Gary Moore: Article #145

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“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.

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

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“Valentine’s Day” Article #144

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“So It’s Valentine’s Day” 

Dr. Rox Remember When?

Article #144: Feb 2023

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

   Initially called the “Feast Of St. Valentine” there was a martyr in  18th century England, a prisoner who signed a letter of love to his jailor’s daughter “Your Valentine” that was given to her before his execution. Which eventually helped  turn this day into a romantic holiday.

A Blonde woman I once knew said to me “Why should I care about a made-up holiday, designed to get people to spend more money on their partner?”. One of my male friends had this to say: “Valentine’s Day, what a cruel joke forced upon the public to remind nerds like me, that I am alone on this special day, and probably doomed to die alone, for that matter”

Another lady I know had this to say “February 15, that’s where the Real Holiday begins, 50% Off Valentine’s Day Chocolate!”  

Many people I have known in my life have referred to me as Charlie Brown, (I got a rock) because of my usual disposition on life and as I also happened to live for the longest period of my life time here in St. Paul, since 1999.  As you may know Charles M. Schultz is also from St. Paul, he created Charlie Brown, and from TV Show “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” released in Jan 1975.  Charlie Brown has a crush on the little redheaded girl (Heather Wold) from up the street.  Originally conceived in  Nov. 1961 she was based on a red haired woman named Donna J. who Charles M. Schultz proposed to, but she turned him down.  I vividly remember this particular show as it had quite an impact on me, and my mixed thoughts on this holiday. Now I myself have had a crush on no less than 5 red-heads in my lifetime. And to date, I am with none of them ….  

I remember in kindergarten at Irving Grade School, in Sioux City, I had a crush on a little blond hair girl, who I told my mother; “Mom, she looks like an angel” then on Valentine’s Day I was so excited, I ran home and told my Mom; “Mom, I got a Valentine’s card from Angela!”. she regretfully informed me; “Ricky, she had to give one to everybody, that’s the class rule, so no one feels left out” I was crushed, alas this is the way my life has been ever since, even up to today. When I gave  my current love a gift and card all she said was “You didn’t have to do that” nice …. I think this is the Minnesota way of not saying “Thank You” Next year in 1st grade on Valentine’s Day. Roxanne, the girl I liked at the time, did not give me a Valentine’s Day card; even as a kid I thought what happened to everyone getting one? Bunk.

One of my Ex’s, yes a redhead in Iowa, once asked “Why, don’t you ever give me flowers?” I replied “I’m a hippy, I believe flowers should be left in the ground to flourish.” actually at the time, I thought, you pay a lot of money for something that dies off about a week later. Little did I know. These are the kinds of things that can make all the difference in a relationship.

It’s like I told my friend Paul: “Being in love is the greatest thing ever, until she’s not” then it’s the worst thing ever.  I always question the idea:”It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all” I don’t know, is it? 

I think of it this way, the old proverb on “The Chinese Farmer” once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer and on his farm he had one horse and a son. One day the horse got through the gate and ran away. The people in the village told him “What an awful thing, your only horse ran away” the farmer responded “Is it a bad thing? Is it a good thing? I don’t know?” Within a few days the horse came back to the farm along with two wild horses. The people in the village all said  “What a wonderful thing, not only did your horse come back it brought two more horses with him” and the farmer responded “Is it a bad thing? Is it a good thing? I don’t know?”. The next day the farmer’s son was trying to break in one of the new wild horses, and the horse threw him and the son broke his leg. The people in the village said “How awful, your son broke his leg” the farmer responded “Is it a bad thing? Is it a good thing? I don’t know?”. Later that week the Chinese Military showed up to enlist all able bodied young men into service, they knocked at the farmer’s door and asked “Do you have a son between the ages of 18 and 21?” the farmer answered, “Yes, I do. He is over there in bed with a broken leg” The Military Officer responded “Then this boy is not able bodied” and they left without the farmer’s son, and so it goes on and on. For every good thing that happens, something bad will happen and vice versa.

So my thoughts on Valentine’s Day. If you are with someone you truly love and care about. Why not take one extra day (the other being your anniversary) of the year to show how much you care. What’s wrong with that? The other idea I have is perhaps there is someone you have a crush on, this might be the day to approach them and do something about it. Like Charlie Brown giving the little redheaded girl a Valentine’s Day card. At this point in my life I have chosen to embrace Valentine’s Day, even though I am solo. 

I have made 3 Valentine’s Day Radio Shows, with the set lists below. 

Be sure to check out my Radio Show on Radio WDGY: 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. 7:30am Sundays. Since June 2017.

Show #180 “Happy Valentine’s Day” : Feb 2021

“Valentine’s Day” Paul McCartney (Beatles): Apr 1970

“Stupid Cupid” Wanda Jackson: Oct 1961

“Valentine” Martina McBride & Jim Brickman: Aug 1997

“Cupid” Spinners: July 1980 (#4)

“Don’t Mess With Cupid” New York Dolls: June 1972

“Valentine” Replacements: Apr 1987

“Valentine” TPau: Sep 1987

“Valentine’s Day” James Taylor: Jan 1988

“Valentine’s Day” David Bowie: Aug 2013

“Valentine” Marilyn Manson: Nov 2000

“The Dream Is Dead (another lonely Valentine’s Day)” Type O Negative: June 2003

Show #216: “Being In Love” Feb 2022

“P.S. I Love You” Beatles: Oct 1962 (#10)

“What Kind Of Love” Hollies: June 1964

“For Your Love” Herman’s Hermits: Feb 1965

“True Love Comes Once In A lifetime” Tom Jones: Jan 1966

“When Love Comes Knockin On Your Door” Monkees: Jan 1967

“Love Is All Around” Troggs: Oct 1967 (#7)

“For The Love Of Ivy” mamas & Papas: May 1968

“What Love IS Made Of” Grassroots” Mar 1969

“Love Is All I Ever Needed” Partridge Family: Aug 1971

“And You Love Me” Osmond Bros. Oct 1972

“All Of Me Loves All Of You” Bay City Rollers: Oct 1974 (#4) 

Show #247: “The Down Side Of Valentine’s Day”  Feb 2023 

“Everybody Knows (I still love you)” Dave Clark 5: Oct 1964

“A Kiss To remember You By” Dean Martin: Early 1965

“Blue Turns To Gray” Rolling Stones: Dec 1965

“If You’re Gone” Byrds: Dec 1965

“Without Her” Nilsson: Dec 1967

“Song To The Siren” Tim Buckley: Mar 1968

“While I Cry” Monkees: Feb 1969

“Rainmaker” Partridge Family: Aug 1971

“It Hurts To Be In Love” Randy Meisner (Eagles): June 1978

“Tonight You belong To Me” Paul Stanley (KISS): Sep 1978

“So Sad (to watch good love go bad)” Tommy Boyce: Early 1982

“For No One” Paul McCartney (Beatles): June 1984

Sponsored By: VIG Guitar Repairs St. Paul, MN. 55104: 651. 219. 4941

You can hear the last 90 Episodes of the “PsychoGell0 Show” at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast.

You can also hear Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” for 32 Episodes and ” Rick Burnett’s Hits And History Show” MrZerr0 is on 17 of these shows; at www.MixCloud.Com” 

Catch “KISSin Time: Alive!” Sat 18 March 2023 8pm at Route 47 in Fridley, MN 55432. With Guest “Motley Sixx”

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Roseville, MN. 55113

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KISS: Alive! 30 Dec 1982

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“KISS: Alive! in Sioux City 1982”

Dr. Rox Remember When? 

Article #143; Jan 2023

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

   Here we are, a new year, another article. In August 2022 a CD was released  on Zodiac Records #529 in Japan. “KISS: Alive! 30 Dec 1982 Sioux City, Iowa” then in November 2022 a CD Boxset “KISS Creatures Of The Night (40th Anniversary) Super Deluxe 5 CD” was released containing the 1982 Sioux City concert. Well, it just so happens myself and several of my close friends were at this show, some of us even front row; ME. And so the story goes like this…. 

My friend Eric DeW. worked at “Uncle John” and got Ticket #0001, He also got the tickets for me and Pat. Eric used to hang out at all the shows, and ended up meeting a lot of people. Eric and I put together a KISS Tribute band “Black Diamond” in hopes to do some promo for the upcoming show. We went down to the Promoters office “Terry Drea Presents:” to see what we could do to tie into this event. Vixen was to open as “Terry Drea Presents” booked them. Vixen canceled, and this was the 1st of 2 times they canceled on Drea, the 2nd being in Feb 1983. I heard they canceled because of the snowstorm,  but I also I heard because they had a bigger opportunity to open for someone else. Dare Force (Brian Bart, John O’Neil, Brian Lorenson & Mark Miller) was called in from MPLS to Open the show, I had just seen Brian Bart’s last show with DVC a couple weeks earlier. So we stood directly in front of him at first. 

I know what  the statistics  are in “KISS Alive Forever” for attendance for this concert, (as I was on the staff for this book)  but my friend Aaron who was also in attendance of this show, he and I think the S.C. Auditorium only held about 3500 people back then, from the front row looking back the house seemed almost full.

It was freezing cold that  day after a snowstorm, Eric, Pat and I walked down to the auditorium, we got there about noon that day, Eric and I left about midnight or later, Pat left before us. We went to my Apt. and Eric left about 1 am or so, because a lady I knew and worked with Merrill stopped by shortly after he left, her car had broken down and she ended up staying the night. My friend Aaron McF. was in attendance too, he recalled there were religious groups outside handing out fliers, and that fans in line were burning them to keep warm. My childhood friends Spencer and Chris were also in attendance. Someone threw up on Spencer’s girlfriend, and they left midway through the show. Chris and I took a  photo of Gene breathing fire and the exact same second, mine from the front row , Chris’ from the top balcony towards the back of the building. Local photographer Brent H. was also there and took some amazing front row photos, probably 24 in all.  

The 3 of us got there about noon, hoping to get a glimpse of KISS without makeup, and I was hoping to finally meet Ace. As Brent H. met Gene in Omaha in 1979, through his uncle, a hotel security guard.. I had brought my Kodak 110 camera and at least 1 roll of 24 exposures and my Grandma Margie’s GE Cassette Recorder and two 60 min Blank Tapes. I was skinny enough back then to hide it in the front of my jeans with my shirt over it, I have a photo of the actual machine I used. However Eric DeW. had a Press Pass from West High School. So it had been arranged for Eric to interview the Band about  6pm that day. I was not present during the interview but I do remember Eric telling me the most about his interview with Eric Carr.

The 3 of us were standing around outside the loading dock, Eric had gone to many concerts here and knew where to go to meet the bands and to occasionally get backstage too. Someone who worked at the SC Auditorium saw us standing in the cold and said we could come inside in the doorway, we naturally went a little further. The KISS Trucks were running late and the crew walked in, they all looked and dressed the same, long dark hair, sunglasses, black leather coats, and blue jeans, with a scarf, the only thing that really set them apart was the  color of their scarf, some were white, some red or blue. None of them were in a good mood. 

The 3 of us were standing there watching the crew looking over these cables, many were power cables, and 2 of them were talking, “These will not work, you need to get something else” It was then a man of some authority walked over to us 3 and asked “So what are you guys doing?” Eric responded “Just hanging out” he then asked “You want a job?” we said “Sure” so he slapped “local Crew” Passes on us and put us to work. Now they split us up, I went to “Stage Right” Gene’s side and was instructed to move all cabinets marked “Stage Right” with the sticker “Join The Dummy Club” on them. I remember pushing these 4 x 2 feet cabinets  up the ramps and thinking “Shouldn’t these things weigh more?” little did I know they were “Fake Empty Cabinets” I did take one of the stickers off and kept it, I have it to this day. As I was moving my cabinets to the right side of the stage, when Paul Stanley walked out onto the stage and was shown a guitar case by a roadie, Paul opened the case and took out a Tobacco Les Paul and looked it over and said “No, this one is not mine, it’s Ace’s. Make sure it gets back to him” I thought “What does that mean?” I looked at my Forman and said “Hey, that’s Paul Stanley!” he replied quite tersely “Get moving or there will be no show” As I walked through the halls to get more dummy cabs I passed a guy with long black hair wearing a white lab coat, I thought “Now that guy is somebody, he’s not Ace, or Eric, but he is somebody … It was in Fact Vincent Cusano. As Eric and Pat were hauling bags of dry ice up the stairway, I was at the top, a guy yells “Get the f*** out of my way, that would be Gene $immon$, when he came out of the doorway he walked on stage and looked out into the auditorium and said “What a S*** Hole, is this how far we have fallen?”   

When I was done moving  “Dummy Cabs” I was escorted off the stage to the main floor. While I was leaning against the wall, I saw Paul sitting on one of Eric Carr’s Road Cases. I remember in person his hair looked a medium brown, his skin was kind of tan, he was wearing a brown leather bomber jacket, brown jeans, and the Very Same animal print Boots he is wearing in the “Lick It Up” Video. I ran over to him and asked :Mr. Stanley, can I ask you some questions?” he replied “It’s Paul, my father is Mr. Stanley, sure what’s up?” Then for over 20 minutes, the questions came flying out of my mouth.

 So In no certain order:

“Can you give this to Ace?” PS “Sure but he’s no longer with us”

“Is it Vincent Cusano, now” PS “Yes, how did you know that?” 

“The trade magazines at the promoters office” PS “Oh yea, well he’s Vinnie Vincent now”

“Is that because of Ace’s last car crash and pneumonia?” PS “well he’s recovered from that, but for other reasons too”  

“When did you stop playing “Parasite” live?” PS, “About 1975”

“Who’s going to sing Black Diamond” PS” Why, Eric will he’s got a great voice” 

“Is this tonight’s set list?” PS “No, this is last night’s, we didn’t do “Strutter” last night” 

“That’s the 1st song you wrote together?” PS “Sort of, Gene had a song that I added onto” 

“Who wrote what on “Comin Home” “Rock Bottom” and “Flaming Youth?” PS “I had the bulk of the song written before I brought in the studio Ace just added some chords, Ace just added the intro to my song, Ace had written the main riff for the song with Gene, Bob (Ezrin) and I finished it off in the studio, you see we never really ever wrote songs together” 

“Gene wrote with Stephen Coronel, was he the guitarist before Ace? PS “No. Gene was in a band with him, and then I was in a band with him, and he introduced us to each other.

“Why Did you stop using the “L6” PS “Well it’s actually a “Midnight Special” maple neck with a white body and sparkles in the finish” 

“Do you still have it? You want to sell?” S “Yes, it’s in the warehouse in NY, and no I’m going to keep it” 

“Do you consider yourself a Musician or a Performer” PS “I think the 2 go hand in hand” 

“For “Creatures” did you record it live in the studio like AC/DC does or did you layer tracks?” PS “Both, we played the basics “live” in the studio but with plexiglass partitions so we could see each other, then we layered tracks over that, but the foundation was live”

I had Paul autograph my “Creatures” promo poster and Promo Kit PS “Where’d you get these, were not selling them?” 

“I got it from the Promoter at his office” 

Eric had a piece of his Stratocaster Autographed. Me “You don’t have any Strats do you?” PS “I own one, but I don’t play it live, Vinnie uses a Strat on a couple songs in our show” 

“How come Gene had no new songs on “Killers” PS “well, I had several songs ready and Gene didn’t” 

“What’s with the animal print on your BC Rich?” Paul looks at his animal print boots and responds “I kinda like it don’t you?” 

“I heard about a show where “RUSH” played some pranks on you guys and in return you guys did worse to them, like RUSH wore your makeup and played “Rock And Roll All Nite” and you guys hit them with cream pies, then RUSH rolled marbles across the stage and shot toy arrows at you guys” PS “Wow, how’d you hear that? Not quite, but you got it really close though, it went something like this….”

*about 3 weeks later, Eric came over to my Apt. and handed me this “Circus” Magazine on the cover a small photo of Paul Stanley with the headline “KISS Stories From the Road” where Paul recalls what really happened on the last show of the KISS/ RUSH Tour Dec 1975. Eric handed me a copy and said “This is because of YOU, I was standing right there when you asked him about this specific show, Merry Christmas” 

Then I proceeded to ask him about various things, “His Dad” “His Niece” “Maroon Corvette” “His Makeup” etc. 

Paul excused himself to do some charity work for a little girl in a wheelchair. 

A little later after this I was instructed to take a walkie talkie to the building’s office and answer calls if they came in. As I walked through the backstage area, I passed the guitar room ?Larry? was changing strings on Paul’s guitars, I stopped and asked him a few questions “Are you their usual tech?” L: “No, I am Rick Neilsen’s Guitar Tech, but they are off right now” me “Does Paul change his strings every show?” L: “No, I do it for him” A few minutes later I saw 2 roadies sawing the necks on the Gibson Sonex Guitars that Paul was going to break over the next few nights. One roadie was playing, a Sonex and singing old folk songs like “Oh Suzannah” and other songs like that. Then I passed Paul walking through the halls, I thought he was looking for the toilet, I told him “It’s that way, he replied “I know where it is” the tour manager told me, “That’s how he gets his exercise, is walking the venue’s  hallways before a show”   I was in the office for about 20 min. I got to read the Tour Rider 3 Ring Binder while waiting, I took the top page off and kept it for a souvenir. Then the tour manager came and got me and said I was done for the day. As I was walking up from the 1st floor, I passed by the loading bays, my friend Eric D. came rolling in on a drum case wearing Paul’s Actual Firehat, he handed it to me and exclaimed “Look the badge is just a paper sticker!”  

We were taken to the main floor, and told we could stay here until showtime. Low and behold, Gene, Eric and Paul walked out on stage, NO MAKEUP and began to do soundcheck! I remember them running through parts of songs for the setlist, about 3 different ones, (Firehouse, Calling Dr. Love, Black Diamond)  But I also remember them running through some parts of songs I did not know, (Keep Me Comin, I’m A Legend Tonight, Rock And Roll Hell)) at this point Big John Hart walks in and shouts “What are you guys doing in here?” I responded, “Hey Big John it’s cool we have passes” he said “Not for in here, right now you don’t, now get out” he chased us out the side doors, so we sat with our ears to the closed doors and listening as best we could.

And showtime, Dare Force from Minneapolis was the opener, I was familiar with about half of their original songs, (Pushin Your Luck, On My Way, Set My Soul On Fire, Are You ready?) I took a few photos of them. Then KISS comes on, I am still front row directly in front of Paul. I noticed right away he was singing in a higher pitch. On the new CD of this show, in a Youtube post the host mentions the part where Paul points out “Somebody was giving him the finger” the YT Host states he thinks it’s because it’s Vinnie and not Ace, let me tell you something, I was one of Very Few People Who Did Know That Was Vinnie Vincent, and not Ace. I hear several people say “Why do you think Ace changed his makeup” In fact only 2 years later in the same month the same thing happened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when Bruce Kulick walked out instead of Mark St. John. I told my friend Kevin S. (Dec 1984) “This is my favorite band, I am not sure who that guy is on lead guitar, I think it’s Bob Kulick’s brother” The guy giving Paul the finger, was the person on my left side an great big burly A**hole of a dude and he was giving Paul the finger, because he thought it was cool. In fact at the end of “Rock And Roll All Night” when Paul broke the Sonex, he handed the neck right to my friend Eric  D. and walked over to me and handed the body to me, the Big Burly Dude, elbowed me in the chest and as I fell backwards he took the body of the guitar out of my hands. Worth noting, a month later he ran an ad in the Sioux City Journal “Selling the body of Paul Stanley’s guitar for $200.oo” No, I did not buy it. But I did get a piece off of the neck that Eric got. 

I looked over the set list Paul gave to my friend Eric D. I noticed they were performing 6 songs off of the new Album, I don’t think they had ever done that since the 1st album in 1974. And 4 songs from the 1st album, well it was the “10th Anniversary Tour” after all, 3 songs off of “Destroyer” 2 off of “Rock And Roll Over” and 1 off “Dressed To Kill” and 1 off of “Love Gun” nothing off “The Elder” “Unmasked” or “Dynasty” or even “Hotter Than Hell”

On “Creatures Of The Night” Vinnie used a Black Strat. that actually got left behind and Vinnie had to call back and ask that he be forwarded to him. 

I expected during “Firehouse” Paul would toss his fire hat out to the crowd, since it was just a sticker on the badge, but I was close enough to see he tossed to a roadie on his side of the stage.

I think on “I Love It Loud” Gene sang the same verse 2 times. 

Vinnie did his guitar solo after “I Want You” using a Gold Jackson Shark and Violin Bow, I remember thinking “he’s just copying Jimmy Page now”  

During “Rock And Roll Hell” they shot off a lot of pyro, a lot. It got so hot in the front that Pat C. passed out and they had to take him to the hospital. So much pyro that during the next song “I Still Love You” the stage curtains caught on fire. The curtains probably being made of asbestos, created a  smoke that was so thick and killer, Paul started choking during the guitar solo of “I Still Love You” but was still able to finish the song. 

During “God Of Thunder” there was a guy next to Pat yelling “Spit On Me Gene, Spit On Me” 

On Eric’s Drum Solo, I was back stage to see them setting it up, the turret was on a Children’s Train Track, and moved from inside by 3 roadies, no mechanics what so ever. I did get an Eric Carr drum stick, that he actually used, they were blank, only the ones he tossed to the crowd had the KISS: Eric Carr printing on them. 

During Paul’s “Love Gun Rap” I kept yelling “Love Gun” he looked me right in the eye when he said “Cock” and even had a slight grin when I was shocked. 

On “Rock N Roll All Nite” this was the 1st tour where they cut the 1st Chorus down to 2 lines instead of 4. I watched Gene and Eric go into the 3rd line as Paul and Vinnie looked at them like “What are doing?” when these 2 went back into the song.

A guy I knew from the promoter’s office Jake J. was one of the people in charge of cleaning up the dressing rooms, he told me later, “Man those guys did a lot of “coke” there was white powder everywhere. Little did Jake know it was setting powder for the makeup. I found out later my dad Bill helped the local union crew tear down, because KISS was so far behind schedule for the Rockford show. My dad saw Vinnie went over to him and said “My kid is a huge fan, can I get a guitar pick from you for him?” Vinnie just told him to “F*** Off” he said Vinnie was a total ass and it was all he could do not to punch him. My Dad, DID get me a pick, by the way.

Here is the SetList for this Concert. From MY Cassette recording.

Creatures Of The Night
Strutter (added for this night)
Calling Dr. Love
Firehouse
I Love It Loud
Cold Gin
Keep Me Comin’ (dropped after this show)
War Machine (written by: Bryan Adams)
I Want You
Vinnie Vincent Guitar Solo (with Violin Bow)
Rock And Roll Hell (written by: Bryan Adams)
I Still Love You
Shout It Out Loud
Bass & Blood Solo (with sound effects)
God Of Thunder
Eric Carr Drum Solo
Love Gun

Paul Stanley Guitar Solo (the riff later added to: Lick It Up)
Black Diamond (Sung by: Eric Carr)
Detroit Rock City
Rock And Roll All Nite (Paul broke a Gibson Sonex)

This article is Dedicated to:
Eric DeW. Pat C. Brent H. Chris C. Spencer C. Eric W. John S. Aaron McF.

Well there you have it folks the summary of Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show, you can hear this radio Show at www.MrZeroS.Com – Podcast as well as 89 other PsychoGello Shows. You can also hear Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” and “Hits And History Shows w/ Rick Burnett” on www.MixCloud.Com

 This day in history Thurs 30 Dec 1982 and MrZerr0 was there the entire time with a  cassette recorder …with that MrZerr0 has left the station.

 Mr. Zer0’s
*Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville- St.Paul, Mn.
55113
Where: Nerd Is The Word
www.MrZeroS.Com
WDGY
7:30am Sundays

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Mr. Zer0’s 6th Xmass Show

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

“Christmas At Grandma’s” 

Dr. Rox Remember When article #142; Dec 2022

By: RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0 

   As this is my 6th PsychoGello Xmass Show, I thought I would take a different, more traditional approach, as I on the first 5 annual shows, I had played Rock N Roll Christmas songs, and many of those were pretty obscure at that, as back in “Olden Dayz” most Rock N Roll Xmass songs were only released on 45 Single, Cassingle and then CD Singles. As my little boy will have his 3rd Christmas I was thinking back to what it was like for my first Christmas’ back in the 60s, at my Grandma Irene, Grandma Margie’s houses in Sioux City, Iowa and Grandma Betty’s in Jackson, MS. 

My Grandmas Irene and Margie always had the radio on during the day as they did housework and Christmas baking. This is how I became aware of music that was recorded decades before I was even born. Then I used to see some of these performers on TV either in ‘Variety Shows’ in old re-runs of TV shows, having a near-photographic memory I remembered these singers later on in my life. Owing a “Vintage Vinyl Record Store” (Mr. Zer0;s Roseville 55113) I get all kinds of people coming in looking for all kinds of music, and interesting phenomenon, most younger people coming in looking for old crooners from the 40s, almost always only ask for Frank Sinatra even though Sinatra’s biggest hits were released in the 60s, customers do not think of him as a 60s artist. I try to point out to new fans of this genre, there were dozens of other artists, equally  as good and as popular back in the day and we have hundreds of records by them for sale, to no avail, they really only buy Sinatra, sometimes, Dean Martin, maybe Bing Crosby or Andy Williams. 

So this show I thought I would play some of those old traditional artists and songs, juts to show, “Hey, there is way more than just Frank Sinatra”   

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”  1945

Bing Crosby

Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. 3 May 1903; Tacoma, Wash.- 14 Oct 1977

Starting in 1927 he released 57; 78 RPMs, 409 Singles, 6 EPs, over 100 Albums

I always loved this song, I heard it in a cartoon version of “A Christmas Carol” 

I probably 1st heard of Bing in a WB cartoon where there were cartoon representations of several crooners from the 40s. 

I met his Granddaughter Denise and Grand Daughter in Law, Spice. 

“Mistletoe And Holly” 1957

Frank Sinatra

Fransis Albert Sinatra: 12 Dec 1915; Hoboken, NJ. – 14 May 1988

He started out with the Harry James Orchestra, and then the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, before going solo starting in 1939 he has released 297 Singles on 78 and 45 RPM, and over 70 Albums.

I recall my Grandpa John telling me that his sister Helen danced with Sinatra when the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra played Sioux City, Iowa around 1942. I was a fan of the TV Show “Married With Children” which used Sinatra’s “Love And Marriage” as the theme song. 

“O’Tannenbaum” 1961

Nat King Cole 

Nathaniel Adams Cole: 17 March 1919; Montgomery, AL. – 15 February 1965

Starting in 1942 he has released 14: 78 RPMs, 7 EPs, 39 Albums, and over 110 Singles.

I was working at RecordShop #66 in S. Des Moines, when his daughter released “Unforgettable … With Love” on CD and Cassette (Vinyl ended in late 1987) and it was a monster seller for us at the time, as she re-recorded a duet with her father on the CD release. 

“Guardo El Lobo” 1961

Kingston Trio

Formed in 1957 in Palo Alto, CA. 

Bob Shan: Robert Castle Schoen 1 February 1934 Hilo, HI – 26 January 2020

Starting in 1958 they have released over 180 Singles, 8 EPs, and over 60 Albums.

This song, I first heard this song by The Monkees in their TV Show Episode #47 from Dec 1967, this song is performed at the end of the show. Turns out their music producer Chip Douglas used to perform this song when he was in the “MFQ” which they learned from The Lettermen, I tracked down my copy of The Lettermen, when I first moved to St. Paul back in Jan 2000. My Aunt Cat used to work with Bob Shane at an antique store in Scottsdale, AZ. one year, for my birthday, she had Bob sign a record for me.

“Sweet Little Jesus Boy” 1963

Andy Williams: Howard Andrew Williams: 3 December 1927; Wall Lake IA. – 25 September 2012

Starting in 1948 he has released 79 Singles, and over 60 Albums. 

I got my Andy Williams TV Show Vinyl Album (featuring The Osmonds) signed by Andy in July 1993, in the parking lot of Southridge Mall, during the statewide disaster “Floods Of ’93” which put 1/3 of Des Moines underwater and without power and running water. 

“This Christmas I Spend With You” 

Robert Goulet: Robert Gerard Goulet: 26 November 1933; Lawrence, MA. – 30 October 2007

Starting in 1960 he had released 72 Singles, 8 EPs and over 35 Albums.

The first time I remember seeing Robert was on a Re-run “The Lucy Show” from 1967 sometime in the early 70s, in the show it seemed to be such a big deal, I thought he must really be somebody to remember. 

“O Come All Ye Faithful” 1964 (65)

Al Martino: Jasper Cini: 7 October 1927; Philadelphia, PA. – 13 October 2013

Starting in 1952 he has released 84 Singles and over 40 Albums.

I believe I first saw Al in the first 2 “Godfather” films.

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” – 1966

Dean Martin: Dino Paul Crocetti; 7 June 1971; Steubenville, OH. 25 December 1995

Starting in 1946 He has released 108 Singes, 1 EP and over 50 Albums.

When I was a kid Dean had a TV Show that I would see from time to time and I thought he was funny, which led me to try to see all of the “Martin & Lewis” films; my favorite being the 1949 film “My Friend Irma” 

My friend Bill S. has every single Dean Martin record ever released. 

“Silent Night, Holy Night” 1966

Wayne Newton: Carson Wayne Newton: 3 April 1972; Norfolk, VA.

Starting in 1963 he has released 39 Singles and 43 Albums.

I am sure I first saw Wayne on some TV Show. However I do collect cover songs of Artists I really like and Wayne recorded a cover of “Echo Valley 26809” by The Partridge Family, turns out the A-Side is “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast” a #4 Billboard Hit in April 1972. One day while Antique Hunting in Phoenix, I found a Gold Record Award of this song, I bought it and a few years later I got Wayne to sign it for me. A couple years after Mr. Zer0’s opened I met a friend of Wayne’s, I told him my story and he had Wayne send us an autographed photo to Mr. Zer0’s, it hangs behind the cash register. 

“Christmas All Alone” 1966

Lettermen: formed in 1959 in Las Vegas, NV.

Beginning in 1961 they released 61 Singles and 77 Albums.

Again collecting cover versions I picked up a copy of The Lettermen performing “Hurt So Bad” form 1969, a Bobby Hart (a friend of mine) song. 

“Christmasland” 1968

Tony Bennett: Anthony Dominic Benedetto: 3 August 1926; Queens, New York City.

Starting in 1951 he has released 83 Singles, 1 EP, and over 84 Albums. 

I am sure I saw Tony on the Engelbert Humperdinck TV show in 1970. I remember thinking “He sounds like all those other guys from back then”

“Christmas Is Here Again” 1978

Roger Whitaker: Roger Henry Brough Whitatker: 22 March 1936; Nairobi, Kenya, Africa.

Starting in 1967 Roger has released over 170 Albums and over 220 Singles.

I know the first time I heard of Roger was on a TV commercial for one of his Albums. Funny thing my friend’s Dad Dwayne was the spitting image of Roger. My co-host Nikola informed me Roger was very popular in her homeland of E. Germany, and she was very familiar with his voice. 

With honorable mentions to: Johnny Mathis, Perry Como, Burl Ives, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis Jr. Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Eddie Fisher and Tom Jones

Well there you have it folks the summary of Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello 6th Xmass Show, you can hear the 5th Xmass Show at www.MrZeroS.Com – Podcast as well as 88 other PsychoGello Shows. You can also hear Mr. Zer0’s “Evolation Show” and “Hits And History Shows w/ Rick Burnett” on www.MixCloud.Com 

I wonder what we will do for year 7 in 2023 …for now MrZerr0 has left the station.

Mr. Zer0’s 

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N. 

Roseville- St.Paul, Mn.

55113

Where: Nerd Is The Word

www.MrZeroS.Com 

WDGY

7:30am Sundays

https://patch.com/minnesota/roseville/mr-zer0s-6th-xmass-radio-show-wdgy

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Grateful Dead: Article #141

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

“November Grateful”

Dr. Rox Remember When? 

Article #141 November 2022

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

   I started working for RecordShop Inc. in 1986, at the beginning of the 60s Music Revival, I myself was into bands like Monkees, Beatles, Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix, Kinks, Who, Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Herman’s Hermits, Grass Roots my co-workers were into other 60s bands that I did not care for so much, really, specifically ‘The Grateful Dead’ now admittedly I did kind of like the artwork but I never really heard any of their songs that grabbed me. Over time I have come too really like these songs: Friend Of The Devil, Touch Of Gray, Mountains On The Moon & Playing In The Band. 

The first time I heard about Grateful Dead was sometime in 1973 I had heard “Truckin” on a various WB Records Set, I was not impressed I thought, even as a kid, it was too mellow. The next time was in 1978 at our local recordstore on the Westside of Sioux City “Uncle John” the owner Mike Duncan named the store after the Grateful Dead song “Uncle John’s Band”. The next time I heard about the band was on the ABC TV show “Mork And Mindy” when Mindy’s father “Fred” makes the statement to the effect of “I would rather have my head tied to the sound system at a Grateful Dead concert” so in my teenage thinking, “Wow, this Grateful Dead must be a real heavy metal band like Black Sabbath or something”. Then I  moved to Phoenix in spring of 1981, and my Uncle Mike had cable so one summer night on HBO there was a show “Dead Ahead” that was a concert recorded at Radio City Music Hall in NYC in Oct 1980, I was very excited to hear this “Loud and Heavy band” so I sat down in front of the TV and then the show starts I sat through “Bird Song” “On The Road Again” “To Lay Me Down” and then during “Ripple” I shut it off mumbling “This music sucks, why are they touted as such a loud and heavy band?” 

In Spring of 1983 I was touring with the band ‘HIGH FEVER’ and we had a layover date in Grand Forks East, MN. and  at the club we played regularly named “Shenanigans” was ‘The New Riders Of The Purple Sage” which was founded in 1970 by 3-4 members of The Grateful Dead: Garcia, Hunter, Lesh & Hart. I thought “This should be good” I went after a half hour I went back to our hotel, again I thought “This music sucks”. 

In 1985 I worked with an Africian-American named Vince, now Vince was a “DeadHead” a fan that traveled around seeing the band many times usually in many different states, this concept was brand new and strange to me, I was puzzled as to why someone wanted to see a band more than once on a single tour, as I had never done that. Now I was starting to embrace my 60s phase as early as 1984, at this time you could not really find anything 60s Psychedelic anywhere, one day in Spring 1985, Vince came walking into work wearing a Tie-Dye T-Shirt he had purchased at a Grateful Dead concert in  Cedar Rapids, Iowa in July 1984. I was so enamored with this shirt I asked to buy it off his back, and he sold it to me right there and then, he went home shirtless …. I still have that shirt, though it was made a ‘Large’ back then it is the size of a Medium by today’s standards, shirt sizes have greatly increased since then. 

Then as I mentioned in 1986 I started working at RecordShop with Rosco & Matt, Rosco was a songwriter, musician who was a huge fan of the Grateful Dead, as was Matt. So Rosco had this huge crush on this girl named Julie, I think it was, he used to play “Sugar Magnolia” all the time as I got the impression, it was his song to her, now I did not care for the song, but over time I came to appreciate it because of how he felt about it.  Then in July 1987 the band have a #9 BillBoard hit with “Touch Of Gray” (originally written in 1982) from their CD “In The Dark” now for some reason I really liked this song, I should mention the Original CD release had the band’s faces upside down, then after they got a hit with “Touch Of Gray” the CD was released with the faces turned right side up. So check which version you have. 

Being a huge Monkees fan, and the group reformed in May 1986, and one of my best friends (RD) saw them twice in one night, I was perplexed, then I talked to many of my friends who saw them many times in many states over the 1986 and 1987 Tours, I couldn’t help but feel left out. How does this Monkees story relate to the Grateful Dead, you may ask yourself, well in Aug 1988 a Monkees Convention was held in Chicago, Ill. at the Bizmarck Hotel. Peter Tork performed a Solo Show at the Olde Vic in Chicago, where I saw him perform “Friend Of The Devil” I thought this was apropos as one of Tork’s most famous Monkees TV Episodes was “The Devil And Peter Tork” (#52 Feb 1968) where Tork accidently sold his soul the Mr. Zero I.e.: The Devil, Yes, this is where I took the name for my RecordStore) who owned a Pawn Shop, for the ability to play the harp. In fact the actor who played “Mr. Zer0” Monte Landis (Max Landstein: 20 April 1933 Glasgow, Scotland) was in attendance of this very concert and appeared with Tork for the finale, I actually met Monte in the hotel elevator, and he introduced himself to me as he thought I was in David Jones Band. While walking through the hallway of the Bizmarck I heard a recording of the Peter Tork concert I had just attended, coming out of an open hotel room, I knocked and let myself in, there was a lady named Mary  Jo, playing a recording of the show she had made, I asked her about getting a copy of the tape, she said sure, as she was primarily a DeadHead, and used to be a huge Monkees fan, she informed me how DeadHeads trade concert tapes freely amongst each other and the band supported it! I was in awe … as I feel “Bootlegs” are historical time capsules, that should be allowed and preserved, and I thought “Why can’t more bands have this attitude, in fact all bands should have this approach to their concerts”, here’s the situation; we the fans have paid the ticket cost to the performer and the parties involved, in addition too travel and sometimes lodging expenses, so it’s not like the Artist is not paid. When The Monkees went back out on tour in 1989, I decided I was going to join the Monkee-Maniacs and see several shows, like a DeadHead. So I saw The Monkees 4 times Labor Day weekend in 1989 in different states, and traveled with a whole host of people, like a DeadHead, one of them being Mary Jo.

In Spring 1995 I was working for Wherehouse Ent. a lady I worked with,  JJ was a huge  Jerry Garcia fan, as part of our jobs we had to go to Los Angeles, CA. twice a year in August we arrived on  the 7th, went to work on the 8th, and Garcia died on the 9th, I remember on the 10th Wherehouse flew in a Sales Rep for Winterland Merchandising to take our purchase orders on Grateful Dead merchandise, each of us received a commemorative sepia photo, I had it framed and hung it on my wall for years until I sold it to  a co-worker named Larry. When I got back to Des Moines, my friend Grace had informed me in honor of Garcia’s passing the ice cream company “Ben & Jerry’s” had decided to stop production on the flavor “Cherry Garcia” so being a collector, naturally I went out and bought 2 cartons. Yes, I still have one. I began my servitude to BB Co. #19, later this year, when in 1997, the Grateful Dead Co. signed a deal with ‘Liquid Blue’ to have a kiosk of Grateful Dead” merchandise in every Best Buy, this was in my department so I had to take care of it everyday, there was every kind of everything from golf balls to quilts to Christmas ornaments, like I said I always kind of liked the artwork. after about 6 months it all went on clearance, 1997 was just Not a good year for “Dead Merch”  in fact I wore my Grateful Dead vest at my first live performance in 2009 in Panora, IA. (I think it was), after a decades off the stage. Yes, I still have the vest. 

In  2009 I opened Mr. Zer0’s the RecordStore in Roseville, in about Fall 2011, a lady, Jody came in to buy some Grateful Dead records for her Life-Partner Poppy (Ann B.) I explained to her that “Dead” Vinyl was hard to come by and expensive, in light of that she bought most of what we had in stock. Sometime in 2012, Jody brought in her partner Poppy to meet me, I have to say Poppy was one of the finest human beings I ever met, kind, funny, interesting, just a wonderful person, no  wonder Jody was with her. We became friends. This led to Jody suggesting her long time friend DJ Liberty (Nancy) on KFAI come in to talk to me. Now Nancy and her husband DJ Izzy, were also Monkees fans, so in Aug 2012, Nancy & Izzy asked me to be a guest host on their KFAI Radio Show “The Pop Shop” and thus  my “PsychoGello Radio Show” was created in Oct 2012, I also took the name from The Monkees TV Show “The Frodis Caper” (#58 Mar 1968) Nesmith was making fun of the 60s Psychedelic Movement calling it “PsychoGello” I appeared on KFAI “The Pop Shop” at least once a year from 2012 to 2018. (Somewhere I have most of these recorded). While appearing on KFAI a Radio Show Host Keith Johnson on WDGY, heard about me and in April 2017 asked me to submit a demo CD of my Radio Show (Idea) “PsychoGello” so I went into “Wishing Star Studios” and my friend Terrance helped me create a 30 min version of the PsychoGello Show. My 1st show aired in June 2017, and I am still on to this day, currently 7:30am Sundays  WDGY 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1. 

All the while I am WDGY, 2 different DJs on WFNU had stopped into Mr. Zer0’s to check things out, again we were talking and both asked me to guest on 2 different radio shows “The Early Morning Show” from 7am to 8:30am, I was a Co-Host from Nov 2018 to March 2019 and Rick B’s “Hits And History Show” from Nov 2018 to Feb 2021. While at WFNU they liked my content so much they asked if I had any ideas for my own show. I informed them “Why, Yes I Do”. At my last appearance on KFAI, I still had to follow the FCC rule “No, more than 3 songs by a single artist in a 2 hour period” that was set into place in 1962 when Dick Clark & Alan Freed were busted for taking payola to play certain records. I had wanted to do a 2 Hour Radio Show on The Monkees as far back as 1992 on KIOA, but could not figure out a way to make it happen without a producer. But sometime in 2018 my good friend Tommy S. said to me; “If there’s a way to get around that FCC rule, you’re the one to do it”. And in March 2018 I did figure out a way and in Nov 2018 the “Evolation Show” was born, it would be just too easy to make a  Grateful Dead Evolation Show, you can hear these at www.MixCloud.Com the “MrZeros Evolation Show” was on WFNU from Nov 2018 to Feb 2021. In Dec 2020, I was asked by WVIC, if I had a new Radio Show idea for their new station, again “Well, Yes I Do” and in Jan 2021 I released the “Cover Up Show” unfortunately, this  new show has yet to be  picked up by a station, but you  can hear several Episodes on my website www.MrZeroS.Com.

Now since I opened Mr. Zer0’s in 2009 week after week every week we get asked for Grateful Dead records, so I simple cannot deny their popularity so for November a month to be grateful, I decided to do a PsychoGello Show on The Grateful Dead, you can hear this at www.MrZeroS.com -Podcast.   

Be sure to check out
“Thee Mod Garage” 9 Dec 2022 Fri 8pm
at Shaw’s on
1528 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Call: 612. 781. 4405 For ALL Info
With MrZerr0 as a Special Guest for the Encore

And so there you have it folks, MrZerr0’s musings on The Grateful Dead, with that MrZerr0 has left the office.

Mr. Zer0’s 

*Est. 2009 

1744 Lexington Ave. N

Roseville, MN. 55113 

www.MrZeroS.Com

Music, Toys, Games & Movies. 

Where:

Nerd Is The Word

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Joan Jett: Article #140

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“Joan Jett; Yeah, Oh Yeah”

Dr. Rox Remember When Article #140

October 2022

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

     She was born Joan Marie Larkin on the 22 September 1958 in Wynnewood, PA. she formed ‘The Runaways’ in 1975 she was with this band until April 1979, whne  Joan went solo, The Runaways  released: 5 Albums and 3 Singles from 1976 to 1978.

I first heard about Joan Jett in the Rock Magazines of the late 70s, like, Rock Scene, Circus, Creem, of those I liked Rock Scene the best, I didn’t get the humor aspect of Creem at the time being a young teenager, I get it now, and really like Creem’s sense of humor, I think Circus had the best photos though. 

I would buy these magazines for the photos of KISS, to hang on my wall. Today’s youth will have no connection to this practice as they have everything stored in their CellPhones, and will not collect paper. When it came to The Runaways, I had a real thing for Lita Ford. I remember my Mom always going to Woolco. There was a girl who worked in the fabric department  that bore a striking resemblance to Lita Ford, I fell in love, I would go with my Mom whenever I could just so I could get a look at her, I have since forgotten her name …

I remember hearing ‘The Runaways’ as well as Joan Jett solo in ‘Uncle John’ record store on the westside of Sioux City in the early 80s, I was completely unimpressed with The Runaways. I probably liked “I Love Rock N Roll” the 1st 1000 times I heard it, but what grabbed me was I really liked “Do You Wanna Touch Me” by Joan, but then why wouldn’t I, I already liked ‘Gary Glitter’ I am pretty sure I bought her 1st album ‘Bad Reputation’ in late 1982 also at ‘Uncle John’ 

In 1983 when I lived in Des Moines, Joan released a video for “Everyday People” I saw this on MTV, well again I already loved the song by ‘Sly And The Family Stone” so I went to RecordShop (#67) and bought a copy, I have to admit, I thought the album was a little weak, my favorite being “French Song” but I was intrigued by her. I always loved her really dark brown eyes, and she played this funny little white Gibson ‘Melody Maker’ (once owned by Eric Carmen: Raspberries). I always wondered why this guitar, well later I found out, it is a small guitar for a very small person.  

While working at RecordShop (#67) in 1986 after talking about how much I like Joan’s new album ‘Good Music’  my 1st boss in, Marc, told me how he met Joan in the early 80s. A couple years later in 1988, I met a young lady who was the spitting image of Joan, unfortunately, she had absolutely NO interest in me.

I did like the song “Light Of Day” even though it was a Springsteen song (sorry, I never liked the Boss). And in 1988, I like everyone else had a girlfriend (or boyfriend) that “I hated myself for loving” But I really liked: “I Wanna Be Your Dog” off of that album. Funny thing, I saw Peter Tork of The Monkees, solo in Chicago in Aug 1988 and he performed “Tulane” (also on Joan’s CD at the time) in his set, probably because his backing band was Danny Solazzi and The Characters, who had just come off of the recent Joan Jett Tour. I loved her 1990 “Hit List” CD (and Cassette, NO Vinyls after 1987). But her stand out to me was her 1994 ‘Pure And Simple’ as there were NO Covers on the CD! all Originals and they are great!  

However my very best Joan Jett story happened at Mr. Zer0’s 55113, in Aug 2014, a male customer came into Mr. Zer0’s, he was quiet and really would not answer when I tried to help him. A couple days later he came back, but this time he “Tried” to answer when I asked him what he was looking for. It helped that I am familiar with the Russian accent, in his broken, limited English, I figured out he was looking for ‘The Runaways and Joan Jett’ vinyl, I had to tell him “Sorry, very few of those 2 artists ever come in on vinyl, as The Runaways did not sell a lot of records back then and Joan sold a 100 times more units on Cassette than Vinyl” I then asked him “Did you move here or are you just visiting?” he responded he was “Just visiting”, so I then asked “So did you go see Joan at the MN. State Fair last night?” (Sept 2014) he looked at me confused, I then explained “Joan Jett played the MN. State Fair last night about 2 miles from here” he was devastated, he was here in America for a few weeks, looking for Joan Jett records and she played a concert near where he was staying and He Missed It!   

I have seen Joan in concert 3 times, (she canceled a 4th).

April 2001 in Maplewood at ‘The Rock” I met her and got my ‘1983 Album’ signed, when she walked by me she was so tiny I thought it was a little kid snuck into the club. 

To the best of my knowledge, this was the Setlist for this show (I have the recording for this show)

Bad Reputation
Fetish
Light of Day
Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)
Androgynous
Long Time
Love Is Pain
Love Is All Around
Baby Blue
Cherry Bomb
Road Runner
I Wanna Be Your Dog
I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll
Crimson & Clover
I Hate Myself for Loving You
Science Fiction, Double Feature
Everyday People

 I remember after these songs, Joan said:

“Do You Wanna Touch Me” a guy in the crowd touched her wrist, and Joan freaked out yelling at him, then stopped and said on the Mic “Wait, you know what, it’s my fault, I should not have put my arm out there into the crowd, I’m sorry”

“Androgynous” Joan said “I did this some with a guy I think he’s from around here isn’t he?” Paul Westerberg: Replacements

“Love Is All Around” The crowd went nuts, and Joan said “You like that one huh?, oh yea, I forgot where I was” (near MPLS)  

She was sporting her blonde crew cut them and Thommy Price busted his snare drum head. Joan stopped the show and said “We need to change the snare head, cuz Thommy’s so strong” I did meet Thommy in passing that night. 

The other times I saw Joan:

Sep 2002 in MPLS at Hennepin Block Party 

June 2003 in Apple Valley, MN. at the Zoo: She Canceled Day Of Show

Oct 2019 in St. Paul at Xcel Center

In Joan’s Solo Career she has Released:

16 Albums /CDs

Jett having co-written about 70 songs on these releases

42 Singles: Vinyl /CD/ Cassingles 

12 Songs on the BillBoard Charts 

Her Top 3 being;

“I Love Rock N Roll” “Crimson And Clover” “I Hate Myself For Lovin You” 

31 Music Videos 

And appeared on 6 Soundtracks

I am always asked what are my favorite songs by Joan, so in no certain order “Fetish” “Do You Wanna Touch Me” “French Song” “Eye To Eye” “Consumed” “Talkin ‘Bout My Baby” “Got Me Floatin” “Light Of Day” “I Love Playing With Fire” “I Can’t Control Myself” “I Wanna Be Your Dog” “Time Has Come Today” Celluloid Heroes” “Dirty Deeds”” 

Mr. Zer0’s “Origins” Radio Show: Episode #235 Oct 2022

I played the original recordings of some of the more famous songs of the over 60 cover songs that Joan has recorded in her career. I found this quite interesting, as Joan has covered songs as far back as Cole Porter in 1928, however most of her covers are from the mid to late 60s, as her mentor Kenny Laguna wrote, played and performed many of those songs originally as the Keyboard Player in ‘Tommy James And The Shondells’ 

You can here “Joan Jett: Origins” at:
www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast: Episode #235

Tune in to Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show on Radio WDGY from Hudson, WIS. and St. Paul, MN.

7:30am Sundays: 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1

You find MrZerr0’s other Radio Shows “Evolation” and “Hits And History” 

at www.MixCloud.Com under MrZeros- Evolation

Until our next installment … MrZerr0 has left the building

Mr. Zer0’s

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville- St. Paul, Mn. 55113 

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and movies too ….

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Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart:

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

“The 1st Monkees Reunion, Sort Of…”

Dr. Rox Remember When? 
Article #139: Sep 2022

By: MrZerr0 aka RLSchwinden

MrZerr0 remembers;

The 70s SuperGroup : Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart.

I first met Tommy Boyce in downtown Des Moines, Iowa in June 1986, I then met Bobby Hart in Chicago, IL. in Aug 1990, and David Jones in Feb 1991 in Des Moines, IA. and finally Micky Dolenz in Evansville, IN. in June 1991.

    In 1964 two songwriters joined forces: Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart:

Sidney Thomas Boyce; 29 September 1939: Charlottesville,VA. –  November 23, 1994

Robert Luke Harshman; 18 February 1939: Phoenix, AZ. 

Together they wrote over 300 songs, including 27 for “The Monkees” and from 1967 to 1969 they released 3 Albums and 8 Singles with 4 songs on The Billboard Charts: “Out And About” (#39) “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite” (#8) “Goodbye Baby” (#53) & “Alice Long” (#27) The Duo even recorded 3  crossover songs with The Monkees: “I Wanna Be Free” “Teardrop City” & “P.O.Box 9847” both artists releasing their own versions. 

   In 1965 four young men were brought together to be the TV Show “The Monkees” from late 1965 to early 1971 they released 11 Albums and 14 Singles, during that time period. 

David Thomas Jones: 30 Dec 1945; Manchester, ENG. – 29 Feb 2012.

George Michael Dolenz: 8 Mar 1945; Los Angeles, CA. 

Peter Tork: 13 Feb 1942; Washington DC. – 21 Feb 2019.

Robert Michael Nesmith: 30 Dec 1942; Houston, TX – 10 Dec 2021.

Boyce And Hart wrote the Billboard Hits: “Last Train To Clarksville” (#1) “(INY) SteppinStone” (#20) “Words” (#11) “Valleri” (#3) “Teardrop City” (#56) including “(TF) The Monkees” as well as Boyce And Hart had a song on every single Monkees LP. 

   In 1974 The Monkees TV Show was in afternoon syndication and the 4 Monkees were approached by McDonald’s for the 4 Monkees to make a commercial for the fast food chain, however Tork being a vegetarian felt it was against his beliefs to participate and declined, McDonald’s wanted all 4 Monkees so this never came to pass. Then later in 1974  and a concert promoter approached  The 4 Monkees to embark on a “Reunion Tour” this time Tork was willing, however Nesmith would only go on tour if there was an album of new material to support, though Nesmith owned his own Record Label the promoter was unwilling to fund recording sessions, and so this too did not come to pass.  

   So in 1975, I believe it was David Jones who had the brilliant idea to call up their old song writing buddies Boyce & Hart. As none of these 4 really had much going on in ’74, Dolenz had a single out with ‘Starship’ “Johnny B. Goode b/w Ooh She’s Young” Hart had a single as well “Hard Core Man” but Jones’ last single was in 1972, he had appeared in the cartoon film “Oliver Twist” in ’74. Boyce’s last release was in 1973 as ‘Christopher Cloud’ so it just made sense for this quartet to combine forces, only  problem they could  not use the name ‘The Monkees’ as Columbia Pictures would not license it out to them. And so  they  embarked on a tour that started in June 1975 through August 1976  performing over 70 concerts. Tork did make several appearances with the group in Calif.  The band played 6 dates in MN. 3 in June 1975 in: New Brighton at Bel Rae Ballroom, Gibbons at The Ballroom, Waconia at Paradise Ballroom and then 3 more again in Dec 1975;  Carlton at NorthStar Ballroom, Mounds View at Bel Rae Ballroom, Waconia at Paradise Ballroom. A typical setlist would be;

Last Train to Clarksville, 

Medley: Valleri, Daydream Believer, A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You.
I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite  (B&H)
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone (M)
I Wanna Be Free  (M)
I Remember the Feeling (DJBH)
Savin’ My Love for You  (DJBH)
Medley: Come a Little Bit Closer, Pretty Little Angel Eyes, Hurt So Bad, Peaches ‘n’ Cream, Something’s Wrong With Me, Keep on Singing.
Pleasant Valley Sunday  (M)
A Teenager in Love  (DJBH) Dion Cover
Right Now  (DJBH)
She: with comedy sketch  (M)
Alice Long (You’re Still My Favourite Girlfriend)  (B&H)
I Love You (And I’m Glad That I Said It)
Action (Revere & Raiders Cover) 
I’m a Believer  (M)
(Theme From) The Monkees  (M)
Cuddly Toy  (M)
I’m a Believer  (M)

Their backing band was:

Keith Allison – guitar, vocals (from Paul Revere & Raiders)
Steve Johnson – keyboards
Rick Tierny – bass
Jerry Summers – drums

   Being a former TV Show, it only makes sense to promote yourself on current TV Shows, and so they did, remarkably I actually saw the “American Bandstand” airing on a Saturday afternoon when we lived in Miss. I remember our neighbor Rolinda saying about the same time “The Monkees, why do you like The Monkees, you don’t hear much from them anymore” I replied “I just saw them last week on American Bandstand!” Here is some of the TV appearances that I know of:

“Dinah” 21 Jan 1976

“Rock Concert” 14 Feb 1976

“Mike Douglas Show” 27 Feb 1976

“American Bandstand” 13 Mar 1976

Audio Releases:

*Albums:

‘Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart’ 29 May 1976

Capitol #ST-11513

(no less than 5 other musicians from the Monkees recordings appeared on this album) 

“The Monkees Greatest Hits” July 1976

Arista #AL-4089

(including 5 songs written by: Boyce & Hart) 

‘Concert In Japan’ recorded 20 July 1976

August 1981Toshiba-EMI (my copy  is signed by all 4 members) 

‘Tails Of The Monkees’: 1983

Silhouette Music #SM-10012

(Live Bootleg of DJBH)

Tommy Boyce wrote that he “Wrote their next hit single (I Remember The Feeling) in an airport in Des Moines, Iowa (Aug 1975)

*45 Singles:

“I Remember The Feeling b/w You And I” 

1976- Capitol #4180

with a Promo Video 

“I Love You (AIGTISI) b/w Saving My Love For You” 

1976- Capitol #4271

As: ‘Micky, Davy & Peter’

“Christmas Is My Time Of Year b/w White Christmas” 

1976- C. Douglas Christmas Records #CDS-700

(A Side is a Turtles Cover) 

*Betamax

“Great Golden Hits Of The Monkees Show” (21 min)

Produced By: MIcky Dolenz 

Including a rapping skit, 3 interviews (-Boyce) and the 2 Medleys from the live concerts and several Monkees songs.

*FYI

Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show 2022: Episode #232

Is on: “Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart” 

You can hear it for FREE at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast

I play songs from The Monkees, Boyce & Hart, a Solo song from each Member and several “DJBH” Songs too.

You can hear my 2 other- past Radio Shows “Evolation” and “Hits And History”

at www.MixCloud.Com under “Mr Zeros” 

Check out my Weekly Radio Show:

7:30am Sundays on WDGY

Hudson, Wis. & St. Paul, MN. (CST) 

740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1

Mr. Zer0’s 

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville- St. Paul, MN. 

55113

www.MrZeroS.Com

Where Nerd Is The Word
Classic Music

Retro Toys

Vintage Video Games

& Movies too …

And That’s IT!

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Elvis; was a hero to most

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

“Elvis Was A Hero To Most” 

Dr. Rox Remember When? Article #138 August 2022

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

   In the wake of the new “Elvis” film (2022 Baz Luhrmann), it was refreshing and exciting to see young girls buying Elvis Records as of late, because when Mr. Zer0’s opened back in 2009, young people were surprised to find out Elvis recorded albums, it seems they just thought of Elvis as some famous person like Marilyn Monroe or James Dean, they had no idea Elvis was a Rock N Roll Singer. So I thought it was time do a “PsychoGello Show” on Elvis. So as usual I decided to go a different route, than most. I chose to cover Elvis in the 70s. Everyone likes to go over the 50s , well as it was the birth of Rock And Roll, however Elvis had many hits in the 70s too.

   My memories of Elvis, when I was a little kid 7 or 8, I loved music, I would sit and listen to anything, so I used to go through my Mom’s 45 Singles and play them on my 1970 Panasonic Record Player (NOT Turntable), my Mom’s record collection was from primarily from 1955 to 1962, as she worked in the Record Dept. of Kreske’s in downtown Sioux City. So I would pour through her 45s, as I am sure most people did too. I noticed she had a whole lot of RCA records with a black label. I played a few of them, usually I picked songs that I thought had a cool title. Well, I just didn’t care for Elvis, though I tried. 

   So my Mom was a huge Elvis fan, I remember we lived in Brandon (Jackson) Mississippi when Elvis died, I thought “what’s the big deal?” (little did I know then) but my Mom was devastated, she said “He died so young” at the time I thought 42 was ancient. Being a huge KISS fan I remember reading an article where they mentioned “They wanted to do a cover song on the last album ‘Love Gun’ (June 1977) at first they considered “Jailhouse Rock” but changed it to another cover “Sincerely” until finally they recorded “Then She Kissed Me” (Ace does not play on this song fans, Paul played the Solo) and they were relieved they did not record an Elvis song, as would have come off as a ‘Cash-In’ and they wanted no part of that” Apparently my father was a huge Elvis fan, he told me that when he was young many people in town thought he looked like Elvis, he even wore his  hair the same way.   

   My baby sister Carrie was born in Miss. the year before Elvis died, somehow, someway she got an “Old Soul” as her heart is firmly planted in the late 50s, she has always loved that time period. My Mom once said years later, “well, I was there and it was not as magical as you might think, and maybe if you grew up at that time you may have been drawn to the 30s” Me, myself have always been drawn to the late 60s, worth noting, my favorite Local Band is “Thee Mod Garage” If I could I would be in that band. Since I love the 60s so much, I began to notice that most of the artists I loved, were heavily influenced by Elvis; Beatles, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Johnny Thunders, Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) Tommy and  Johnnie Bolin. In fact Tommy Bolin’s very performance was on ABC TV doing a pantomime to Elvis on the Canyon Kid show. And having been to Johnny Bolin’s house many times over the past 17 years, I can verify there are dozens of photos of Elvis decorating the Bolin household to this day, in fact there is an Elvis postcard on my desk at Mr. Zer0’s 55113, sent to me form Johnny himself. So all of this got me to thinkin’ “Say maybe I am missing something?” now even as early as the 80s I found myself drawn to some 50s artists like Little Richard and Bo Diddley, but that was really about it. 

   I remember a comedy bit Eddie Murphy did on Elvis back in 1983 about how he couldn’t act so they just had Elvis sing his lines in the films, “Lemonade, that cool refreshing drink”  now that’s some funny stuff right there, I don’t care who you are. Sometime in 1993 I discovered Chris Isaac, clearly this artist was firmly planted in the 50s, which started my 50s, musical phase, for about 2 to 3 (1995-97) years that was about all I listened to, or went to see in concert; Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Chuck Berry and Bill Haley etc. my gal at the time, hated it, we used to go Sunday nights to “Stella’s Blue Sky Diner” in W. Des Moines, IA. I did get to see Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley in concert and even meet Little Richard and Bo. I never got to see Elvis even though he toured heavily in the 70s. in Sep 1995 I did see his 1977 Cadillac in Las Vegas at a car show and I did however get to see his daughter Lisa Marie Presley in concert in MPLS at the State Theatre in Aug 2003. Elvis played MN.  8 times from 1971 to 1977.

Elvis 1st concert in MN. was:

5 November 1971 in Bloomington at The Met Ctr.

and his last Concert was:

30 April 1977 in St. Paul at The Civic Ctr. 

Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show 2022: Episode #230 “Elvis The 70s”

“Kentucky Rain” #16: Jan 1970

“It’s Only Love” #51: Nov 1971

“He Touched Me” Feb 1972

“Raised On Rock” #41: Sep 1973

“I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby” #39: Jan 1974

“My Boy” #20: Jan 1975

“Hurt” #28: March 1976

“Way Down” #18: June 1977

“Unchained Melody” 1978

“I Got A  Feeling In My Body” July 1979

   He was born Elvis Aaron Presley on 8 January 1935 in Tupelo, MISS. and passed on 16 August 1977 in Memphis, Tenn.

In his career he released around 141 Single 45s, with 109 of these on the BillBoard Charts including 10 Top Ten Hits, and 7 Number One Hits. 29 EPs 7″ (5 songs or less) and 62 LP Albums. Elvis appeared in 33 Films, and 9 TV Shows. 

I plan to do a Dr. Rox “Cover Up Show” on Elvis with such artists as:

Johnny Thunders “Crawfish” 

Cheap Trick “Don’t Be Cruel” 

Paul McCartney: “It’s Now Or Never” 

New York Dolls: “Flip Flop Fly” 

John Lennon: “Blue  Suede Shoes” 

Robert Plant: “Little Sister” 

ZZ Top: “Viva Las Vegas” 

Until the next time … MrZerr0 has left the building

Check out my Radio Show on WDGY 7:30am Sundays

740Am, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1

You can hear the past 90 Episodes at www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast

And my “Evolation” and “Hits And History” Radio Shows at www.MiXCloud.Com

Mr. Zer0’s

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington 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, Tommy Bolin, MrZerr0?

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

“Why Tommy Bolin?” 

Dr. Rox Remember When?

Article #137 July 2022

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0

In the past few months I have been asked some questions that I have pretty much gotten my whole life. So I thought I would address them in one all encompassing article on what is probably my main inspiration. Thomas Richard Michael Bolin.

Questions like these:

Gonzo “What’s your obsession with Tommy Bolin”

Big Rick “What’s your favorite Tommy Bolin songs” 

Billy Hart “How is it Tommy Bolin and KISS?” 

Dean C. “Did you know Tommy?” 

Ben B. “You like and play Tommy’s songs, but you are not a lead guitarist?” 

Larry S. “Who was he with, again?” 

Nicol “Did you ever see Tommy live?” 

Michael H. “What happened to Tommy’s guitars”

   So I was born at St. Joseph Hospital on the Westside of Sioux City, Iowa and grew up essentially on W.17th St. and then 25th and Pierce St. I attended West High School. Tommy Bolin was born 1 August 1951 in the same hospital over a decade before me, essentially Tommy grew up on  1118 Court St. and later 2740 Clark St. Tommy attended Central High School. As Tommy was over a decade older than me, I never met Tommy, but in the Spring of 1979 The Bolin Family; Rich, Barb “Keek” and occasionally “Pudge” (Rick) and Johnnie, moved in, literally across the street from my family, occasionally Barb would have coffee with my Mom, and had met all of them (except Tommy) at one time or another. However my Uncle Jeff, Aunt Cindy and Cousin John Jr. did know Tommy as they all hung out with the same people. My Uncle Jeff told about how he used to see Tommy perform with “A Patch Of Blue” at Heelan High School dances. Jeff said Tommy really used to shine when they played (Tom Jones) “It’s Not Unusual” (this recording is available). 


So growing up in Sioux City was kind of dismal for me personally, there did not seem to be many opportunities, outside of Electrician, the Stockyards or Retail. When I was just a baby my Aunt Debby used to play her 45 records for me on her record player, and thus began my love of music. Dave Clark 5, Beatles, Cowsills and Monkees. I remember Summer 1971 my uncle Jeff was staying with my family (before he moved to Oregon, he told me “Whatever you do, get out of this town” S.C.) and he was telling me-us about “this guy he knew who just put out an “Album” with a band he was in from Colorado”. Even though I was young, I remember thinking “Monkees, have records out, Beatles, have records out, not a guy from Sioux City” it was in fact Zephyr’s 1st album on ABC Probe, they were then based in Denver. 

In 1972 or 73, my Uncle John turned me onto Deep Purple “Machine Head” as he was in the local band “Freedom of Wild Water II”. I, just like everyone else, loved “Smoke On The Water” from that album, but more than that I loved “Never Before” and “Maybe I’m A Leo” and to a lesser extent “Highway Star”. I do vividly remember seeing a poster for an upcoming James Gang concert at Morningside College, while I was attending Old East Jr.  So in late ’74 my family moved to Jackson, MS. when I found out Tommy Bolin, a guy my Uncle Jeff knew, was Now IN Deep Purple! How does this happen? Life in Mississippi was awful, so in late ’77 we moved back to Sioux City, unfortunately Tommy had died in Miami on 4 December 1976. So while I was back in Sioux City, I kept thinking “If Tommy can get in Deep Purple, this guitar (a ’72 SG Deluxe) can get me the F**** out of Sioux City” just like Uncle Jeff told me to do.

So the reality is Tommy Bolin inspired me to go on to do much bigger and better things with my life, just like he did. just before Tommy died in 1976, my neighbor Jimmy S. introduced me to KISS “Destroyer” to me, this was revolutionary, the heavy music with the makeup and costumes, above and beyond what Tommy or Deep Purple were doing it totally grabbed my imagination, so for a nerd who always picked on and all alone in Jackson, MS. this is just what I needed. Initially I was drawn to ACE and the Lead Guitar, like I was to Bolin, sadly, very quickly I had to succumb to the realization I just did not possess the ability to be a Lead Guitar Player, matter of fact I was barely a guitar player at all. So I worked real hard to train myself to sing and play guitar at the same time, something I did not see a whole lot of other musicians do in my circles.  

So right now I would like to cover the Bands and Artists Tommy Played with in his career.

The Misirlou’s: 1964
Denny And The Triumphs: 1965-66
A Patch Of Blue: 1966- 1967
The Chateaux: 1967
American Standard: 1968
Zephyr: 1968 -1971
Energy:1971- 72, 1974
Billy Cobham: 1973
James Gang: 1973 -74
Moxy: 1975
Alphonse Mouzon: 1975
Deep Purple: 1975 -76
Tommy Bolin Band: 1976

And now the Albums Tommy played on, and when. Also my favorite tracks for each LP-CD.

ZEPHYR: 

“ABC Probe” 1969

“Hard Chargin Woman” “St. James Infirmary” 

“Going Back To Colorado” 1971

“Keep Me” “I’ll Be Right Here” 

Energy:

3 Posthumous CDs in the 1990s

“Heartlight” “Miss Christmas” 

Billy Cobham 

“Spectrum” Oct 1973

“Stratus” “Quadrant 4” 

James Gang:
“Bang” Sep 1973

“Standing In The Rain” “Mystery” 

“Miami” July 1974

“Red Skies” “Wildfire” 

Alphonse Mouzon:

“Mind Transplant” 1975

“Snowbound” “Carbon Dioxide” 

Moxy

“1 (Black)” 1975 -76

“Fantasy” “Time To Move On”

Deep Purple:

“Come Taste The Band” Oct 1975

“Gettin Tighter” “You Keep On Moving” 

“Last Concert In Japan” Mar 1977

“Wild Dogs” “Burn”

Tommy Bolin

“Teaser” Nov 1975

“Teaser” “People People” 

“Private Eyes” Sep 1976

“Post Toastee” “Hello Again” 

As I mentioned I never got to see Tommy in concert, but here are some area concerts several people I have met, informed me they were able to attend, maybe you were at one of them?

Area Concerts:

Zephyr:

25 April 1970 Minneapolis the Depot (1st Ave)

1970 Mpls, MN. McGoo’s New City Opera House

1971 Sioux City IA. Auditorium 

James Gang: 

12 Dec 1973 Sioux City IA. Eppley Aud.

22 June 1974 St. Paul Auditorium 

Deep Purple: 

11 Feb 1976 Normal, ILL. Horton Field House

15 February 1976 Madison Wis. Dane County Coliseum 

Tommy Bolin Band 

22 Nov 1976 Sioux City, Iowa Aud.

When Tommy was young he only had a few guitars, as he got a little older he started to trade off or borrow many.  In fact there was a book “The Guitar Man” published in Japan over 10 years ago, about as many guitars as they could identify that Tommy used. Here’s a few of his most famous ones that He owned:

Tommy’s Guitars:

’67 Gibson SG Walnut used from 1968 -70

60s -70s Fender Tele-Strat Coffee Brown used from 1971 to 1975

’73 Black Stratocaster used from 1974 -76

’63 Tobacco Sunburst Stratocaster used form 1975 -76

’75 Ibanez Destroyer used in 1976

I am always discussing with people, on how back in the day many artists did not play a song like they recorded it on the record. That in many cases even just after the record was released the artists- bands took many liberties on how they performed a song live. With that in mind, my next radio show will be:

Mr. Zer0’s PsychoGello Show 

WDGY 7:3am Sundays

740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1

Episode #228

“Tommy Bolin: Alive! Encarta”

“Born In Chicago” A Patch Of Blue: 1967; Correctionville, IA.

“Cross The River” Zephyr: 1971; Denver,CO. at Ebbitt’s Field

“Red Skies” Energy: Dec 1972; Sioux City, IA.

“Standing In The Rain” James Gang:18 Dec 1973

“Walk In My Shadow”  (Re-Formed) Energy: 4 June 1974 Denver, CO. at Ebbitt’s Field

“Stratus” Good Rats w/  Tommy & Carmine Appice: 22 Nov 1974 Denver, CO.

“Gettin Tighter” Deep Purple Mk4: 27 Feb 1976 Long Beach, CA.

“The Grind” Tommy Bolin Band Teaser Tour: 28 Apr 1976 Encinitas, CA. 

“Shake The Devil” Tommy Bolin Band “Private Eyes Tour: 19 Sep 1976 Albany, NY.

“Down In The Dungeon” The Gassers: 24 Nov 1976 Sioux City, IA.

you should check out;

“28th Annual Tommy Bolin Music Festival”

6 August 2022 Saturday 2:30pm

at The Ickey Nickel

Call: 712. 239.2772 For ALL Info 
4700 41st St
Sioux City, IA 51108

I Mr. Zerr0 will be performing this day with “The BANG GANG” at 2:30pm  

and “Johnnie Bolin’s Tribute Band” at 6:30pm

All of this will be in my upcoming Book on Tommy Bolin: “Don’t Let your Mind Post Toastee” 

Until, the next time …. MrZerr0 

Mr. Zer0’s 

*Est. 2009

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com (Podcast)

Where Nerd Is The Word

They $ELL: Music, Toys, Movies & Games … That’s IT!

Hear my “Evolation Show” on

Tommy Bolin at

www.MixCloud.Com 

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Shock Value: Article #136

Posted on by mrzeros1@gmail.com Posted in Articles

Shock Value; Were they ready for this ?

Article #136 June 2022

By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0 

    Like my friend Franko says: “Rock N Roll should not be safe, it needs to be dangerous to be authentic” 

So I opened Mr. Zer0’s 55113 Roseville, back in April 2009 (you can look that up, naysayers) because I love music & movies to a lesser extent toys, and music is ALL I have done my Whole Life, in fact my Mom (Carol) worked in the Record Dept of Kreske’s Dept Store in Sioux City, Iowa before I was born!  In our past 13 years of Retail Business, we have had some Great Customers come and go (unfortunately some not-so-great), recently 2 of our usual regulars “Brandon & Tomas” were in shopping, purchasing some Marilyn Manson merchandise, and they asked “So Zerr0 what do you think of Marilyn Manson?” Me, “Well, I have a few thoughts and stories on that band and him, actually” as we all were talking about Manson, Tomas offered “yea, kinda like Elvis was in the 50’s huh?” I was surprised, as I had not thought about that before, because it was completely true. So here are some thoughts I shared with Brandon and Tomas that day.

*Elvis: 1935 – 1977: 8 January 1935; Tupelo, Miss. RIP: 16 August 1977.

With 108 Billboard Hits and releasing well over 50 Albums, some 28 EPs, a whopping 117 Singles and 35 Movies & TV Shows. His last concert was in the Twin Cities 30 April 1977 St. Paul, and his first appearance was 13 May 1956 in St. Paul. Elvis released his first 45 Single in July 1954. 

 So here we have a young white boy who can sing like a black man in the deep South where segregation is still enforced. Where Country & Western, Vocal and Big Band music is on the radio, he dyes his hair blue black and girates like no one before him. This young man had half of the country afraid of him, so much so much so the rumor is J. Edgar Hoover, had Elvis drafted into the US Military from 1960 to 1962 to keep him out of the public eye and releasing any more “Race Music” records, paving the way for the “Safe” young teenage crooners. Now that’s dangerous. Now my Mom and youngest sister Carrie were Elvis fans, me, not so much as I really  loved the years 1965 – 1969 for the music and art, everything. Although I must admit in the 90s I went through a “50s” phase whereupon I got into Elvis and began to appreciate what he brought to Rock n Roll and the Music Industry. I saw his daughter Lisa Marie in concert on 13 Aug 2003 in MPLS. 

*Beatles: 1962 – 1970: Liverpool, England.

   The band had 34 Hits on the Billboard Charts, releasing 29 Albums, 27 EPs, 46 Singles and 5 Films.

The only time they played the Twin Cities was 21 Aug 1965 in Bloomington, MN.

Now president Kennedy was assassinated on 23 Nov 1963, the USA was  in turmoil when a guitar group from the UK appeared on American TV, on the Ed Sullivan Show on 9 Feb 1964. There had been nothing like before, 4 young men wearing long hair like girls, and the timing was just right, Americans, specifically teenage girls embraced the band, however their detractors viewed them as nothing short of communists. Until they ran into trouble in the South for making a statement that in the UK, “The Beatles were more popular than Jesus”. They seemed to recover as just last week a young 7 year old boy “Myles” bought several Beatles and Elvis items. Myself, I was introduced to The Beatles by my Aunt Debby K. she would play Beatles and Dave Clark 5 single 45 records on her recordplayer for me when when I was about 10 or 11 months old. 

*New York Dolls: 1971 – 1976: New York City, NY

   They released 6 Albums, 5 Singles.

Their last appearance in the Twin Cities was 24 June  2011; MPLS. and their first appearance  1 Sept 1974 St. Paul.

Now admittedly, nowhere near the popularity of the first two I mentioned, they were insanely popular and well copied by their peers in the New York area, many other bands tried to emulate them such as “Harlots Of 42nd Street” “The Brats” “Twisted Sister” “KISS” “Lugar” “Street Punk” “Planets” “Teenage Lust” but no one could top the original “New York Dolls” though most of these bands sounded like un-polished Rolling Stones clones, they all had the same repulsive look; young men dressed in women’s type clothes. Let the insults fly. towards the  end the Dolls went so  far as to fly the Russian Flag as a backdrop of their shows. they said at the time “You can be gay you can be a cross-dresser, but you better not be a communust, in this day and age” How I found out about the New York Dolls, my buddie Eric DeW. introduced me to them when  I was telling him I wanted to do something like “Motley Crue” but not exactly. 

*Kiss: 1973 – Still going: New York City, NY.

   With 26 songs on the Billboard Charts, from 60 Singles and 33 Albums.

The band’s last concert in the Twin Cities was on24 Feb 2020 MPLS, and their first appearance was on 19 May 1975 St. Paul.

Ok, dressing like women is now, not enough, NOW we have a Demon, an Alien, and 2 other guys in makeup  and platform shoes. And the one guy vomits blood and breathes fire, the other one sets his guitar on fire and the other guy breaks his guitar on stage, what are we coming to? My Catholic Church Newspaper for St. Jude wrote an article about them in 1977 in Jackson, MIssissippi, discussing their songs “Calling Dr. Love” “God Of Thunder” “Detroit Rock City” “Love Em And Leave Em” “(meet me in the ) Ladies Room” how could anyone like these  macho, arrogant, misogynist clowns who dress like this? Me, it was my neighbor Jimmy S. who played “Sweet Pain” for me, I absolutely LOVED the sound of Gene $immons voice, I saw the album cover (Destroyer) and I was hooked. I have portrayed the StarChild in KISSin Time (KISS Tribute) since 2013. You can see us Alive for 3 Shows …  

KISSin Time: Alive 

3 July 2022 Sat 9pm

Hinckley, MN. 55037

@ Rival House

Call; 320. 384. 7771 for ALL Info

*Sex Pistols: 1975 – 1978: London, England.

  Not here but 9 Hits “In The UK” from 9 Singles and 2 Albums.

So we go from slick, pretty polished and over the top, to unkept, unwashed and disgusting, which would not even stand out by today’s standards, short songs not performed very well, harking back to the New York Dolls times. Most people hated them just because of the way they looked, and that is exactly why the youth loved them, their parents hated them, even though those parents loved Elvis & The Beatles!  I found out about the “sex Pistols” in some “Creem” maginze I bught on KISS, I took an close look at them and thought “That guy has bugers in his nose … Who could possibly think that is cool?” I never listened to them back in the day, I thought why. But in 1987 a year after the “Sid And Nancy” film was released I thought “What is all the hubbub about?” I didn’t find it that offensive, nor that great …. In recent years I have found their music ok, I guess …. I believe “Dead Kennedys” were just a “Sex Pistols” clone. 

*Public Enemy: 1985 Long Island, NY. Still active.

   They have 10 Songs on the Billboard Charts, from 41 Singles, 17 Albums & 4 Vhs- DVDs.

Their last concert here in the Twin Cities was on 30 May 2013, and their 1st appearance was on 12 Dec 1988 MPLS.

Now I had been in the “Record Biz” (at that time it Really was the CASSETTE Biz) for just over a year when the 1st “Public Enemy” Cassette was released, it was a very different time, cassettes had taken over music sales from records as far back as Summer 1984. Here was the Black Guys from New York rappin about their distain for “Whitey” but yet on the Westside of Des Moines, it was young white boys buying their cassettes, heck a regular customer of our Bill S. wore a huge clock around his neck like Flavo Fav. I am sure there were many who felt threatened by this music. I met Chuck & Fav at a costume part in L.A. Sept ’94. I went a s “Ace Frehley” Chuck said to me “Hey Paul” I replied “Right band, but wrong guy” which I thought was odd, as Chuck confessed he was a KISS fan himself. Many years later  in 2006, I was working with a guy (Nofarius) Garius, and he used to play their CDs after we closed. I found after a few plays I rather enjoyed this group.  

*Marilyn Manson: 1989 Fort Lauderdale, FL. still out there. 

   Surprisingly they have 17 Hits from 33 Singles, 14 Albums, 6 VHS & DVDs 

Their last show here was on 31 Jan 2018 Maplewood and their first concert here was on 1 June 1994 MPLS.

I had been working for Wherehouse Ent. on the Southside of Des Moines for about a year when  in the summertime really young kids started coming asking for this “Marilyn Manson” my store had not gotten an allocation of the CD yet, so we were unsure what they were asking for. So I ordered it in. Upon arrival I had the same reaction to the cover as I did the first time I saw a photo of the Sex Pistols “Who would wnat this S***?” So we put it on … WOW, what the H*** is this, it’s just a bunch of noise and not very musical, at all, it sounds more like a few chainsaws and some drums …. well I had seen and heard it all before,  “How can we upset people?” like the band covering a Patty Smith song … (look it up) my friend Darin M. played that one for me. About early 2003 I read Mason’s autobiography then their new CD was released “Golden age of Grotesque Burlesque” and I thought “Wow, this CD is really good” so I went back and checked out his previous catalog. SOme of it was ok, I found if a person was pissed off enough they could really get into this music! I met Manson in Nov 2004 in MPLS and their Drummer Ginger Fish in Aug 2003, I was taken aback, how mellow both were. Showbiz.  

*Slipknot: 1995; Des Moines, Iowa – Still Going

   Shockingly they have 18 Hits from 25 Singles 10 Albums 5 VHS & DVDs 

Their last concert was just recently 9 April 2022in MPLS, and their 1st appearance was on 3 May 1999 in MPLS.

I was born in Sioux City, lived in Jackson, MISS. for several years then back to Sioux City, from there I moved to Phoenix, then Minn. then to Des Moines for about 15 years. On Slipknot, I watched them develop and rise to fame as I lived about a mile up the street from Shaun Crahan’s club “Hairy Mary’s” on 23rd and University in Draketown Des Moines, Iowa, where “The Pale Ones” was the house band when they did not have another band booked, some nights we walked down the to check things out, I remember my former band mate Tim F.’s band “DREDGE” played there a few times. I knew Corey Taylor from hanging out in my “RecordShop” in S. Des Moines, had known Jim Root the longest as he hung out in my W. Des Moines, “RecordShop” Mick Thompson worked at “Ye Olde Guitar Shoppe” where I purchased a few Vintage Gibson’s from and I bought my strings from Mick. To entertain myself I used to make up imaginary bands like “Children From Hell” and “Plann B” one time in 1996 I envisioned a band with 3 drummers and a Bassoon player/Vocalist. My co-worker Todd M. of “Joker’s Poem” told me “too late Slipknot has 3 drummers now” well, the band disappeared for awhile, when they emerged they had the masks and matching suits, and music that to me sounded more like a battlefield from an old WW2 film. Well they became internationally famous as you know. 

    So in conclusion, I feel it has everything to do with “Shock Value” and timing, as to top the last most outrageous band (thing), being one of the disenfranchised outcasts in school, and there are many of us out there, we are looking for something to grab onto, something to call our own and unite us with a sense of purpose and identity, a common bond with others who feel the way we do. Sure there were many more, other bands and artists I did not cover here, as I focused on the ones I felt made the biggest impact with the most and longest success. Since I’ve been in the Biz one way or another since 1982 with the 1st band I was in “Palace Guard” with Eric & Pat. As always I welcome any input, comments, and thoughts, as this is just my opinion from my experiences and point of view.

So check in next time ….MrZerr0 

Tune into my Radio Show “PsychoGello Show” *Est. 2017

on Radio WDGY 740AM, Streaming, FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1: Sundays 7:30am. (past 90 Episodes @ www.MrZeroS.Com -Podcast)

Where I have covered many of the artists I have discussed here. 

Brought to you BY:

Mr. Zer0’s 

1744 Lexington Ave. N.

Roseville, MN. 55113

www.MrZeroS.Com

Where “Nerd Is The Word” 

They $ELL:
Classic Music

Retro Toys

Vintage Video Games

And Movies too ….

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