The end of next month will mark 40 years that I've been living in my present address near Greenwood. My family moved to my present address in October, 1968.
When my family first moved into the house, our neighbors across the street were Bob Hammond's family. I remember several times hearing Bob and whatever band he was with at the time rehearsing in the family garage. Once in a while, they'd throw the garage door open on a warm spring or summer day, and some of the neighborhood kids would get to watch and hear Bob's band rehearse. Little did I know back then that 15-20 years later I would be writing about Bob in Pennsylvania Musician as he played guitar and sang in such bands as The Rolling Rockers, Red White & Blues and more.
Anyway, fast forward to now. Earlier this afternoon, I heard the sound of electric guitar chords emanating from that very same garage; the teenage son of the current neighbors plays guitar, and I think he has a band together.
The next time I see his mother outside, I plan to mention it to her, and tell her about the music that used to come out of that garage years ago. And who knows, perhaps this youngster might someday make the same type of mark on the local music scene that Bob Hammond eventually did!
One thing's for sure; I'm one neighbor who won't call the cops because I'm hearing music coming out of that garage!
A Little Deja Vu...
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f.sciarrillo
- Diamond Member
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- Joined: Thursday Oct 28, 2004
- Location: Not here ..
These old ladies by my grandma's house used to play and drink gin in the breezeway by the house. One time I saw this lady puking her guts out by the peony bush..she didnt think anyone knew, she got up & touched her hair & spit, and went back in. I always laugh about that, even though it was 20 years ago...I'm sure she's dead now.
My favorite part of working at the Emporium is that occasionally, I get to put a guitar in a kid's hands for the first time. I just love that to no end. I can't help thinking that I may have just handed the kid his life's vocation or avocation. I might have given him the horse to saddle his dreams on. I'm just a music-store guy, and I could be helping dreams be born.
You take a guy like BadDazeRob, who used to come see my band's shows before he was even legal to do so, and now he's out there in the trenches, hitting it hard... I'm proud and humble at the same time. Proud that I may have played some small part in that, and humble because he's good at what he does, and I certainly had nothing to do with that part, that's his talent and drive.
I have a friend/former neighbor named Phil McIntire who got a drumkit for Christmas a number of years ago. That afternoon you could hear him all over our neighborhood, attempting to play a beat, any beat. He got better pretty quick, and by late spring, the neighborhood also got to hear his junior-high buddies jamming with him. As musicians, we all smile a little when we hear young bucks rehearsing with their garage band, don't we?
He's all grown up now, and a hell of a drummer. I suspect he'll be a part of our local rock scene soon enough.
Man, I just don't know what I'd be if I wasn't a musician. Thanks, Dad and Uncle Tim, for having old beater guitars for me to plink on. Thanks, Mom, for putting up with the front porch jam sessions. Thanks, neighbors, for not calling the cops too often. Thanks, Bashful, Defiance, Pegasus and Wicked Truth for showing me what a rock band sounds like, and how to be a band. I owe you.----->JMS
You take a guy like BadDazeRob, who used to come see my band's shows before he was even legal to do so, and now he's out there in the trenches, hitting it hard... I'm proud and humble at the same time. Proud that I may have played some small part in that, and humble because he's good at what he does, and I certainly had nothing to do with that part, that's his talent and drive.
I have a friend/former neighbor named Phil McIntire who got a drumkit for Christmas a number of years ago. That afternoon you could hear him all over our neighborhood, attempting to play a beat, any beat. He got better pretty quick, and by late spring, the neighborhood also got to hear his junior-high buddies jamming with him. As musicians, we all smile a little when we hear young bucks rehearsing with their garage band, don't we?
He's all grown up now, and a hell of a drummer. I suspect he'll be a part of our local rock scene soon enough.Man, I just don't know what I'd be if I wasn't a musician. Thanks, Dad and Uncle Tim, for having old beater guitars for me to plink on. Thanks, Mom, for putting up with the front porch jam sessions. Thanks, neighbors, for not calling the cops too often. Thanks, Bashful, Defiance, Pegasus and Wicked Truth for showing me what a rock band sounds like, and how to be a band. I owe you.----->JMS
Jim, My brother-in-law played with one or two of Bob Hammond"s bands. And practiced in said garage. In fact he and Bob just went fishing together today. I ask Steve to pass along your story to Bob so he can check it out. Buzzy Robinson was the drummer and I think Pat Miginis (spelling?) was in the band.
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nakedtwister
- Platinum Member
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- Joined: Tuesday Feb 22, 2005
- Location: Altoona,Pa
Great stories. I love too hear and read about stories like that. My youngest daughter just started at the new Jr. High and they have a Chorus program. I didn't think she would join because she is a little shy. I failed to do so in school for the same reason. She surprised me when I saw it on her agenda. I'd like to think that getting over my own fears lured her to do the same. I can't wait to see the AAJHS Chorus.