We did a very special session yesterday. Frank Myers wrote an incredible song . Sands of Iwo Jima. For Don Graves. The last surviving 100 year old soldier that attacked Iwo Jima. When her heard the song he said to Frank. “That’s my exact story in that song! How did you do that? How did you know that?” Of course Don had told him the story and Frank being a great writer he did what great artists do. It both emotional and fulfilling. Lee and John sang a duet to the track airh the perfect interpretation. I still love great writers, musicians, singers and American hero’s. Life is Good. P
We went to see BS&T (group Blood Sweat and Tears for all of you under 40) at the Westgate (International Hilton) Resort and Hotel tonight in Las Vegas. Featuring my dear friend Jason Scheff (bass player/lead vocalist for Chicago) for 30+ years. Jason Scheff is of course the son of Jerry Scheff (bass player for Elvis). I have known Jason since he was 15 being so close with Jerry back in the 70’s and 80’s. It was a Great show of course. Hit acter Hit But. The surprise of the night was when Jason brought Jerry on stage to meet the crowd and play a couple of songs. It was surreal So Jerry is back on the stage where he did 100’s of Elvis shows playing with his successful son, headlining on the same stage as Elvis. After 40 years of working with Jerry off and on in the studio and in the TCB band. Watching young Jason blossom into this great singer with Chicago for 30 years. And now seeing the son bring out the dad who played on all of the International Hilton (Westgate) shows with Elvis was just a wonderfully emotional trip down memory lane. Jerry’s other son Darren was there to support brother and dad on this soecial evening. And it was beautiful. Jason took Peter Cetera’s place in Chicago. After Peter left the group Chicago, I and work with Peter on his albums. His first hit away from Chicago was ‘Glory of Love’ we did. So it was quite a mind scrape blowback in time and relationships tonight. Thanks to John Peer. Head of entertainment for Westgate, for inviting us to the show tonight.
We put together a wonderful Celebration of Life for the remarkably successful songwriter producer Jerry Fuller. We had it at East West Studio (formally United Western, then Oceanway Studios) in Hollywood, where we did albums and TV shows with Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters for 3.5 years. Whitney Houston. Lionel Richie. Etc. John Hobbs became sick so we had Jimmy Cox, Joe Chemay, Cary Park, myself, Wrecking Crew members. Don Randi and Don Peake. Center Staging graciously provided all the backline and Candace and Keith at East West Studio provided the perfect appropriate space for Jerry’s send off. He worked there many times. Writing and Producing the Gary Puckett and the Union Gap hits, Ricky Nelson Hits. Al Green hits. And Nickerbockers hit LIES. He deserved nothing less. Gary Stockdale, Gary Rafanelli, Kevin Montgomery, and most famously Gary Puckett joined us for their vocal performances celebrating Jerry and it was a joy. Another wonderful dream come true to play with Gary Puckett. Life is Good. P
It was so wonderful seeing David Foster again yesterday at his added 2 o’clock performance at the Schermerhorn in Nashville. Been a while. What an incredibly talented musician, song writer, producer. His vocalist/entertainer wife, Katharine, McPhee was just wonderful! His male vocalist, Fernando Valera was absolutely brilliant. Thanks to my buddy John ‘JR’ Robinson for hooking us up. We spent some time reminiscing about the go go days in LA. Since we are both writing our books now we compared notes on what a fast ride that was and how many albums we split! It was crazy busy working on the biggest hits, movies and TV shows of the day. Great seeing Boh Cooper since our Elvis ‘Live’ and Nesmith days together a decade ago now. A complete genius on multiple keyboards. (He will be on our Elvis 89th birthday bash Jan. 8th, @ Third and Lindsley). With Gary Lunn on bass the band just absolutely ‘smoked’ on David’s music. It is incredible, how many hit songs that are the fabric of our musical lives the last 40 years have been crafted by David Foster. Great to see everyone. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon performance.
Great hang with my Elvis World buds on Sunday. Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter was with us as well. James, ‘Skunk’, Link and I jammed a little and I am happy to report James is playing great and looking great. So happy to see him getting better and back in the saddle. Louise was such a great host and we had a ball! Sam Thompson, James Burton, David Briggs, Link Deeton and Jason Scheff. Jeff was getting ice cream I think. Lol.
Joe Testa. Just put together a Vic Firth/Zildjian Artist hang last night celebrating the 400 anniversary of Zildjian! (Yes I’m still a Paiste guy) it was a blast last night hearing everyone play and laying it DOWN! Always fun to see my brothers and sisters in drums. Joe has been my artist rep for over 30 years with Yamaha and now Vic Firth sticks. We have been through ups and downs together. Watched each others families grow up. Joe convinced Yamaha letting me design my own snare drums was a good idea. Now they are legendary collectors items played by the finest drummers in the world on millions of recording and shows. This is a good man and visionary right here. He knows his stuff. Life is Good! P
Back in Vienna for Elvis TCB shows with Dennis Jale and the Vienna Orchestra in Amstetten tonight. So happy to be back at our third home the Intercontinental Hotel in Vienna with TCB. And Dennis Jale. Have a great group of Elvis originals. So sorry we lost the great Jeff Beck today. As we can see with loosing our peers everyday now. It won’t last forever. Hug your Mom, Dad and Kids and Kiddos. Life is Good. P
