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Kansas City, Missouri 1961-1978 |
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The heart and soul of The Blue Velvets was John and myself. John played Fender Jazz Bass through a Fender Bassman Amp, and I played lead on a Fender Jazzmaster through a Fender Concert Amp (both bought new in 1960), all are now vintage instruments and worth thousands apiece. At the very end of our band days (about 1977), both of us converted to Carvin guitars. My Fender was great, but my Carvin is the best I have ever played. I learned to play the guitar from John when he and I roomed together as second semester freshmen at Kansas University (spring of 1959). Several years earlier I had been mesmerized by the virtuosity of Frank Plas, lead guitarist with Roger Calkins and The SilverTones (a local Kansas City band). In 1962 I heard Lonnie Mack for the first time on his seminal album The WHAM of that Memphis Man. I did my best to steal Lonnie's guitar licks. You can hear Lonnie Mack's influence echoed in my lead in The Blue Velvet's cover of Lonnie's "Baby What's Wrong". Needless to say I never had even a fraction of the fame or talent of either, but I do so treasure all my years in The Blue Velvets. At any given time there were four or five of us on stage. We found that four yielded the most $$ per person, so that's where John & I tried to keep it. Our fullest/best sound were those years when the lead vocalist doubled on keyboard, and we had a man on sax - regardless, four men consistently made us the most money. Not as if this were a whole lot - our best year (mid 70's) grossed just a bit over $18,000. About 1970 or so, we decided that our name was a bit too saccharine (Bobby Vinton was passe by then), so we changed it to Reflection. Of course, John and myself were there for the entire 18 glorious years both as Blue Velvets and as Reflection. And yes, we were pretty good! One of the proudest moments in my life happened one day about a year after we had changed our name. A lady called and asked if I was leader of The Blue Velvets. Sure, I said (pays the same by whatever name). She went on to inquire if we were available to play on a certain date. We were already booked and I regretfully declined. Obviously disappointed, she then asked if I could help her get in touch with a band called REFLECTION, because she had heard they were almost as good! Imagine my double gratification and her double disappointment! Life is good! |
Personnel: Influences: Setlist
Sample: Equipment:
Rehearsal
Space: Band
Vehicles: Fashion
Statement: Best
Gig: Gig from
Hell!: Last
Gig:
Dan Martin - Lead
Guitar
John Douglass - Bass Guitar
Other members at various times:
Ed Rode - Guitar
Phil Kezele - Drums
Tom Moran - Vocal
Bill Bockelman -Piano
Mark Curan -Guitar
Bill Noll -Sax
Mike Bashwiner -Vocal
Tony DiPardo Jr. -Drums
Lonnie Mack, B.B.
King
Summertime,
Memphis, Unchained Melody, Proud Mary, Amos Moses,
MacArthur Park
Fender, Carvin, Korg
Many
Blue Velvet lapels
on White Sport Coats
Last Gig - 1978.
People showered us with "best we have ever
heard'
(A) 1969 - Lead
singer ill. Picked up unknown accordian player from
union. During Unchained Melody audience began
laughing. Squeeze box guy had taking out his
partial front teeth bridge and was wearing them on
his nose. (B) 1975: Lead singer ill (again). One of
biggest crowds ever: national sorority gig. Picked
up unknown organist from union. By mid third set,
the guy was so stoned he fell off the bench. Did
the rest of show with him passed out. After show
couldn't wake him. Left him there for
dead.
1978, "Always On
Friday" singles club
on the Damon Label
Where are they now?
Wish I knew
go to:
http://www.martin.mesanetworks.net/banddays.htm
for many more photos of The Blue
Velvets/Reflection
(lots and lots!)
