In between all of this “artistry”, guitarist Jock Bartley, along with ex-Flying Burrito Brother Rick Roberts, tested the waters with Firefall
in the local club scene, and before they knew it, they had a record deal. You remember them. A staple on the Adult Contemporary charts, the band scored twelve Top 50 hits between 1976 and 1983. I wore out several C-60 magnetic cassette tapes constantly listening to “You are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You” and “Strange Way” on my Panasonic portable.

Like the mountains of Colorado, Bartley is still there, having managed to survive the band’s bazillion configuration changes. Today, Firefall regularly teams up with fellow 70′s icons Poco and Pure Prairie League, a popular casino concert triple billing. Their next solo show is in January.

Both Firefall and the Eagles recorded albums at Criteria Studios in Miami during the 1970′s. You guessed it, this begs another Felder trivia question:
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Lead guitarist Michael Allsup’s work laces a score of the band’s Billboard heyday tunes, among them “One,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “Shambala.” Whether wielding a Les Paul or a Strat, you’ll find him still playing TDN’s greatest hits to a tee live on stage with the current formation.

Incidentally, Mike’s “official web site” charts high on my fave list, pulling in 5+ stars for its Netscape nostalgia, “menus to hell” and sense of humor. Be sure to read his online tales from the rock and roll road.

Three Dog Night’s current tour schedule can be found at their decidedly more conventional site.

Seldom can employees boast 40 years’ company seniority. Both Rick Haynes and Terry Clements can.

Not only that, bassist Rick and lead guitarist Terry have worked for the same boss – Mr. Gordon Lightfoot – for a combined 81 years’ tenure. Both were instrumental (pun intended) in polishing the legendary troubadour’s signature sound during the peak of his career.

Gordon knows, accept no substitutes. These stringbending siamese twins are still backing their boss and don’t show any signs of calling it quits. As long as an unstoppable Lightfoot keeps their fingers nimble by taking his show on the road, it’s likely we’ll see Rick and Terry performing at their respective diamond jubilees.

Gordon Lightfoot @ Massey Hall 2011

Footnote: We got word late yesterday about Terry Clements’ untimely passing on Sunday, February 20. On behalf of Don and myself, our heartfelt condolences to the Clements family, Gordon Lightfoot and band, and all who loved him. May he rest peacefully.
– Mary Bieler, Webmaster

Would you buy a vintage mandolin from a Banana? How about one from a multi-instrumentalist and original member of an American band responsible for generations “Get(ting) Together?”

If you answered yes to either of the above, then read no further and head over to Players Vintage Instruments to place your order.

If you want to be sure where your heading before you click, rest assured it’s to Lowell Levinger, a.k.a. Banana, known for his association with the seminal folk band “The Youngbloods.” The group, fronted by singer/songwriter Jesse Colin Young, scored playlist favorites with “Get Together,” “Sunlight” and “Darkness, Darkness” between 1967-69. If you still don’t recall Banana, play the accompanying video and just look for the hair.

Hackett’s guitar was “instrumental” in solidifying Genesis’ progressive live sound during the early and mid 70′s. After leaving the band in 1977, he has since enjoyed success as a solo artist or as a collaborator, charting his own waters a safe enough distance from the music business “assembly line.”

In March of this year, Steve Hackett was inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the legacy members of Genesis. His newest work, Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth will be released in the U.S. on June 8th.

More about Steve at www.hackettsongs.com

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Shaughnessy’s work has appeared on over 500 (in writing: five-hundred) albums, among them a 1970 release from the obscure improv-jazz-quartet FLOW which featured a crack guitarist by the name of Don Felder.

At age 80, Ed literally still hasn’t missed a beat. You can catch him over the Memorial Day weekend as a panelist at the L.A. Jazz Institute’s East Coast Sounds festival on May 29. He will perform later on in the afternoon with the Mundell Lowe Orchestra in a tribute to composer Alec Wilder.

L.A. Jazz Institute – East Coast Sounds Festival
Recent interview at Jazz Times

Then we posed what we thought to be an impossible question for kids their age: “Who’s your ultimate guitarist from that era?” Out of the blue came, “Louie Shelton.” Swear to God.

After extending our congratulations, we wondered how the heck they came up with Louie Shelton. Had they been spending their spare time reading the liner notes of our vinyl albums?

They obviously know who they’re talking about. Besides being a Platinum Elite Guitarist member, Louie Shelton has an incredible recording career history. Last year he was inducted in to the Musicians Hall of Fame and very recently he gave this interview to All About Jazz.

Regular site visitors know that we like to keep tabs (pun intended) on vintage artists who we think successfully bridge the gap between the baby boomer rock era and Music 2.0.

This week’s “Where Are They Now?” post features ex-Funk Brother and Motown session guitarist Dennis Coffey, otherwise known around here as “Mr. Distortion.” More about Dennis at denniscoffeysite.com