I actually remember the day!

I would bet alot of people can't say they have a specific day that they can recall when they fell in love with music... but I do. Sounds funny doesn't it?...but its true. Of course I heard of plenty rock music for as long as I can remember. But for me, there was a single moment where it stopped me in my tracks and forever formed a passion for music in me that has lasted my entire life.

Summer of 1986, I was 12yrs old, playing tennis at the courts in a park by my house (was losing, as always). We were packing up and along comes this purple firebird, with this husky dude wearing tight jean pants and jacket with a huge afro mullet. He cranks the car radio, gets out and sits against the front of the car meeting up some other kids that were there. The song your wondering? "When the Levee breaks"... I wish there were video tape of me, I would imagine I just stopped, mouth open, and stared at him for like 5 minutes. But it was that opening drum beat that got me hooked. I knew right then what I wanted to do, and this is how you do it. I immediately went home and pulled out my parents record collection and found Led Zeppelin II, dropped the needle, and the next song I heard was "Whole lotta love". Oh man! That was it, I surrendered. I'm going to love rock n roll forever. Which I did, and do.

I had always played the piano at house, but really was attracted to the drums. Coincidentally, my brother was just getting into drums and our parents bought a drumset. I played the drums everyday of my life until my next big moment hit me about 5yrs later. The Doors movie came out. Jim Morrison, and all the rock organ songs just floored me. Parents got me a keyboard and off I went. I must have learned every doors song in those next few months.

So for me, I can honestly say, that my two single inspirations and influences originate from two musicians. John Henry Bonham, drummer for Led Zeppelin, and Ray Manzarek the organ player from the Doors. When I die and go to heaven, I cant wait to jam with those guys. Unless they went to hell, which in that case, I would rather hang out down there with them.