Post by Floppy Johnson on Oct 8, 2020 15:13:51 GMT -8
Okay, let's see what I can remember....
- Greg Ginn's girlfriend was named "Cece" (for Cecilia). She fronted a little-known power-pop band called "The Frigid Heirs".
- I never saw Frosty play with Lee Michaels, but it cracks me up to imagine them on stage: just two guys, a drummer and a keyboard player. That's an odd combo...
- When they were in high school, the band now known as Van Halen was called "Red Ball Jet." There was some drama with the bass player, and he had to leave the band. They apparently had a few different guys play bass before Michael Anthony settled in (he was perfect - solid on bass and he could sing the high harmonies). After high school I was out of the picture, but I recall hearing that the band changed their name a few times. I think at one point they called themselves "Genesis," and then at another point they were called "Mammoth" (yes, I think you were right about that). I've often wondered how the brothers convinced David Lee Roth to accept the name "Van Halen" - the guy I remembered would never accept being second fiddle.
- One more thing about the band: when we were all in high school, Eddie's virtuosity had not yet emerged. The most memorable thing about the band was David Lee Roth. He was not an exceptionally good singer, but he controlled the stage, prowling around like a caged panther. Later, when the band got real famous, I noticed something about his style and his wardrobe: David Lee Roth was performing a carbon copy of another performer named Jim Mangrum, who fronted a band called "Black Oak Arkansas" (their big hit was "Jim Dandy to the Rescue"). I later read that someone actually took a movie camera to a Black Oak Arkansas and recorded the show for Roth to study (I can't confirm that, I only recall reading it).
Regarding the name, I've read quotes from Roth saying something along the lines of "stupidest thing I ever did was agree to naming the band after my bandmates."