Showing posts with label Amboy Dukes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amboy Dukes. Show all posts

9.26.2014

KNIGHT MOVES: THE KJ KNIGHT STORY


Knight Moves: The K J Knight Story recounts the fascinating tale of a miscreant young rock drummer growing up in the Motor City during the 1960s and 70s-a dynamic time period in rock and roll history. This is also the story of a teenage boy whose family is ripped apart by his father's infidelity and the dissolution of his parent's marriage.


As his home life quickly deteriorates, he immerses himself in his music, moving from one band to the next. In this no-holds-barred book, author K J Knight describes his life and career, including his repeated acts of juvenile delinquency and the capricious nature of the music scene, not only in Detroit, but all across the country.


This is a candid, behind-the-scenes memoir that could only have been written by a music insider, overflowing with insight into America's burgeoning rock culture. He delves into his experiences playing in The Amboy Dukes with infamous guitar great Ted Nugent and his encounters with other Motor City icons, such as Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, and Iggy Pop. Knight's passion for both music and his family provide the emotional core for his searing autobiography, Knight Moves: The K J Knight Story.

3.10.2014

BOOKIE'S & THE DETROIT MUSIC SCENE PART 1

 
The Mutants at Bookie's Club 870, 1978. 
Photo Deanne Nichols

Scott Campbell
March 10, 2014
 
The Detroit original rock scene had fallen on hard times in the 70's. In the mid-60's, Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger, The Amboy Dukes, The Rationals, The MC5, and numerous other bands got record deals and radio airplay. By the mid-70's, new Detroit acts were frozen out of airplay with the death of underground radio and record labels weren't signing. A band could earn a living playing five 45 minute sets per night but they had to be AOL radio rock hits. Typically, a band would get a song list from the bar owner and NO original songs were allowed.

By early 1977, new bands such as The Sillies, The Romantics, and a new MC5 fronted by original singer Rob Tyner were looking for anywhere to play original sets of their own music. The Sillies rented The Kramer Theater on Michigan Avenue east of Livernois to do a real concert with themselves in between the new MC5 and an opening set by Destroy All Monsters with Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton and original MC5 bassist Michael Davis. The show drew 1,000 people but most of the money was mysteriously missing from the till, leaving Sillies founder Scott Campbell $1,000 in the hole.

Much as bars were a step down from theater concerts, a nightclub that would host original concerts in the style of NYC's Max's Kansas City or the Whiskey A Go Go in LA was needed for Detroit. The trick was finding a place and making it successful.


1.25.2014

DETROIT ROCK ARTIST: CARL LUNDGREN!

 

Carl Lundgren is one of the most innovative American artists in modern time. Carl's love of underground movies, science fiction, comic book super heroes, fueled his mind with amazing color and vision. He creates more than just one genre, he creates art that represents his dreams.

Being quite famous as one of the top rock poster artists of the rock n roll era wasn't enough, fine art has always been his love. Carl brings fantasy to his art and humor as well.

His newest painting is "CONGRESS"


From Carl...

1965 "When I was 18 years old I was co-chairman of the first multimedia convention ever held, The Detroit Triple Fan Fair, (comics, movies, and science fiction). I played folk guitar semi-professionally, but I really wanted to learn to be an illustrator like my idol, Frank Frazetta."


1967 Lundgren began creating posters for such bands as The Who, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane as well as for such Detroit legends as the MC5, Grand Funk Railroad, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, The Frost and more. Little thought was given to the fact these Rock 'n' Roll posters would become highly collectible.


  

"

"Gary gave me a job and I was able to create posters for such bands as The Who, Pink Floyd, and Jefferson Airplane and more. Little did I know that these Rock and Roll Posters would become highly collectible today. I also published some Underground Comix."

 Carl Lundgren and Gary Grimshaw

1974 I became a science fiction and fantasy illustrator, painting almost 300 book covers in NYC. I also was a founder of ASFA and was nominated for a Hugo Award, the highest honor in science fiction.

 
Carl Lundgren is the most easy going and beloved artists in Detroit. Always so humble and helpful to new musicians as much as the legends. What would the Detroit music scene be without Lundgren's Art? Pretty dull...

Some of our favorites of Carl Lundgren's fine art collection:




1.18.2014

THE AMBOY DUKES


 



Members of the band over time:

Ted Nugent, Rusty Day, Steve Farmer, Rick Lober, Andy Solomon, Greg Arama, Bob Lehnert, John Drake, KJ Knight, Dave Gilbert, Johnny Angelos, David Palmer, Gail Uptadale, Dick Treat, Gary Hicks, Bill White 







 
The Amboy Dukes were an American rock music band of the late 1960s and early 1970s from Detroit, Michigan, best remembered for their hit single "Journey to the Center of the Mind", and for launching the career of Ted Nugent. The band's name comes from the title of a book by Irving Shulman. Bassist Greg Arama died in 1979. 


1.08.2014

FALLEN ANGEL STORY: KJ KNIGHT AND SCOTT RICHARDSON

Scott Richardson
Hey gang! Got a really cool email today from Drummer KJ Knight and he sent me a song from the band The Fallen Angels... So when Scott R called today I got his take on the song "Big River" and KJ was so kind to give us some background on this band. Take a listen... I really like these tunes. Thanks KJ and Scott! xxooK From Scott Richardson.. Fallen Angels was band we put together after hanging around London 73-74. Had the great Kj on drums, I don't remember where we recorded it but am happy to find out KJ had a copy of it.


I recorded Big River written by Bob Seger because I think it is one of his best songs. There is something about that song that really moves me. I have always loved it. The song sounds as good to me today as when he wrote it. Thanks KJ for sending this in...

SR Big River Life is like a big river sinkin' or swim, depends on you you can take or you can be a giver if you got love you're gonna get through once, a good woman loved me I was kinda cruel, and she left me one day now I'm cryin', she loves another gotta go alone the rest of the way take, the advice of a loser who's been livin' too long alone follow your heart follow your rainbow and one day you'll find you are not alone Bob Seger

From KJ Knight
This session was done at ABC Recording Studios, Inc at 8255 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, California in I believe 1975.We recorded three songs, "Big River," "Ride The Wind," and "Someone Like You." The Fallen Angels was a great band and loaded with talent!!!

The group featured Scott Richardson on vocals. Other members included: Richard Haddad Michaels on bass, Mike Nardone on guitar, and me, KJ Knight on drums. Scott Thurston, who later joined Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, played keyboards on a couple of these tracks. Email me for tracks

Original post is from Retrokimmer.com 
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