. I started digging into Thin Lizzy, remember, back then we used the “Phonolog” catalog and “Used Record Stores” (in Des Moines the biggie was ‘Archives’ on University) to find  “Out Of Print” titles, while there was an internet, it was primitive at best, if you knew anyone who had it. By this time I had since discovered artists like; U2, Clannad, The Chieftains, The Pogues, Van Morrison, Them, Lorena McKennit, and I had seen Rory Gallager in Omaha in Sep 1982 etc. so I decided to give “Black Rose” another listen, I had already decided this album was so different because of Gary Moore, upon later listening I realized it was way more “Irish” than some of their previous albums. And Then, I fell in love with it, and decided to dig into this Gary Moore. Wow …. the man had really done it all. The amazing thing to me, is, that I found out I liked Gary’s voice way more than his guitar playing, and as for his guitar playing I much preferred his early material to the later blues thing he became famous for. In brief:  

He was born Robert William Gary Moore on the 4 April 1952 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and passed away on 6 February 2011; Estepona, Spain. I remember it well. It was a cold Sunday morning when I got the news at Mr. Zer0’s. Gary was naturally left handed but played guitar right handed, I believe this was a contributing factor to Moore’s unique style, using the other side of his brain to play guitar. In early 1970 Moore borrowed and eventually purchased his prized possession “Greeny” which was Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul, with a reversed magnet in the ridge pickup, Moore eventually sold it to Kirk Hammet of Metallica in 2006. 

 In Gary’s career he has released some 29 Albums and 40 Singles over 10 VHS-DVDs as well as appearing with over 30 other artists such as; Glenn Huges, Ozzy Osbourne, Albert Collins, BB King, Rod Argent, Cozy Powell, Beach Boys, Don Airey, Keith Emerson, Traveling Wilburys, Paul Rodgers, Snowy White, Jack Bruce, Jim Capaldi & Otis Taylor.

Here is a brief list of Gary’s bands:

In 1964 he was with ‘The Beat Boys’ which mostly performed ‘Beatles’ songs.  They later became ‘Platform Three’ and then he was in ‘The Method’ before he moved to Dublin in 1968. Once in Dublin he was in the band ‘Skid Row’ Moore joined in 1970 where he met Phil Lynott, the 1st of many times the 2 would work together, Phil left and the band released 2 albums “Skid” on CBS in November 1970 and “34 Hours” in 1971 and 4 singles.

My friend Kenny Rardin of “Rardin Guitars” in St. Paul, Mn. 55104 has this story to tell about Gary Moore.

Kenny Rardin: “I was in the band ‘My Friends’ and we were one of the bands on the “All English Rock Show” in late 70 or early’ 71 also on the bill was the Irish band ‘Skid Row’ with Gary Moore, which by the way Gary refused to play under the “Union Jack” (British Flag) hanging as the back drop of the stage, so they had to take it down during ‘Skid Row’s’ set.  One of the members of ‘My Friends’ came to me and said “There’s a little leprechaun warming up backstage and he’s’ really good!” Well Gary invited us back, and this was my 1st encounter real encounter with a real rock star, and he was so nice and so early on. I (Kenny) had this little red ’63 Gibson SG Gary tried to buy it from me. At the time Moore was using a ’57 Fender Strat, and a ’58 Les Paul Jr. sanded down unfinished and clear coated playing through a VOX AC30.  We jammed together through the same amp trading Clapton licks Gary would play the same licks as I did. Familiar licks like the 1 & 4 on the E and B and other Jazz licks from the time. Just take a listen the song “Night Of The Warm Witch” by Skid Row on the ’34 Hours’ album and you’d swear the intro on the 1st track the hammer on, was sped up, well I saw it live and I can tell you it was not Gary could play that fast, even back then. He could have blown me away but he didn’t, he was a genuinely nice guy. One thing he was not the best singer back then for example he could not say “Think” it came out as “Tink” with his Irish accent. His band fired one of their roadies, and I asked him if I could take his place and Gary told me “Sorry, no. You need to continue playing” so they took our roadie. My friend Chuck C. and he went to England with “The Gary Moore Band” At this time Gary had 3 days off and we told him he could stay with us at our band house, so he did. We had this Martin 12 string acoustic, it was hardly playable. The action (string height) was so high. But Gary just shredded on it. See back then, Gary did not travel with his own guitars, they went with the production company. We stayed in touch over the years, but  I did not like to bother him, although, one time I did have a ’59 Gibson Les Paul I tried to sell to Gary later on for $1800.oo, Moore said “No, that’s too much” (Rardin also sold a guitar to Paul Stanley of KISS, Paul’s famous Black Firebird on the cover of ‘Alive!’)  My friend Chuck told me as Moore got older he got persnickety to work with; it seemed to be right after the bar fight with a famous drummer, where Moore was quite disfigured on his face. Gary seemed to be problematic to work with, for example he felt if you did not bend up to pitch you were just sour” 

After ‘Skid Row’ Moore created The Gary Moore Band and released the album “Grinding Stone” in May 1973. In early 1974 Moore was asked by his old band mate Phil Lynott to join Thin Lizzy to replace a recently departed Eric Bell and finish out the tour. Moore recorded 3 songs with Thin Lizzy before leaving in mid 1974 including “Still In Love With You” “Showdown” and “It’s Only Money”. Moore would return in Jan 1977 to help finish out a tour, and would return again in Aug 1978, at this time Moore recorded his solo album  “Back On The Streets” with Lynott and Downey on 5 songs, the album was released in Jan 1979. While in Thin Lizzy Moore finally completed a whole album with the band the album being “Black Rose” unfortunately Moore left for good in July 1979. Strangely Gary and Phil would work together again for the single and video”Out In The Fields b/w Military Man” #5 UK Hit in May 1985. This being the last thing released by Phil while he was alive.  

In between his stints with Thin Lizzy Gary was in the band ‘Colosseum II’ from 1975 to 1978  releasing 4 albums. Then after his final stint in Thin Lizzy in 1979 he recorded the album “Dirty Fingers” and then formed the band “G-Force” in 1980 releasing 1 album. Then “Corridors Of Power” in 1982. In Feb 1984 he releases “Victims Of The Future” and tours the USA for this record. He played in the Twin Cities. Here is the dates and setlist. 

26, 27 June 1984 in  Bloomington at Met Ctr. 

*Set List:

Don’t Take Me For A Loser
Shapes Of Things
Murder In The Skies
Victims Of The Future
So Far Away
Empty Rooms
White Knuckles
End of the World
Rockin’ Every Night

Then in  Sep 1985 Moore releases what is probably my favorite album by him “Run For Cover”  with one of my favorites  vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes on the songs “Reach For The Sky” “All Messed Up” “Out Of My System” and “Nothin To Lose”. Before Gary becomes known only as a Blues Guitarist he joins ’BBM’  “Bruce, Baker & Moore” from 1993 – 94, they release 1 CD, before Moore quits. Ultimately Gary Moore is best remembered for his more than 10 blues CDs and Video concerts, with a style very reminiscent of Carlos Santana. But to me, Gary Moore is a great Irish Vocalist/ Guitarist who was in and out of Thin Lizzy. 

Be sure to listen to my WDGY Radio Show on Gary Moore 8am Sunday 2 April 2023 on Radio WDGY: 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.74, 107.1 and you can hear the the last 90 Episodes of the “PsychoGello Show” at www.MrZeoS.Com – Podcast. You can hear “Mr. Zer0’s Evolation Show” and “Hits And History” on www.Mix Cloud.Com.

Mr. Zer0’s Inc.

Founded: 14 April 2009

Where “Nerd Is The Word” 

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com 

Vinyl, CDs, Cassettes.

VHS, DVDs.

Nintendo, Sega.

Vintage Toys.

Shirts.

AND THAT’s IT!!!!!!!https://patch.com/minnesota/roseville/gary-moore-guitarist-belfast-n-ireland

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