The Gassmen

Fifty years ago four fraternity members at a small Midwest college decided simultaneously that they wanted to form a rock and roll band. This was not unusual in those days following the Beatles historic appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show. Although little more than acquaintances at that time they found that they shared a love for the new popular music that was infesting the 1960’s. Without instruments, or the ability to play them, they sang along with their favorite records and eventually built themselves into a novelty act performing at fraternity parties and school functions. Tired of disinterested or incompetent backing bands they proceeded to buy whatever instruments they could afford and teach themselves how to play. It was during this time that they all realized what they really wanted to do was write and play their own songs. That was a little unusual with the airwaves and turntables chock full of new and exciting music from the British invasion bands and the American counter attack. Revelers on the local dance floors wanted to hear familiar tunes. Now fast friends, the group worked up a set list of 50% cover tunes and 50% original songs. They enjoyed just enough success over their final two years in college to keep their meager equipment in barely working order. Graduation sent them on their separate ways and this signaled the end of most, if not all, of the college buddy bands.

But this was an unusual band. They didn’t want their friendships or their dreams to be over. They continued to write new songs separately and sent them to each other on tape through the mail. Eventually they arranged reunions of two or more band mates to record their new songs and pass them amongst themselves. That finally led to an annual tradition of all four members getting together with their families to share and record their musical dreams. Through forty years, seven grown children, multiple career paths and hundreds, if not thousands, of miles separating them, the dream lives on. That is very unusual. We now have over 250 original songs in our private collections. Would we have remained good friends without the music? Would we have continued to write music if we were not good friends? Frankly, we cannot imagine one without the other. We are one of the longest tenured amateur bands. We have the longest lasting day jobs imaginable. We were a garage band when garages only had room for one car. We would love to share our music with you. There is plenty of room on our garage walls for your responses. And don’t worry. Nothing you can say will ever discourage us.

A tip of the ol' Gass cap to Eileen, Linda, Piet, John, Peggy, Tom, Ellen, Bill, Matt, Arlo, Judy, Mary Ellen, Pat, Jesse, Ian, Mary, Melanie, Bob G., Dave and Joyce. Thanks for listening.