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Like most teenagers at the time, Frank started
dreaming of playing guitar at age 13 after the Beatles took
over the music world via the Ed Sullivan show. In 1965, unable
to afford his dream guitar - a Gibson Les Paul - Frank got
a Teisco guitar and Silvertone 2X12 amp and taught himself
to play by ear. Frank played guitar with his friends and with
various bands for a few of years before hanging up his guitar
to start a career and raise a family.
After a 27 year hiatus from playing guitar
and with his family grown, Frank decided it was time to play
music again. He ran an ad in the local Recycler looking for
like-minded "weekend warriors" and put a band together
in 1997 just so he could jam and grow as a musician. Although
only put together as a jam band, the band, including current
DMR rhythm guitarist Charlie Dailey, jelled quickly and began
playing local events and music venues. Through enormous turmoil
and hard times, Frank maintained his vision of the band and
kept it together through numerous personnel changes. Frank's
persistence resulted in that original jam band evolving into
Dead Man Rockin'.
From a musical standpoint, Frank takes special
pride in duplicating certain famous riffs and signature solos
as closely as possible. Frank says, "From the notes to
the sound of the guitar, I believe that certain riffs and
solos are as recognizable and as important to the song as
the melody and lyrics. Riffs and solos play a major role in
the audience's recognition and enjoyment of a song. I believe
close replication of a song is what the audience wants to
hear."
Dead Man Rockin' reflects by this philosophy
by continuously seeking to find a balance between "playing
like the record" and making each song their own. The
guiding principle in maintaining this balance is "what
liberties might the original artist take when playing the
song live?" With that in mind, DMR strives to make each
song as recognizable as the original, yet stamped with their
own style.
As an "empty nester," Frank lives
with his wife, Sharon, in Anaheim Hills. He collects guitars
as a hobby and is happy to report that he now finally owns
several of his dream Les Paul guitars. Dead Man Rockin' -
and music in general - will always be a big part of his life.
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