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| MSJ:
Can you catch the readers up on your musical history, both personally and in terms of the Flock?
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| I have always loved music and, at age ten, was given a ukulele and taught how to play four chords, soon switching to guitar. After meeting up with high school friend Rick Canoff who sang, played saxophone and wrote lyrics, we formed a group called “The Triumphs” later to be called “The Exclusives.” One evening in 1965 I went to the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago to see a Battle of the Bands between an American group, The New Colony Six and a group from England called “The Robin Hoods.” Both groups were great and when I asked one of The Robin Hoods where they got their name he said, with a wonderful British accent, "it was between The Robin Hoods or The Flock." A huge bell went off in my head!! Our group, The Exclusives, was looking for a new name. "You mean there isn't a group called The Flock?" The Robin Hood said, "not that we know of". So that was it! The name Flock was imported from England and given to us on a platter. The Flock was born. |
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MSJ: So, what’s the story with the new Flock CD release? How did that come about, what’s special about it, and so on?
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| The new Flock CD is a collection of three projects done between 1976 - 1977 featuring three original Flock members and other very talented Chicago musicians/singers/writers. You will like/love it! |
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MSJ: If you weren't involved in music what do you think you'd be doing?
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| Your guess is as good as mine. |
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MSJ: Who would you see as your musical influences?
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| I was raised with music playing at home all the time, classical, Broadway/stage and popular music. Being born in 1947 I heard a lot of different styles of music. Was heavily influenced by the American Pop music of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Then came the British Invasion, The Beatles, etcetera. |
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MSJ: What's ahead for you?
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| Right now lunch is sounding pretty good. I have been working at The Hadley School for the Blind for the last 30 years and am planning to retire at age 70, a little over two years from now. |
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MSJ: I know artists hate to have their music pigeonholed or labeled, but how would you describe your music?
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| Flock music is a combination of rock, blues, country, jazz, classical and pop. |
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MSJ: Are there musicians with whom you would like to play in the future?
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| Anyone who could physically make it up the stairs to the stage. But seriously, I listen to music every day but no longer play…have been known to sing in the shower now and again. |
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MSJ: How has music changed since the old days of The Flock?
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| Music is music. Of course it has become more technically advanced. |
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MSJ: Do you think that illegal downloading of music is a help or hindrance to the careers of musicians?
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| Hindrance. There is no such thing as getting something for nothing. This creates karmic debt and will eventually have to be paid back. |
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| MSJ: In a related question, how do you feel about fans recording shows and trading them? |
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| Karmically also not a good idea. |
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MSJ: If you were to put together your ultimate band (a band you'd like to hear or catch live), who would be in it and why?
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| Oscar Peterson, Pat Martino, Joe Pass, George Coleman, John Coltrane and Elvin Jones. All great jazz musicians! |
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MSJ: If you were in charge of assembling a music festival and wanted it to be the ultimate one from your point of view who would be playing?
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| Every band in the world! Get ready for a long festival...bring your pillow and blanket. |
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MSJ: What was the last CD you bought and/or what have you been listening to lately?
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| I listen to all kinds of music. |
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MSJ: Have you read any good books lately?
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| Last ones were the seven Harry Potter books. |
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MSJ: What about the last concert you attended for your enjoyment?
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| Probably a classical music concert at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA. |
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MSJ: What has been your biggest Spinal Tap moment?
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| Turning my amp up to eleven! |
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MSJ: If you could sit down to dinner with any three people, living or dead, for food and conversation, with whom would you be dining?
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| Christ, John the Baptist and Joan Rivers. |
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MSJ: What would be on the menu?
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| Chinese and BBQ. |
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MSJ: Are there any closing thoughts you would like to get out there?
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| When all else fails, try praying. |
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| MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound. |
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