I have led a long, winding, fantastic, horrendous, scary, joyous, interesting and sometimes crazy life. But one element which underscores all of my experiences is LUCK! I'm very lucky to be whare I am, with the people in my life, not the least of which is Chad, Mike and Bill, who are easily the best people and musicans I've had the honor of playing with. "Totally Savage" is, simply put, a vehicle for us to express ourselves and our experiences and interpretations of life.
For me, music represents our world and recent history and I very much enjoy studying how our culture evolved and how modern music was perhaps the "spokesman" for this revlolution over the past 40 years and (obviously) even further back. Guitar playing, for me, is also a constant companion and source of comfort that has seen me through all these "peaks and valleys" of my life and the world at large. Having the ability to pick up a good guitar and loosing yourself transends time and current problems. Its sort of like having a great pet, like a favorite dog, the guitar never complains or argues ... its just there when you need it and invites you to enjoy its company. I credit my brother Mike (pictured below, third from front) with getting me started at about 10 by encouraging me, getting me lessons (w/ Mer Drago in Stamford, CT) and helping me buy my first electric (I forget the name - sunburst Stat copy) and amp (Ampeg Reverb Rocket).
Here's a picture of me & my brothers about 1979; Here I am Christmas 1962
Growing up in the sixties and seventies, as the youngest of 10 children was an exiting and amazing time and if you were around in that period I'm sure you would agree that music and its unprecedented influence on daily life was unmistakeable. From a young age, I was exposed to the "Woodstock Generation" and all what went with it., especially the music.
My first musical exposure was the Beatles, Dave Clarke V, Elvis, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan and such as the early and mid sixties becan to "percolate" with a mixture of blues, rockabilly, folk, and more. Soon two centers of creativity came to generate what is still some of the most unmistakeable and loved music, the "California" and "British" movements, which took effect in the mid to late sixties and has extched itself into our culture and history forever.
My brother Dave (second from front above) got me into ROCK music, I specifically remember 4 albums that literally grabbed me ... "The History of Eric Clapton (a compilation of his work to date, incl, cream and D& Dominoes), The Who's "WHO's NEXT", the Woodstock soundtrack, and the Allman brothers "Live at hte Fillmore East". I still listen to these on a regular basis. I remember playing "Air-Guitar" to Alvin Lee's RIPPING performance of "I'm Goin' Home" from the Woodstock album!
So, I had my brother Mike, turning me on to Doc Watson, Bob Dylan amd such, my brother Dave getting me into British Rock and then I met Mike Webster in high school, who :lifted the cover" off the BLUES, playing Johnny Winter, Allman Brothers alnums and showing me the "blues box" on the guitar. THAT WAS IT... hooked!
The 10-year period from 1966 to 1976 was truly an unbelievable time to be into music and when I reflect on what took place its still staggers my mind. Many folks ask me "what are your influences" at a show and I take a deep breath and say "where do I start?!? ...
Essentialy my influences and favorite music can be broken into five catagories ...
Rock, Hard Rock, Blues, Jazz and Fusion (or what I call "performance music")
So, my page about the main guitar in my life is here and it rounds out the story
I love to play, thats why I do this. I hope to see ya' soon ... peace ... - Larry
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