Jerry Peek

[peekster]

Wow!! - I find myself responding here in the future!! - well, compared to where we were, at least...

To poster toowrongfoo just above, and all of you here, I must address something about this: the bass on which I recorded the entire 'Cruise Missile' track is long gone - it mysteriously 'disappeared' on an Eastern Airlines flight from ATL to Los Angeles, where I was traveling to do my first stint as an endorsing artist at the 1984 winter NAMM show. The Guild Pilot bass that showed up in the Cruise Missile video did not even exist at this point, as far as I know. It certainly did not exist with a 20-fret neck, because I had not yet requested that. The actual bass I had was a G&L knock-off of a P-Bass, if that is even a meaningful description.

I recorded most of the "Introduction" parts in a Tampa, Florida studio whose name escapes me. The band already had done some rehearsing and tracking at the ATL-area studio of the legendary Eddie Offord ["Close to the Edge" by Yes]. During those sessions, Steve had asked me to "make up one of those parts", meaning the thumb-style stuff. I did what I could, and the results are on "The Introduction".

I write this because I sense that people visiting this forum might think I had all this bass sound stuff figured out at the time. I did not!! I was just muddling through, but with the help of Steve M himself, especially on the solo.

So far, I still like it. Thanks for your interest and support.

Best regards,
Jerry Peek

 

[Joshua]

Awesome that you stopped by!

I was already sold on the Dregs when The Introduction came out so I bought it right away and saw the SMB open for Rush. What a show! I also bought a Guild Pilot at that time thinking it was the secret to playing like that.

Good to know you're still out and about!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I saw the SMB on February 22, 1986 at the L.A. Forum, opening for Rush during their Power Windows tour.

 

[Les Fret]

Wow!! - I find myself responding here in the future!! - well, compared to where we were, at least...

To poster toowrongfoo just above, and all of you here, I must address something about this: the bass on which I recorded the entire 'Cruise Missile' track is long gone - it mysteriously 'disappeared' on an Eastern Airlines flight from ATL to Los Angeles, where I was traveling to do my first stint as an endorsing artist at the 1984 winter NAMM show. The Guild Pilot bass that showed up in the Cruise Missile video did not even exist at this point, as far as I know. It certainly did not exist with a 20-fret neck, because I had not yet requested that. The actual bass I had was a G&L knock-off of a P-Bass, if that is even a meaningful description.

I recorded most of the "Introduction" parts in a Tampa, Florida studio whose name escapes me. The band already had done some rehearsing and tracking at the ATL-area studio of the legendary Eddie Offord ["Close to the Edge" by Yes]. During those sessions, Steve had asked me to "make up one of those parts", meaning the thumb-style stuff. I did what I could, and the results are on "The Introduction".

I write this because I sense that people visiting this forum might think I had all this bass sound stuff figured out at the time. I did not!! I was just muddling through, but with the help of Steve M himself, especially on the solo.

So far, I still like it. Thanks for your interest and support.

Best regards,
Jerry Peek

Wow! Thanks for this answer. You are a big inspiration to me! The first band I played bass in did several Steve Morse covers including Cruise Missile. Think I was 18 back then and only played bass for six months (I was playing guitar before) It was a daunting task for sure, but we managed somehow. Your playing on that album is so great. I still listen to it today.

I also wrote a workshop about you in a Dutch printed bass magazine half a year ago.

I hope you are doing fine and that you still play a lot. Any new musical projects we can check?
Best wishes, Barend

 

[winston]

Great to hear from Jerry in this thread! I'm another person who was turned on by seeing Steve Morse opening for Rush on the Power Windows tour, and Jerry inspired my to swap my first bass (Kramer Pioneer JJ) for a blue Guild Pilot.

 

[johndb]

I saw Jerry with Steve Morse at a small club in Champaign, IL while attending the U of I in the late 80's. It was an incredible show, and Jerry's (and of course, Steve's) playing was amazing. After the show my brother and I were able to talk to them at the bar. Really nice guys. Thanks for all the great music.

 

[peekster]

My friends - I realized just now that I need to correct a previous statement. From my initial response above, I meant to say this:

"I recorded most of the "Introduction" parts in a Tampa, Florida studio whose name escapes me [actually the studio was called "Morrisound" - very competent and great guys]. The band already had done some rehearsing and tracking at the ATL-area studio of the legendary Eddie Offord ["Close to the Edge" by Yes]. During those sessions, Steve had asked me on 'Cruise Missile' to "make up one of those parts", meaning the thumb-style stuff. [I already knew I needed to come up with something that I had never heard before: the thumb-style part for a Billy Cobham double-bass-drum bionic shuffle. If you have not heard Cobham do this, you must - right now! - go check out the first track of the monster classic opening track "Quadrant Four" on Cobham's first release, Spectrum. Of course Rod M did a typical heroic job of this as well.]

So I did what I could, and the results are on the "Cruise Missile" track as recorded. Again, I still like it.

BTW, almost forgot: I named the tune.;-)

Thanks again for the kind words. I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
JP

 

[ToddB1963]

My friends - I realized just now that I need to correct a previous statement. From my initial response above, I meant to say this:

"I recorded most of the "Introduction" parts in a Tampa, Florida studio whose name escapes me [actually the studio was called "Morrisound" - very competent and great guys]. The band already had done some rehearsing and tracking at the ATL-area studio of the legendary Eddie Offord ["Close to the Edge" by Yes]. During those sessions, Steve had asked me on 'Cruise Missile' to "make up one of those parts", meaning the thumb-style stuff. [I already knew I needed to come up with something that I had never heard before: the thumb-style part for a Billy Cobham double-bass-drum bionic shuffle. If you have not heard Cobham do this, you must - right now! - go check out the first track of the monster classic opening track "Quadrant Four" on Cobham's first release, Spectrum. Of course Rod M did a typical heroic job of this as well.]

So I did what I could, and the results are on the "Cruise Missile" track as recorded. Again, I still like it.

BTW, almost forgot: I named the tune.;-)

Thanks again for the kind words. I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
JP

Jerry, your playing on The Introduction is extraordinary.

I first heard the album in '85 and it's still one of my favorites.

Thank you

 

[lowendblues]

Great that you chimed in! Big fan here, still got the CD's from back in the day, nearly worn out from trying to play your lines.

 

[Les Fret]

My Jerry Peek tribute video in this topic: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jerry-peek-and-dave-larue-tribute.1629463/

 

[peekster]

Hello, friends! - I apologize if this in the wrong forum. I almost forgot a date of personal significance tnat I thought might interest you. Forty years ago, as measured by these past months in December, January and February, I was performing with the Stere Morse Band [version 1.1], touring as the opening act for Rush [!] for their Power Windows tour. This started in early December in Portland, Maine [if memory serves].

Today is Wednestday, February 11, 2026 and it is my birthday. I am seventy-two years old.

Forty years ago this evening, after a performance of the show, at the invitation of those fine gentlemen. I climbed aboard the Rush tour bus, and was treated to a birthday party, complete with noise makers, silly hats, and general tomfoolery. I also got to sample some wine offered by Alex L - - it seems he had discovered merlot, a wine. [I liked it too, although I'm more a chardonnay fan myself.]

I will never forget the kindness and generosity of the Rush folks, both band and crew. I would not trade those memories for a million bucks.

In the meantime, I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
Jerry Peek

 

[VicDiesel]

I will never forget the kindness and generosity of the Rush folks, both band and crew. I would not trade those memories for a million bucks.

Having recently read Geddy's autobiography, I'll gladly believe this. They seem to be about as genuine a set of gentlemen as bestrode the world's podiums.

Ceterum censeo The Introduction rocks!

 

[FRoss6788]

Hello, friends! - I apologize if this in the wrong forum. I almost forgot a date of personal significance tnat I thought might interest you. Forty years ago, as measured by these past months in December, January and February, I was performing with the Stere Morse Band [version 1.1], touring as the opening act for Rush [!] for their Power Windows tour. This started in early December in Portland, Maine [if memory serves].

Today is Wednestday, February 11, 2026 and it is my birthday. I am seventy-two years old.

Forty years ago this evening, after a performance of the show, at the invitation of those fine gentlemen. I climbed aboard the Rush tour bus, and was treated to a birthday party, complete with noise makers, silly hats, and general tomfoolery. I also got to sample some wine offered by Alex L - - it seems he had discovered merlot, a wine. [I liked it too, although I'm more a chardonnay fan myself.]

I will never forget the kindness and generosity of the Rush folks, both band and crew. I would not trade those memories for a million bucks.

In the meantime, I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
Jerry Peek

Great story Peek!

The Rush gents do seem like genuinely nice guys, and my very longtime favorite band.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Hello, friends! - I apologize if this in the wrong forum. I almost forgot a date of personal significance tnat I thought might interest you. Forty years ago, as measured by these past months in December, January and February, I was performing with the Stere Morse Band [version 1.1], touring as the opening act for Rush [!] for their Power Windows tour. This started in early December in Portland, Maine [if memory serves].

Today is Wednestday, February 11, 2026 and it is my birthday. I am seventy-two years old.

Forty years ago this evening, after a performance of the show, at the invitation of those fine gentlemen. I climbed aboard the Rush tour bus, and was treated to a birthday party, complete with noise makers, silly hats, and general tomfoolery. I also got to sample some wine offered by Alex L - - it seems he had discovered merlot, a wine. [I liked it too, although I'm more a chardonnay fan myself.]

I will never forget the kindness and generosity of the Rush folks, both band and crew. I would not trade those memories for a million bucks.

In the meantime, I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
Jerry Peek

Hi Jerry,

Happy birthday! Unbeknown to us, my SO and a few friends went to dinner in honor of your birthday at our favorite Mexican restaurant yesterday where during our dinner the restaurant staff celebrated three other birthdays!

I saw you on that tour 40 years ago at the L.A. Forum in February. That concert was my Introduction to you and the Steve Morse Band.

Are you still playing?

 

[Joshua]

Hello, friends! - I apologize if this in the wrong forum. I almost forgot a date of personal significance tnat I thought might interest you. Forty years ago, as measured by these past months in December, January and February, I was performing with the Stere Morse Band [version 1.1], touring as the opening act for Rush [!] for their Power Windows tour. This started in early December in Portland, Maine [if memory serves].

Today is Wednestday, February 11, 2026 and it is my birthday. I am seventy-two years old.

Forty years ago this evening, after a performance of the show, at the invitation of those fine gentlemen. I climbed aboard the Rush tour bus, and was treated to a birthday party, complete with noise makers, silly hats, and general tomfoolery. I also got to sample some wine offered by Alex L - - it seems he had discovered merlot, a wine. [I liked it too, although I'm more a chardonnay fan myself.]

I will never forget the kindness and generosity of the Rush folks, both band and crew. I would not trade those memories for a million bucks.

In the meantime, I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
Jerry Peek

Feliz cumpleanos!

 

[winston]

Happy Birthday Jerry, great to hear from you - I saw you with the Steve Morse band opening for Rush in the '80s!

 

[Les Fret]

Hello, friends! - I apologize if this in the wrong forum. I almost forgot a date of personal significance tnat I thought might interest you. Forty years ago, as measured by these past months in December, January and February, I was performing with the Stere Morse Band [version 1.1], touring as the opening act for Rush [!] for their Power Windows tour. This started in early December in Portland, Maine [if memory serves].

Today is Wednestday, February 11, 2026 and it is my birthday. I am seventy-two years old.

Forty years ago this evening, after a performance of the show, at the invitation of those fine gentlemen. I climbed aboard the Rush tour bus, and was treated to a birthday party, complete with noise makers, silly hats, and general tomfoolery. I also got to sample some wine offered by Alex L - - it seems he had discovered merlot, a wine. [I liked it too, although I'm more a chardonnay fan myself.]

I will never forget the kindness and generosity of the Rush folks, both band and crew. I would not trade those memories for a million bucks.

In the meantime, I hope you all are doing well.

Regards,
Jerry Peek

Hi Jerry, congrats! Your playing on the first Steve Morse band album The Introduction is still a huge inspiration for me. Thank you for that!