Erie Music History Podcast

Although he's been living in Phoenix, AZ since 1981, many Erie music lovers still remember Pat Talarico from the 1970s when he played in popular bands such as Red, White, And Blueberry and ATV. Pat takes us through his early years in Erie as a budding musician and songwriter and fills us in on his success over the years since he's left Erie.  Here are some links to Pat's music: http...

Paul and Joe talk about the Nov. 19, 2022 tribute concert to Paul's father who played in bands like the Epics (they played for the Beatles!), The Younger Brothers, and Ruby Port. Paul also tells lots of stories of growing up with a father who toured the country and knew some of the biggest names in music. For tickets to the 11/19/22 event at Rainbow Gardens go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/...

Before Marty Lee — or Hoenes — joined Donnie Iris & The Cruisers, he played in multiple Erie bands such as Red, White, and Blueberry; Reel to Reel; The Fabulous Nobodies; and The Pulse. I interviewed Marty years ago for my book on the Erie County Fieldhouse and a subsequent blog I wrote in 2015 . Each time, he’s been super accommodating and patient with me, and I appreciate him taking the time...

When Barry King moved to Erie in the early 1970s, he almost immediately starting playing in bands like Sky’s The Limit and any others he could get involved with. He loves the Blues, but he’s played plenty of R&B and classic rock over the years, sometimes playing 52 weeks a year. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is...

This is a special episode dedicated to a musician who touched the lives of so many other musicians and music lovers alike in Erie during the 1970s and 1980s. Keith Veshecco is frequently mentioned on this podcast by various guests who knew him as a band mate, teacher, studio owner, or just a friend. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this episode. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for spons...

Not many Erie musicians can say they played 32 days straight ... at the same venue! But Tony Ferrara can. He a veteran of bigger bands that played top 40 music predominately at hotel lounges — bands like Skylift and The Moonlighters.  Today he plays guitar in The Groove , and in this episode he shares what led him to join these kinds of bands as well as some strange and funny moments while on the...

 Although  Mike and Marie Miller knew each other in middle school, they didn't end up playing together until each had been in multiple music acts many years later. They each discuss their musical journeys, with Marie playing in a traveling lounge act while Mike played in rock and country bands primarily in the Erie area. Find more info on them at these links: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandm...

Through bands like Kelly's Cellar, Eddie C & The Bees, The Cows, and The Fabulous Nobodies, Bob Burger was a staple of the Erie music scene in the 1970s. Then, with The Pulse, Burger and his band mates had radio hits with "You Want To Know Why" and "Little Bit 'o Soul." Since leaving Erie in the early 1980s, he has continued to play and record, and since 2012 has...

From clarinet, to guitar, to piano, to bass, Derf Hopsecger has tried them all, although most people in town know him as a piano or bass player. Since his early teens, Derf has been playing live in bands such as The Image and Silverlight, and over the years he has turned into the go-to guy if you need a bass player in a pinch. Today he's still very active in music, and plays bass for the Fabu...

From funk, to R&B, to rock and gospel, bassist Dennis Henderson has played in a bunch of bands over the years, including his current one, The Legend Band, which has been around, off and on, since the 1970s. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age children as well as...

One of the founding members of Friction,  Marty Coe talks about what it was like to play in one of Erie's most popular and successful rock bands of the 1980s and how the band came so close to signing that big contract. Check out Marty's YouTube channels: Let's Talk About Friction Coe-Vid Outstanding! Rock Guy O.R.G. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Musi...

After acting as a fill-in singer for various Erie bands like The Calientes and the Arkay IV, Jon Ims eventually joined CJ Bri. He later would leave Erie and go onto a successful songwriting career in Nashville for artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, and the Dixie Chicks. He talks about those early formative years in Erie; going on the road for 10 years opening for the likes of ZZ Top,...

From Satin Steel to ...The O'Needers? Jamie Shaw is our guest this week, and he talks about playing guitar in the 1980s in popular metal band Satin Steel, which even played a gig at the world-renowned Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA. Jamie played in more than just Satin Steel, though, and he talks about how he even transitioned to playing drums in the The O'Needers for the last 13 years...

As co-owner of Twang Recording Studio (TRS), John Mazza met and recorded countless Erie musicians from the 1970s to the mid 1990s. John talks about the evolution of the studio, his friendship with business partner Keith Veshecco, and some of his most memorable recording sessions. Be sure to check out the episode page on the website where you'll find some previously unreleased tracks from a pr...

Greg Palmer started playing guitar in the early 1960s, and he would go on to play in multiple R&B bands like Eddie Cee & The Bees, Connections West, and The Entertainment Department through the mid 1970s. He remembers almost every band member he’s ever played with and is of the generation of musicians who were playing — oftentimes — six days a week.  www. ErieMusicHistory.com https://www.f...

Started in 1980 and still playing today, Tennessee Back Porch is likely the longest running band in Erie history. Over the years, the band has gone through numerous members, but the husband-wife duo of Chris and Julie Moore has been a constant since the beginning. In this episode, we touch on the band’s origin story and some of the highlights of the past 42 years for this musical couple.  www. Eri...

Ricky Carr is one of those guys who knows people in this town. As a drummer in the 1970s and 1980s, he played in some of the most popular country bands in Erie, including Jerry Tubb’s Lil' Bit of Nashville, Billy Thunder and the Thunderbolts, and Country Legend. He went on to play in oldies bands such as The Classmates, The Upperclassmen, and The Graduates. After suffering a stroke in 2000, h...

In the early 1980s when Pati Williams was going to Edinboro, she barely knew how to play guitar much less the bass she had just bought. That didn't stop her friend from recommending her to a band called Ventura that was playing the Kings Rook Club and was in need of a bassist. She quickly taught herself three songs, passed the audition and began playing with a group of musicians she would joi...

John Novello is on that list of Erie musicians who went on to be successful in the music industry. In the 1960s and early 1970s, before he gained international notoriety playing organ in the jazz fusion band Niacin with Billy Sheehan and Dennis Chambers, he was in Erie playing in bands like the Jades, Symon Grace & The Tuesday Blues, and CJ Bri. John’s now 74, and in addition to music, he’s an...

Throughout the 1970s, you could hear Janice Sands singing in Erie bands like Holy Smoke and Mercy Sakes. In the 1980s, she moved to Las Vegas to continue to pursue her musical career, playing in bands, as a backup singer (including a short stint with Wayne Newton), and as a solo act. She continues to perform in Vegas today and was a lot of fun to interview. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for s...

Growing up in Erie, Ed Russell-Pooton played in bands such as The Image, Twang, and Mercy Sakes.  He has been a working guitarist in New York City since 1978. In 1980 he was awarded the position of lead guitarist for George Usher and the Decoys, one of the major rock bands of the era. While doing studio work he also played the iconic clubs of the time, including CBGBs, Max's Kansas City, and...

As lead singer of Lincoln in the early 1970s, Paul Eisert became a fixture on the Erie music scene at the time. He would go on to join bands like Kid Id and the Egos and eventually learn guitar and join his wife in the acoustic duo Fire & Ice in the late 1980s. Click here for a link to Paul's Spotify page. Click here for a link to Paul's YouTube page. Live show for Make Music Pittsbu...

These two guys made up half of the original lineup of the Cows, but each of them have played in multiple bands and even toured the country together. Friends since they were very young, Dickie and Ron talk about everything from that infamous Cows photo in their underwear to the many reunions the band has had over the years.  Check out a video history of The Cows and photos here. Ricky and the Redst...

Before Mark Nelson, Ph. D. earned those initials after his name and was given the "Distinguished Alumni Award" from Gannon University, he was just a drummer in a bunch of Erie bands like Live Wire (with John Rainey) and eventually the ever-popular Wiggling Judies. Mark talks about his time playing everything from heavy metal, to "modern" original music, and even some country. D...

A lot of Erieites know Tony Stefanelli only for the great chocolate he makes at Romolo Chocolates. What they don't realize is that he's been involved in the local music scene since the late 1960s, first as a guitarist and guitar teacher, and then as one of the area's premier jazz bassists. In this episode he talks about everything from playing guitar in some rough bars back when he...