In the beginning...

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.