That is Max's birth last name...
How do you like that..
I never knew him other than Max Mesa
He just now is getting into computers and
got one so I told him I would get him connected up with you...
Later,,,

The VIPs. That's a name from the past I'd forgotten.

I can only remember one Max at this time that I played with. Was it with the VIPs? Not sure.

I thought that Max's last name was Saldoña, or something like that. I used to think it was Ontoña. I never saw it written down, so not sure. This Max was a good guitar player, did the best Louie Louie guitar solo around at that time - and have never heard a better one since. Funny how the memories sit with you. I don't remember doing any gigs, just a bunch of jamming with him.

The VIPs I remember did a talent show at Buena High while we were still at Carmichael Jr High, I think. Members I remember were Victor Rivera on drums, Ricardo Morales and Art Mendoza (?). Ask Max if any of these guys were present in the gig he remembers.

We're talking 45-46 years ago. Sheesh. Where did the time go.

Thanks Steve.

Mike Workman

Max says he played in a group with you called the VIP's and he can only remember playing one gig at Ft.Huachuca..

"I'm A Loser" was one of our favorites. I'd forgotten. Another was "I'll Follow The Sun". I remember doing harmonies at 13-14 years old felt pretty cool. Curt had a nice voice for the style of music.

I'm not remembering Max Mesa at this point. I still need to pull my yearbooks out (7th, 8th, 9th grades).

Nice chatting with you.

Hello Mike,
I don't believe we ever met but the people are the same that new us. I talked with one of the guitar players I am working with, Max Mesa, and he told me the same story of you and Curt going over to his house and playing alot of beatles music...He recalled one that he really liked the harmonies on...I'm a loser, pluse mentioned Rock and Roll Music Beatles/ Chuck Berry....
We are in Tucson if you ever come to town..

I probably don't post enough here. I don't get many posts from others, but should respond.

I don't remember you - if I knew you. Glad that I helped hook people up again. I set out to find all the musicians that I used to play with, and have been very successful. But from Sierra Vista, I haven't contacted anyone I played with. I did find out about Greg Clements & Kurt Sample (both RIP). I looked for Jimmy Hilburn, who I thought was a fine drummer in spite of his handicap (found evidence of his sister, but she never responded). And, there are too many Ray Reed names that come up in searches to zero in on him.

I played lead guitar with Greg, Jimmy, and Ray in a band called the Sonics. We gigged at BHS dances, talent shows, and our biggest gig was at the Ft Huachuca Teen Club.

With Kurt (back in 8th grade - 1964-65, I used to go over to Kurt's house and play guitar while he played a Wurlitzer electric piano - one of the old white ones with the short keyboard. I loved it and played it as much as he'd let me. I played piano and could play a bunch the Beatle songs he didn't know - and he'd sing. And I really liked his voice. We did one gig together (don't remember the rest of the band) for some Fort Huachuca local TV program. One song: Rock n Roll Music (Beatles/Chuck Berr) where Kurt sang each verse, I sang each chorus. My mother loved it, anyway.

I remember jamming with Ronnie Call. Brett Leavenworth was a great drummer, but I never played with him. I knew Buddy Dent, but didn't know he ever played. I moved out of SV just before my sophomore year (1966) at BHS.

I still have a 1966 BHS yearbook someplace. I need to find it and go through it to see if any of these names I don't remember go with faces I do remember...

You don't hear me though

You don't here me though

Who would have thunk,
At this age I am practicing with a couple of musicians from the old days in Sierra Vista.
Max Mesa, and George Rodriquez,.we have already played a benefit dance but still have a lot of work to do to get our chops back. Got in touch with Michael Bronner who gave a holler to Randy Brauer for me...mentioned to get together for some shop talk along with Brett Leavenworth. Any way some of the connection all started from here.
Thanks,
Steve
Bass player

hello michael,
do me a favor and send my e-mail address to billy armstrong or send me his. i would like to see someone get as many interviews as possible. if no one has the time,then send me contacts and i will get them. keep on keepin on!!! dont forget to hook me up with billy. thanksx1014

"Did pretty good" are you kidding? I can't remember what I ate yesterday! Have you been keeping a diary? I can't remember having played with you, I was hoping you would remember me, but you do remember partying too much, maybe that was it! If you find Julie let me know. The last time I saw her was in Alaska in '89. She stayed there, maybe she's still there. She sent me a picture of a fish she caught, it must have been over five feet long! I still have the picture.

You have always been a great pianist, more importantly you are a superfragilisticexpialadocious FRIEND!

Nice work as usual. I like the combination of computer "mad scientist" and musician. Then link well together. Ciao, continue having fun. Connie

Lots of archives to search for info- Curt/Kurt left and Peter Bechtel took his place on guitar..What about Larry Franks? Can't remember the drummer after Brett

Played with Ronnie Call Curt Sample Brett Leavenworth and Buddy Dent in the band Joy.
Then played with the Rodriquez Brothers in the band called the Living End...This was the time of the Hydrolic Umbrella,with Eric and I believe Bob Berge This was back in 1967,68 69,
Steve Watkins

Billy Myers here

Hey dudes - let's get a Club/Pal Joey reunion together.

I now live in Green Valley Az - listed in the phone book.

Hey Billy....and all.....I played with Eric and Don Plunk from Tucson...along with many others. i saw Eric in Palm Springs about two years ago and have since lost track of him....would love to find out where he is. I also played with Greg Clements...his end was tragic....I knew Kurt but didn't know about his death.....
would enjoy hearing from anyone from Tucson that was connected to all these good guys......I still talk with Billy Myers (drums) and David Ownbey (drums).....
Chris

Mike,
I see above that Ronnie is trying to get in contact with me. Please forward my email (yikes22@usa.com) to Ronnie and Eric. I played with Ronnie and Eric in LA many moons ago. Thanks.

BA

hello michael,
do me a favor and send my e-mail address to billy armstrong or send me his. i would like to see someone get as many interviews as possible. if no one has the time,then send me contacts and i will get them. keep on keepin on!!! dont forget to hook me up with billy. thanks

RBC

Sorry, I don\'t recognize your name, Billy Armstrong. Please refresh my memory...

Mike

Mike,
I\'ve lost track of Eric. Has he left Vegas? Do you know how to contact him? I played with Eric in LA and would always connect every year or two but his number\'s been disconnected. Let me know if you know where\'s he\'s at. Thanks very much.

Billy Armstrong

Hi Mike. I worked with Barry Richards 78-80. We played over a year 6 nights a week at Daphnes at the Sheraton Riverhouse. Vic Velasquez, Harold Lindsey and Ben Caputo were also in the group. Do you know the whereabouts of Barry or any of the others? Thanks. Tom.

Dear Mike,
I played lead guitar in a band from Sierra Vista called JOU which was earlier called Joy, with Peter Stockton, Ronnie Call, Harold Dibble and Randy Brauer. Greg Clements also played in the band and we were housemates for a time in 1972/3. Along with others including Eric Nelli, Kurt Sample, Brett Leavenworth and Steve Smith. It was an amazingly wonderful time for me especially in that I was the only non-Sierra Vistan. I'm from Chicago and recently moved back to Tucson. Randy is still here as is Brett and we intend to get together to play. The sad news is that both Greg and Kurt apparently committed suicide. I don't remember the Sonics, but it could very well be that my memory is starting to fade a bit. In any case, it was nice to hear someone say some nice things about Greg. He and I became good friends over the years. I created a JOU website which you can check out if you like. It's still a work in progress, and I understand that there is the original 45 floating around, that I will add to the site as it becomes available. Sincerely, Michael Bronner

Hi Mike Workman-gosh it has been a long time and thanks to TC, I received the pics I took of that crazy but dedicated crew way back yonder of crackers and messiah. For your kids, YES, you were a definite clown and glad to hear that you remain so!! I also have remained true to my calling in art and have been succesful (as art can be) and live now in St, Croix, USVI and love it!

Much appreciation for what you did and so fun to see the oldies again.. Thanks much for putting it online.

CR