I've been a guitar player since 1967 and have been in a handful of bands that never became successful and figure I've lost around $50,000. I now just do only my own music. I play all the instruments and write the songs.
My first Band was in 1967, it was called "The Psychedelic 6" the number would change as members changed.The original members were (Billy Sadler-Bobby Sadler-Leo Wellence-Denny Bennet-Jerry Reed & myself). Next up was "The Psychodic Reactions" named after the song which was our theme song. Other songs that we played back then were: Gloria-The Last Kiss -Walk Don't Run-Pipeline and I'm Not Your Steppin Stone. I then went through my "Folk Rock" period with Jim Berger, Sharon Loafman and Kevin Miller.We had a lot of fun. Did not have another "named" group until 1975 named "Pursuit" which was my favorite group. Next up "Azure Blue" with "Kim French".
I do not play live anymore.
Moody Blues, The Monkees, The Animals,America, The Beatles, Stones, Grand Funk, Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, King Crimson, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Jim Croce, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Heart(Nancy Wilson), and any Michigan groups which they always had a better sound for the sixties generation in my opinion. These were influence’s but I like so many others like the southern rock sound the blues (STEVIE RAY - Gary Moore- Kenny Wayne Sheperd, Eric Johnson) you get the idea,the "Mamas & the Papas", Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Ricky Nelson, Patsy Cline, Hank Jr. so you see the list could go on & on & on &..........infinity. Surprise the "Monkees" were the reason I started playing guitar,(WHO KNEW)...
Les Paul 2014 anniversary edition, Highly modified Epiphone Riviera, Fender strat, Westone bass, Fender amp, Goya classical guitar, Samick flat top guitar Alvarez flat top, Tascam-Teac-Pioneer-and Peavy sound recorders. Peavy speakers. Digitech effects.
I'm happily retired and just playing my guitar and driving my old Chevy.