|
Jim
Balcerski
Started
playing guitar in mid 60s when I was about 15. Taught myself with Peter
Paul and Mary records and chord books.
Picked
up a used Fender guitar to play in a garage basement rock band. My singing
was limited to “Papa Oooh Mow Mow” and “Ba Ba Baa
Ba Ba Barbr-Ann” (Beach Boys).
Memorable rock band moments:
1. almost getting electrocuted playing my Fender barefoot before
the days of grounded plugs;
2.
our drummer fell backwards off a stage while playing the drum solo for
“Wipe Out”!
Otherwise we were pretty bad, but we got gigs for free beer and a
date! 21
Yet?.. Hell No.
Went
off to college in ‘66 and started playing and
singing in coffeehouses and churches on campus and in town. Saw
(and was influenced by) Phil Ochs, Leo Kottke, and Tom Rush live in local
(Detroit) venues.
Bought
an acoustic 12 string which was my main instrument into the early ‘70s.
Met
other musicians on campus and played and sang with a 5 part harmony folk
group (we opened for the Chambers Brothers - Woo Hoo!), and began to work
with a few good songwriters as harmony/backup guitar.
These were the heady Vietnam protest days.
Bought my first acoustic 6 string. Helped a school
friend record an album at Capitol Records/Chicago. (My takes never made it
to the final album.)
Got
bounced out of college after about 3 years - probably for paying more
attention to music than organic chemistry.
Stayed in the college town playing coffeehouses, weddings, street
fairs, churches, etc.
Next Page |
