I Played drums for Jimmy after he left the romantics with the motor city Rockers for 7 years. good times, He is very intense on and off the stage. Great guy. I miss hanging out with him.
I haven't talked to him in years. If you see him, tell him I said hello. And I would like to buy those custom Ludwig drums that I used to Play from the in heat tour
I saw him when he first came out with Red Dragon Cartel. It was this really little small town in Indiana. It was where his girlfriend grew up. Got a chance to talk with her as she was his PR person. Also got to meet Jake at a free meet and greet after the show-which was surreal. Glad he resurfaced.
There was an interview with George Lynch where he talked about losing the Ozzy gig to Jake and he admitted that Jake was the total package with playing and showmanship. George said that after that, he upped his showmanship game.
@@guskalogeros9021It was more to do with George’s hair, because during that particular time George had short hair, and Ozzy & Sharon were a bit skeptical about it because it was all about the image and the hair.. especially with Sharon. I can remember George saying at a guitar clinic (I actually met him too) that Jake came into the room one day with hair down to his ass 😂 and George said to Ozzy “hey what’s happening here? Who’s this other guy?” And Ozzy said “oh sorry we won’t be needing you anymore.” That’s exactly what George said at the clinic 👌🏽
I'm a musician dad of 2 young boys, we moved to FL a few years ago also. Retired from music, but I still enjoy playing in church and making music for my kids' RUclips channel. Wishing you all the success in this new stage of your career, and most importantly as a father. Welcome to Florida!
@VirtualVoiceVillains a few years back our church band consisted of recovering rockers. Got kind loud for the older, more conservative, congregants. We played Zeppelin, Skynyrd and Sabbath at practice when no others were around.🙂✌️
@@fumanpoo4725 Awesome! At the last church I played at we opened a service with Carol of the Bells - Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Nice to wake them up on a Sunday morning! It was definitely a joyful noise! lol.
I was the drummer in the opening act, for about a month, on that In Heat tour. It was everything you could imagine, the best of times. I agree with you, Jimmy was the best, such a hard hitter.
I agree In Heat is a great album, I still play some of those songs 40 years later. I've always loved that brand of rock n roll. My friends back in the day didn't like them because the guitars weren't distorted. Never heard of the other guys.
I walked away. Now granted I never experienced the same level of success as yourself or the people you're talkig about. My band had a certain amount of regional success in the 90's and early 2000's. We got a song in a film, played showcases, made records, and gigged as much as possible mostly up and down the east coast. It was great until it seemed like it just wasn't going to happen. We all kind of walked away. Here we are twenty years later still recording for no other reason than we can and we should. Gigs are few and far between but I'm cool with that too. Fame and fortune in the music business wasn't meant to be and maybe that's a good thing.
I discovered you a few weeks ago. Your advice is not only good for the young people coming up but can also relate to every day life. I think you are a very wise man and really appreciate all you say. Thanks for what say.
I was just listening to the Romantics last night and was wondering where Jimmy Marinos was playing these days. One of my high school buds who's a pro drummer got the nod to fill in for some festival shows with the Romantics. I haven't caught up with him yet to hear how it went, Fun true story. When we were in JR high his band would play "What I Like About You" and he would sing while drumming just like Jimmy Marinos. Thanks for this video.
One of the members of Death Angel left the band, he was asked why and he said he "has a family and makes more money as a Project Manager in Silicon Valley than as a member of the band."
Jimmy Marinos is a force to be reckoned with, incredible drummer, incredible power and energy. Great vocalist, he made this band. God bless you Jimmy. Miss you brother
You know exactly why they walk away, Brad. They can't take the BS that goes with being in music 'business'. I stress the word business. I think that when a lot of guys...often special, very talented and passionate guys, figure out that it is more about 'business' than it is music, they become disillusioned with the whole thing. Plus, with it being so business heavy...these passionate guys who started due to their love of music, get rip off time after time, they walk away. Jake E. Lee was the perfect example. His story is heartbreaking and dream shattering. Imagine writing the majority of the Bark at the Moon album...and when it comes out, you see, 'all songs written by Ozzy Osbourne', on the back of the album.... It would really suck. Plus, it absolutely slashes the money you should be earning for your hard work and creativity. Ozzy only 'wrote'/came up with vocal melodies. No music..no lyrics. Looks at all of the guys that fought him in court or battled for their writing credits..Jake, Bob Daisley, Lee Keirslake...Phill Soussan for Shot in the Dark.... the business part is not cool.
Terrific video, Brad! When i think of great guitarists who walked away from fame I think of Jimmy Lyons, who was Eddie Money's lead player for the first four albums. He was fabulous. Listen to his playing on two tickets to paradise and life for the taking. Every solo he played was incredibly catchy and memorable. I heard that he left the business and became an airline pilot. What a great player!🤠🤠🤠
Thanks Brad for highlighting Jimmy Marinos. I found the hit you mentioned on RUclips and the video is showing him singing and playing the drums. Of course, it is a "music video" so it is not live. Nonetheless, he had to do it live when they toured. You are right. It is a song that evokes joy! Sheer joy! What RnR is intended to do. Just make someone shake about and smile while doing so! Like your daughter, this ole's guitarist also jumps up and down when listening to that song! Cheers to you Jimmy! Thanks Brad for shedding light on this topic. As a musician that went to Nashville back in the 90s and contemplated whether to stay or not then. You really have helped me to see what would have happened had I stayed. And that my conviction was right. It was not for me. Today, I simply enjoy playing my instruments locally with a few other hobbyists in my area. And we do some home studio recording as well. Cheers!
Jimmy Marinos was a huge influence on me although I do not sing while drumming. I've been a fan of the guys since the first album, National Breakout. My best friend and I got together yesterday to jam after several years and some of the songs we pulled out were from The Romantics. I've asked anyone that might know what happened to Jimmy but no one seems to have heard from him. No social media, no connections, nothing. I just want to thank him for being an inspiration.
I grew up near Detroit and saw the Romantics several times in their heyday. I think there may have been a lot of turbulence between them all...If I remember, the bass player Rich Cole left early on. Then Mike Skill the lead guitarist left only to come back on bass after they brought in guitarist Coz Canler as his replacement. I got to meet them once, and they looked like they hadn't slept for a week, so I imagine their touring schedule was brutal.
I look back at all the absolute great musicians I came up with and wonder how they never got picked up by The Star Machine. I played with the greatest Guitarist I ever knew in Europe. He was The Yardbirds before there was the Yardbirds. And taught me how to play Claptonesque by rubbing my nose off in the John Mayall And The Blues Breakers album. That was the foundation of it all. "Hideaway"!!!!!!!!!!! Graduation !!!!!... Man... We were it!!! Good while it lasted... Then it all faded away. My Friend wound up as a College Professor and I wound up an Airline Captain. I still talk to my Friend very often and reminisce in not only Walking Away but being Thrown Away!!!!! And I can tell you for a Fact!!!! We were Thrown Away. To the point of finally Walking Away in a Wakeup!!! As So Many !!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed your perspective on Jimmy. He was one of my main influences as I too am a singing drummer. I also agree start to finish, “In Heat” is a classic and still stands the test of time!
I've been binge watching a bunch of your episodes since I found you. I relate and know a lot about the people and events in your stories. Jake E Lee also got sideswiped by his lead singer in Badlands and the headlines he caused. John Sykes, I saw the Slide It In tour, they were second bill to Quiet Riot. He was having trouble with his Marshall and apparently didn't have a backup. He was having a fit, we only heard him for about three songs, no guitar the rest of the set.
I’ve gotten to know some of my heroes in nyc. Working guys. No one famous. But guys who do high profile gigs. I also worked a little bit out there myself. For the past 5-10 years, it has just seemed more and more impossible to do music unless you already have your money together. Breaks my heart. I see highly talented musicians STRUGGLE even after beating all the odds and finding success. At this point, it’s just not fun for me. The music industry I wanted to be a part of is long gone. The ability to be fabulously broke and have a great time and still somehow land on your feet financially at the end of 10-20 years…wow. I can only dream of it. You’re lucky to have been part of gravy train days and also very cool and talented, friend. Thanks for sharing the stories!
Brad, Thanks for another great video! You always have the most interesting topics. In another note... Jimmy was playing "Open Handed", which is how I play. The concept is that by not crossing hands, you're not constricted in any way. This also frees up the right hand to play around the kit while the left hand keeps the groove going on the hi hat or ride cymbal. Some of the most notable Open Handed drummers are Billy Cobham, Lenny White, and of course, Simon Phillips. You will also see Dennis Wilson of the Beach - among others - Boys playing this way.
Greetings from Detroit. I played music for many years . I had the opportunity to record with some big names. Unfortunately it was difficult to make a living. I make alot more as a teamster truck driver but I really miss music. Life is full of tough decisions.
I was in a band 20 plus years ago with Peter Cornell (Chris’s older brother) in New Jersey called “Black Market Radio”. After that experience, I just gave up. Don’t regret it, but I’m glad I left this music business behind.
Sometimes a wise man walks away when he realizes that mountain he is trying to climb so long that he is not seeing other doors in its path he can open that have more fulfillment his life can be experiencing. Playing is great if you lovingly it but there is more in life to do as well. Wise men figure that out sometimes
"Well I quit touring after 21 years in 2011 best decision I ever made.It's a really grueling & ruthless business."You have to be a true warrior to thrive & survive it isn't for the faint of heart.
Great power pop band. A genre that deserves more respect. That being said I played the "In Heat" album to death during my senior year in high school. A gazillion years later when I I got into 60s garage rock and discovered "Open Up Your Door" by Richard and The Young Lions. Romantics covered that obscure gem on that album.
Below is probably why a lot of musicians 'walk away.' It often has a lot to do with 'the business' rather than the music. From the Romantics wiki page... "In the late 1980s, the Romantics discovered that their managers had been misappropriating the profits earned by the band from its records and live performances. Additionally, one of their releases (the aforementioned "What I Like About You") had been licensed for use in television commercials without the band's knowledge or approval. Consequently, the Romantics filed a lawsuit against their management in 1987, and the legalities involved prevented the band from recording new music until the mid-1990s"
Brad thank you SOOO much for covering one of my favorites!! As a 12 year old drummer back in 1984, there were 3 drummers that mattered to me;Alex Van Halen, Jimmy Marinos and of course,Niel. I've been looking for a few years now every now and then for an interview with Marinos but to no avail. Maybe you could somehow find him and reach out to him because I know lots of drummers would love to see how he's doing and hear his side of what went for him in the "biz" thanks again and keep producing this content!!! Aaron
I’m hoping he sees this and maybe reaches out. He may not want to come forward, don’t want to disturb the guy, but I think he has a lot of fans out there who would love to hear his side of the story.
I just found your channel I dig it man as a 63 year old guitar player and drummer I wanted to move to Nashville at one time but I would not have a chance these days things are out of reach now.I subscribed peace bro.🎵🎸🍻🇺🇸🫡🤘
I once read back around 2000, an interview with R Kreiger where he stated- It's nice to walk out to your mail box once per month and get that check for 40/50k just from royalties. unquote. Can you imagine having publishing rights to that music as well? I imagine some of those dudes we never hear from again are still well off. imo
@@badbrad snap! a uk platinum metal drummer told me his royalty payments were just going downwards -this was back in 2008, on a couple of big albums out just several years before. He estimated about 90% of his output was being downloaded online rather than physical sales. Ironically, his entry to pro playing was from tape trading - everyone is at it!
Doooooooooodddd! This was an awesome one! Sykes and Jake E. Lee were some of my favorite guitar players. The Badlands/Blue Murder debut albums had some of the sickest guitar licks EVER. It breaks me heart to watch interviews with both of them and you can see how heartbroken they are by the looks on their faces from being done so wrong in the buisness. Having to here THEIR licks and THEIR songwriting on the radio, and then watching Ozzy live in mansions all around the globe. The Coverdale issue, the jury is still out with me on whether it was Sykes or Coverdale or BOTHS fault. BTW those B2000's are awesome!
@@badbrad I know right? They cost as much as houses these days. In all seriousness, these are good topics to discuss. It is good information for newcomers.
Blue Murder's & Sykes's stuff after the debut was great stuff. The original, pre-angst version D Coverdale was candid about his mother asking him what he thought he was thinking because Sykes was going to get all the attention from his looks, stage presence, playing, etc. Coverdale was very relaxed at that point, so it has the most truth in it. Also, DC canned the whole band. Those players were the backbone of a lot of great performers/legends like Gary Moore. Coverdale had an agenda. Right, wrong or otherwise, he left some bodies along the way trying to get where he thought he needed to go. BM's stuff shows WS would have been very different if Sykes had stayed around and the rest of the band did also. They would have been more classic metal/rock gurus instead of pop metal. Slide It In vs. anything post-1987 sums it up pretty well.
@@RockDawg77 True, casualties in the rock and roll wargrind. I love Tommy Aldridge, but I always had to remind people that he didn't play on the record. Once that great rhythm section was canned, and whole new "video" band was formed around Coverdale and the rest is history. Not that they were not great players themselves, but it did not have the same vibe as the album. I think there was drama on both sides, but nevertheless, both great in their own right.
Long comment, buckle up lol... When mtv came out I was mabey 11. Then OTA tv was trying to compete. There was a show called the rock palace on a local station once a week. That show is where I saw the romantics the 1st time. And the Drummer vocals and drumming style I found fascinating. At that time is when I was discovering RnRoll Alex Van Halen is who inspired me to play drums as a kid, but that drummer for the romantics was so cool. Like you said, he was different. He had Flair, hi hat with his left hand, with a simple kit and lead singing, he was a damn stud... Thanks for reminding me of childhood memories from the early 80s!
The Romantics' sound was similar to Scandal's tone. Talking in Your Sleep I liked better than What I Like About You, the vibe was cool. Red Dragon Cartel had a few albums. People always give Ozzy a pass for Sharon's actions, but that only works the first few times. After that, Ozzy's just as responsible. I always feel like if people wanted the public to know what they're doing, they would.
More. Dennis Elliott of Foreigner (became a pumpkin 🎃 farmer), Tommy Mandel and Chris Taylor (both left Bryan Adams after 20+ years), Chris DeGarmo of Queensryche, Michael Steele (born Susan Thomas) of The Bangles, Alan Fitzgerald (Montrose, Night Ranger), Rob Sabino (New York session keyboardist retired but became a music professor in UC Davis), Marc Droubay of Survivor (became a taxi 🚕 driver), Andrew Ridgely of Wham!
There's a handful of game changers in garage rock. Think The Sonics, The Kingsmen, maybe (big maybe) even The Knack plus some later day others like The Smithereens (more polished as they went for sure) perhaps. Each one delivered a game changer song that is like something that is some rare ear candy made all the better if it has that ragged garage ethos feel intact. These are songs you hardly ever get tired of hearing for unexplainable reasons beyond they all have a special feel. I'd put What I Like About You at the top of the list. A stone garage rock classic that will live on and on probably never being eclipsed.
Randy Meisner and Greg Rollie walked away from the absolute pinnacle of rock. Both went on to other things musically, but they left at their zenith. Bob Seger walked off for a decade. Steve Perry did the same. Rush truly retired. Brad Delp, perhaps the greatest true rock vocalist ever, was rendered. inactive for years at a time, never even releasing a solo album.
@badbrad Saw RATT at the place on the Round and Round tour. The clubs stage had a huge pole dead center and a wall of frozen drink machines lol. More on topic two of my favorites, Fates Warnings first singer Arch and TT Quicks Tornillo both walked away from the business and both returned.
You should get into the one eye thing. It's certainly prevalent in the entertainment industry. "When you hide one eye, you effectively block half of your vision. In symbolic terms, you become half-blind to the truth. By hiding one eye, celebrities symbolically “sacrifice” a vital part of their being for temporary material gain. And, since eyes are the “windows to the soul”, this gesture symbolizes the partial or total loss of one’s soul.” - The one eye sign: It's Origins and Occult Meaning
@@JimmyGallowayGuitar Yup...def some dark sh$t going on with those companies. Just look at all the rappers that become unalive. Kat Williams exposed what's really going on in Hellywood!
The music industry attitude of Nashville gave us Branson Missouri. I would love to see the same for rock n roll. A mid American town of rock theaters, restaurants, hotels and plenty of corners to busk on
OK, so John Sykes over the years has played as the lead singer in Bachman Turner overdrive ( correction: thin Lizzy ) since he used to be in the band before Whitesnake. He’s toured since the Whitesnake days with them. He also did the reunion album with Whitesnake and cover down or patch things up. I think he’s currently doing stuff. He never really walked away. He just walked away from the newer Music, maybe spotlight aspect of it. Of the industry.
@@badbrad I saw them down here in Florida in the mid 90s. I want to say with John Sykes fronting the band and blazing on guitar. Tommy Aldridge was on Drums. What a killer show that was.
@@badbrad yeah in the days before cell phones and the Internet. When you could misbehave and do crazy things and not have it !! But yeah, there’s a lot of negatives too.
The Smithereens... Played Blood and Rose's in a cover band about '89. The dance floor would pack, because that song was pretty current at the time. We were playing everything, from Hank to Hendrix, Santana to Allman Bros to Don Anderson, James Brown, the Everly Bros to the Eagles, and trying to mix in a few 'new' tunes, for the younger crowd.. Did they go back to working on garbage trucks? Seem to remember that was the record co. promo on them..
Dan Spitz from Anthrax said when he quit the band he not only sold all his guitars, he had the stereo taken out of his car! Didn't even want to HEAR music! He makes custom watches now.
I’m new to your channel and am working back through the videos, this is a good one for me, being a big Jake fan. Badlands is one of my all time short lived favorites. 3 full lengths released (albeit a few years after breakup for the last one Dusk). Listen to that raw last one, all one take demos to try and regain a record deal (Greg Chaisson interviews confirm this). I also credit Greg with reminding of a forgotten little known great who walked away way too soon, Kelly Holland of North Carolina’s Cry of Love. Cry of Love came along in the 90s and stuck their finger in the eye of grunge Lol😂. One release with Kelly Holland, he walks away, another good release with Robert Mason in his stead in the late 90s, then they folded altogether, Audley Freed joined the Black Crowes afterwards, and I think has his great gig as Sheryl Crow’s live guitarist (not much of a fan of Ms Crow), IMO what a waste of Mr Freeds capabilities. Can’t fault the man for just making a living tho.
@@badbrad Thanks bro. You make some very well done interestingly insightful videos. Jake was pretty elusive in that he was for all intents and purposes active more than most realize. Badlands folded in 1992-ish, then he had a band called Wicked Alliance in 1994 (a stab at industrial styled music), I think they had some demos, did tour, then that folded, he had a solo instrumental record in 1996 that was, for me, very good (but I'm a ham for Jake as I said), then in 1998 Badlands' Dusk got released, after Jake and Greg paid a ransom to a producer named Shay Baby (this dude had the Dusk "master" tapes), to get that out on Pony Canyon records, then 2000-ish tried to get a band off the ground called "Bourgeois Pigs" that never took, then 2004-2005 had a covers record called "Re-traced" with a superstar rhythm section of Tim Bogert and Aynsley Dunbar (some choice cover tunes on this. John Sykes seemed similar in that after Blue Murder folded in 1993-1994-ish, he released 4 solo records until 2000-ish, simultaneously rebooting Thin Lizzy up until 2010, then kinda "disappeared", as it were. In 2012-ish, Jake showed back up in a music video, then started Red Dragon Cartel (the 2nd RDC record is outstandingly great). And yeah, we need Jimmy Romantic to make an appearance here with you. It was great learning about Rodger Carter, was totally unfamiliar with him. Sorry for the long post..
@@badbrad This is true, you know it. Unfortunately by the 90's it was a very quickly diminishing chance to break anything as far as rock n roll was concerned. A few still kinda sorta broke in the 2000's (numetal anyone? I say thanks but no thanks) but by then the ship had completely sailed for solid blues rock or trad metal starting from scratch. No chance whatsoever the last however many handful of years. A band CAN still tour for a living, but I know that is a tough proposition. Some of the best bands of the recent decade are relegated to clubs in the US, do better in Europe
Great listen, Brad. Thank you. I still listen to the first Romantics record. It simply POPS. The production value is ridiculous for a freshman record. We saw them a dozen times in the early 80s and they treated us like we were important. They were great guys to a man. A review in the Denver paper "Westword" said "Jimmy Marinos hits the drums like they insulted his girlfriend". LOL. He was / is such a charismatic guy. BTW: he wasn't left-handed. He was self-taught and simply learned to play open-handed because he didn't know any differently. Really hard to duplicate some of his stuff effectively with closed hands. I read, somewhere, that he went into like carpet or flooring business? I may have dreamt that. I'm glad they are finally getting paid. Those managers and lawyers that were siphoning from them: that's a good way to get killed. Jackasses.
Great vid. Didn't read thru all those comments, but that project Sykes was involved with would've been Winery Dogs. Something went south there and Richie Kotzen took over and the rest is history. Would've loved to have seen Sykes with Sheehan & Portnoy. I think he was working on something after that but not sure what happened. He released a single during CoVid but then went MIA. I would think he gets risiduals from the Whitesnake album so he probably can live comfortably, enjoy family life and not deal with the BS. Jake also got screwed by Sharon but I was happy he did eventually come back with RDC. I can see how these guys just leave tue biz. Nothing like having all the talent yet the ones without the talent are the ones cashing in on your hard work. Too many stories like that.
It's a shame about Sykes. It's pretty much been said that he just doesn't like the business anymore. Wish he could buried the hatchet with David. Hoping Gibson will get in touch and do a video with him.
@@badbrad people mistakenly call him an Eddie clone but it’s far from the truth. He (and millions of others) were influenced by Eddie for sure but Vito added so much to make it his own style. Vito was so fluid, melodic and stylish. There was a Bruce Lee quote where he said that a martial artist should be like water. Free form and without limits. That’s how I always pictured Vito.
Maybe a little off topic, but I always wondered what the story was with Jake E Lees white SG junior. It was in the Shot in the dark video. I always thought it was awesome and even bought one similar. Just thought it was an odd but excellent choice for a mid 80s video in the age of super strats.
The Romantics were considered New Wave when they broke. Just look at their skinny ties. Loved that band and saw them play in a NJ club in 1984. You should try and hook-up with Wally Palmer as he now lives in South Florida.
Bad Brad I've lived in Virginia Beach my whole life and been playing the drums for about 30 years really wish we would have met if you're ever back in the area please hit me up would love to jam out. Tack care love your content ❤
There is only room For so many great players that never will get a shot. Littered from all over this country on Broadway to do what you just left after 30 years Off trying
I walked away from the music biz back in the early 90's. I knew some of the guys in Bandlands at the time and played with some of them after they left Bandlands. I did not know Jake E Lee though. The industry was blatantly satanic and I had to see it for myself.
@@badbrad Man if I lived in Florida I would have a lemon tree and orange tree in my yard . Fresh lemon juice every morning for me, I gotta buy bags of lemons up here. Pints in the afternoon too !
I was in a band we played a lot of romantics shake a tail What I like Got me where you want me I remember player gotta hold of a bedrock amplifier and it was the loudest cleanest crunch I've ever heard in my life We we both just looked at each other and started laughing it was explosive LOL The ultimate sound for rock you up
I've always thought John was the most underrated and one of the most amazing guitarists of all time. Whenever I talk about top guitarists of the 80s he's in there with Eddie, Randy, and Lynch. Especially for doing everything he did on a les Paul. When I hear old white snake come on the radio it's like taking a sip of diet Coke 😆 no shade on the older white snake guitarist but I don't even know who he is... I know who John Sykes is though. Being a guitar player myself and hearing everything he did on that white snake album I thought to myself why isn't this guy a well-known guitar hero? Who even is the guitar player of whitesnake?... Campbell?!! What??? There's no way. So of course I got on the Google machine and did some more research and when I found out the story of this guy I couldn't believe it. He made white snake as relevant as they would ever be. They had Coverdale for years but it wasn't until John Sykes laid those riffs down that they blew up. Great video 👍✊
Def Leppard’s Pyromania was the same , as far as the whole album goes: start to finish - is great. The 1980’s was the last great decade for music - as we knew it . The 1990’s was the beginning of the zenith phase of corporatizing the whole business into one giant “monster”. That cow was milked till it shriveled up and died. These record exec/co.’s and adjoined aspects of the business were the perfect example of what success does to people: it makes them comfortable. All of a sudden the MP3 comes out ……and within 3 yrs the dam sprung a leak. By 2010 - the music business was done. As bad as it was for some in its heyday it was a million times better than whatever the hell it’s become now…….. This age of post modern media is so sterile and void of “soul” ……..I can’t really describe it
I'd say there are at least a few who get lucky to be in the right place at the right time, even briefly, and are able to live modestly and not have to "Work" again. More common would be being in the right place at the right time, briefly, and expecting it to continue, and are surprised by reality bitch-slapping them upside the head. History is littered with the "One hit wonders", ya know. Good story, my friend!👍
How about Warren Demartini? I don't think guys like Sykes, and Jake walked away from anything. Once Blue Murder and Badlands folded there was nothing left for them to walk away from. Guitar players love them but....Doing clinics and playing bars for a handful of people ..... Worth it? I don't know. Jake might do something again...Red Dragon went about as well as you could expect it to go. Would you say it was a success?
I believe the whole band had to walk away due to managers doing the big rip off. They were not allowed to perform as the Romantics for many years. They had a lawsuit they did win.
Getting the Ozzy gig, 🚀 (but its with Ozzy and sharron 💥) what do they call that, lead fist in a velvet glove. Alanis must have a Ironic verse for that. Jake did not walk away, he had Badlands and then Dragon Cartel, (choses the coolest names for Bands as well).
I Played drums for Jimmy after he left the romantics with the motor city Rockers for 7 years. good times, He is very intense on and off the stage. Great guy. I miss hanging out with him.
Oh man. Has anybody heard from him. Anyway to get ahold of him.
I haven't talked to him in years. If you see him, tell him I said hello. And I would like to buy those custom Ludwig drums that I used to Play from the in heat tour
In my opinion Jake E Lee was the best all round guitarist in metal, and had great showmanship.
He was awesome! Really innovative.
100%!
I saw him when he first came out with Red Dragon Cartel. It was this really little small town in Indiana. It was where his girlfriend grew up. Got a chance to talk with her as she was his PR person. Also got to meet Jake at a free meet and greet after the show-which was surreal. Glad he resurfaced.
There was an interview with George Lynch where he talked about losing the Ozzy gig to Jake and he admitted that Jake was the total package with playing and showmanship.
George said that after that, he upped his showmanship game.
@@guskalogeros9021It was more to do with George’s hair, because during that particular time George had short hair, and Ozzy & Sharon were a bit skeptical about it because it was all about the image and the hair.. especially with Sharon. I can remember George saying at a guitar clinic (I actually met him too) that Jake came into the room one day with hair down to his ass 😂 and George said to Ozzy “hey what’s happening here? Who’s this other guy?” And Ozzy said “oh sorry we won’t be needing you anymore.” That’s exactly what George said at the clinic 👌🏽
Vito Bratta walked away from the business. He was great.
Yes that is another great. Amazing soloist....
He did, but that was mainly family stuff, taking care of his parents, then he injured his hand.
@@badbrad I loved his unique rhythm work, gave me a whole new outlook on how even rhythm guitar could be melodic.
@@VirtualVoiceVillains Yes indeed....
I just posted that too. MONSTER guitar player
I'm a musician dad of 2 young boys, we moved to FL a few years ago also. Retired from music, but I still enjoy playing in church and making music for my kids' RUclips channel. Wishing you all the success in this new stage of your career, and most importantly as a father. Welcome to Florida!
Thank you so much 🙏
@VirtualVoiceVillains a few years back our church band consisted of recovering rockers. Got kind loud for the older, more conservative, congregants. We played Zeppelin, Skynyrd and Sabbath at practice when no others were around.🙂✌️
@@fumanpoo4725 That's awesome!
@@fumanpoo4725 Awesome! At the last church I played at we opened a service with Carol of the Bells - Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Nice to wake them up on a Sunday morning! It was definitely a joyful noise! lol.
@@VirtualVoiceVillains 🙂✌️
I was the drummer in the opening act, for about a month, on that In Heat tour. It was everything you could imagine, the best of times. I agree with you, Jimmy was the best, such a hard hitter.
Man thanks for that. I bet that was epic! Have you talked to him?
@@badbrad No, I was Mike Skill's neighbor too, (Romantics guitar), but he never mentioned him.
I agree In Heat is a great album, I still play some of those songs 40 years later.
I've always loved that brand of rock n roll.
My friends back in the day didn't like them because the guitars weren't distorted.
Never heard of the other guys.
Yeah the guitar tones are stellar on that record as is the infectious energy that band had.
I walked away. Now granted I never experienced the same level of success as yourself or the people you're talkig about. My band had a certain amount of regional success in the 90's and early 2000's. We got a song in a film, played showcases, made records, and gigged as much as possible mostly up and down the east coast. It was great until it seemed like it just wasn't going to happen. We all kind of walked away. Here we are twenty years later still recording for no other reason than we can and we should. Gigs are few and far between but I'm cool with that too. Fame and fortune in the music business wasn't meant to be and maybe that's a good thing.
Be careful what you wish for. Sounds like more importantly you were able to keep your sanity.
I discovered you a few weeks ago. Your advice is not only good for the young people coming up but can also relate to every day life. I think you are a very wise man and really appreciate all you say. Thanks for what say.
Thank you! Really it all can be beneficial in any industry. I appreciate that.
I was just listening to the Romantics last night and was wondering where Jimmy Marinos was playing these days. One of my high school buds who's a pro drummer got the nod to fill in for some festival shows with the Romantics. I haven't caught up with him yet to hear how it went, Fun true story. When we were in JR high his band would play "What I Like About You" and he would sing while drumming just like Jimmy Marinos. Thanks for this video.
Thank you sir. Let me know how your friend did.
Jimmy Marinos wow he’s def top 5 on my list of best drummers ! Where you at Jimmy?
Come back Jimmy Rock n Roll never forgets.
One of the members of Death Angel left the band, he was asked why and he said he "has a family and makes more money as a Project Manager in Silicon Valley than as a member of the band."
Wow
Jimmy Marinos is a force to be reckoned with, incredible drummer, incredible power and energy. Great vocalist, he made this band. God bless you Jimmy. Miss you brother
Man I wish I could hear him tell his story.
You know exactly why they walk away, Brad. They can't take the BS that goes with being in music 'business'. I stress the word business. I think that when a lot of guys...often special, very talented and passionate guys, figure out that it is more about 'business' than it is music, they become disillusioned with the whole thing. Plus, with it being so business heavy...these passionate guys who started due to their love of music, get rip off time after time, they walk away. Jake E. Lee was the perfect example. His story is heartbreaking and dream shattering. Imagine writing the majority of the Bark at the Moon album...and when it comes out, you see, 'all songs written by Ozzy Osbourne', on the back of the album.... It would really suck. Plus, it absolutely slashes the money you should be earning for your hard work and creativity. Ozzy only 'wrote'/came up with vocal melodies. No music..no lyrics. Looks at all of the guys that fought him in court or battled for their writing credits..Jake, Bob Daisley, Lee Keirslake...Phill Soussan for Shot in the Dark.... the business part is not cool.
Yeah that Ozzy stuff is incredibly sad and just absolutely wrong. You nailed it.
Terrific video, Brad! When i think of great guitarists who walked away from fame I think of Jimmy Lyons, who was Eddie Money's lead player for the first four albums. He was fabulous. Listen to his playing on two tickets to paradise and life for the taking. Every solo he played was incredibly catchy and memorable. I heard that he left the business and became an airline pilot. What a great player!🤠🤠🤠
Yes...I've heard that story and his playing was awesome. Thank you!
There was a local band in Minneapolis called Cain. The lead guitar was amazing. Someone told me he sold all his gear and became a machinist.
Wow not surprising.
Thanks Brad for highlighting Jimmy Marinos. I found the hit you mentioned on RUclips and the video is showing him singing and playing the drums. Of course, it is a "music video" so it is not live. Nonetheless, he had to do it live when they toured. You are right. It is a song that evokes joy! Sheer joy! What RnR is intended to do. Just make someone shake about and smile while doing so! Like your daughter, this ole's guitarist also jumps up and down when listening to that song! Cheers to you Jimmy! Thanks Brad for shedding light on this topic. As a musician that went to Nashville back in the 90s and contemplated whether to stay or not then. You really have helped me to see what would have happened had I stayed. And that my conviction was right. It was not for me. Today, I simply enjoy playing my instruments locally with a few other hobbyists in my area. And we do some home studio recording as well. Cheers!
Cheers to you and glad to hear that you still get joy from music. Thanks so much for tuning in. Best to you.
Jimmy Marinos was a huge influence on me although I do not sing while drumming. I've been a fan of the guys since the first album, National Breakout. My best friend and I got together yesterday to jam after several years and some of the songs we pulled out were from The Romantics. I've asked anyone that might know what happened to Jimmy but no one seems to have heard from him. No social media, no connections, nothing. I just want to thank him for being an inspiration.
He inspired so many....even me a guitar player...but having been in the business I can understand getting away from the spotlight.
I grew up near Detroit and saw the Romantics several times in their heyday. I think there may have been a lot of turbulence between them all...If I remember, the bass player Rich Cole left early on. Then Mike Skill the lead guitarist left only to come back on bass after they brought in guitarist Coz Canler as his replacement. I got to meet them once, and they looked like they hadn't slept for a week, so I imagine their touring schedule was brutal.
I bet it was. Man I wish I could interview Jimmy Marinos.
I look back at all the absolute great musicians I came up with and wonder how they never got picked up by The Star Machine. I played with the greatest Guitarist
I ever knew in Europe. He was The Yardbirds before there was the Yardbirds. And taught me how to play Claptonesque by rubbing my nose off in the John Mayall
And The Blues Breakers album. That was the foundation of it all. "Hideaway"!!!!!!!!!!! Graduation !!!!!... Man... We were it!!! Good while it lasted... Then it all faded
away. My Friend wound up as a College Professor and I wound up an Airline Captain. I still talk to my Friend very often and reminisce in not only Walking Away but
being Thrown Away!!!!! And I can tell you for a Fact!!!! We were Thrown Away. To the point of finally Walking Away in a Wakeup!!! As So Many !!!!
Man that is a damn shame. But it sounds like you guys landed on your feet.
The Romantics! From Detroit, big in Detroit. National Breakout was a criminal underrated album. Indeed high energy and oh so sublime power pop.
Yes Power Pop! Man I still go through phases where I crank up The Romantics and remember simpler times .
What a rockin song…”What I Like About You” kicks ass.
@@badbrad Grew up listening to The Romantics here in Detroit.
Not the same band without Jimmy Marinos.
I thoroughly enjoyed your perspective on Jimmy. He was one of my main influences as I too am a singing drummer. I also agree start to finish, “In Heat” is a classic and still stands the test of time!
Yes indeed. Wish I could get him on my channel.
I've been binge watching a bunch of your episodes since I found you. I relate and know a lot about the people and events in your stories. Jake E Lee also got sideswiped by his lead singer in Badlands and the headlines he caused. John Sykes, I saw the Slide It In tour, they were second bill to Quiet Riot. He was having trouble with his Marshall and apparently didn't have a backup. He was having a fit, we only heard him for about three songs, no guitar the rest of the set.
Wow have not heard that Sykes story...
I’ve gotten to know some of my heroes in nyc. Working guys. No one famous. But guys who do high profile gigs. I also worked a little bit out there myself. For the past 5-10 years, it has just seemed more and more impossible to do music unless you already have your money together. Breaks my heart. I see highly talented musicians STRUGGLE even after beating all the odds and finding success. At this point, it’s just not fun for me. The music industry I wanted to be a part of is long gone. The ability to be fabulously broke and have a great time and still somehow land on your feet financially at the end of 10-20 years…wow. I can only dream of it. You’re lucky to have been part of gravy train days and also very cool and talented, friend. Thanks for sharing the stories!
Whew, I feel this. Frankly I feel lucky to be alive. Thank you for tuning in. More to come.
@@badbrad looking forward to it! Thank you for your generosity and authenticity. It’s easy to see why you had such a good career!
Jimmy is and was a great musician. He played locally after the romantics for many years. He since fell off the map
Just wondered what he’s up to.
Brad,
Thanks for another great video! You always have the most interesting topics.
In another note...
Jimmy was playing "Open Handed", which is how I play. The concept is that by not crossing hands, you're not constricted in any way.
This also frees up the right hand to play around the kit while the left hand keeps the groove going on the hi hat or ride cymbal.
Some of the most notable Open Handed drummers are Billy Cobham, Lenny White, and of course, Simon Phillips. You will also see Dennis Wilson of the Beach - among others - Boys playing this way.
Wow thanks for that. I never knew that. Glad to give a spotlight on the drummer on this one. Thank you!
Brad, you got me thinking about people who walked away, Vinnie Vincent, Izzy Stradlin, Meg White, even Phil Collins tapped out for years. Tough biz.
Yes more and more names come to light. It’s tough.
Greetings from Detroit. I played music for many years . I had the opportunity to record with some big names. Unfortunately it was difficult to make a living. I make alot more as a teamster truck driver but I really miss music. Life is full of tough decisions.
It sure is. Thankful to hear your story.
I was in a band 20 plus years ago with Peter Cornell (Chris’s older brother) in New Jersey called “Black Market Radio”. After that experience, I just gave up. Don’t regret it, but I’m glad I left this music business behind.
Wow. I hear you. It is a rough ride.
Sometimes it's best to walk away and other times it's better to run! Cheers Brad!!
Yes indeed! Cheers!
I was watching 80's vids last week, saw WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU, and was mesmerized by the drummer also. What a great song.
Killer song check out the In Heat album.
I'm glad I found this channel! 🤘🤘 😁
Thank you! Glad you are here!
Sometimes a wise man walks away when he realizes that mountain he is trying to climb so long that he is not seeing other doors in its path he can open that have more fulfillment his life can be experiencing. Playing is great if you lovingly it but there is more in life to do as well. Wise men figure that out sometimes
I understand what you’re saying.
Thems wise words.
"Well I quit touring after 21 years in 2011 best decision I ever made.It's a really grueling & ruthless business."You have to be a true warrior to thrive & survive it isn't for the faint of heart.
Yes indeed. Thrive and survive and turns into booze and cruise…lol
Great power pop band. A genre that deserves more respect. That being said I played the "In Heat" album to death during my senior year in high school. A gazillion years later when I I got into 60s garage rock and discovered "Open Up Your Door" by Richard and The Young Lions. Romantics covered that obscure gem on that album.
Below is probably why a lot of musicians 'walk away.' It often has a lot to do with 'the business' rather than the music. From the Romantics wiki page...
"In the late 1980s, the Romantics discovered that their managers had been misappropriating the profits earned by the band from its records and live performances. Additionally, one of their releases (the aforementioned "What I Like About You") had been licensed for use in television commercials without the band's knowledge or approval. Consequently, the Romantics filed a lawsuit against their management in 1987, and the legalities involved prevented the band from recording new music until the mid-1990s"
Wow
Brad thank you SOOO much for covering one of my favorites!! As a 12 year old drummer back in 1984, there were 3 drummers that mattered to me;Alex Van Halen, Jimmy Marinos and of course,Niel. I've been looking for a few years now every now and then for an interview with Marinos but to no avail. Maybe you could somehow find him and reach out to him because I know lots of drummers would love to see how he's doing and hear his side of what went for him in the "biz" thanks again and keep producing this content!!! Aaron
I’m hoping he sees this and maybe reaches out. He may not want to come forward, don’t want to disturb the guy, but I think he has a lot of fans out there who would love to hear his side of the story.
I just found your channel I dig it man as a 63 year old guitar player and drummer I wanted to move to Nashville at one time but I would not have a chance these days things are out of reach now.I subscribed peace bro.🎵🎸🍻🇺🇸🫡🤘
Glad to have you here. 🙏
I once read back around 2000, an interview with R Kreiger where he stated- It's nice to walk out to your mail box once per month and get that check for 40/50k just from royalties. unquote. Can you imagine having publishing rights to that music as well? I imagine some of those dudes we never hear from again are still well off. imo
Yes indeed but as formats change in Radio those checks can get smaller and smaller.
@@badbrad snap! a uk platinum metal drummer told me his royalty payments were just going downwards -this was back in 2008, on a couple of big albums out just several years before. He estimated about 90% of his output was being downloaded online rather than physical sales.
Ironically, his entry to pro playing was from tape trading - everyone is at it!
You bringing back memories.
I hope so!
Doooooooooodddd! This was an awesome one! Sykes and Jake E. Lee were some of my favorite guitar players. The Badlands/Blue Murder debut albums had some of the sickest guitar licks EVER. It breaks me heart to watch interviews with both of them and you can see how heartbroken they are by the looks on their faces from being done so wrong in the buisness. Having to here THEIR licks and THEIR songwriting on the radio, and then watching Ozzy live in mansions all around the globe. The Coverdale issue, the jury is still out with me on whether it was Sykes or Coverdale or BOTHS fault. BTW those B2000's are awesome!
Duuuuuude! I’d drive a b2000 if there were still $5999
@@badbrad I know right? They cost as much as houses these days. In all seriousness, these are good topics to discuss. It is good information for newcomers.
Blue Murder's & Sykes's stuff after the debut was great stuff. The original, pre-angst version D Coverdale was candid about his mother asking him what he thought he was thinking because Sykes was going to get all the attention from his looks, stage presence, playing, etc. Coverdale was very relaxed at that point, so it has the most truth in it. Also, DC canned the whole band. Those players were the backbone of a lot of great performers/legends like Gary Moore. Coverdale had an agenda. Right, wrong or otherwise, he left some bodies along the way trying to get where he thought he needed to go. BM's stuff shows WS would have been very different if Sykes had stayed around and the rest of the band did also. They would have been more classic metal/rock gurus instead of pop metal. Slide It In vs. anything post-1987 sums it up pretty well.
@@RockDawg77 True, casualties in the rock and roll wargrind. I love Tommy Aldridge, but I always had to remind people that he didn't play on the record. Once that great rhythm section was canned, and whole new "video" band was formed around Coverdale and the rest is history. Not that they were not great players themselves, but it did not have the same vibe as the album. I think there was drama on both sides, but nevertheless, both great in their own right.
Long comment, buckle up lol... When mtv came out I was mabey 11. Then OTA tv was trying to compete. There was a show called the rock palace on a local station once a week. That show is where I saw the romantics the 1st time. And the Drummer vocals and drumming style I found fascinating. At that time is when I was discovering RnRoll
Alex Van Halen is who inspired me to play drums as a kid, but that drummer for the romantics was so cool. Like you said, he was different. He had Flair, hi hat with his left hand, with a simple kit and lead singing, he was a damn stud... Thanks for reminding me of childhood memories from the early 80s!
Absolutely! Thank you for tuning in. Jimmy Marinos deserves the accolades.
Every once in a while I still put on "Rock you up"! Smokin
Love that song!
The Romantics' sound was similar to Scandal's tone. Talking in Your Sleep I liked better than What I Like About You, the vibe was cool.
Red Dragon Cartel had a few albums. People always give Ozzy a pass for Sharon's actions, but that only works the first few times. After that, Ozzy's just as responsible.
I always feel like if people wanted the public to know what they're doing, they would.
Yeah I think they want to get away for a reason...
the creative music side is great fun. but it easy to walk away when you dealing with criminal agents, promoters , managers.
So true!
I walked away from it all.
No regrets.
I'm glad that I did...
I understand why you would....
More. Dennis Elliott of Foreigner (became a pumpkin 🎃 farmer), Tommy Mandel and Chris Taylor (both left Bryan Adams after 20+ years), Chris DeGarmo of Queensryche, Michael Steele (born Susan Thomas) of The Bangles, Alan Fitzgerald (Montrose, Night Ranger), Rob Sabino (New York session keyboardist retired but became a music professor in UC Davis), Marc Droubay of Survivor (became a taxi 🚕 driver), Andrew Ridgely of Wham!
Man that is some unique choices and all great.
There's a handful of game changers in garage rock. Think The Sonics, The Kingsmen, maybe (big maybe) even The Knack plus some later day others like The Smithereens (more polished as they went for sure) perhaps. Each one delivered a game changer song that is like something that is some rare ear candy made all the better if it has that ragged garage ethos feel intact. These are songs you hardly ever get tired of hearing for unexplainable reasons beyond they all have a special feel. I'd put What I Like About You at the top of the list. A stone garage rock classic that will live on and on probably never being eclipsed.
Man I so agree!
Great video!!!
Thank you!!🙏
Randy Meisner and Greg Rollie walked away from the absolute pinnacle of rock. Both went on to other things musically, but they left at their zenith.
Bob Seger walked off for a decade. Steve Perry did the same. Rush truly retired.
Brad Delp, perhaps the greatest true rock vocalist ever, was rendered. inactive for years at a time, never even releasing a solo album.
Yes. Seems it happens a lot.
I remember seeing the Romantics at a bar in Fayetteville, NC in the late '80s called the Flaming Mug when I was in the Army. Good band!
Wow man. I wish I had seen them.
Rock you up !!
Man I love that tune!
@badbrad hell ya
Bringing back some long ago memories. I saw The Romantics open for Cheap Trick at a small club in Fort Worth on a new years eve 83/84. Good band.
Wow very cool!
@badbrad Saw RATT at the place on the Round and Round tour. The clubs stage had a huge pole dead center and a wall of frozen drink machines lol.
More on topic two of my favorites, Fates Warnings first singer Arch and TT Quicks Tornillo both walked away from the business and both returned.
Jake was a hell of a guitar player and he’s never really been captured on vinyl, live in his prime he was great
He was great.
You should get into the one eye thing. It's certainly prevalent in the entertainment industry.
"When you hide one eye, you effectively block half of your vision. In symbolic terms, you become half-blind to the truth.
By hiding one eye, celebrities symbolically “sacrifice” a vital part of their being for temporary material gain. And, since eyes are the “windows to the soul”, this gesture symbolizes the partial or total loss of one’s soul.”
- The one eye sign: It's Origins and Occult Meaning
Man it’s everywhere.
@badbrad it certainly is. Look at who is running the labels now. I'm sure you've got stories. I sure do.
@@JimmyGallowayGuitar Yup...def some dark sh$t going on with those companies. Just look at all the rappers that become unalive. Kat Williams exposed what's really going on in Hellywood!
Darn near every musician of note, and I mean ever, has at least one publicity photo with one eye symbolism. It’s no coincidence
@@JimmyGallowayGuitar I hear ya!
I must admit the content on this channel is EXACTLY.....🎶🎵🪕🎹 what I like about you...🥁🎸🎺🎼 😁
Wow, thank you!
Keep it up man!
Thank you!!!!! Will do.
The music industry attitude of Nashville gave us Branson Missouri. I would love to see the same for rock n roll. A mid American town of rock theaters, restaurants, hotels and plenty of corners to busk on
That sounds like a great idea.
❤💯❤️💯❤️💯❤️💯❤️💯great video Brad👍
Thank you!!!
a famous guitarist told me years ago the music business is an awful business.
He ain't lying.
Sykes fronted thin Lizzy until 2009 left then made an album yet still hasn't released it yet.
Love Thin Lizzy.
OK, so John Sykes over the years has played as the lead singer in Bachman Turner overdrive ( correction: thin Lizzy ) since he used to be in the band before Whitesnake. He’s toured since the Whitesnake days with them. He also did the reunion album with Whitesnake and cover down or patch things up. I think he’s currently doing stuff. He never really walked away. He just walked away from the newer Music, maybe spotlight aspect of it. Of the industry.
I never heard about BAchman Turner Overdrive and Sykes. .
@@badbrad I saw them down here in Florida in the mid 90s. I want to say with John Sykes fronting the band and blazing on guitar. Tommy Aldridge was on Drums. What a killer show that was.
@@seanmormelo01 I never heard about that and I can't find any footage of it...
@@badbrad yeah in the days before cell phones and the Internet. When you could misbehave and do crazy things and not have it !! But yeah, there’s a lot of negatives too.
@@seanmormelo01 I hear ya!
Shoutout for Chris DeGarmo!!!
🤘
😫
🎸
Yes another who walked away.
John Deacon from Queen walked when Freddie died and has never been interested in coming back
Indeed. Hard to come back after that.
@@badbrad hi Brad, I suppose once you’ve worked your whole career with Freddie Mercury there’s no topping that !
You know that's right.
Great commentary
Much appreciated
The Smithereens...
Played Blood and Rose's in a cover band about '89. The dance floor would pack, because that song was pretty current at the time.
We were playing everything, from Hank to Hendrix, Santana to Allman Bros to Don Anderson, James Brown, the Everly Bros to the Eagles, and trying to mix in a few 'new' tunes, for the younger crowd..
Did they go back to working on garbage trucks? Seem to remember that was the record co. promo on them..
Man I don’t know what happens but they were good
Dan Spitz from Anthrax said when he quit the band he not only sold all his guitars, he had the stereo taken out of his car! Didn't even want to HEAR music! He makes custom watches now.
wow
I’m new to your channel and am working back through the videos, this is a good one for me, being a big Jake fan. Badlands is one of my all time short lived favorites. 3 full lengths released (albeit a few years after breakup for the last one Dusk). Listen to that raw last one, all one take demos to try and regain a record deal (Greg Chaisson interviews confirm this). I also credit Greg with reminding of a forgotten little known great who walked away way too soon, Kelly Holland of North Carolina’s Cry of Love. Cry of Love came along in the 90s and stuck their finger in the eye of grunge Lol😂. One release with Kelly Holland, he walks away, another good release with Robert Mason in his stead in the late 90s, then they folded altogether, Audley Freed joined the Black Crowes afterwards, and I think has his great gig as Sheryl Crow’s live guitarist (not much of a fan of Ms Crow), IMO what a waste of Mr Freeds capabilities. Can’t fault the man for just making a living tho.
Great post. Jake was amazing. Cry of Love was so underrated. Tough business .
@@badbrad Thanks bro. You make some very well done interestingly insightful videos. Jake was pretty elusive in that he was for all intents and purposes active more than most realize. Badlands folded in 1992-ish, then he had a band called Wicked Alliance in 1994 (a stab at industrial styled music), I think they had some demos, did tour, then that folded, he had a solo instrumental record in 1996 that was, for me, very good (but I'm a ham for Jake as I said), then in 1998 Badlands' Dusk got released, after Jake and Greg paid a ransom to a producer named Shay Baby (this dude had the Dusk "master" tapes), to get that out on Pony Canyon records, then 2000-ish tried to get a band off the ground called "Bourgeois Pigs" that never took, then 2004-2005 had a covers record called "Re-traced" with a superstar rhythm section of Tim Bogert and Aynsley Dunbar (some choice cover tunes on this. John Sykes seemed similar in that after Blue Murder folded in 1993-1994-ish, he released 4 solo records until 2000-ish, simultaneously rebooting Thin Lizzy up until 2010, then kinda "disappeared", as it were. In 2012-ish, Jake showed back up in a music video, then started Red Dragon Cartel (the 2nd RDC record is outstandingly great). And yeah, we need Jimmy Romantic to make an appearance here with you. It was great learning about Rodger Carter, was totally unfamiliar with him. Sorry for the long post..
Man you know all the inside stuff. Still most would consider this stuff pretty obscure it’s tough to break more than one project
@@badbrad This is true, you know it. Unfortunately by the 90's it was a very quickly diminishing chance to break anything as far as rock n roll was concerned. A few still kinda sorta broke in the 2000's (numetal anyone? I say thanks but no thanks) but by then the ship had completely sailed for solid blues rock or trad metal starting from scratch. No chance whatsoever the last however many handful of years. A band CAN still tour for a living, but I know that is a tough proposition. Some of the best bands of the recent decade are relegated to clubs in the US, do better in Europe
Warren Dimartini of Ratt just decided that he didn’t want to do it anymore.
True! Great player
as a father of, if little girls like a song - you home!
Where is Vito Bratta? We want him back
Yeah that is another guy who just walked away.
From what I have read he is caring for his elderly mother in his childhood home.
Coz Canler from the Romantics is in Miami
Ok
Great listen, Brad. Thank you. I still listen to the first Romantics record. It simply POPS. The production value is ridiculous for a freshman record. We saw them a dozen times in the early 80s and they treated us like we were important. They were great guys to a man. A review in the Denver paper "Westword" said "Jimmy Marinos hits the drums like they insulted his girlfriend". LOL. He was / is such a charismatic guy. BTW: he wasn't left-handed. He was self-taught and simply learned to play open-handed because he didn't know any differently. Really hard to duplicate some of his stuff effectively with closed hands. I read, somewhere, that he went into like carpet or flooring business? I may have dreamt that. I'm glad they are finally getting paid. Those managers and lawyers that were siphoning from them: that's a good way to get killed. Jackasses.
I wish Jimmy would come on this channel.
Very good.
Many many thanks
Great vid. Didn't read thru all those comments, but that project Sykes was involved with would've been Winery Dogs. Something went south there and Richie Kotzen took over and the rest is history. Would've loved to have seen Sykes with Sheehan & Portnoy. I think he was working on something after that but not sure what happened. He released a single during CoVid but then went MIA. I would think he gets risiduals from the Whitesnake album so he probably can live comfortably, enjoy family life and not deal with the BS.
Jake also got screwed by Sharon but I was happy he did eventually come back with RDC. I can see how these guys just leave tue biz. Nothing like having all the talent yet the ones without the talent are the ones cashing in on your hard work. Too many stories like that.
Sykes with Portnoy and Sheehan would be awesome but those residuals probably set him up for life.
It's a shame about Sykes. It's pretty much been said that he just doesn't like the business anymore. Wish he could buried the hatchet with David. Hoping Gibson will get in touch and do a video with him.
I can understand why someone would walk away.
@@badbrad Absolutely
What about Vito Bratta
INCREDIBLE player
Totally slept on him but man he is an incredible player and very elusive.
@@badbrad people mistakenly call him an Eddie clone but it’s far from the truth.
He (and millions of others) were influenced by Eddie for sure but Vito added so much to make it his own style.
Vito was so fluid, melodic and stylish. There was a Bruce Lee quote where he said that a martial artist should be like water. Free form and without limits.
That’s how I always pictured Vito.
He was technically great but he was essentially an Eddie Van Halen wannabe.
Maybe a little off topic, but I always wondered what the story was with Jake E Lees white SG junior. It was in the Shot in the dark video. I always thought it was awesome and even bought one similar. Just thought it was an odd but excellent choice for a mid 80s video in the age of super strats.
Funny you should say that. I’ve always thought that was a cool guitar as well.
Jake E. Lee. Check out Badlands. Super Killer!!!
Oh yeah they are great!
Voodoo Highwsy is such a great guitar album I found that CD for 5$ at hastings before they closed the stores.that CD is worth 50.00 now 😂
@@michaelgallegos8811 Wow!
The Romantics were considered New Wave when they broke. Just look at their skinny ties. Loved that band and saw them play in a NJ club in 1984.
You should try and hook-up with Wally Palmer as he now lives in South Florida.
Oh wow did not know that. Yeah man those guys were so different and so good.
Bad Brad I've lived in Virginia Beach my whole life and been playing the drums for about 30 years really wish we would have met if you're ever back in the area please hit me up would love to jam out. Tack care love your content ❤
Awesome! Will do.
I love your channel.Im live on A lake.Chicken Wing Bar players..I'm A subscriber. TY ..I've Done 20 years of tours.Time to settle down for me.
Thank you so much! Much appreciated!
There is only room
For so many great players that never will get a shot. Littered from all over this country on Broadway to do what you just left after 30 years Off trying
I know.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away, know when to run……….
Truer words have never been sung....
Awesome video have a wonderful day 3also can you read music when playing guitar Brad ❤😊
I’m good at reading chord charts but I don’t read single notes that much anymore.
I walked away from the music biz back in the early 90's. I knew some of the guys in Bandlands at the time and played with some of them after they left Bandlands. I did not know Jake E Lee though. The industry was blatantly satanic and I had to see it for myself.
wow. I hear you loud and clear.
Hello Brad, what would be a piece of gear you want next ?
The New PRS with the Nearfield pickups looks pretty cool.
or a Friedman Plex.
@@badbrad Man if I lived in Florida I would have a lemon tree and orange tree in my yard . Fresh lemon juice every morning for me, I gotta buy bags of lemons up here. Pints in the afternoon too !
Man that sounds awesome
I saw the Romantics at the Suffolk peanut festival back in the day
WOW!
Johnny Ramone was still the greatest guitar player to ever live !!!
Ok
I was in a band we played a lot of romantics shake a tail What I like Got me where you want me I remember player gotta hold of a bedrock amplifier and it was the loudest cleanest crunch I've ever heard in my life We we both just looked at each other and started laughing it was explosive LOL The ultimate sound for rock you up
Now that is a great story!! 😎
John Deacon walked away.
Yes he did
I've always thought John was the most underrated and one of the most amazing guitarists of all time. Whenever I talk about top guitarists of the 80s he's in there with Eddie, Randy, and Lynch. Especially for doing everything he did on a les Paul. When I hear old white snake come on the radio it's like taking a sip of diet Coke 😆 no shade on the older white snake guitarist but I don't even know who he is... I know who John Sykes is though. Being a guitar player myself and hearing everything he did on that white snake album I thought to myself why isn't this guy a well-known guitar hero? Who even is the guitar player of whitesnake?... Campbell?!! What??? There's no way. So of course I got on the Google machine and did some more research and when I found out the story of this guy I couldn't believe it. He made white snake as relevant as they would ever be. They had Coverdale for years but it wasn't until John Sykes laid those riffs down that they blew up.
Great video 👍✊
Def Leppard’s Pyromania was the same , as far as the whole album goes: start to finish - is great.
The 1980’s was the last great decade for music - as we knew it . The 1990’s was the beginning of the zenith phase of corporatizing the whole business into one giant “monster”.
That cow was milked till it shriveled up and died. These record exec/co.’s and adjoined aspects of the business were the perfect example of what success does to people: it makes them comfortable. All of a sudden the MP3 comes out ……and within 3 yrs the dam sprung a leak. By 2010 - the music business was done.
As bad as it was for some in its heyday it was a million times better than whatever the hell it’s become now……..
This age of post modern media is so sterile and void of “soul” ……..I can’t really describe it
A lot of truth here. Bitter pill to swallow.
Rock you up!
Love that tune!
@@badbrad Your stories are so similar to mine! Same age I went to L. A . but then to New Orleans! I totally relate and enjoy Your Channel!
I walked away. No regrets.
I hear you
I'd say there are at least a few who get lucky to be in the right place at the right time, even briefly, and are able to live modestly and not have to "Work" again. More common would be being in the right place at the right time, briefly, and expecting it to continue, and are surprised by reality bitch-slapping them upside the head. History is littered with the "One hit wonders", ya know. Good story, my friend!👍
Thank you! 🙏
How about Warren Demartini? I don't think guys like Sykes, and Jake walked away from anything. Once Blue Murder and Badlands folded there was nothing left for them to walk away from. Guitar players love them but....Doing clinics and playing bars for a handful of people ..... Worth it? I don't know. Jake might do something again...Red Dragon went about as well as you could expect it to go. Would you say it was a success?
I hear ya. But Sykes likely made so much money from his Whitesnake royalties that he didn't need to work like Jimmy Marinos.
Last I heard Jake has Carpel Tunnel syndrome and waiting for operation
@@SidLives aww man that sucks....
Red Dragon's stuff was great.
I believe the whole band had to walk away due to managers doing the big rip off. They were not allowed to perform as the Romantics for many years. They had a lawsuit they did win.
Wow
Getting the Ozzy gig, 🚀 (but its with Ozzy and sharron 💥) what do they call that, lead fist in a velvet glove. Alanis must have a Ironic verse for that.
Jake did not walk away, he had Badlands and then Dragon Cartel, (choses the coolest names for Bands as well).
Yeah I forgot to mention Badlands but that was a tragic ending as well...
YOU KNOW YOU KNOW YOU KNOW PEOPLE DONT REALIZE HOW MANY TIMES THEY SAY THAT
I hear you but it's unscripted and free flow of ideas...
Jimmy is rarely seen in his home town of Detroit he’s a ghost
Wish I could interview that guy.