horizon13

Funny thing, my dad got stationed in 1965 at Alameda Calif., just as the whole Beach Boy/surf band/Beatles/one hit wonder thing was happening (another beautiful experience). I can only imagine, being the epicenter of the whole LA scene, and soaking up that whole vibe! It too... was a truly magic era. There are thousands of others like yourself, Marvin. In my travels, you can imagine how many folks I've met that share what we read on these pages. As Mulder would say... "we're not alone".

Being a new member, and not really knowing my way around the forum, I realized today at work what you stated above: I've really "strayed from the thread topic". I'll try in the future to find the right, or, start a new thread. I was so excited about the forum itself, that I just started rambling! Sorry...

Thank you for the compliment, but this is really how I live my day to day. While exciting, if you subtract the smoke and mirrors of today's paradigmes, we're still left with who we are. I use all the whistles and bells of todays technology, but only to reinforce what I believe to be true in my heart. We're all at this post for a reason. And while I do think it's to celebrate Raspberries/Eric music, I also feel there's an underlying current of the same camaraderie that was the spirit back in the day (the scent of a new vinyl record? The sleeve art? The sharing!? The excitement!!? The smell of dust on vacuum tubes heating up under your turntable!!!?) It's actually... quite a beautiful thing - and this why I joined the forum

I'm glad I was able to experience those moments. I sometime tell others younger than myself, how those time were; and they look at me as I were speaking of some kind of fantasy. I now know how some of the old timers must have felt about trying to explain the old west, after everything started to get on a grid (indians, open range, possibilities, etc.). I still wear those times, though not in the sense of living in a dream world; and they seem to watch over me like a halo. I was speaking to an old friend who writes for Sony's country music division back in Nashville (Michael McCall), and we're the same age. I said: "Michael, is it just me, or did the sun blaze like a fireball back in those days? Was there not a freedom and a sense of possibility that today seems almost a myth?". He stopped me mid-way through my question, and said: "Most definitely! That was all real, and we were all lucky enough to witness, and be a part of something that will never be again". That "never be again", is what we now lament. Not in the sense of trying to relive our youth, but in the sense of just living a real existence. I've also noticed that there's a common thread running through folks from that time - a gather, or reckoning of unrested souls in flux. We know something happened, we know it was special, and unlike our parents, we're not willing to simply be shoved aside by the present generation or the advent of technologies jive. What were were, is the ONLY reason what is, even has a basis. This is why kids with there head on straight, are still getting off on the music, as well as adopting some of the ideologies/ethic/dress, of those times. Historians/sociologists... will one day have a ball with this one. But by then, I fear it may be just scoffed off... as "a myth".

Sorry to say, but no. It was always in a club situation that never had recording facilities; and almost always with guys who never really dug Raspberries. If you're not into, or have really listened to something, getting a solid groove from other bandmates is a tough go. I can remember having to mostly drive the groove myself, and as a guitar player... that's a hard one. While the guitar really burns on GATW, it's that old Beatles backbeat and bass that's doing the driving - though I'm sure it was very collaborative arrangement. Nothing comes off like that, without the band running on all eight cylinders.

I was playing music from 2003 to 2011 over in Scotland, when the Raspberries had their reunion (still sick over that one). I've been back in the States for 2yrs, and I would travel anywhere in the U.S. to see them again. It isn't even a nostalgia thing with me. While there's a good deal of music out there being made, nothing moves me like that era. I've played GATW many times, along with many really good modern tracks, but everytime I've played that GATW intro... it still gives me chills. That tone (which isn't easily reproduced) has always sounded like something bubbling. As if it was an aural metaphor for passion. Everyone always talks about how great the song is, and rightfully so. But at the same time... it an amazing production. It was everything, that made this record a timeless classic

After hearing their music, they could have been called anything, and I would still have been a fan forever. Though I didn't know of them at the time, I was at their first show as Raspberries - I was 15 or 16. I was a student at Berea High School in Ohio, and a friend brought me out to The Cyrus Erie club where they were performing; I didn't even know they were going to be there, nor had I ever heard of them. Eric was on bass, and I remember how intense he looked. They were flawless and soooo tight. Needless to say... "they were amazing". I also saw them perform as Cyrus Erie, on a flatbed truck in front of Cleveland Auditorium, on they day of my first concert ever (The Doors). On that day... they were the better band. They were tighter, rocked harder, and were more professional on that day, than The Doors. There was also a real joy from the fans at their performance, that seemed to take on a hyped up worship vibe at The Doors concert later that evening. Though I didn't realize the importance (maybe that's a good thing, and the joy of discovery), I'm sure glad I was there...