Something YOU may not know about me:
The Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan for the first time when I was in Oak Grove Jr. High School in Clearwater, FL. Like many of my peers, I was ready to learn to play guitar and grow my hair long. There was a dress code back in those days, so I had to just settle for learning the guitar. I bought a used, black acoustic guitar from the local music store and paid for enough lessons to learn my way around the frets. Two other budding guitarists decided to form a band and somebody had to be Paul (bass player), so I agreed. At first, I just turned the bass all the way up on my guitar, but eventually I acquired a Gibson bass. We added a drummer and called ourselves, "Sounds of Society." We played parties, sock hops and after Football Game dances.
In my senior year, I got a call from a guy in Tampa who wanted some horn players to form a band that could do soul music. We called ourselves "Southern Comfort" (I played trumpet) and it eventually became a full-time gig playing clubs in the Tampa Bay area. When our manager asked us to go on a tour of the northeast, we lost our keys player and that led to a break-up. Shortly after, I became a Christian and let the dream of rock stardom die.
Hello there! I just found your blog yesterday!
Enjoyed the post, but I absolutely HAVE to know which one you are in the pics!
Posted by: Susan Fowler | February 17, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Well, well, well!! You have kept these pics a secret for a very long time. We are sure getting a kick out of seeing them. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Charles and Amy Turon | February 18, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Mike - you are still a rock star at heart! Don't forget, we've gotta get the band together......
Posted by: suzi o | March 01, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Hi Mike........Dwight Gilbert here, do you remember me? just got your FB link from Bob Bouchard. interesting lifetime story. Bob and I are a contact daily and I've been to his house in Missouri a few times. I'm still in Clearwater, in '85 I became a quadripligic from a car accident. But the sun still comes up everyday!
YOU CAN BE A CHRISTIAN ROCKER. There are some very good bands.
Peace,
Dwight
Posted by: Dwight Gilbert | February 22, 2010 at 04:26 PM