Saturday, December 20, 2014

BARRY HAY Uncensored U.S.A.: The Legendary Voice & Songwriter of 'GOLDEN EARRING'

Exclusive interview with Barry Hay of Golden Earring 
-Interviewed 12/7/2014
-By Ray Shasho

The GOLDEN EARRING saga is truly significant in the world of pop culture and rock and roll, including one of the most enduring bands in rock history. Golden Earring continues to tour in the Netherlands and is the longest existing rock band in the world, as they were founded in 1961, one year before The Rolling Stones.

TITS ‘N ASS (2012), Golden Earring’s most recent release may be the bands finest since‘Moontan.’ The album reached #1 on the Dutch album charts while performed by the band’s longtime classic lineup. The maturity and prodigiousness of the group is relevant throughout the album and untainted by modern day’s incompetent music mainstream. The album was produced by Chris Kimsey who is distinguished for working with The Rolling Stones. Lead singerBarry Hay performed all the vocals on the album while lying down because of an excruciating injury. Tits ‘N Ass is a genuine rocker with alluring hints of T. Rex, The Hollies, and The Who. There are also several riveting ballads on the release. Barry Hay’s vocals are superlative andGeorge Kooymans’ guitar work is simply awesome. The album also hailed an impressive guitar contribution from longtime friend Frank Carillo (The Bandoleros w/ Simon Kirke). Bassist Rinus Gerritsen and drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk also performed flawlessly on Tits ‘N Ass, while the songwriting team of Hay and Kooymans penned their best lyrical content to date.  Every track is a winner!  … I gave Tits ‘N Ass (5) Stars!

‘TITS ‘N ASS’ -track listing … “Identical,” “Little Time Bomb,” “Cool As It Gets,” “Acrobats And Clowns,”“What Do I Know About Love,” “Still Got The Keys To My First Cadillac,” “Dope Runner,” “This Love Star,”“Stratosphere,” “Over The Cliff Into The Deep Deep Blue,” “Flowers In The Mud,”“Justin Time,” “Avenue Of Broken Dreams,” “Wanted By Women”
GOLDEN EARRING: The Dutch rock group was formed by childhood friends, guitarist- George Kooymans and bassist- Rinus Gerritsen in The Hague Netherlands. Unlike other popular Dutch bands like The Tee Set, The Bintangs, Focus, Trace, and The Shocking blue, Golden Earring has kept the same- four- original band members together since 1970.
The band was originally called The Tornados but later discovered the name was already taken. They eventually came up with the name Golden Earrings from a song originally sung by Marlene Dietrich in 1947 and became a hit for Peggy Lee in 1948.
In 1965, “Please Go” was Golden Earrings first hit single reaching #9 on the music charts in the Netherlands. After “Please Go” seduced their manager Fred Haayen in believing he had found a Dutch- version of The Beatles, he rushed the Earrings into Pye studios in London to record their debut album "Just Ear-rings."
Their single "That Day," reached #2 on the Dutch charts. The single was beaten out of the #1 spot by The Beatles love ballad “Michelle.”

Lead singer BARRY HAY joined The Earrings in 1967 replacing French singer Frans Krassenburg.
Golden Earring earned their first #1 hit in the Netherlands with the pop song “Dong- Dong- Diki- Digi -Dong".

In 1969, they released a successful psychedelic album called “Eight Miles High,” originally a hit for The Byrds in 1966. The album featured a nineteen-minute version of the title track. Their on- stage version of the song lasted much longer and was considered one of the most memorable jams on their U.S. tour.

Progressing into hard rock, Golden Earring embarked on their first major U.S. tour in 1969. The band performed with Jim Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Procol Harum. Between 1969 and 1984, Golden Earring completed thirteen U.S. tours. During that period, the group performed as the opening act for Santana, The Doobie Brothers, Rush, King Crimson, J. Geils Band, and ZZ Top to name a few.

Golden Earring enjoyed international superstardom in the Seventies with the hit single “Radar Love," from their critically acclaimed “Moontan” (1973) release. The album was a huge hit in both Europe and the USA. With “Radar Love” reaching #13 in the U.S., Golden Earring headlined concerts for KISS and Aerosmith.

Golden Earring secured chart success again in 1982 with the release of "Twilight Zone" (Their only #1 U.S. Hit) and “When the Lady Smiles” becoming MTV favorites. Looking to get back to basics and frustrated by U.S. censorship of their music videos, the band continued their music efforts primarily in Europe.

Golden Earring has recorded over 30 gold and platinum albums and singles.

The bands best- selling albums are ‘Moontan,’ which sold over 1- million copies worldwide, and the unplugged acoustic live CD/DVD- ‘The Naked Truth’ in 1992, which sold over 500,000 copies in the Netherlands alone. Their successful unplugged theater tours also started in 1992.  The album was followed by ‘Naked II’ (1997) and the trilogy was completed in 2005 with ‘Naked III.’The live acoustic albums were also released with additional tracks under the titles…‘The Complete Naked Truth’ and ‘Fully Naked.’  
Studio albums by Golden Earring …
Just Ear-rings (1965), Winter-Harvest (1967), Miracle Mirror (1968), On the Double (1969), Eight Miles High (1969), Golden Earring (1970), Seven Tears (1971), Together (1972), Moontan (1973), Switch (1975), To the Hilt (1976), Contraband (1976), Grab It for a Second (1978), No Promises...No Debts (1979), Prisoner of the Night (1980), Cut (1982), N.E.W.S. (1984), The Hole (1986), Keeper of the Flame (1989), Bloody Buccaneers (1991), Face It (1994), Love Sweat (1995), Paradise in Distress (1999), Millbrook U.S.A. (2003), Tits 'n Ass (2012)

In 2011, the Dutch post group TNT Post honored the band with a Golden Earring commemorative stamp for its 50th anniversary and golden jubilee as a rock band.
“Radar Love” continues to be a heavily popular cover song and performed by such legendary music luminaries as … U2, Carlos Santana, White Lion, Def Leppard, Ministry, and R.E.M to name just a few.

None of the members of Golden Earring have plans to retire anytime soon.

The Golden Earring classic and current band lineup is … Barry Hay (lead vocals, alto flute, guitar, and saxophone), George Kooymans (guitars, vocals), Rinus Gerritsen (bass guitar, keyboards, and synthesizer), and Cesar Zuiderwijk (Drums).

Purchase ‘Tits ‘N Ass’ the incredible CD from the legendary Golden Earring at amazon.com

I had the rare pleasure of chatting with Barry Hay about … Golden Earring’s latest album ‘Tits ‘N Ass” … Singing while lying down … The legendary Moontan album … “The inception of “Radar Love” … The Happy go lucky days of Golden Earring … My infamous ‘Field of Dreams’ question … More Touring …  A new EP forthcoming … And much-much more!

Here’s my interview with the legendary singer and songwriter of Golden Earring …BARRY HAY

 -I spoke with Barry from his home in Curacao

Ray Shasho: Hi Barry!
Barry Hay: “Hi Ray, you’re spot on time man, well done! My dad was a military man so I grew up very strict.”
Ray Shasho: So how are things in beautiful Curacao?
Barry Hay: “I’ve been living here for eight years now and it was a really good move. I have an apartment in Amsterdam and fly back and forth about once a month. It’s the rainy season here in Curacao, we had showers this morning but it never rains more than an hour, like much of Florida, after that the sun peeks out again. I was fed up with the climate in Holland; it’s so cold and rainy. I was actually born in India and came to Holland when I was eight years old.”
“We were watching an HBO documentary called “Banksy Does New York” and it was fucking great! He’s a British graffiti artist but really sort of subversive in what he does. He came to New York and did one piece a day, 31 works of art in 31 days. He posted pictures of the finished works but wouldn’t say where they were located. His fans had to hunt around the city to find them and people would follow on Twitter and everything. It’s a fantastic documentary … you should check it out.”
Ray Shasho: “I wrote a very nice piece about Golden Earring on celebrating the bands 50th anniversary back in 2011. The group has had a remarkable career and I was very disappointed that more American music journalist had not reported it and frankly just don’t get it.
Barry Hay:  “Well, they did get it but then we moved out and that’s what happened. We brought out this hit called “When the Lady Smiles” and that was a big hit in Holland. The clip wasn’t your middle of the road sort of thing and what MTV did in those days was to cut up everything that was a little bit strange. We were in the top ten of video clips that got mutilated. “Twilight Zone” also got mutilated and at the end it was like a really dreary affair. We just got pissed off and said fuck this shit! Then we just concentrated on Holland, Germany, Belgium … and so that was it. You can hear foul language and watch nudity on HBO, but they are still censoring shows on American public television and I find that strange.  It seems like there has been hardly any progression in the last thirty years.”
Ray Shasho:  Barry, Golden Earring’s latest release ‘Tits ‘N Ass’ is a great album and may be the bands best to date.
Barry Hay: “Yea it is … I know it’s great, especially the way it was recorded because we wanted to record it live and it’s just in one piece. We had Frank Carillo who is a friend of ours that participated who lives in New York and is a fantastic guitar player. We did a lot of preproduction and before we went to London we actually recorded the whole album in Rotterdam at a friend’s studio. We managed to record it in one week. There were a couple of vocal tracks that were done while we were recording …live vocal tracks. It was a pretty good experience for the band to do it that way because we’re not very good at doing the production thing, all the recordings that you here nowadays are really heavily produced and that’s not our thing at all.”

“But the band is still going strong! We have a month off for the holidays and then we’re starting again in January and there’s this big show called ‘Friends of Amstel Live’ and it’s a big party. They turn this hall into like a big pub, the drinks are really cheap and everybody gets fucked up and has a good time. So we’re doing ten of those shows in January. All the bands get to hangout at the same hotel and its one big party that lasts ten days. So who is going to come out of that alive? (All laughing) Then we’re starting the acoustic thing again, we’ve done that for the last decade and we draw a completely different audience, sometimes even three generations. We do ‘The Naked Truth’ sort of thing and expanded it. There’s hardly not a song that we can’t do acoustically. So those shows will be interesting… anyways there’s about 60 shows planned for next year so far, so we’re going to be busy man.”
Ray Shasho: What was it like working with legendary producer Chris Kimsey who worked with The Rolling Stones … Peter Frampton on ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ …
Barry Hay: “He’s a legend but also just one of the guys. He’s really good at recording but not very good at mixing. He can lay down the tracks as nobody else can and the sound was real, but when it came down to mixing he didn’t actually mix, just what he recorded and then said … this is it! So we needed a little bit of mixing and John did that. Bill Wyman was in town and told us … “I like that …Tits ‘N Ass” (in British accent). Those were the legendary words from Bill Wyman. (All laughing)”
Ray Shasho: “Who came up with the ‘Tits ‘N Ass’ title?
Barry Hay: “I said let’s call it “Tits” and then George said let’s call it ‘Tits ‘N Ass.’ It’s a bit jaded but I remember when we were in the states we had American roadies and they would say … yea man, that’s tits and ass! It was like saying something was alright and real. So it’s a bit rude and a bit naughty and that’s the way we like to project ourselves.”
Ray Shasho: I really feel that the album is the best since ‘Moontan’.
Barry Hay: “I do too, there’s a lot of versatility and a lot of songs as well. There are a couple of great ballads and George is really great at that. We’re working on an EP that will be coming out at the end of next year, there’s a song on it called “My Lips Are Sealed,” it’s rocky but also has all these twists and changes because George loves that shit. I always tell him, Jesus Christ man, you have to be a rocket engineer to understand that shit. (All laughing) He likes the sort of mini- operas.”
Ray Shasho: One of my favorite tunes on ‘Tits ‘N Ass’ is “Cool As It Gets,” the melody is … T. Rex, Hollies, and The Who wrapped into one mammoth track.
Barry Hay: “We really wanted to duplicate that sound. Frank (‘Frank the Yank’) is really good at classics and he put that guitar in and I like the lyrics a lot …like a mother being envious of her daughter …the mother always wanted to be like her hip daughter but is not.”
Ray Shasho: You and George Kooymans really shine on the album and your voice sounds better than ever.
Barry Hay: “I sang the whole album lying down. I was trying to get a bottle out of a cupboard and was reaching up and something went out in my back. My back became really sore and thick and I had to go to a chiropractor for it. I was in pain man! The first night I had to crawl to the toilet and it was extremely excruciating. So I had to go to the chiropractor every day, I couldn’t stand up and sang the whole album lying down. There’s a really cool documentary made … the making of … and you see me standing up but that was before it happened. (All laughing) Everybody says you sang really great and I tell them all I was fucking lying down! Could you imagine what happens when I stand up? (Laughing) Maybe they’ll start rolling me in onstage.”
Ray Shasho: I’ve got to talk about Golden Earring’s masterpiece album ‘Moontan’ (released in 1973).  I heard that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi borrowed a riff from the album and it ended up being the main riff for the bands title song “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”
Barry Hay: “Oh sure… that’s absolutely true. A lot of bands were copying that sort of sound. ‘Tragically Hip’ the Canadian band, I met them later and they told me, shit man, we ripped off a lot of your stuff from the ‘Moontan’ album. But it’s all good man; I like getting ripped off because we did something worthwhile to be ripped off. There’s no problem with me there. The good thing with ‘Moontan’ was that obviously “Radar Love” was on it and it has been covered more than 350 times now, and everyday there’s a new cover. There’s a version of U2 doing it and R.E.M. but we didn’t know what we were doing then. We were thinking about breaking up the band and the shows weren’t going that well in Holland and we thought, let’s just make one album and see what happens, if it’s good we’ll stick together and if it bombs we’ll split-up and start doing different things. So anyway the rest is history because it was a big hit in England as well. We were lucky to get on Track Records, the label of The Who, and join them on tour. We did the European tour with them and two gigs at Madison Square Garden. Under their wings man we were pretty secure, it was really good because they helped us out a lot. When we recorded the album we were experimenting a lot more than we’re doing now. We were really lucky because somehow Track Records put us together with IBC Studios and Damon Lyon-Shaw who actually recorded it; he was also the producer for Status Quo. I remember him saying from Status Quo … “It’s all the same ditty isn’t it.”(All laughing)”

“It was a fantastic team and he did a really good job, when you listen to “Radar Love” it still sounds great. So we were just tinkering and having a great time in London and the vibes were really good. We met a lot of people, like the son of an owner of this Greek Restaurant and he brought in Greek food everyday and there were chicks all around … it was a happy go lucky period. We never expected the album to be as successful as it did. We had meetings to discuss what song would be the single, Cesar said “Vanilla Queen” has got to be the single … that’s a hit, and we all said you’re crazy man!  So we had to draw straws and thank God “Radar Love” came out as the single. (All laughing) I’m really glad that Cesar didn’t win that one because “Vanilla Queen” would have been a disaster.”        
Ray Shasho:  Barry, talk about the inception of “Radar Love” penned by you and George.
Barry Hay:  “George had the demo but the guitar was playing the bass line. He was really strumming it, typical George style filling it up and there were no holes in it, completely jam packed. A friend of ours owned a studio in Holland. He was building a studio too and wanted to break in an engineer and George lived near the studio there. So we got the studio for a week for demos and rehearsals and with an engineer for nothing, which was really fantastic for us. We usually worked from seven in the evening through seven in the morning. Of course all that has changed, now we work from seven in the morning through seven in the evening. (All laughing) Anyway, we were playing the tune and George was merrily strumming away, I had the idea because I was always into blues back then, and I thought it would be nice to have the bass play the bottom and have George really boost the guitar to add to the vocals. We tried that and it really worked out well because it made it a lot emptier than it was and made it sound a lot better as well. From there on we tinkered and it just materialized, the song sort of made itself. We were really happy with it because it was a mature song and didn’t sound like a typical pop tune.”

“At that time I didn’t have the lyrics together yet because there were maybe twenty versions. We played the song live and the audience really reacted to it. I remember I had sort of a deadline to finish the lyrics and I loved partying back in those days, I still do but back then I partied every day and I had a lot of guests in the house. I kicked them out but usually they would return at five o’clock in the morning. (All laughing) I remember being pissed off because there were girls there and I had to finish the lyrics. There was an American friend staying at my house, Bob Lambert, who used to be our tour manager in the states. So I finished the lyrics and just had a couple of lines here and there and Bob came back with a couple of people in the morning and he read the lyrics and said, man, this is probably the best you’ve ever written and probably the best you’ll ever write. (All laughing) So I thought that was a good complement. He really liked the “No more speed, I’m almost there” …that was his thing; he was like a speed freak.”
Ray Shasho: It’s amazing how many veterans liked the song too, especially radar specialists.  
Barry Hay: “It’s strange because that word combination didn’t exist. I was going through a dictionary and saw ‘radar’ and my eyes focused on the word like magic … when you’re on the lookout for something it will come. It’s like when you are going to buy a new car and suddenly you see that car all over. When you’re not thinking about it you won’t see it … it’s like that.  It all fell together, it was a magical thing. Also the thing with the Horn Section which was George’s idea, he said let’s put in Horns and it was a nothing to lose situation, we could do whatever the fuck we wanted. The guy that arranged the Horns understood just perfectly what we needed. We brought in Eelco Gelling who played the slide guitar, which was also exciting in the song.”

“I also did the album cover because I had just come back from art school. And of course the original cover got banned immediately in the states. So they put an ear on the cover wearing a gold earring, yea, that’s really creative. It really pissed me off too. The original was fantastic, it was a classic cover.” 
Ray Shasho:  Barry I always wondered about this …When I watched you guys perform “Radar Love” on ‘The Midnight Special’ in 1974, you traded off vocals with George a lot on the song. Did you have problems with your voice during that performance … George looked surprised and a bit panicky each time he had to sing your part.
Barry Hay: “Yea my voice was really-really bad, I actually had laryngitis. When I watched the performance later, I was surprised that it was that good. I was really in pain man!”
Ray Shasho:  “Just Like Vince Taylor” is another great and timeless tune! Originally it wasn’t on the U.S. ‘Moontan’ release but did appear on the European/UK version …
Barry Hay: “Yea that’s a great song; we picked it up and started playing it again and Rinus is playing piano onstage nowadays also. He has this piano with a lot of bass in it. (All laughing) We start it at the show because it’s a true grid rock and roll song. I can tell you something funny about the song; Vince Taylor was an English singer who was pretty popular in France. His band would always wear black with chains and everything and they looked like heavy rockers. They (The Playboys) came to Holland and played where The Rolling Stones played their first gig in Holland at the Kurhaus Concert Hall. I was there with a girl that I was really in love with and she was a big fan of Vince Taylor. She managed to get up front and Vince Taylor was kicking girls and getting very aggressive, and I was like … don’t you fucking kick my girl! Later I found it funny because it was sort of an Iggy Pop type of act. So the song is about the girl taking me there in a way and me being her puppet throughout the thing. I love the song and we still play it like it’s brand new.”
Ray Shasho: You joined Golden Earring around 1967 during the bands psychedelic period … the ‘Eight Miles High’ (1969) album was another favorite of mine.
Barry Hay: “My first album with the band was ‘Miracle Mirror.’ The ‘Eight Miles High’ album was also recorded in England and I remember Keith Richards coming in while we were doing it and he said … “It’s a bit rushed.” So we had two comments from The Stones … “Tits ‘N Ass, I like it” and “It’s a bit rushed.” (All laughing)”
Ray Shasho: I saw The Stones perform in 1975. I had a fantastic front row seat because I was actually working at the venue. The Rolling Stones were terrible that night! I think the opening act … gospel singers called the ‘Mighty Clouds of Joy’ performed better than the Stones that night. The Stones are a great band but have certainly had their share of dreadful moments in rock history.
Barry Hay: “I must have seen The Stones at least ten times. I watched them perform great but also saw them play really-really terrible as well. They did the ‘Pink Pop Festival’ this year which is one of the biggest open- air festivals in Holland and they were really awful. It wasn’t on TV or anything because they banned everything. They couldn’t do anything about it …usually they take the live tracks into the studio, then bounce around with them and enhance them or whatever they do, but they couldn’t do that because this was completely live. So they banned it and said no way man this will not be broadcasted. Everything else was broadcasted except The Stones and they were the headliners. But they were really dreadful.”
Ray Shasho: I really enjoyed your flute playing on the track “Everyday’s Torture” from the ‘Eight Miles High’ album as well.
Barry Hay: “I had to start playing flute because when I joined the band they had a single out called “Sound of The Screaming Day” (1967) which was also recorded in England at EMI studios, and they brought in this flute player who was a really good fucking classical flute player and George was singing the song, so I had to do something instead of just standing there onstage. So they said, why don’t you learn to play the flute, we’ll give you a week to learn and even give you the flute. (All laughing) So I had a guy teaching me the flute for a week but could only play that part. So that was the only thing I could play. I was only interested in getting that part done and that was it, then I would put the flute away. Later on they said, why don’t you play some more flute, but the good thing is that you can’t play flute and sing at the same time … so that’s a blessing. (All laughing) I’ll do a solo once in awhile and the girls will all go ... Ahhh … because they think I’m like the Pied Piper and the flute a romantic instrument, but I don’t think it’s very masculine. (All laughing)”
Ray Shasho:  Barry, what was it like touring America during the “Radar Love” days?
Barry Hay: “They were wild and crazy; I was sucking it up, having a fantastic time and really enjoying myself. It wasn’t work, work, work … for us it was … fun, fun, fun. America was like being a kid visiting a toy or candy factory. I remember driving into New York for the first time in my life and fucking mission accomplished …I can die now. (All laughing) It was exactly like that. As a Dutch boy you see these things on TV like ‘Route 66’ and everything and you have this dream of seeing the country. We also listened to a lot of American music of course but it was like a dream for us and the place to be.”
Ray Shasho: Was there a particular band that you especially enjoyed touring with in America?
Barry Hay: “I really enjoyed touring with J. Geils Band, they were so great and Peter Wolf was so funny. They were one of my favorite bands even before we started touring with them and when I found out we were going to tour with them it was like heaven. I watched them every night man. I also liked touring with The Doobie Brothers, just an amazing band. Shit man, we did two gigs with Led Zeppelin, which is very strange, at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit and that was a mindbender. John Bonham’s drumming was so different from anybody else’s at that moment. Our drummer then Jaap Eggermont decided to stop drumming from the moment he saw John Bonham. He left the band, became a producer and was very successful, but after seeing John Bonham that was it for him. He said I lay down the sticks and will never drum again! (All laughing)”
Ray Shasho: Barry, here’s a question that I ask everyone that I interview. If you had a ‘Field of Dreams’ wish like the movie, to sing or collaborate with anyone from the past or present, who would that be?
Barry Hay: “Jim Morrison. I’d like to sing second voice on anything he’d do. “This is The End” …I love it! I have a lot of favorite singers, like Eric Burdon has also been one of my favorites. Also the first Manfred Mann singer Paul Jones and I thought that Jimi Hendrix was also a great singer. Jim Morrison had this charismatic sort of sound and I don’t know man, the guy didn’t even realize himself how good he was as a singer. It’s like mysticism, there’s something going on man, like melancholy and really bluesy as well, and I think he’s fucking great! And I love the Doors too. I remember joining Golden Earring and was a fan of Bruce Botnick the producer of The Doors, especially of the sound. I asked the band if they liked The Doors and they were not into The Doors at all, which was really strange. I started pushing the Doors on them and finally they understood and became fans as well. They were definitely one of my favorite bands for those days.”
Ray Shasho: Barry, thank you for being on the call today, and for all the incredible Golden Earring music you’ve given us and continue to bring. We miss you in the states man!
Barry Hay: “It was mentioned that David Letterman wanted us to do something on the show but it’s not going to happen anymore because he’s gone! (Laughing)”
“Anyway, thank you so much Ray, take care!”

PURCHASE ‘Tits ‘N Ass’ the incredible CD from the legendary Golden Earring at amazon.com. I gave it (5) Stars!
‘TITS ‘N ASS’ track listing …
“Identical”
“Little Time Bomb”
“Cool As It Gets”
“Acrobats And Clowns”
“What Do I Know About Love”
“Still Got The Keys To My First Cadillac”
“Dope Runner”
“This Love Star”
“Stratosphere”
“Over The Cliff Into The Deep Deep Blue”
“Flowers In The Mud”
“Justin Time”
“Avenue Of Broken Dreams”
“Wanted By Women”


COMING UP NEXT… The Moody Blues co-founder/ singer/ songwriter/flautist … RAY THOMASand Folk/Rock singer & songwriter … JONATHAN EDWARDS (“Sunshine,” “Shanty”)

Contact music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com

Purchase Ray’s very special memoir called ‘Check the Gs’ -The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business … You’ll LIVE IT! Also available for download on NOOK or KINDLE edition for JUST .99 CENTS at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com   - Please support Ray by purchasing his book so he can continue to bring you quality classic rock music reporting.

 Check the Gs is just a really cool story ... and it’s real. I’d like to see the kid on the front cover telling his story in a motion picture, TV sitcom or animated series. The characters in the story definitely jump out of the book and come to life. Very funny and scary moments throughout the story and I just love the way Ray timeline’s historical events during his lifetime. Ray’s love of rock music was evident throughout the book and it generates extra enthusiasm when I read his on-line classic rock music column. It’s a wonderful read for everyone!”    …stillerb47@gmail.com   

COMING SOON… Ray’s exciting new project 
               ‘SAVING ROCK AND ROLL’

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Friday, November 28, 2014

Trini Lopez Exclusive: Rock & Folk Pioneer Celebrates 50th Anniversary of ‘Trini Lopez At PJ’S’

By Ray Shasho
-Interviewed November 14th 2014

Trini Lopez is an international music legend best known for recording classic covers and converting them into danceable songs by adding his own special spin and flavor. Lopez not only makes those notable tunes danceable, but he usually outsells all other artists who have also covered those songs including the recordings by the original songwriters.     
Born in Dallas, Texas, his Father Trinidad Lopez II was a singer, dancer, actor, and musician in Mexico. Trini’s parents moved to Dallas when his dad was eighteen seeking a better life. Trini learned to play guitar from his father and played for money on street corners. He eventually began performing in clubs around the affluent parts of Dallas. Lopez even performed at a club owned by the notorious Jack Ruby.

A true rock and roll visionary … Lopez uncannily wrote and recorded a song called “The Right to Rock” released on a small label called Volk Records in 1958. After hearing the single, King Records offered Trini a three year contract. The only chart hit for Lopez on the King Records label was a Skyliners cover called “Since I Don’t Have You,” Trini’s rendition reached #10 on the Cashbox and Billboard charts.

After one of Trini’s performances Lopez met with another Texan, rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly. Holly tried to help Trini by inviting him to meet with his record producer in Clovis, New Mexico. Lopez became great friends with Buddy Holly and The Crickets. Holly was killed in a plane crash along with Richie Valens and The Big Bopper on February 3rd 1959. Several months after the crash, Lopez received a phone call to come out to Hollywood, California to become the new lead singer of The Crickets.

The Crickets plans never materialized and Lopez took a job at the Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills. The one year run led to a historic engagement at the famous PJ’S nightclub. It was at PJ’S where Lopez landed his big break. Frank Sinatra took notice of Trini’s one-man act and had Don Costaoffer him an eight year recording contract on Sinatra’s label Reprise Records.  Trini’s first two albums were recorded live at PJ’S and successfully launched an incredible music and acting career for the impending international superstar.

 Trini’s most recognizable Hit Singles … “If I Had a Hammer” (#3 Billboard U.S. Hit-1963 -Reached #1 in 36 countries), “I'm Coming Home Cindy” (#39 Billboard Hit-1966), “Michael, (#42 Billboard Hit-1964), “Lemon Tree” (#20 Billboard Hit-1965) “Kansas City” (#23 Billboard Hit-1963), “America, “La Bamba”(1966) “Gonna Get Along With Out Ya’ Now” (1967),  and The Bramble Bush (1967) to name just a few.

(Trini’s music was also spotlighted on various soundtracks including... Apollo 13Born on the Fourth of July and numerous others).

Trini Lopez acting career …
Marriage on the Rocks (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), The Phynx (1970), The Reluctant Heroes (TV Movie -1971), Adam-12 (TV Series 1971-1972), Antonio (1973), The Mystery of the Silent Scream (1977),  The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (TV Series 1977).
Trini Lopez incredible string of TV appearances …
The Greatest Ever War Films (TV Movie documentary) 2014, Trini Lopez Presents Latin Music Legends (TV Movie) 2009, American High School (Video) 2009, Armed and Deadly: The Making of 'The Dirty Dozen' (Video documentary short) 2006, The Best of Music Flashback Television Shows: Featuring Music Scene and Hullabaloo (Video documentary short) 2001, Refrescante 95 (TV Series) 1995, Prima Donnas  1995, Querida Concha (TV Series) 1993, ,Musikladen (TV Series) 1981, A Gift of Music (TV Movie) 1981, Sha Na Na (TV Series) 1978, 1971-1976 The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series), 1976 Celebration: The American Spirit (TV Movie), 1975 Rock on with 45 (TV Series), 1970-1974 The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series), Caesar's Palace Week from Las Vegas (1974), 1972-1974 Stand Up and Cheer (TV Series) 
1965-1973 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV Series), 1971-1972 The David Frost Show (TV Series),1970 The Dick Cavett Show (TV Series), 1970 Playboy After Dark (TV Series), 1968-1970 The Carol Burnett Show (TV Series),1967-1969 The Joey Bishop Show (TV Series),1968 The Song Is You (TV Movie), 1967 Operation Dirty Dozen (Short documentary),1967 Spotlight (TV Series),1967 The London Palladium Show (TV Series),1967 The Dean Martin Show (TV Series),1966-1967 The Andy Williams Show (TV Series),1967 Gypsy (TV Series),1966The Jack Benny Hour (TV Movie),1966 Hippodrome (TV Series) Host
1966 Danger Grows Wild, 1966 The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show (TV Series),1965-1966 Hullabaloo (TV Series)(Host), 1965 Marriage on the Rocks, 1965 What's My Line? (TV Series) - Mystery Guest, 1964-1965 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series), 1964-1965 The Hollywood Palace (TV Series), 1964 The Bob Hope Show (TV Series),1964 The Bob Hope Thanksgiving Special (TV Special), 1963 Celebrity Party (TV Movie) 

The Gibson guitar company asked Trini Lopez to design a guitar for them in 1964. The Trini Lopez Standard, a rock and roll model based on the Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow body, and the Lopez Deluxe, a variation of a Gibson jazz guitar designed by Barney Kessel. Both were in production from 1964 until 1971 and are highly sought out collector items. Some owners of the guitar include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.

Trini’s last few albums … (2008) ‘Ramblin' Man’ and (2011) ‘Into the Future’ have been critically-acclaimed. ‘Into the Future’ was Trini’s 65th celebrated album of his illustrious musical career.

TODAY … Trini Lopez and Exhibit Records announced the release of a Special 50th Anniversary Numbered Limited Edition of ‘TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ’S The 200 gram vinyl record is beautifully presented in a sturdy old style gatefold jacket featuring the original album art work and for the first time includes the lyrics to all the tunes. The back of each album is foil-stamped with its unique number, and available to purchase
 Track listing:  Side One: A-me-ri-ca, If I Had a Hammer, Bye Bye Blackbird, Cielito Lindo, This Land Is Your Land, What'd I Say Side Two: La Bamba, Granada, MEDLEY: Gotta Travel On,  Down by the Riverside, Marianne, When the Saints Go Marching In, Volare, Unchain My Heart. 

Trini Lopez - guitar, vocals
Mickey Jones - drums
Dick Brant - bass guitar
Producer: Don Costa
Recorded at PJ'S nightclub, West Hollywood, California

‘TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ’S reached #2 on the Billboard charts and remained on the Top 40 for over a year.

Also watch for a NEW RELEASE entitled ‘TRIPLE PLAY’ featuring the legendary Trini Lopez,David Somerville from ‘The Diamonds’ and Maurice Williams of ‘The Zodiacs.’ Available very soon! Watch for the release on Trini’s official website www.trinilopez.com

Trini Lopez is also planning to release a CD featuring all original compositions.

I had the rare and very pleasant opportunity to chat with Trini Lopez recently about … The 50th Anniversary of ‘Trini Lopez at PJ’S’ …Buddy Holly … King Records … The Crickets …Don Costa … Signing with Sinatra …The Dirty Dozen … And much-much more!
Here’s my latest interview with the legendary singer, musician, songwriter, actor, and one of the most exciting and recognized entertainers worldwide …TRINI LOPEZ

Ray Shasho: Hello Trini, thank you for being on the call today from beautiful Palm Springs, California. Let’s first talk about your latest release … A Special 50th Anniversary Numbered Limited Edition album entitled … ‘Trini Lopez at PJ’S.’ This legendary live recording was #2 on the Billboard charts, first released in 1963, and produced by the legendary Don Costa. It also stayed in the Top 40 for over a year.
Trini Lopez: “Yes, I cannot believe that my very first album that I ever did in my life just happens to be after all these years my best seller. So I guess Exhibit Records wanted to jump on the bandwagon and they re-released that album, ‘Trini Lopez at PJ’S’… I was really surprised!”
Ray Shasho: It was such a popular and best-selling album that you followed it up with ‘More Trini Lopez at PJ’S.’
Trini Lopez: “Don Costa, Frank Sinatra’s conductor and arranger on so many great albums … at that time he was riding high with Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Barbara Streisand, Steve and Eydie  and on and on. So he was also my producer on those live albums.
Ray Shasho: What was it like getting signed on Sinatra’s label, Reprise Records?
Trini Lopez: “I wanted to work at PJ’S from where I was working at the time at a little nightclub in Beverly Hills called the Ye Little Club; it was an English pub and a real elegant place. I was booked for two weeks and stayed a year. I kept hearing about PJ’S and the reason I was excited about one day working there was because I heard that Sinatra went there all the time with all of his buddies. People like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen and all these big stars of the day. When I used to work at the Ye Little Club, I did have a lot of stars come in but they were the young Hollywood. People like Connie Stevens, Robert Conrad and a lot of people who had TV series and were on their way up the ladder of success.”

“I kept hearing about the higher Hollywood Echelon who used to go to PJ’S and when I heard that Sinatra used to go in there I thought… Oh God, I’ve got to work there. So when I finished my year engagement at the Ye Little Club they wanted me to work at PJ’S. I created a big following in Hollywood and so I was very popular there. So they hired me for three months at PJ’S and I stayed a year and a half … all by myself, just me and my guitar. I used to work from 9-2 in the morning; I did four shows and never repeated a song, four hours of singing. I never got a sore throat or got sick by the grace of God. Sinatra started coming in and I was so excited to see him in person and in those days was too shy to even get close or talk to him. After Sinatra came in and saw me about three or four times, he sent Don Costa to talk to me.”

“Don Costa was one of his main record producers for Reprise Records. So Don Costa introduced himself to me and said Trini, I’m here on behalf of Reprise Records. I said oh my God Sinatra’s label. He said yea, you know the label? The reason Don Costa was so surprised that I knew the label was because Sinatra had Reprise at that time for a year or a little longer and had Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., and everybody on the label, but they weren’t selling any records. So I guess they were looking for new blood. Don Costa said we’d like to record you here and I was very surprised. I said not in a studio? He said no we’d like to record you here. I said may I ask why? He said because we want to put on wax all of the excitement that you are creating here at PJ’S. I said that makes a lot sense … well okay. Don Costa came back a couple of times, and the second time he came over to talk to me about signing me up. He said we’d like to give you an eight year recording contract; nowadays you’re lucky if you get a one album deal.  And even in those days it was still unheard of. So we recorded the album and it was a smash. I had “If I had a Hammer” on the album which became a #1 hit in thirty eight countries, and then “La Bamba,” “This Land Is Your Land,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” and all these songs. So the album was out for about five months or so and became a big hit all over the world, I thought I could just become famous only in America (All laughing). So Don Costa said we’ve got to do another album here, I said Don you told me we could go in the studio … and he said we’ll do one more here because your album is such a hit. So they called it ‘More Trini Lopez at PJ’S.’ That album had songs like “Kansas City” and all kinds of hits again. So right after that second live album I started recording in a studio.”
Ray Shasho: What was so amazing about the success of those two live albums … not only was 1963 a turbulent time for America, but your version of “If I Had A Hammer” did better than Peter, Paul & Mary’s rendition of 1962, and then you topped them again with your cover of “Lemon Tree” in 1965. You also had to deal with The Beatles and the British Invasion beginning to make their presence.
Trini Lopez: “People ask me all the time why did you record those songs and I always say because I liked them. I like the lyrics; the melodies, and the message, songs had messages in those days especially in folk music. The only reason I did them is because I liked them. The thing I did different was to put my own spin on those songs, and that I give myself credit for. I not only made those songs listenable, but I made them danceable too. Making songs danceable helped me a lot. After I left PJ’S I began travelling the world and every Discotheque back in those days were not only playing my songs, they were also playing the album all the way through, front and back”
Ray Shasho:   I know you are very proud of your Mexican heritage, but you were actually born in Dallas, Texas? 
Trini Lopez:  “When I was growing up in Dallas and playing in restaurants and this and that, I was approached by this guy that said … Hey kid I saw you do your show and I liked you, I always had my own little combo, so he said I have my own record company here in Dallas, and I was real excited, I was about 15-16 years old. I walked into his office and he was behind this big desk with a big cigar in his mouth and said kid you’re good, I want to record you, but the only problem is that you have to change your name. I said change my name, to what? He said Trini is okay but Lopez has got to go! I didn’t like that at all, I stood up from my chair, shook his hand and said thank you for your time but I can’t do it. I started to walk away and as I got to the door he said kid wait a minute, wait a minute come over here! He said okay you can keep your name.  I stuck to my guns because he said to me … who is going to buy a Trini Lopez record? So I wrote and recorded my first song at that time called “The Right to Rock” and they heard it in Cincinnati, Ohio of all places. I don’t know how they found me in Dallas, but they found me. They said they were King Records and wanted to record me. They told me they also had subsidiary labels like Bethlehem Records and De Luxe Records. You’re not going to believe who was on those labels; they were all black artists like James Brown, Freddie King, Clyde McPhatter, The Drifters, Little Willie John who recorded the original “Fever” … and then on the jazz label they had Bill Doggett who had a big record called “Honky Tonk” …just a great instrumental, and they had a girl singer named Nina Simone, and all these people on the jazz label and King Records. But they were only playing these artists on obscure radio stations and not on mainstream radio. I was the only Latino on that label for about 3-4 years.”

“I landed some regional hits on King Records and then my friend Buddy Holly came along and wanted to help me. Buddy was a very nice person and sweet guy, also very down to earth. That’s why I liked him too. I was appearing in a nightclub at a little town about two hours outside of Dallas called Wichita Falls and a friend of mine was a disc jockey (Tommy “Snuff” Garrett) in that little town. He was doing an interview with Buddy Holly who was in Wichita Falls promoting either “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue” or one of his other hits at that time. He told Buddy, why don’t we have a couple of drinks and I want you to listen to a friend of mine who is appearing at a nightclub here in town. So they came to see me and after the show Buddy was really impressed, he told me that I was really good and wanted me to meet his record producer in Clovis, New Mexico.”

“After my gig, I packed up my Woodie station wagon with about four or five guys in my band and drove to Clovis, New Mexico. That night there was a big party and Buddy said why don’t you sing some songs for us with your band. So I sang about a half an hour. The next morning … the guys in my band woke me up at eight o’clock in the morning and said we’ve got to talk to you. They said we wanted you to know that we had a meeting and all decided that we wanted to go commune. I never heard that word before so they explained to me that it meant community property. They said we don’t want to call it Trini Lopez and His Combo anymore and you’re not going to sing anymore, we’re all going to sing. They were instrumental musicians and I knew they didn’t know how to sing, and they also wanted to split all the money five ways. So after that we recorded only instrumentals and they wouldn’t let me sing… can you believe that?”

“I drove them back to Dallas and told them I was going to get another band and said my goodbyes. Within 2-3 weeks I got another band and appeared at a Dallas nightclub making $800.00 a week. I always made good money with my music. I also got a gig at a Millionaires’ Club in Buddy Holly’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas and making all kinds of money. During an intermission I got a call from my deejay friend “Snuff” Garrett who said The Crickets want you to come to Hollywood and then go on the road with them as their new lead singer. Buddy Holly had died by then.”
Ray Shasho: What was your reaction after hearing that Buddy Holly had died?
Trini Lopez: “Oh God, I was so upset. He was the first guy who tried to help me with my career.”
“I was shocked that they wanted me to join The Crickets in Hollywood. I always wanted to go to California. They sent me money and instead of flying, I drove to LA, because I wanted to stay there permanently. It took me two days to drive all by myself to California. When I got there … The Crickets had a beautiful cliff hanging house overlooking all of Los Angeles and there was partying every night for about two weeks. We were partying with people who already had hit records …The Everly Brothers, Johnny and Dorsey Burnette … all kinds of other stars and of course girls all over the place.”
“So I’m in Hollywood and my money is all gone, I’m broke and didn’t want to borrow money from the guys, so I told my agent Danny, can you get me a gig somewhere so I can make some money until The Crickets decide what they want to do. Within three or four days I auditioned to become the opening act for Joanie Summers (“Johnny Get Angry”) at the Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills. My audition song was Dean Martin’s “Sway.” After playing a few bars he stopped me and said okay-okay you open tonight. He signed me for two weeks and I ended up staying a year. From there I went on to PJ’S and then landed with Sinatra … and the rest is history as they say.”
Ray Shasho: Trini you’re a fantastic performer but it also seems you had good luck on your side as well.
Trini Lopez: “Did I ever … my secretary is writing my life story and I really would like to call my book ‘By the Grace of God,’ we’ve been working on it for about two years now.”
Ray Shasho: When you were working in Dallas did you run into Jack Ruby?
Trini Lopez: “I worked for him at the time I was struggling in Dallas, but I used to make pretty good money. Jack Ruby had two or three strip joints but had one supper club and that’s where he wanted me to work for him and I did. I worked for him about six months and he was very nice to me. He was a tough guy, he’d throw people out of there bodily and fist fights and the whole bit. I could tell he was a tough guy but was very nice to me.”
Ray Shasho: Where were you when President Kennedy was assassinated?
Trini Lopez: “I was appearing at a nightclub in San Francisco called the Off –Broadway on North Beach. By this time, I ‘m already with a couple of albums and they’re selling like crazy. My manager woke me up early in the morning and said sorry to wake you but President Kennedy just got shot in Dallas. I was more surprised that he got shot in my hometown.”
“As I went along with my career, I got to meet the number one hostess on Air Force One when Kennedy was president. She was a real pretty lady. I met her at Peter Lawford’s house; he had a beautiful home in Malibu overlooking the ocean. Peter had a big party one night and said Trini I want you to meet this real pretty lady. He walked me over to her and then left. I asked her name and she said it was Monday. She was very sexy! I asked her what she did for a living. She gave me an interesting look and said I’m President Kennedy’s number one hostess on Air Force One. I thought to myself …I bet you are. (All laughing) I said very nice meeting you and started walking away when she said … In fact, when he finishes work at the oval office, he meets me at the White House library and he loves two of the songs from your album …”Heart of My Heart” and “Goody Goody” those are his favorite songs of yours. I was elated to here that.”
Ray Shasho: Trini you’re my hero man … you and Joey Heatherton?
Trini Lopez: “Yea, I use to date her. She was a sexy lady wasn’t she?”
Ray Shasho: I’ve always had ‘the hots’ for both Joey Heatherton and Ann-Margret.
Trini Lopez: “I knew Ann-Margret too, she’d come see me at PJ’S, her name was Ann-Margret Olsson and soon afterwards she began making movies with Elvis Presley and the whole bit. Elvis was another friend of mine.”
Ray Shasho: What was Elvis like?
Trini Lopez: “Great, a lot like Buddy Holly, real down to earth and friendly. He was my neighbor here in Palm Springs and lived half a block from my house. He honeymooned at that house and from there he moved up a little bit higher to more of a hill in my same neighborhood. I live in an area called Vista Las Palmas and he moved up another ten blocks and lived there for awhile.”
Ray Shasho: I watched a You Tube video of you and Chuck Berry jamming away.
Trini Lopez: “Oh my God yes, I used to host Hullabaloo. A couple of guys from that show emailed me and told me they’re thinking about doing a Hullabaloo Broadway show. That was a great show of course. I used to do the biggest shows on television and it was great!”
Ray Shasho:  Trini you also had an acting career. You played Pedro Jiminez one of ‘The Dirty Dozen’ in that classic 1967 film. Was that actually you climbing up the rope really fast while Lee Marvin fired his weapon at you?
Trini Lopez:  “Yes I did and that was dangerous, if I had let go of that rope I would probably broken my neck. There was no net or anything underneath to catch me. The director, Robert Aldrich, was a real tough guy and he didn’t do any of that, and I wasn’t going to say I don’t want to do it. I had a big part in the movie but Sinatra told me to leave the picture. So because of that I only had a small part, so when people see me tell them not to blink. (All laughing)”

“My contract was for about four months, but I was there seven months and the movie wasn’t even half completed. Sinatra had just married Mia Farrow and the next day flew to London for the honeymoon, just Frank, Mia, and his valet George Jacobs who was my friend too. Sinatra invited me to dinner that following night at his flat in London, when I was getting ready to leave he said, “Trini, I understand that your movie is running really late.” Sinatra knew everything! He said, “You ought to get back to your career, I think you’d better leave the film, the public is very fickle and they’ll forget about you, you’re hot as a firecracker right now.” It took me three attorneys to get me off the film. In those days I was doing four albums a year for Reprise Records.”
Ray Shasho: Trini, here’s a question that I ask everyone that I interview. If you had a ‘Field of Dreams’ wish like the movie, to play, sing, or collaborate with anyone from the past or present, who would that be?
Trini Lopez:  “As far as singing, everybody that I really loved in my day when I was riding high in my career like Bing Crosby …people like that … I did Bing Crosby’s last TV show before he died. We were in London and then he went to Spain to play golf and he had a heart attack. It was a show with a very famous English singer Vera Lynn and she had a lot of big hits. She had this big TV show and wanted me and Mr. Crosby to be her guests. Then I used to do a lot of shows with The Rat Pack …but I just did my own thing all my life.”

“I’m the kind of artist who has never been offered to do a lot of singing with other artists; Sinatra had a thing going where he had all these singers with him on different albums, like the ‘Duets’ albums and I never got offers to do that. One of the latest recording efforts that I have done … there is an album coming out with me, David Somerville from ‘The Diamonds’… remember “Little Darlin’” …I sing with him on that song and even do part of it in Spanish, and Maurice Williams of ‘The Zodiacs’ is on the album. They’re calling the album ‘Triple Play’ and it’s coming out real soon.”
Ray Shasho:   Trini, what other projects are you working on these days?
Trini Lopez: “Well, my last album (Into the Future) is my 65th. Into the Future is an album I’ve always wanted to do because it has some Sinatra songs. There are some songs in there I’ve wanted to do for a long-long time. I’m working on a new album with just original songs. I’m also working on a PBS Special they want to do of me called ‘Trini Lopez and Friends.’”
Ray Shasho: Trini do you have children or grandchildren that are in the music business?
Trini Lopez: “I don’t have any children and never been married. Everybody that I know who got married got a divorce. I’ve always been a bit of a loner anyway.”
Ray Shasho: Trini thank you for being on the call today but more importantly for all the incredible music you’ve given us and continue to bring.
Trini Lopez: “Thank you Raymond and I’m very flattered you said that… my best to your wife and family … let’s keep in touch.”

Purchase Trini Lopez NEW RELEASE: ‘TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ’S’ -Recorded live’ -Exhibit Recordsannounces the release of a Special 50th Anniversary Numbered Limited Edition album of 'Trini Lopez At PJ’S.' The 200 gram vinyl record is beautifully presented in a sturdy old style gatefold jacket featuring the original album art work and for the first time includes the lyrics to all the tunes. The back of each album is foil-stamped with its unique number, available to purchaseNOW at Exhibit Records.

Track listing:  Side One: A-me-ri-ca, If I Had a Hammer, Bye Bye Blackbird, Cielito Lindo, This Land Is Your Land, What'd I Say Side Two: La Bamba, Granada, MEDLEY: Gotta Travel On,  Down by the Riverside, Marianne,When the Saints Go Marching In, Volare, Unchain My Heart.
Trini Lopez - guitar, vocals
Mickey Jones - drums
Dick Brant - bass guitar
Producer: Don Costa
Recorded at PJ's nightclub, West Hollywood, California

Watch for the NEW release entitled ‘TRIPLE PLAY’ featuring the legendary Trini LopezDavid Somerville from ‘The Diamonds’ and Maurice Williams of ‘The Zodiacs.’ Available very soon! Watch for the release on Trini’s official website www.trinilopez.com


Special thanks to the great Billy James of Glass Onyon PR
Also thanks to OraLee Walker

Coming UP Next … Legendary folk/rock singer, musician and composer Jonathan Edwards(“Sunshine,” “Shanty”)

Contact music journalist Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com

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