I am grateful that the rhythm section showed up every night. After all, only in the Salvation Army do horns survive alone. Dennis sang his ass off, Gebbie was there on keyboard, Spolan had so many sounds on his guitar, Big Daddy on bass had the bottom covered, John Hoey played his drums and we cooked…
Matt (on sound) captured the moments. I can only wonder why there were so many chicks. Matt (on sound) documented. I was happy to enjoy. Matt (on sound) was a necessary ingredient. Good thing)))
So, what about the other guys?
Dennis (a.k.a. Chico) had an amazing ability out front to connect the rest of us to our audience, and often flattered the horn section. We were happy to respond…
Gebbie was always a surprise. I hate keyboard players who can play so good without music to read. There oughta be a law…
Spolan was sneaky. He could cook with the rhythm section, and then cause breathlessness among the chicks with his own answer to the horn section…
Big Daddy, I think, sometimes understood more about The John Hoey Orchestra than anyone else. Bass players have a way of doing that…
John Hoey was (and is) a drummer (nobody is perfect). Miles had a special way of bringing musicians together too…Thanks John)))