San Francisco, St. Mary's hospital
When did you begin seriously listening to Top 40 radio?
My first memory is hearing Elvis sing Hound Dog, 1956
What station and where?
KYA, KEWB, San Francisco. I was living in Menlo Park at
the time.
For better or worse, earliest songs etched in your memory?
How Much Is That Doggie in the Window, Bolero ( I had
it on an old 78!)Monster Mash, Purple People Eater, Cherry
Pink & Apple Blossom White (Prez Prado version). Any Bobby
Vinton or Leslie Gore. Andy Williams' "Can't Get Used To
Losing You". And many, many more.
If stranded in the jungle, ten songs you would take:
Frank Sinatra and Count Basie, " I've Got You Under
My Skin. Dave Brubeck, "Take Five" ( the best drum solo).
Ray Charles, "What I Say". Dinah Washington, "This Bitter
Earth" & "September In The Rain". Beethoven's "5th". Beatles,
"And I Love Her" & "Long Tall Sally". Arlo Guthrie, "Alice's
Restaurant" ( you need a sense of humor when stranded in
the jungle). Any Michael English. Vince Gill, "Whenever
You Come Around" (singing along with Vince keeps my falsetto
in shape!).
First few records owned and why:
A cousin gave me "Love Me Tender" when it first came out.
On my 12th birthday I got "Hey, Little Devil" by Neil Sedaka,
and "Runaway", by Del Shannon. One Song, a Hit the first
time you heard it and why: "I Want To Hold Your Hand", a
hit for obvious reasons.
First trace of show business in your blood:
My brothers and me "acting out" The Music Man in our
living room.
First performance in front of a captive audience:
Playing bongos in junior high backing up three girl classmates
singing Beatle songs at a school assembly.
Between the ages of 6 and 16 what was your favorite
radio station:
KSFO, KEWB, KYA, KSAN, KJAZ
Between the ages of 6 and 16 your average daily exposure
to music?
I was always listening to music. Growing up my mother had
music going all the time.
Ulterior uses of music (this one's for Julio but if
you can answer it too):
When I was a kid, I had wanted to be an actor or a
singer. As I got a little older, drums came naturally. I
did it because it was fun. Only reason. (Also try to understand-my
kids are old enough to access this web site)
Name of first band?
Rejoice
Musical repertoire of first band?
All original SF rock. Had a single out-"Sunday Morning In
Golden Gate Park". Terry Melcher (Doris Day's son!) was
our producer. It was L.A. weird experience.
Earliest musical influences and why:
Ray Charles, Dinah Washington and Judy Garland. All
great singers. They were not considered to be great technically,
but had more soul than most.
Between ages of 6 and 16 favorite comedians?
"The Honeymooners". Still my favorite.
Punch line of earliest joke you can recall:
I could never remember jokes. Sorry.
Who or what influenced your sense of humor?
My grandpa Joe Markiewith. He was not a joke teller,
but had a wonderful and humorous outlook on life.
How did you first hear the name BWGP?
My old friend and George Washington HS classmate, Karl Young
invited me to see BWGP play at Great American Music Hall.
I had never heard of BWGP ( I had just returned to the City
after playing with a band in Laguna Beach for a couple of
years).Unfortunatly, I had arrived late, got a table in
the back and drank too much champagne.
When and why did you join BWGP?
After not remembering that first look at the Music
Hall, Karl invited me to see the boy's at the Boathouse
in Sausalito. I didn't drink champagne, got there early,
sat up front and thought I had just seen the best band ever.
I was invited to audition, didn't get the job ( I was their
second choice). The drummer they did hire got drunk and
arrested on his first gig and I got the call. I said yes
and haven't looked back. It's been a great ride that is
still not over.
Earliest recollection of performing with BWGP?
A gig I SHOULD forget. We played with Tina Tuner. I
was so nervous that at the sound check I shared a bottle
of wine with the rest of the Tina band and by show time
I couldn't move my legs. My hands were ok, but the bottom
half was not. I learned a valuable lesson early. Anyway,
if I had pulled a stunt like that again my good friend Jerry
"Butch" Murphy would have converted me to a gelding. Ouch.
Most desperate BWGP moment:
See above!!!!
Most embarrassing moment performing with BWGP:
See above.
Fondest recollection of BWGP:
The Sylvia Hotel, Vancouver, Canada.
Finest sketches:
Too many to remember sober.
Not so finest sketches:
Too few to mention.
Weirdest BWGP moment (on or of stage):
One of the weirdest would be ... Canada, in the middle of
the night, foot races in the buff,( Gary & Wally) in the
middle of a residential neighborhood. I ran (with clothes
on), beat Bob Sarlatte and Jerry lost money betting on Bob.
How do you explain your role in BWGP the 19th Annual
Farwell Performance to new friends or colleagues who have
never heard of BWGP and didn't know you have a secret closet
life?
I'm not out of the closet, yet.
