I’m very proud of my book, Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969. I’ve look at my computer screen hundreds of hours examining, editing, fixing and finalizing it.
Now in 2022, at the age of 73, I can describe and speak more about this offering. Since the paperback self-publishing of this book there have been dozens of books authored by musicians.
What makes my book different than those by famous musicians is simple. I’m not a rock star. My stories are about myself, but they are parallel with thousands of (American and UK) musicians from those 60s years, doing the same thing I was doing.
Baby Boomer musicians I converse with about that time period, musicians, bands, clubs and those things, we typically have a common relationship and story. We knew that musician, played at that club, that kind of thing.
My book is a 60s thing. It’s a blue-collar musicians experience. It’s a B-movie of real life about a young drummer/musician.
My stories are not big concerts or record label contracts, “Almost Famous” Hollywood Glamour. My gigs and travels are closer to those in Hunter Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”.
For me (The 60s) was the greatest time in my life for music, adventure, exploration, travel, relationships, friendships, gigs, automobiles and more.
Myself, and the thousands of individuals that became musicians as teenagers, we experienced a special window in the history of music.
We dreamed of being Almost Famous. Having a hit record, getting paid crazy money. All of those things that artist like The Beatles, Rolling Stones and the long list of successful 60s bands experienced.
I admire those musicians that made it in the music business. I’ve performed with and have several friends with Gold Records and Grammys. I enjoy their stories about playing historical gigs. Sharing the bill with classic 60s bands at an icon venue, TV Show, Woodstock, Hollywood Bowl, Fillmore or Royal Albert Hall.
Though my dream to play the drums was born before The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, that historic event (2/9/64) was the rhythmic downbeat for kids in the 60s to play instruments.
Becoming a professional musician in 1967 (The Summer of Love) at the age of 17, my path and journey was not that of those teenagers playing in bands at teen clubs. At 17, my music world was the adult world of Adult Night Clubs, Topless Bars, Go-Go Rooms, Juke-Joints and Sleazy Lounges. ($15 a night) It was great.
It was a gig, a craft similar to being a mechanic or a plumber, but different. I got paid a weekly salary to play music on my drumset with professional adults. Most of them were 20, 30 and even 40 years old.
I wasn’t a Beatle or a Rolling Stone, but I was a professional musician learning my craft. Growing and developing as a musician from those hours, sets, nights, weeks on a bandstand playing with more experienced musicians.
Just a kid, Junior High School dropout, my adult bandmates were my mentors, truant officers, parole officers, music teachers and custodians.
My book is different. I’m not Keith Richards or Bob Dylan. I tremendously enjoyed their books. I love those stories. I look forward to Bob’s follow up to Chronicles, Volume One. He’s a great writer with a global audience.
Who’s my audience? They are the lounge lizard local player “weekend warrior” retired, but they still love music.
They may have a vinyl record collection, a few vintage instruments. Only listen to music created before disco. They remember paying $5 to see their favorite band. They can’t believe they’re as old as they are. They remember when ________________ .
Maybe they’re someone with curiosity and imagination.
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