Rock n Roll Phase

Early Years

Zel's earliest musical endeavors were with his childhood friend, and across-the-street neighbor, Michael Christopher. Michael Christopher was an ardent fan of rock music, and was instrumental in introducing Zel to the new wave of rock that swept across the Atlantic, from the UK to the US, starting with the Beatles. Since in both Zel's house and Michael Christopher's house, both sets of parents had purchased an upright piano, Zel and Michael Christopher had countless jam sessions, with Zel on keyboards, and Michael Christopher on guitar.

Later, Zel's parents rented a Wurlitzer electronic piano when Zel entered Sophomore year in high school. It was an interesting instrument in that it used metal reeds rather then the tuning forks used by the classic Fender Rhodes "suitcase" piano. The result was a unique sound that was softer than the Rhodes. Although heavy by today's standards, it was nonetheless lighter than a Fender Rhodes. Transporting it wasn't a trivial matter by any stretch of the imagination, however Zel's parents were amazingly supportive, and gladly accepted the responsibility of transporting him to this or that band practice. They also gratiously allowed Zel to host band practice in the basement of the family home, even though, in his later teen years, the various bands used amplifiers at relatively loud volume. One time, during a particularly intensive band practice, Zel's bass amp caused all the cans to be knocked off the shelves in the adjoining basement storage room!

During the Wurlitzer years, Zel formed a band with high school buddies Mike L. and Stu. Mike L. was on drums and vocals, Stu played bass, and Zel played the Wurlitzer electric piano. Mostly it was jam sessions based upon basic rythmn and blues progressions, boogie woogie, and rock. The jam sessions mostly took place at Mike's house, which was off East Avenue, in Rochester, NY.

The Champ

Rock Musical

The Quick

Zel's first band, one that actually performed live, was The Quick. The band featured Mike L. on vocals, Brad on drums, and Michael Christopher on guitar and vocals. Although the band played only "cover" tunes (i.e. not original music), both Mike L. and Michael Christopher had an extensive knowledge of eclectic music from New York City, British, and European bands, so to the American audience, the performance had the same impact as if the songs were original.