Frisko Kidd
Monroe, Michigan
1969-1972

 

 

Roy and Randy started out at age 15 in a country band, "Charlie and the Drifters". Then they formed a Rock band named Axis.This all evolved into the band Frisko Kidd. We actually played every high school and many junior high dances in Monroe County. Even played the local Armory and the grandstand at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Randy, Roy and Jerry were in the same grade at Monroe High. Ken was a year younger, same school, and Gary (bass player) lived in a neighboring town - Samaria. What we lacked in talent, we made up for in a good beat and an "Alice Cooper" type show. When we sang "Mr. Spaceman" by the Byrds, Ken came on stage in Bib overalls, a rubber chicken and a blank shooting pistol. Later he came on with a Dracula cape and black eyes, with smoke bombs lit at his finger tips. (they were taped to drumsticks that he held) Sometimes we did original songs, to add to our songlist.

 

Personnel:
Randy Pierce - Lead Guitar
Roy Adkins - Drums
Jerry Bastien - Rhythm Guitar
Gary Vandyke - Bass
Ken Greer - Vocals

Influences:
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Hendrix, Cream, The Guess Who (go Canada!)

Setlist Sample:
Fire, Paint it Black, Jumpin Jack Flash, Proud Mary, White Rabbit, Come on Up, No Sugar Tonight, Born on the Bayou, Magic Carpet Ride, She's Not There, Hey Joe, I'm a Man.

Equipment:
Fender Amps, Teisco Del Ray guitar, Gibson Bass, Kustom Amp, homemade P.A,. Cabinet

Rehearsal Space:
Started out in Jerry's Basement (can't believe we did that to his family!) Roy's garage, and Ken's Garage.

Band Vehicles:
Jerry had a Nash Rambler Station Wagon, Randy had a 65 Corvair, plus parents driving us.

Fashion Statement:
Lead singer dressed like Dracula and Alice Cooper, we all wore decent blue jeans and nice shirts. Tried to grow our hair long, but you know how parents were back then!

Best Gig:
Ida High School Dance - Because we have pictures of the event

Gig from Hell!:
Monroe High Dance, because it was our school, and we were the number 2 band that night.

Last Gig:
Can't Remember that one
Comments:
Roy showed me one of our original song lists last month - 30 years ago when we played the Detroit Beach Club House. I found a song on it called Come on Up. I could not remember that song - did we write it? I did an Internet search and discovered it was a Rascals song, and in my search for the phrase "Come on Up", I found this web page. What a miracle! Keep it burning Dan.

Mr. Spaceman: Ken Greer and his rubber chicken

 

Drummer Roy Adkins

Bassist Gary Vandyke

 
 

Jerry Bastien on Rhythm
 

Randy (left) with Jerry
 

 

Where are they now?

Roy - still lives in Monroe and is a pipefitter at the Chevy Plant in Toledo. He and his wife have 4 adult
children. Roy plays drums for his church, and recorded a few albums with a Christian Rock band and some quartets. He is a Civil War re-enactor, was an extra in Gettysburg, Andersonville, and in Park Service films for Antietam and Fredericksburg.

Jerry - graduated from University of Toledo with a BA in MIS, was System's Manager for mini computers, and is now a Network Administrator. He has published a book on Church History (currently working on his second book) and played guitar for his church's youth group. He lives in Monroe with his wife and son.

Gary - is living in Toledo, Ohio these days. (20 minutes from Monroe) He is the machine repair group leader at a small local branch of an international company based in Germany. Married for 27 years, no children, one dog, one cat. Played with a few local musicians in struggling bands until 1975, when he grew up and realized he had to make a living. Took some college classes and earned a pair of journeyman cards.

Ken ˆ is currently living in Houston, Texas. He played professional football for 2 years and has lived in California and Florida.

Randy - switched from lead to bass when he left the band, and got to travel Europe with a group while in Bible College. After college, did another tour of Europe with his wife and a Christian group named "Immanuel." (played acoustic guitar in that group). Was a full time youth pastor for 13 years, leading worship with six string acoustic. Now lives in Arkansas with wife and 4 children and plays bass for church on occasion (good thing he isn't a Civil War buff, he might have to face Roy the Yankee). Randy currently is the lead player for a Las Vegas/Branson type music show called The Bath House Show.

To date, Jerry, Roy Randy and Ken have all become born-again Christian believers since the band days!!!

 

 

Information contributed by Randy Pierce ibyung2@yahoo.com

 

 
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