Tommy Maguire

I just realized how long it has actually been since I have posted here. I had to create a new account!
I didn't realize that Tommy no longer had an affiliation with BS.com. I do have to say that it is definitely not the same site that it was when you were there.
I think most people here would say that you made us feel like "the fly on the wall" being able to see into a little bit of the life of one of our musical "heroes".
The daily pics, the setlists, your personal stories, all of time you put in just personally answering peoples individual questions etc etc.

It's because of you that I finally got to meet one of my musical favorites that I probably would never have gotten to meet otherwise.

I hope you don't ever think that you wasted your time on doing that site, because you didn't.

I for one, will always be greatful for your time and effort.

Eric

PS If you've never seen it, go to YouTube and look up Head Lice by Paul McCartney. It reminds me of something Eric Idle would have done. Really funny and right up your alley....lol.

Long time, Eric!!

Hey hey AmERICano!!

Dude......I think of you every Christmas because the CDs you made me get played CONSTANTLY in our house during that time of the year! I also found the pix of you at that (was it?) NAMM show that B did all those years ago. Missed you man, it's great being in touch here. Hey! Here's a question for ya. What ever happened to Gretsch Little Greaser?? Remember that guy? I found a really sweet letter that his Mom sent me in 2000 or so. He'd been having some problems. In any case, I hope that kid is ok. Let me know if you know anything.

Thanks for the kind words, Eric.

All the best,
Tommy

Nice to see you on the board Tommy. I echo the sentiments of others when I say the offical website you ran was a godsend for us fans.. it hasn't been the same since! All the best from snowy Ireland. ( PS: I would love to see that book some day!)

T-

I don't know whatever happened to GLG. I think he lived in Utah. I remember being at the Nashville show and being in the balcony that year because I waited longer then I should have to get my tickets....lol. I had a perfect view of the whole stage. I was watching the show when I noticed a guy running around taking all kinds of pictures....the guy was you! I always wondered if you ever got to truly ENJOY any of those shows...ha ha ha!
It was cool getting to see the special guests at those shows.............

Eric

PS My question is..........whatever happened to the "official" Punk Polka cd that I made for Brian?

Hey Eric,
Yeah, GRG lived in Utah. I've often wondered whatever became of him. There are quite a few folks from that era that I wonder about.

I wish we could have had a beer at that Ryman show. What a night that was. Duane Eddy was incredibly gracious. A highlight of my life.

It was often very hectic taking photos at Brian's shows, but it was the most fun I ever had. Seriously, I was able to shoot the entire shows and go wherever I wanted to. Nobody gets that kind of access. Hell, I was even in Brian's face in his dressing room before and after the shows. And despite the pressure on him, he never once told me to get the f*ck away from him. Hahahaha! And he COULD have MANY times!

The craziness of the shows while taking photos definately prevented me from seeing the gigs like you guys did, but not enough to hinder me from enjoying the shows. In fact, the last show I took pix at (Stray Cats, Brixton Sept, 2008) remains THE best rock and roll show I ever attended.

Haha! Sorry for rambling. Can you tell that I haven't talked about this subject in a while?

ps- I gave Brian that CD years ago. Hahaha! Classic.

pps- Hey Michael! Slainte! Snow men in Ireland, fantastic!

Were you there when Jumpin Gene Simmons was the guest? That was ultra cool also. You could tell it was a joy for him to be there to share the stage with Brian. I think he passed away not too long after that.

Missed that one Eric. Yeah, Gene told Brian that he was very excited to play the Ryman stage before he was too old to. Sadly, as you said, he passed away a few months later. I was very pleased that it was me who exposed Brian to "Peroxide Blonde" and subsequently paved the way for him to record it.

That's interesting that you introduced him to that song. Wasn't it actually an unfinished tune and Brian added what he thought would complete it?
It still amazes me how Brian can take all those old sounds and incorporate them into new songs ie Dreamville, Mystery Train Kept A Rollin', Gene and Eddie etc.
He is a true student of the music of that time era...............

Eric

Yeah, I bought a 2 CD cheapo Sun Records box set in London in the 90s. It had a load of obscure tracks on it that I didn't have on any other compilations. "Peroxide" was one of those tracks. Months before Brian went into the studio to record "Riot", we were talking about songs he wanted to record for the project. His big thing was that he wanted some of them to be previously unheard by the masses. I immediately thought of that wild Gene Simmons track and told him about it. I burned it for him on CD and he called and asked me why I'd chopped the end off. I explained that it was only a fragment of the original and that the liner notes said the rest was "lost" or something. He had his management call Mr. Simmons and the rest is history. Love that track. Haha! BOTH versions.

Do you remember the name on that Sun box set Tommy?

Hmmm......if memory serves, I sent that box to Bernie. It was a small CD-sized box set. Blue in color, really cool designs on the box. Must have been called "Sun Records Collection" or something. A lot of what Brian picked for "Riot" was inspired by the "Sun Rockin' Years" 10 LP vinyl box set issued by the Charley Records label in the U.K. Sooooo much great stuff on that collection.

Thanks for info. I have tons of Sun records but not a single one with that Simmons song.

Tommy Maguire wrote:

Hmmm......if memory serves, I sent that box to Bernie. It was a small CD-sized box set. Blue in color, really cool designs on the box. Must have been called "Sun Records Collection" or something. A lot of what Brian picked for "Riot" was inspired by the "Sun Rockin' Years" 10 LP vinyl box set issued by the Charley Records label in the U.K. Sooooo much great stuff on that collection.

THIS one?


It's also on Bear Family's "That'll Flat Git It vol 14"


BTW, from what I can tell, it's the beginning of the track that's missing from Gene Simmons' recording, as the track begins with half a chorus, then a piano+guitar solo, then the "Well, we drug down Main..."-verse. Great song, anyway!

That's the one! The top one. Now in the hands of Mr. Dresel. Good detective work.

Tommy Maguire wrote:

That's the one! The top one. Now in the hands of Mr. Dresel. Good detective work.

You know Dresel... he probably sold it for bean money.

No friggin' doubt! That bean-riding crazy man!

Eric?! wow! good to see you buddy

T's here, Budgie's here. I am watching Groundhog Day on tv, it really is deja vu.

Good to have some of the old gang back

Awwwwww, Bernie!!!!!
La Habana nunca será lo mismo sin ti!!

( * this is a song by Cecilia Noel, band in which he plays, and there's a song entitled "La Habana Nunca Sera Lo Mismo Sin Ti" - Havana will never be the same without you -)

Nice to see you around, Tommy, I really dug your work on the site back in the day, and don't really get the chance to check it out too often these days...I also didn't know that you weren't involved with it. I remember when the Brixton and Live in Japan discs came out, writing to you and doing two reviews of them over at my movie forum, and you were super-helpful.

Obviously, things are still good with you and Brian? I was reading something about you on the GDP, hanging with Darrel Higham and getting a phone call from him....

Hope you're doing well, anyhow.

This has got Wee thinking, about a cd i picked up
The thing is 25% of my cds, are sitting in a unit, in no order. Have to go hunt it out, as they say.

Think you guys, may have heard, or seen it

? million dollor something.

Thats bugging me now.

Nice to see you post again Eric, hope all is well.

Mark.

Gee, that was lucky................Found it straight away.

The complete million dollar quartet.
50th anniversary edition
Elvis Presley,Carl Perkins,Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.

Done during the afternoon of Tuesday 4th december 1956.

Oh too be a fly on the wall.

Mark.

Hi Eric, Hi Tommy,

I still talk to Adam (GLG). He had moved to CA but is now back in Utah. From what I know he is doing well. Shall I pass along some greetings?

Hope you are both doing well.

xo,
Karen