Band Scrapbook

Growing up in the Valley north of Hollywood California, I started listening to AM radio in 1961. At that time most Pop music was based around crooners often named Bobby it seemed. Sometimes they also played other records that I liked better by artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. They also played some Elvis, but he was in his peak more in the 1950’s. In 1962 I started hearing records from bands in the local music scene like Dick Dale doing “Surf Beat”, “Rumble” by Link Wray and “Wipeout” by the Surfaris. That music inspired me to ask my dad to get me my first guitar, and I taught myself how to play. I had already taken accordion and piano lessons for years as a kid.

I formed my first band with school friends playing Surf Music instrumentals. In late 1962, my grandparents took me to the Seattle World’s Fair and bought for me a little silver colored transistor radio. From then on, I took that little radio around with me everywhere I went – listening to local Rock n’ Roll radio stations like KRLA. Then, in 1963 I heard “Surfing USA” by The Beach Boys. I realized I could and should play songs that featured vocals. The first song I sang with my band was “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles – although I had the Elvis Presley version. The local AM radio stations also started playing records from Motown and Stax, so it was an amazing time for varied creative influences.

A few months later, on the school bus, I heard “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles. The very first hearing of that song really clicked and we learned a lot of their songs and started doing more vocal harmony. I bought 45 rpm vinyl records of all the latest songs to learn by ear with my record player. The Beatles and other great English bands were a major life influence for me and inspired me to write my own songs. My first original song was called “Love Me Baby” and only had three chords. It was not very good, but I got a really big kick out of it the first time I rehearsed it with my band.

In 1967, a lot of great American bands emerged like The Doors, Steppenwolf, The Byrds and Jimi Hendrix Experience (who formed in England). In 1969 the bands got heavier like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. All these bands had a major influence on me and my bandmates. We grew up with the likes of The Beatles and came of age with the more Progressive groups. That is one of the great things about having been around for so long as I have. I kept a scrapbook all those years and this Photo Album slideshow documents some of the highlights of our lifelong journey from High School garage band to signed major label recording artists.

I still write, perform and record original songs and I still hope and plan for success – believe it or not. So, I ask you to support my creative efforts as I make them available here at CurtReply.com – thanks, Curt