How it all began
My first exposure to playing music came at age of 5 years old, my mother would take me to piano lessons. I started to play classical piano at about age 7, clarinet at age 9, and various other instruments after that. I acquired my first electric bass guitar in 1970. It was a ¾ scale Yamaha solid body electric, red with a white pick guard and a Vox 50 watt 2x12 combo amplifier. I was determined to learn to play bass, so I studied and practiced 3-4 hours each day after school and through most of the weekends.
In 1975 I joined a local northwest rock band called Windfall playing covers songs by The Who, Journey, Wishbone Ash, Yes, Boston, Rush, Kansas, and several original songs. I left Windfall in 1977 and played in several other bands locally. In 1980 I help start another northwest favorite, No Ties. We played a lot of cover songs and several originals songs. I left No Ties in 1982 and pursued other bands such as Fire Eye in 1982 and other projects. Some of the bands that I helped start were, Visions, Zuzo Blue and Black Pearl. I also had several solo and studio projects. In 2002 I jumped into the local blues scene and started playing at many blues jams and getting into the blues circuit. In 2005 I joined Northwest Blues/R&B favorite The Lloyd Jones Struggle. I learned many valuable musical lessons working with Lloyd as he directed me back to the very roots of blues and R&B. In 2006 I decided to return to Classic Rock and started to attend jams and getting re-connected with classic rock once again.
As far as vocals, I never had any real formal training other than singing in a grade school choir. I sang tenor in a few gospel rock and rock groups while working on developing a comfortable style playing bass and singing together. This was a little overwhelming at first, but after a lot of determined concentration, I finally started to hone my skills. My vocal influences are Jack Bruce and Steve Walsh. However my main mentor was Brad Delp from Boston, I loved his style, range and tone, and found myself easily falling into that. My bass influences are Jack Bruce, Chris Squire, Lee Dorman and Geddy Lee.
I continue working with several very talented musicians in the Portland Metro area, and have been honored and blessed to have been a part of many shows with both local and international talent. Being a founding member of several bands has given me the opportunity to once again be a part of something that I feel makes a positive difference in the Northwest music scene. Now, playing bass and backup vocals in Unchained, I'm enjoying a great group of talent and energy and look forward to many exciting shows ahead.
In 1975 I joined a local northwest rock band called Windfall playing covers songs by The Who, Journey, Wishbone Ash, Yes, Boston, Rush, Kansas, and several original songs. I left Windfall in 1977 and played in several other bands locally. In 1980 I help start another northwest favorite, No Ties. We played a lot of cover songs and several originals songs. I left No Ties in 1982 and pursued other bands such as Fire Eye in 1982 and other projects. Some of the bands that I helped start were, Visions, Zuzo Blue and Black Pearl. I also had several solo and studio projects. In 2002 I jumped into the local blues scene and started playing at many blues jams and getting into the blues circuit. In 2005 I joined Northwest Blues/R&B favorite The Lloyd Jones Struggle. I learned many valuable musical lessons working with Lloyd as he directed me back to the very roots of blues and R&B. In 2006 I decided to return to Classic Rock and started to attend jams and getting re-connected with classic rock once again.
As far as vocals, I never had any real formal training other than singing in a grade school choir. I sang tenor in a few gospel rock and rock groups while working on developing a comfortable style playing bass and singing together. This was a little overwhelming at first, but after a lot of determined concentration, I finally started to hone my skills. My vocal influences are Jack Bruce and Steve Walsh. However my main mentor was Brad Delp from Boston, I loved his style, range and tone, and found myself easily falling into that. My bass influences are Jack Bruce, Chris Squire, Lee Dorman and Geddy Lee.
I continue working with several very talented musicians in the Portland Metro area, and have been honored and blessed to have been a part of many shows with both local and international talent. Being a founding member of several bands has given me the opportunity to once again be a part of something that I feel makes a positive difference in the Northwest music scene. Now, playing bass and backup vocals in Unchained, I'm enjoying a great group of talent and energy and look forward to many exciting shows ahead.