I've always liked this photo of my Les Paul Pro. I've owned many throughout the years, but this one speaks to me. After years of abuse he finally got a well deserved make over see the Peacock Guitar.
A BIG thank you has to go out to all the BSA fans for buying a Bitter Sweet Alley t-shirts, knowing the funds were going to St. Jude Children's Hospital. We can make a difference!
This is my newly painted Proud Peacock guitar, by the fabulous artist: Julie Oaks. This is my Black 1977 Gibson Les Paul Pro that has always been there for me.
"Love You Down," Billboard Hot Black #1. I produced, engineered, and co-wrote. I plugged in my guitar to give them an example of a rock guitar solo, and they wouldn't let me another. I know I could have done better. : )
One of my painting. See other that are available on the ARTWORK tab
Shortly after purchasing this Gibson 335, I wrote the song "Cruisin' the 335," which is on the album Entropia. I gave the song that title, because it reminds me of cruising on the freeway.
The reward for hard work!!! I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for buying my albums and artwork. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IN A CHILD'S LIFE.
This is the very first time Bitter Sweet Alley ever played out. Jan 1972
One of the early Bitter Sweet Alley promotional flyers by the incredible artist Pat Rea
After playing for around 20,000 people at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, MI... I was surprised the next morning to see myself on the cover of The Detroit Free Press!
Pre-Peacock paint. Whammy bar and a single coil Strat pickup in between the humbuckers... bad idea.
A picture of one of my recording consoles - the Otari. I used it with a lot of vintage outboard gear.
I've been accused of eating guitar strings for breakfast. Honestly, I'm not crazy enough to pull a guitar string with my teeth, so I loosen the string first.
The idea of Entropy comes from a principle of thermodynamics dealing with energy. It usually refers to the idea that everything in the universe eventually moves from order to disorder, and Entropy is the measurement of that change. A common example of Entropy is that of ice melting in water. The resulting change from formed to free, from ordered to disordered increases the Entropy.
A very early promo shot taken for the album Project One
Promo Picture 1982
The reward for hard work!!! I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for buying my albums. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IN A CHILD'S LIFE.
I posted some of my painting on social media, and got such a great response... I decided to sell prints certain ones. All money received will be donated to St. Jude.
The Guitar Army 1985 at Harpo's in Detroit, MI. What a great time! This photo is of Mark Farner from Grand Funk and myself. When Mark asked me to sing and play with him on their hit song, "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)," I was blown away!
The Guitar Army 1985 at Harpo's in Detroit, MI. This photo is of Randy California (from the group Spirit) and myself. I was excited about singing harmony on the song "Nature's Way." If you don't know the song, check it out. Great tune!
The Guitar Army 1985 at Harpo's in Detroit, MI.
Sunnyside is the name of a country road that my wife Erica's brother Chris... did NOT live on! :) When he passed away, I thought my emotions would lead me to write a sad song, but every time I thought of Chris, I could only recall him smiling and laughing… which delivered me the song Sunnyside - that nearby country road in West Virginia that Chris always liked the sound of... I know his new address is "Sunnyside."
My trusty Les Paul is getting a well deserved makeover, by the amazing artist Julie Oakes! She's painting a Proud Peacock which is the title track from my Classical album "lost In Control"
Homemade do it yourself videos can be fun!
Another picture from Seller Sound Studio back in the day. Of all the studios that I designed and built, this was my favorite!
What's up with this... I'm not even playing a chord!? I still have this guitar in my collection. It's a Galaxy VI and it cost $39.00. I really wanted a particular black and green guitar, but my mom said it was too much at $69. : )
I had the pleasure of talking with Paul McCartney back in June of 1984. We were at George Martin's recording studio AIR, on Oxford Street in London. It was an incredible, overwhelming experience.
When writing "Atom Dance," I came up with the guitar riff first. Then, I wanted something very different for the chorus. For some reason, I played six different major sevenths chords (which is kind of strange), and it all came together. The guitar melody on top of the chorus is why I named the song "Atom Dance." I've never heard a chorus with that many notes. Since atoms move around so fast, I figured it was the perfect name for the song.
Atom Dust is a song I wrote back in the last 80's for NASA. I was hired to write music for a video they had of an animated asteroid hitting the Earth. I always liked the suspense of the track.
My 1968 Gold Top... what a great guitar!
I was at a St. Jude event when I meet a fellow Detroiter, J.T. Harding! Not only an outstanding individual, he has 7 number one hits. I’m sure our paths will cross again.
These days you can create anywhere! Modern digital features such as recall capabilities and vintage simulation holds no boundaries.
The purple shirt
Bitter Sweet Alley at the outdoor arena Pineknob in Clarkston, Michigan.
He's my little engineer, that never talks back. :)
This is crazy... back in the day, I used to sew a lot of my own clothes. I usually couldn't find what I wanted at stores, and when I did, they were way too expensive. I remember making this shirt - cool memories!
Always a great feeling to hear a song of yours on the radio - almost 40 years later!
After my father passed away, we were cleaning out his house. I found these in his drawer. Not sure how he got so many, but it brought a smile to my face. I do miss him.
This brick is from Abbey Road (EMI) Studio #2 where The Beatles recorded most of their songs. If only bricks could talk.
High quality MOMENTS mugs available