(30 March 2004)

Ken Savidge at work, 2007.

(Ken sent me this essay in response to some questions I'd asked him about musical influences)

You asked about my musical influences while growing up in Upper......The first time I thought of getting started in music really started while in jr-high, I remember it like yesterday, was during lunch break, Ken Rilling, the science teacher was allowing some guys to rehearse in the class room during lunch, some of the guys were going to the Catholic school and some at our school, anyways I happen to walk by, heard the band, and it was during that moment that I decided I wanted to get involved.....not knowing how much it would take over my life from that time on. I was always involved in music up to that point, Mrs Kuenzli was always working and encouraging me, Upper 20, was a part of that group even into high school. I was already singing in the church choir and doing solos in church, of course rock and roll took me from that setting and on to what has transpired since. I, if you remember, was in a couple of bands early on, but the band that really influenced me was "The Morning After" . I was in that band from late 68 early 69 till 72. I worked with Mark Strasser for a couple of years after that in an Upper band called "Rock-it"- Mark-Toot-Jamie- and I. That lasted for a bit but then Mark and I started working with a band out of Findlay called "Hezikiah" . That lasted about 2 yrs, from there I moved to Toledo, Zardoz was the first band and others to follow, Wall Street, Hot to Trot, Glass City Rhythm, Shyster, Passion Play, and finally Ebenezer. It was early in 85 that I moved to California to take everything I knew and applied it to a different level. This whole Myrtle Beach experience would take another book, I have done so many things I thought I would never get to do in this biz....it has opened a lot of doors, closed some to, because I did not get to do things that I feel I missed out on....like marriage, long lasting true love, kids, and any form of stability. One is only as good as his last job....but lots of shows with people I thought I would never be on the same stage with....Jethro Tull, Randy Travis, Bob Hope, a "Super Bowl" half time show, Alabama, Moody Blues, Aretha Franklin, wow -where do I stop...but it has been wonderful and still going. Anyways, your original question- CKLW- yes a major influence as to what was on the market at the time, later tho, when FM came into prominence- "WFIN and WFOB", Findlay and Fostoria radio stations came into play, they played the first underground music available to the times, and yes they also played " The Morning After" songs "Todays Dreams" and "Further Difference", our only 45 for us to record, but none the less a major step for us at the time. So many friends helped and encouraged me like- Larry Thiel, Mark Strasser, Dan Gregory, Mom and Dad, Gary Barth, John Hurley ( the ones you would know from Upper ) but there were others from Carey- Mike Caudill, Steve Yingling, Chuck Taylor, Mike Buckingham, Terry Hayfield - the ones I remember off the top of my head. And to think how common and how many bands and friends that played in those bands, and the final thought, how many are still involved in music, most fell to the way-side. I can't believe I'm still living the same life-style that I basically enjoyed way back in the 60's, and still not be bored. It was around 79- 80 that I got involved technically, which I think actually got me the longevity to this biz, "artists come and go but the techs work them all" kinda theory comes into play. I still own a keyboard rig, its hooked up to a computer and I still practice often, just never plan to go back to stage with it. I do write still, but the music would not sell in today's market. ( Or maybe it would, first- one has to find that first serious listener and who knows...) Wow, you sure invoked a lot of thoughts and memories with your question......I don't know if it makes total sense to ya, but here is some thoughts on the matter. I think this is the first time I have ever put my thoughts collectively together ever in type.

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