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About JGLB featuring Tommy Duncan, Ray Blade, Ben Jammin, and Johnny G. Lyon. by Jaquelyn Gordon Start by knowing, these guys are passionate. Although when the mood calls for it, JGLB has learned be pleasantly subtle, at their core they want to bulldoze you. Steamroll you. When Ray Blade is bringin' down that left hand, WHACKIN' that snare drum, you don't need to read no book to tell you what ROCK AND ROLL is. Instinctively, you know this is it. And the passion, while sensual, is also a bit maniacal. You will understand what I mean by "sensual" when you see that JGLB gets a bit "lost" in their music, by virtue of their soulful commitment. So while they exert tremendous effort, it is somehow effortless. By maniacal, I mean that JGLB is gonna proceed obsessively with their take-no-prisoners approach, come hell or high water! But, like I said, it's rock and roll. Cause even though JGLB plays some damn good blues, they ain't no blues band. Even though JGLB plays some sweet reggae music, they sure as hell ain't no reggae band. And even though JGLB occasionally plays some DAMN GOOD old-school Johnny Cash Style country music, they damn sure ain't no damn country band! JGLB IS A ROCK AND ROLL BAND, DAMMITT! What I mean is, they're hitters. Don't get scared when I say that! I don't mean that they're too loud, or heavy metal, or that they're in any way violent people. What I mean is, they play their instruments in a uniquely forceful manner. Okay, not if a tune calls for a kinder and gentler approach, but when it's time to rock, these guys know: it's all about your level of conviction, and your commitment to the big beat. "I wanna play my guitar like Jerry Lee Lewis plays piano," explains Johnny. He hastens to add that his guitar's name is "Woody." But what kind of rock and roll do they play? Johnny calls it "soulful and melodic, rhythmic and chaotic, hittin' and shoutin'!" But lemme try to tell ya, JGLB has few stylistic limitations. They can play almost any style, and capture the essence of it, while smoothly adding their own neccesary roughness. But what JGLB really wants to do more than anything else is: get YOU shakin' that thang, if ya know what i mean! And to do that, JGLB will frequently play their own versions of (somewhat familiar) soulful covers from artists ranging from Barry White to the Rolling Stones, with Marvin Gaye and Stevie Ray Vaughn thrown in there too. In fact, JGLB has been described as James Brown soulful hyper-vocals over a J Geils manic rockin' rhythm section, with Santana meets Chuck Berry style guitar. Perhaps you're thinking, "JGLB is a cover band." Well, that's hard to deny. "But, we've written and recorded songs that have been played all over the world," says Johnny. "What's more, every weekend when our band plays, the most-requested song is usually 'Call Me Lover Boy,' written by myself and (former JGLB member) Rob Stoney. But because we're PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINERS, we get to play every weekend. And I'd rather play more than less. Being in a band like ours keeps me rockin'!" On a recent evening, a JGLB set included "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers, "Ghost Riders in the Sky" by Johnny Cash, "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley, songs by Barry White, The Beatles, Wilson Pickett, Prince, Jan and Dean, The Pet Shop Boys (?), the Commodores, Hank Williams, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Elvis, Stevie Ray, The Stones, Ludicris (???), "Europa" and "Oye Como Va" by Santana, "Town Without Pity" by Gene Pitney, "What's Goin' On" and "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" By George Harrison, a BUNCH more rockers, and a handful of original tunes. This lasted about 2 and a half hours. Then they had "special guests" Loretta Lindsay, Dirty E, and Otis Velt, and they tore the roof off the sukka! Loretta Lindsay did a Patsy Cline song, Dirty E did "Sex Machine," Otis Velt did "Shout," and the joint was out of control! Another JGLB rock and roll fever night! JGLB finished up with their own "hit," "Call Me Lover Boy," followed by a blistering take on Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane," flowing seemlessly into Roy Buchanan's "The Messiah Will Come Again." Kinda breathtaking, to be honest. They'd exhibited brute soul power through much of the set, but finished with the most precise finesse... a set that lasted almost 4 hours, uninterrupted! |
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Johnny G Lyon has written over 100 songs. His music has been heard around the world. Please
visit this page to hear four original songs by Johnny G Lyon & JGLB. The songs will be changed regularly, so check back often. Johnny has said, "The current version of our band, with Ray (Blade, aka John Jay Friss), Benny (Ben Jammin, aka Benjamin Sudano) and Tommy Duncan, is the best version we've ever had," and you get the feeling he means it. But we still have to talk about the people who've been in the band since its' inception in 1985. Actually, let's go back to 1982, in Los Angeles. Johnny's band, called "The Hitmakers" for short, featured Russ Battelene on Drums, who had played with "Mr. Mister precursor" Pages and Andy Gibb; bassist Gilbert Hansen, who toured with the Pointer Sisters; bassist Randy Rice, who toured with Eric Burdon, Herman's Hermits and the Rubber City Rebels; and guitarist Jim West and bassist Steve Jay of Weird Al Yankovic's band. Johnny wrote and recorded music for major motion pictures including "Hardbodies" and "Just One Of The Guys," which explains his music being heard around the world. The Hitmakers played all the best joints in L.A. in the early 80's, including The Troubadour, The Central, The Music Machine, Club Lingerie, and Madame Wong's, just to name a few. They opened shows for all the hot acts of the era, including Los Lobos, Marshall Crenshaw, The Burning Sensations, the James Harman Band, Jimmie Wood and the Immortals, the Rubber City Rebels, the Plimsouls, and Doug Feiger of The Knack. The Hitmakers were particularly well liked at Madame Wong's and Wong's West, two trendy LA clubs of the day. "Johnny always puts on a great show," said the late great Esther Wong. Additionally, Johnny recorded and toured with "The Firetones," led by Rubber City Rebels frontman Rod Firestone. "I had pretty good management, we had written some decent songs, people like Peter Paterno returned our calls," says Johnny. "Record companies encouraged us, but didn't sign us! But we were playing, and developing a reputation." The LA Weekly said Johnny "ignites the room with tough rhythm and rock sounds." In late 1983, there was a new band in town... it was obvious that they were gonna be big. They needed a guitarist... Through mutual aquaintances, Johnny got an audition. The band seemed to like Johnny. They asked him to come back again. In early 1984, Johnny returned to audition a second time. The mutual aquaintances told Johnny: he was very likely to get the gig. Perhaps you've heard of these guys... The Red Hot Chili Peppers. For whatever reason, after that second audition, they hired a guy named Jack Sherman instead. (He didn't last very long). Johnny returned to Tampa not long after that. Back in Tampa, Johnny and Ray Blade started a band in summer 1984 called "The Purple Gang." Also in The Purple Gang was a guy named Danny Roberts, who had played in a Gainesville band called Mudcrutch. Along with Danny, there was a guy named Tom Petty in Mudcrutch as well. In early 1985, Johnny told Ray he was gonna start a new band, and name it after himself, so that when the band breaks up, he can still keep the name. Johnny asked Ray if he wanted to be in the band. Ray, of course, was non-commital. Johnny took that as a yes, and contacted bassist Mark Vandelagemaat, aka Max Van Laundromax. Max would play, but it was obvious he wanted vocalist-keyboardist Penny Robinson in the band as well. Although Johnny really just wanted to do a three-piece band, He agreed to take Penny, in order to get Max. "So, by accident, I made the smartest move I ever made, taking Penny Robinson in the band mostly because Max wanted her, " says Johnny. "And she absolutely set the world on fire! She was Dynamite!" Indeed, it was about early 1986 when I first became aware of the Johnny G Lyon Band. They were playing at a bar I liked... and the turnout was so heavy, they were turning people away. I couldn't get in! It was like that for most of the first three years of the band's existence... for many reasons, some of them the same reasons why the band still endures today. Unquestionably, however, Penny's popularity was one of the biggest reasons... She was intensely forceful and soulful, with a soaring powerful voice. JGLB recorded "When A Man Does Me Like That" in 1986, featuring Penny on vocals, and the record (yes, record) was a modest success. A few friendly DJs spun it on radio, back when such a thing was permissable... |
Max, Penny, Johnny and Ray JGLB even made it on the cover of Friday Extra! They were featured in ad campaigns... they were profiled on TV news... they were voted #1 in polls... They got great gigs... you couldn't get in to the clubs they played unless you got there EARLY! Ok, nothing lasts forever. Personnel changes began in 1988. But while things may have ebbed and flowed a bit, JGLB maintained their rock and roll street cred through their relentless performance schedule. And if you're wondering how good the players were, let's review: Ray Blade, JGLB's drummer/vocalist for practically all of its existence, has done stints with Sam and Dave, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and the Bobby Friss Band. Ray, aka John Jay Friss, is of course with the band today. JGLB 1985-present. Current bassist/vocalist Benny "Ben Jammin" Sudano has performed with Johnny Maestro, the Brooklyn Bridge, The Toler Brothers, and countless other blues, soul and rock legends. JGLB 1992-93, 1997, 1998-present Vocalist / Keyboardist Penny Robinson: recorded with Alex Acuna, Wayne Shorter, performed with Chuck Negron, Mike Pinera, Iron Butterfly. JGLB 1985-1988, 1990-1992. Bassist Manny Yanes: toured and recorded with Patti Labelle, Robert Palmer, and The Neville Brothers. Manny has his own band, Grupo Ya Ya. JGLB 1989-1990 Keyboardist, Vocalist, Songwriter Rob Stoney toured for many years with the Warren Brothers. When he was with JGLB, they frequently did a song he wrote called "She Wants To Rock (But I Gotta Roll)" which later became a major hit for the Warren Brothers. Rob currently performs with the Greg Billings Band. JGLB 1988-1990. Bassist / vocalist Jeff "Count" Artabasy tours with Captain Beyond. JGLB 1990-1992. Vocalist Gloria Higgins tours with her brother, Bertie Higgins. JGLB 1992. Keyboardist Dennis "Torpedo D" Toerpe has toured with Les Dudek. JGLB 1998-2003 Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Danny Roberts was in "Mudcrutch" with Tom Petty. JGLB 1997. Many other former members have had outstanding careers recording and performing. Johnny G Lyon has recorded with Blues Legend Sonny Terry. He has performed and recorded with Ronnie Elliott and the Nationals, and Punk Rock Legend Rod Firestone. JGLB personnel timeline 1985-1988 Johnny, Ray, Max on bass, Penny on keys and vocals. 1988 Rob Stoney replaces Penny on keys and vocals. 1989 Manny Yanes replaces Max on bass. 1990 Manny and Rob leave. Penny returns on keys and vocals. Bassist / Vocalist Jeff "Count" Artabasy joins. "Good Cheap Rock And Roll" released, features "Call Me Lover Boy." In 1989, 1991 and 1992 JGLB was named "Best Local Band" in the Tampa Tribune readers' poll. Things are still good! 1992 band "breaks up." personnel fluctuates wildly. By the end of the year, Ray Blade is back at drums, Ben Jammin joins on bass, the late great Mike Flore on sax, Ron Witherspoon on Trumpet, and vocalists Susy Martian, Kate Colter and Gloria Higgins. By the end of 1992 Gloria Higgins left. 1993 "Big Band" with Ray, Benny, Ronnie and Mike on horns and Susy and Kate on vocals lasts till late summer 1993. JGLB re-emerges a 3-piece in late 1993. Ray is on drums, and Paul Foisy is on bass. This was a smokin' 3-piece energy trio. "Palace Of The King!" 1994 Jeff Black replaces Paul Foisy in January. Will Perish replaces Jeff Black in March. In 1995, Johnny sings the National Anthem at a Bucs game, and JGLB releases their CD, "Give The Kid A Chance." We have nice endorsement deals from beer companies from 1994 through 1996. 1996 in December, Max Van Laundromax returns, replacing Will Perish. 1997 in January, Ben Jammin replaces Max Van Laudromax. in June, Danny Roberts replaces Benny. From July 1997 till about September 1998, JGLB played... only sporadically. Ray Blade got a day job. Perhaps this is the end? LINKS TO PICS OF JGLB IN VARIOUS ERAS |
So, by September of 1998, JGLB's future was in serious question. Occasionally, JGLB still performed, sometimes at real nice gigs. But there was no set personnel, and no STEADY gigs. One day Johnny ran into Benny. "Benny said he'd been working some at a place called the Blue Shark in Ybor City," Johnny recalls, "and he suggested that perhaps JGLB could get a steady gig there, that it would be perfect for us. That's how Benny saved the band. The Blue Shark has pretty much been our home base ever since." So Johnny and Benny put the band back together. Unfortunately, Ray Blade was unavailable, due mostly to economic realities... so for the latter part of 1998 and most of 1999, JGLB had a succession of "other drummers," all of whom were excellent, but none of whom could truly replace Ray Blade in the JGLB. Versatility, power, stamina and familiarity with the material were some of the issues. One excellent "replacement" drummer was Brent "Hit Man" Martin, who played in JGLB in late 1998 and most of 1999. When they first started at the Blue Shark in September of 98, Johnny, Benny and the "Hit Man" were joined by saxophonist Thor Stevens and Hammond B-3 Organist Dennis "Torpedo D" Toerpe. These guys rocked! BIG sound! And a guy named Tommy Duncan was starting to hang around. He was very helpful with vocals, and had everything JGLB needed for a front man. Even though Johnny had always been lead singer and frontman, everybody felt that Tommy provided a great change of pace. Johnny still sang plenty, and the band had more energy and stamina for their marathon shows. Early in 1999, Thor Stevens, who was always in high demand, left the band. By September of that year, Tommy Duncan joined the band as a "full-time" member. Then, in early 2000, Ray Blade rejoined the band! See an excellent photo of that band (JGLB 2000-2003) at http://static.flickr.com/97/222208381_bef258048c_o.jpg. JGLB Inc. bought "AJ's Ale House," a restaurant and bar in the Town and Country area of Tampa, in 2002. The name was changed to "Johnny G's." Torpedo D left the band in 2003. In late 2004, JGLB Inc. sold "Johnny G's," and the band was once again free to focus exclusively on music. And thus began, in 2005, the third golden era of JGLB, which still endures today. The personnel is lean and mean, focusing on the hard hitting rhythms and Johnny's maraudering "blues power" guitar. Benny and Ray are tight the way a rythmn section is when they've been gigging together for 13 years. Tommy Duncan provides strong vocals, seeming matching Johnny's "soul power" while blending effortlessly. Both Tommy and Johnny sing with a Wilson Pickett-esque authority. Nothing squeamish or tentative here! JGLB 2006 has begun writing songs for a new CD, which they hope to release in 2007. In the meantime, click the link above to enjoy "classic" JGLB original music on the JGLB myspace music page. Check back often, as the music will be changed frequently. Check JGLB's schedule often, too, and make sure ya come to the NEW BLUE SHARK Grand Opening Sept 16. Yeah, the Blue Shark has moved, a block and a half west, to 1502 E. 7th Av, in the Ybor City area of Tampa. Make sure you make the Grand Opening, Sept 16. You will see an exciting show. More to come here soon. ALSO SEE: www.jglb.blogspot.com. - Jaquelyn Gordon, Downtown West Events. webpage: www.downtownwestevents.com. email me at jaquelyngordon72@yahoo.com |
