In February of 1982, Snapshot was breaking up. I wasn't sure what I was going to do when Scott Byers from a rival band, Blackrose, called me up to talk. He was obvious about his intentions, and I knew I was being considered as an addition to their fine band. Since Snapshot was coming to an end, I told him I was interested. Just like that, we decided to try it.
|
As I recall, I moved my equipment (still
using the Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, and Arp Odyssey) into Skip Willies
night club for rehearsals that led up to a Friday night gig at the same
place. I was introduced to the guys: Scott on vocals and guitar, John
David Martinez on vocals and percussion, Jeff Crisler on guitar and vocals,
Roger Santos on bass and vocals, and Rusty Adams on the drums.
|
The music was fine. These guys played and
sang great. The instrumental was strong with Jeff blowing me away with
his guitar work. Scott was a very accomplished acoustic player making
the hard stuff look easy. The vocal harmony was strong and true. The cover
material was from Jackson Browne to Crosby, Stills & Nash. From the
Eagles to Dan Fogelberg. I really couldn't believe my luck - a lot of
the songs on their list I had performed before.
|
We had a great gig that weekend. They liked me, I liked them. I knew that it was finally time to buy the Yamaha Electric Baby Grand piano I had been looking at for four years. This was the band where I would definitely need it. |