This really should be listed as "funny clothes I have worn on a gig." Besides styles that have changed over the years such as giant velvet bow ties, ruffled tuxedo shirts and bell bottom tuxedo slacks, I have had my share of clown suits worn on gigs.
One of the first I can remember wearing was a green army jacket with a green and gold shoulder cords on the left epaulet. We were a polka trio named the "Golden Emeralds". Clever wouldn't you say?
I was a young drummer of 14 playing with high school seniors. We had to wear red sleeveless 3 button sweaters. We looked like the Osmonds.
One leader didn't have us wearing anything funny but he made name tags for us. They had the name of the orchestra, my name , and my instrument (drums) under my name. Don't know why but I got paid well. I guess he was going for that restaurant waiter look that was so in back then.
I worked in a night club with a lead singer who thought it would be funny if he sang the song "Baby Face" while I wore a gorilla mask. He probably stole the idea from Tony Bennett.
Same band, same leader...he bought us blue woven knit Eisenhower jackets and slacks. The pants had no zipper or pockets. Thankfully I was much thinner back then. I was told these puppies were "professional" stage wear.
Yes... I have worn lederhosen on a gig and I am most proud.
I have also worn a powder blue dinner jacket!
Oh yeah...almost forgot. I once had a gig at 7:30 in the morning where the band was to march in and disrupt a corporate sales meeting in Silicon Valley. I was instructed not to shave, wash or comb my hair, and to wear a bathrobe with long black socks and house slippers. I added a lit cigar for a classy look. The look on the faces of the poor shlubs in the meeting was priceless.
Cowboy hats, boots, Nehru jackets, vests, bowler hats, lighted bow ties...ah...good times my friend...good times. Actually, now that I think about it, I have never been asked to wear a clown suit!
cn
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okay, if any post needed photos...
ReplyDeleteThose photos have been burned! : )
ReplyDeletehey, cary, can you give us a post sometime on your thoughts on rock drumming? it seems that rock drummers are the weak sisters of the percussion community, or am i being harsh? is rock music just simpler than jazz, or do weaker drummers gravitate toward rock?
ReplyDeleteDear Whiskey. Thanks for your comments as always.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't think Rock drummers are the "weak sisters" of the community at all. For one there are a heck of a lot more drummers calling themselves "rock drummers" than Jazzers or Classical players, so thank goodness for that. There is a bigger market, if you will, with more venues for rock groups of every genre...just look at the clubs in the city. There are some rock drummers who's technique just shred mere "mortal" drummers.
Is rock easier?.... in the beginning...yes. Learning how to swing is a much tougher concept than straight eighth notes. Involving an independent left hand for Be Bop is very difficult.But the strength, endurance, and solid groove necessary for rock playing is very demanding. cn