TOMBSTONE NJ
The band WAS (RIP) guitarist George Barker, bassist Ray Lehner, Mike Gelbke on drums, Joel Pirard keys. Later Scott Pittman, (RIP) Bass.
1
top 1
24
songs
747
plays
GYPSY GYPSY
George Barker (RIP) and Glen Masso, original keyboardist,, with Joel Pirard song about being bewitched by a beautiful mysterious fortune teller
Spunk Spunk
fun, funky instrumental with a slight hint to 'Frankenstein' but more funked up beat. Written by George Barker (RIP) Joel Pirard
PACK YOUR BAGS PACK YOUR BAGS
Written by Glen Masso when he and George Barker (RIP) were in a band called Topeka, reimagined in Tombstone, and finally recorded now
I WANNA KNOW I WANNA KNOW
A short rocker written by George Barker (RIP) about being happy and hoping it will last
it's in their eyes it's in their eyes
George Barker (RIP) and Joel Pirard wrote this semi autobiographical tale of leaving home for rock & roll and the sad encounter with a lonely hitchhiker
Show all (24)
Albums
JOEL PIRARD: I was in a band named ORION that broke up in 1981. George Barker was in a band called Topeka that broke up around the same time. We formed TOMBSTONE.
I have adapted the stuff we wrote together and 2 he wrote in a TOPEKA and completed all the songs in a home studio. Some are simple, some are a bit more intense. Many speak to simple love and broken hearts.
.
So with your kind indulgence, here are songs I was able to re-record from a terrible source tape. In some cases I had to rewrite lyrics from his buried vocals! Warts and all this is ALL ME.Band/artist history
Mostly formed from 2 bands that used to perform together a lot.
Years ago I was in a band with my friend, former TOPEKA guitarist George Barker, former TOPEKA bassist Ray Lehner, Mike Gelbke on drums, and later Scott Pittman replacing Ray. We were sort of a cross between early Steely Dan and Tom Petty!
All I had for decades was ONE boom box rehearsal tape.
I have over the years ( since 1983 ) listened to it and culled from it for my own recordings.
The band had broken up and George and I had lost touch. Subsequently I found out on Facebook that he had died in 2000. George was an amazing guitarist and songwriter.
Not sure if I will ever release them anywhere, but they need to see the light of day.
I cannot play like George, but I think I captured his essence.
Our mutual friend Glen was with him in his last days, and told me that George always had a kind word for me when ever I was brought up, which HE did often. I had wanted to reach out several times but could not locate him.
He could make you crazy, his playing could make you cry, he could make you want to kiss him. I miss my friend. I wish I could have seen him again. I REALLY wish i could have played with him again.
When I joined Facebook in 2009, he was gone 9 years..
UPDATE: I had lost touch with Scott over the years as well, but former musicians we knew in common informed me recently that Scott, sadly passed away 2 years ago...Have you performed in front of an audience?We were all pretty used to playing live by the time this band formed.
Your musical influences
Jeff Beck, Tom Petty, Allman Brothers Band, Kansas, SteppenwolfWhat equipment do you use?
FENDER STRATOCASTER, FENDER P-BASS, ALESIS QUADRASYNTH, KORG TRITON, CASIO ELECTRIC GRAND, YAMAHA PSR E-303, ZOOM DRUM MACHINE ROLAND DIGITAL RECORDER for the studio recordings,
The vintage recordings were recorded on a Panasonic cassette boombox, my keys were Korg Polysix, Crumar organizeer and a Yamaha CP30 73 note electric piano. Kustom cabinet with 4 channell powered mixer. George used Ampeg amps and Gibson Les Paul, Ray used Fender precison and Ampeg, Mike used Ludwig percussion.
New Windsor, NY
USA
ID
1466822
Contact
Sorry, this artist currently doesn't accept email messages.
Tags
Promoted
Not related to artist
