Formation
In Dec of 82, “Formation” scored our first gig in Clearwater at some divey place on Hercules Ave.
I can’t recall the name of it, but here we were.
One of the first places we played was called “Poor Boys Pub” in Clearwater. It was Spring of 1983.
We had a steady gig in Pinellas Park at the Cinema and Drafthouse–where you could listen to a band and drink at a nice bar, and then go into the theater and watch a movie with your been, food, whatever . . . here is another image taken there.
More at Take Two
By far, the most influential musician I ever met was Henry Piovesan.
We departed Clearwater on our first tour . . . the goodbye’s in Clearwater were tearful.
We spent Bike Week in Daytona . . . we found a nice lady with a house who let us stay there while we played at the local places that we had booked.
Here is Eric with his conga. and here he is just “hanging out”.
We always ate very well–Eric was French and had a special appreciation for food. He was a good chef, and we seemed to eat a lot of spaghetti on the road.
Eric and me in the kitchen in Daytona Beach.
Silas Dents in St Pete Beach, FL
Formation at Silas Dents-St Pete Beach, Florida
Formation on the Road camping near Daytona
“Formation” bus and motorcycles on Daytona Beach. Inside the Band Bus.
“The Last Resort” - Daytona Beach, Florida
We played for a biker wedding in Daytona.
The pretty lady in the blue swimsuit was the bride.
Formation at Harley’s Wedding-Daytona Beach-1983.
This was an incredible event.
SOME OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS CONTAIN NUDITY–IF YOU DON’T WANT TO VIEW THEM, DON’T!
The big guy at the center of the stage was named “Sundance”. He was the textbook biker and could have come straight out of Central Casting in Hollywood. We played for his birthday party.
Another photo at Sundance’s birthday party.
Another picture from the biker wedding.
After Daytona Beach, we hit the road and stopped in Jacksonville Beach. As usual, we just started playing . . . Henry on the Baldwin Acrosonic acoustic piano on the bus, me with my acoustic Ovation, Glenn with his voice . . . and the first people we’d connect with would be the local bikers. If they like you, everything falls into place.
We met Smilin’ Jack, and before long we were playing at “The Oasis”–famous as the launching point of Lynrd Skynrd. I could fill pages about that gig alone . . . but not right now.
This was the day we left there . . .
Much more to follow . . .