Reo Speedwagon Drummer at our Gig

FuzzBoxVoodoo · #1 08-02-2010, 09:31 AM

We did'nt know that we had Alan Gratzer one of the founding members of REO Speedwagon at a 40th Birthday party that we were hired to do until he left,He did tell me twice "More Bass" and I just thought it was just a regular Joe looking for something to say when I was out with the crowd listening to the sound.
My bass was down lower than usual as I am the sound guy and we just got a new board for this gig and I was too busy dealing with all of the other more noticable issues than my bass that was also in need of some serious EQ attention, which is also why I didnt want to turn up,I have found that if Im not very loud in the beggining it is easier for me to drop out for a measure in certain places to make a quick adjustment.
If I would have known who he was I would have asked him to either sit in for a few songs or just shake his hand and thank him for some of the great tunes that they did.
Steve

waleross · #2 08-02-2010, 10:17 AM

Good report, you never know who is listening. I don't think he would have said the bass is too loud. When in doubt "turn it up"...........................

Mike151 · #3 08-02-2010, 10:25 AM

When someone tells me to turn up, I do it! Every Time! No questions asked. I'll typically trim off some of my highs when I turn up just to make sure I'm not firing clank clank into the crowd. Makes me happy to know that I typically start out at a reasonable volume.
One exception is if it is a fall down drunk dude.

TimK · #4 08-03-2010, 01:28 PM

I played a show a few weeks ago at Bunker's in Minnepolis and "Jelly Bean" Johnson from Morris Day and The Time (the other band in Purple Rain- he also produced soem Janet Jackson tunes) was there. Unfortunelty the crowd was pretty thin, but we played our @sses off and got some good feed back from him. I'm glad we didn't "phone it in" considering the size of the crowd.

You just never know who will be there.

mboogiemanusa · #5 08-03-2010, 10:30 PM

Not to one up your REO story but former guitar shredder Gary Richrath lives within walking distance from a classic rock sports bar in SoCal my bar band gigs regularly. He is known for popping in and doing a quick jam with whatever local cover band is playing. This not really a big deal here in SoCal where every hot waitress is also an actress. I was once at a typical keggar house party and Andy Parker the drummer for UFO was sitting in with the garage band set up in the living room. He was kicking out the jams having a great time. You can regularly find the ex-bass player for Steppenwolf Nick St. Nicholas playing at all the Ventura dive bar blues jams and many other great pro-players. Always fun to jam with the former stars.....nice folks and they appreciate the positive attention.

tfernandez · #6 08-03-2010, 10:54 PM

some guy who claimed to be mitch mitchell was at one of my gigs when I first started gigging. looked a lot like him so I just gonna tell everyone it was him

mboogiemanusa · #7 08-04-2010, 03:13 AM

I once played a battle of the bands way back in the day where the local radio station hired the guitarist of Nazareth - Manny Charlton to be one of the judges. Turns out later that the guy was an impostor. This was way before MTV rock videos and the internet where it would have been easy to check for this. Nazareth were ok but certainly never superstars. Why someone would choose to be a Manny Charlton impostor is a mystery to me.

FuzzBoxVoodoo · #8 08-04-2010, 05:19 AM

It's cool to think about what they do on such a different level compared to what we do,the difference between gig's and Concerts I know how much more fun it can be when the dance floor is kicken just imagine a entire coliseum with a full sound crew.

cap'n crunk · #9 08-04-2010, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mboogiemanusa

Why someone would choose to be a Manny Charlton impostor is a mystery to me.

Because it would take a very rare, obsessive Nazareth superfan to call him out, as opposed to showing up at a venue claiming to be, for example, Mick or Keith.

BobbyLee2112 · #10 08-04-2010, 05:50 AM

I live on long island and I have a RUSH tribute band...rushhour.

about 15 years ago we were playing at the stadium sports bar in Nesconset when a guy walks in with a black top hat,,,,Ritchie Blackmore. I was really nervous at that point but he gave a good review and I clammed up,,,,,