Looking back on those years, months, days and even minutes of our obsession with becoming special, important, famous or even just relevant and respected in the music industry, we seemed to overlook the road signs and clues that lay in front of us. We were so young and naive.
I recall sitting in a Vegetarian restaurant in Hollywood and Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, is sitting behind us. He overhears our conversation about our band, and stops to wish us luck. "Stick with it", he said, "I wish you luck, it is hard work".
I remember sitting with my good friend trumpet player Michael Crawford from the Union Gap and White Trash in a nightclub in Glendale, Ca. I was critiquing the band and evaluating whether we could "kick their asses". The band was "Steely Dan". And, the time we were sitting in a house off of Hollywood Blvd., listening to the drummer of a new band from Chicago brag about his band and wondering if we could "kick their asses". The band was "Illinois Speed Press".
I remember listening to rough tapes of a newly formed group being recorded in a studio in Hollywood and discussing whether we could "kick their asses". The group was "Three Dog Night". The same gunfight went on with "Spirit", "Evergreen Blue shoes", "Canned Heat", "The Iron Butterfly", "Steppenwolf", "The Doors", and just about every hardworking competitive band in the "Neighborhood" back then.
Looking back, I often thought that, even with slim to no talent, success always seemed to pan out for those who remained. Don't quit, eventually you will get your turn. Persistence and "stick to it" determination will pay off.
Could we kick their asses? Maybe. Would we? We will never know...some of us never "stuck to it", some did and had mild success, and some found the "holy grail"...fame, and fortune.
Love & Peace
Mike
