Rockabilly & Punk Legends Together Again!!:
Robert Gordon and Chris Spedding
The Honeybees, The Western Starlanders
Sat, January 28, 2012
Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:15 pm
Reggies Rock Club
Chicago, IL
$17.00
Tickets
This event is 17 and over
http://www.ticketfly.com/event/68435/
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Robert Gordon and Chris Spedding
Robert Gordon grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of the nation's capital of Washington, D.C.. At the age of nine (1956) he was affected greatly by the Elvis Presley song Heartbreak Hotel playing on radio, and decided to attempt a career as a Rock & Roll musician at that young age. He made his recording debut at age 17 in 1964 with a group called the Confidentials. The Confidentials, with Robert (called Bob at the time) as main singer recorded hit songs including, "Summertime", "Money", and "There is something on your mind".
Gordon, referred to by friends and fans as R.G., moved to New York City in 1970 and a few years later joined a punk rock band there known as the Tuff Darts. During 1976, the Tuff Darts recorded "All for the Love of Rock and Roll", "Head over Heels" and "Slash" for a compilation album called Live at CBGB's, which included a number of other local New York City bands.
Record producer Richard Gottehrer discovered Robert during a rehearsal one afternoon with the Tuff Darts and soon afterward the two were talking about making a rock and roll record. Gottehrer was impressed with Gordon's baritone voice and his rendition of Elvis Presley's One Night. After some conversation, Robert suggested working with guitar legend Link Wray. Wray was contacted and he agreed to work with them both. "Robert to me sounds a lot like the early Elvis, back when he was at Sun Records," Wray would comment. Robert Gordon with Link Wray on Private Stock Records was the result of this collaboration. Due to Elvis Presley's death, the album picked up some airplay, and the label Private Stock tried to hype Gordon as the only true heir to the greatness of Elvis Presley. In 1978 Gordon made a second album with Wray, on the Private Stock label, called Fresh Fish Special. The record featured The Jordanaires, who had been background vocalists for Elvis Presley, and included the Bruce Springsteen song "Fire", written for Elvis Presley. Springsteen played keyboards on the track. The Pointer Sisters covered the song and their version scored #2 on the charts, becoming more popular than the original recording. During late 1978, RCA records signed Gordon to a contract which he described as "a dream come true" to be on "Elvis' label". In February 1979 Rock Billy Boogie was released, this time without Wray, as Chris Spedding joined Gordon, playing lead guitar. The title track "Rock Billy Boogie", "Walk On By", "It's Only Make Believe" and "The Catman" received plenty of radio airplay and the album sold fairly well. Writer Bruce Eder (AllMusicGuide) hailed Gordon's next album Bad Boy, released in 1980, as one of the best mature rockabilly albums ever recorded. Highlights include the title cut, "A Picture of You," "Uptown," and "Crazy Man Crazy." Guitarist Chris Spedding's virtuosity is also showcased to great effect. The next and last album for RCA was 1981's Are You Gonna Be The One. It is Gordon's best selling album to date, with more than 200,000 copies sold. Danny Gatton played lead guitar on this record and Marshall Crenshaw penned the single "Someday Someway" which went to #76 on the charts.
During the early 1980s Robert toured briefly with Danny Gatton. One of their gigs was later released on NRG Records as The Humbler and is widely considered to include some of Gatton's best performances. By this time, in the early 1980s the MTV cable network was ascending in popularity. Inspired by Robert Gordon, The Stray Cats, with numerous music videos, became very popular along with it, selling millions of albums.
In 2005, after years of not working together, Gordon and guitar player Chris Spedding reconnected and toured Europe. Highlights from the shows in Denmark, Sweden and Finland were released on "The Reunion Tour", on their own Climate Control label. The French label Last Call released a DVD from the Amsterdam concert, titled Rockin' The Paradiso. They also recorded an album of 15 Elvis songs with the Jordanaires for the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, titled "It's Now Or Never" released on the Rykodisc label. In 2009 and 2010 Gordon toured with an allstar lineup "The Gang They Couldn't Hang" that included Chris Spedding, Slim Jim Phantom and Glen Matlock.
Gordon, referred to by friends and fans as R.G., moved to New York City in 1970 and a few years later joined a punk rock band there known as the Tuff Darts. During 1976, the Tuff Darts recorded "All for the Love of Rock and Roll", "Head over Heels" and "Slash" for a compilation album called Live at CBGB's, which included a number of other local New York City bands.
Record producer Richard Gottehrer discovered Robert during a rehearsal one afternoon with the Tuff Darts and soon afterward the two were talking about making a rock and roll record. Gottehrer was impressed with Gordon's baritone voice and his rendition of Elvis Presley's One Night. After some conversation, Robert suggested working with guitar legend Link Wray. Wray was contacted and he agreed to work with them both. "Robert to me sounds a lot like the early Elvis, back when he was at Sun Records," Wray would comment. Robert Gordon with Link Wray on Private Stock Records was the result of this collaboration. Due to Elvis Presley's death, the album picked up some airplay, and the label Private Stock tried to hype Gordon as the only true heir to the greatness of Elvis Presley. In 1978 Gordon made a second album with Wray, on the Private Stock label, called Fresh Fish Special. The record featured The Jordanaires, who had been background vocalists for Elvis Presley, and included the Bruce Springsteen song "Fire", written for Elvis Presley. Springsteen played keyboards on the track. The Pointer Sisters covered the song and their version scored #2 on the charts, becoming more popular than the original recording. During late 1978, RCA records signed Gordon to a contract which he described as "a dream come true" to be on "Elvis' label". In February 1979 Rock Billy Boogie was released, this time without Wray, as Chris Spedding joined Gordon, playing lead guitar. The title track "Rock Billy Boogie", "Walk On By", "It's Only Make Believe" and "The Catman" received plenty of radio airplay and the album sold fairly well. Writer Bruce Eder (AllMusicGuide) hailed Gordon's next album Bad Boy, released in 1980, as one of the best mature rockabilly albums ever recorded. Highlights include the title cut, "A Picture of You," "Uptown," and "Crazy Man Crazy." Guitarist Chris Spedding's virtuosity is also showcased to great effect. The next and last album for RCA was 1981's Are You Gonna Be The One. It is Gordon's best selling album to date, with more than 200,000 copies sold. Danny Gatton played lead guitar on this record and Marshall Crenshaw penned the single "Someday Someway" which went to #76 on the charts.
During the early 1980s Robert toured briefly with Danny Gatton. One of their gigs was later released on NRG Records as The Humbler and is widely considered to include some of Gatton's best performances. By this time, in the early 1980s the MTV cable network was ascending in popularity. Inspired by Robert Gordon, The Stray Cats, with numerous music videos, became very popular along with it, selling millions of albums.
In 2005, after years of not working together, Gordon and guitar player Chris Spedding reconnected and toured Europe. Highlights from the shows in Denmark, Sweden and Finland were released on "The Reunion Tour", on their own Climate Control label. The French label Last Call released a DVD from the Amsterdam concert, titled Rockin' The Paradiso. They also recorded an album of 15 Elvis songs with the Jordanaires for the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, titled "It's Now Or Never" released on the Rykodisc label. In 2009 and 2010 Gordon toured with an allstar lineup "The Gang They Couldn't Hang" that included Chris Spedding, Slim Jim Phantom and Glen Matlock.
The Honeybees
Formed more than nine years ago by Barbara Clifford (vocals) and Theresa Drda (drums), the Honeybees were created with the idea that female vocals can be reinvented to make an important impact on today’s music scene. The two core members worked with various personnel over the years. Today, the Honeybees' rock-solid line up includes Megan Hassinger (vocals), Manny Guevara (guitar) and Michael Hogeorges (bass). With the tight, expressive harmonies of Barbee and Megan, and with Theresa as the driving force behind the drums, these three women represent the feminine strength behind the name. From there, the Honeybees move into a driving, modern energy mode driven by the varied guitar sounds of Manny and bass styling of Michael.
The band’s musical influences range from rockabilly and roots legends such as Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, Brenda Lee, Chuck Berry, The Sonics, Ricky Nelson, and T-Bone Walker to modern artists such as Rosie Flores and the Paladins.
The Honeybees play a mix of Rockabilly, R&B, Blues all mixed together like a martini. The double vocal from Barb and Megan keep you interested in listening to what else they can do! Theresa keeps the drum the driving force!
The band’s musical influences range from rockabilly and roots legends such as Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, Brenda Lee, Chuck Berry, The Sonics, Ricky Nelson, and T-Bone Walker to modern artists such as Rosie Flores and the Paladins.
The Honeybees play a mix of Rockabilly, R&B, Blues all mixed together like a martini. The double vocal from Barb and Megan keep you interested in listening to what else they can do! Theresa keeps the drum the driving force!
The Western Starlanders
Riding the Same roads that were paved by such artists as Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Tex Williams, and Hank Thompson. The Western Starlanders blend elements of classic Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Hillbilly Boogie, Country, Western, Jazz and Big Band Swing music into all of their material.
The band is comprised of some of the best players in the genre that the Midwestern USA has to offer: The rhythm section features J.P. Cyr on upright bass and lead vocals with Brian Kreutziger on the drumkit and percussion. Together, they form the cohesive unit that gives the Western Starlanders their signature swinging sound. The lead section is comprised of Bobby Rivera on take-off guitar, Bill McRoberts on console steel guitar and Blaine McQuinn on the fiddle. With twin steel and guitar leads and classic “call and response” style solos, these three really bring a big sound.
Innovative arrangements of classic material plus their own original songs ensure that the Honky Tonk Swing of the Western Starlanders look into the rearview mirror of the past while keeping a firm eye at the road ahead.
The band is comprised of some of the best players in the genre that the Midwestern USA has to offer: The rhythm section features J.P. Cyr on upright bass and lead vocals with Brian Kreutziger on the drumkit and percussion. Together, they form the cohesive unit that gives the Western Starlanders their signature swinging sound. The lead section is comprised of Bobby Rivera on take-off guitar, Bill McRoberts on console steel guitar and Blaine McQuinn on the fiddle. With twin steel and guitar leads and classic “call and response” style solos, these three really bring a big sound.
Innovative arrangements of classic material plus their own original songs ensure that the Honky Tonk Swing of the Western Starlanders look into the rearview mirror of the past while keeping a firm eye at the road ahead.
Venue Information:
Reggies Rock Club
2109 South State St
Chicago, IL, 60616
http://www.reggieslive.com/rockclub/index.shtml
Reggies Rock Club
2109 South State St
Chicago, IL, 60616
http://www.reggieslive.com/rockclub/index.shtml
