Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Absolutely smashing write-up, Joey! I don't think you missed a single detail! You were dead-on about Dave and Lisa simply being the greatest hosts and making all of us feel ultra-comfortable in their home. Our glasses were never empty. It certainly was my favorite RIC-fest yet, and one of the greatest weekends - if not the greatest - of my life.

One aspect that hasn't been mentioned was the quality of the jams we had down in the RIC vault. So often at these confluences, there are time constraints to deal with that makes things a little rushed, not to mention that a hotel conference room isn't the most comfortable place to kick back and jam. But in the comfort of the Rick vault and with time to kill, we were afforded the oppotunity to bypass the usual cliched 60's/Beatles fare and jam on some original music!

Darren in particular had a song that had been kicking around in his head for a few days, so we jammed on that several times throughout the weekend and watched it evolve, with different people playing along on bass/rhythm guitar and usually me behind the kit! Darren was almost always on his new '59 335 Capri through a Vox AC-30 turned to 11 - it positively screamed!

I also do remember one instance where Graham played a cool original lick on the 12-string neck of Dave's 362/12, Darren immediately jumped in and added his own guitar part to it, and it turned into a killer Byrds-meet-Who jam! It was also a blast fumbling along on bass while John Simmons and Graham played through all the Byrds' hits (during that jam, we had...let's see...Graham on a doubleneck, John on a 360/12, and me on the 8-string potatohead, which makes for a total of...38 strings!) I also enjoyed a brief Floyd jam where I got to channel David Gilmour through John Koelling's gorgeous Davis-modded purpleburst 350 (which is an absolute tone monster and a joy to play, BTW) and an AC-30.

And, of course, the jam to remember was Pat DiNizio w/ Dave and his band (and later Joey) playing through Smithereens hits in the RIC vault! Pat making the offhand comment "Sheesh, i've never seen so many Rickenbackers in my life!" was priceless! Dave just needs to watch his tuning next time. Just kidding - i'll go pack up Pat's guitar now.

I just wanted to say thanks again to Dave & Lisa for all you did and for opening up your home for all of us, and making the past few days a truly memorable experience. You guys are great hosts and really made us feel like part of the family. Lots of fun, laughs and even a few tears when it all had to end. It was great to see everyone. It was fun to go out with the girls to get our hair and make up done before the event on Friday. It was an honor to attend the Gala, and for such a good cause. I think very few people can say that their life has not been touched by cancer in some way. Pat was really cool, and the performance was great. Thanks to everyone who was there for helping to make this an unforgettable event.

Wow..... Sounds like a terrific time, and for a worthy cause, too! Great pics and write-ups, everyone.... Truly amazing!

I'm now back in Melbourne after my whirlwind US visit. I can't believe it's been and gone already.

The nice people at customs didn't even ask me to open my luggage. They waived me straight past the queues of dozens of people waiting to be cleared. My '59 335 MG Capri and the '65 Fender P Bass are now hanging on the wall with the rest of the collection. The '59 Rickenbacker lap steel joined them. So did the '68 P Bass neck and the vintage RI Strat neck.

I'm heading of for a work conference in Sydney first thing in the morning, so it might be next weekend before I get the chance to post photos.

The nice people at customs didn't even ask me to open my luggage. They waived me straight past the queues of dozens of people waiting to be cleared.

Since they know you on a first name basis.

wmthor wrote:

The nice people at customs didn't even ask me to open my luggage. They waived me straight past the queues of dozens of people waiting to be cleared.

Since they know you on a first name basis.

I know why---he had his Trotty Mask on, which gave him immunity. I'll carry mine with me wherever I go.

Darren, glad to hear you got home alright and slipped through customs! Miss you already, mate.

To everyone who was at the Prom and already written....bravo, perfectly recalled (Which is no small feat considering the quantities of libations involved). How in the world we all managed to keep our stories straight is a miracle itself. To everyone who's been reading this thread, believe me, you were there in spirit. You have no idea how many times the subject of our Forum Friends came up during the course of the weekend, and how many laughs we had as a result. It was not just good, it was VG! "oooooo00000OOOOOO0000ooooo!" was definitely the theme of the Prom.

JB, don't let anyone give you grief about bowing out early. I took the infamous photo, and will vouch that the first thing you did after the flash went off was open you eyes and give me a thumbs up! Then you were right off to sing vocals. JDog, and Darren, its hard to believe that its been a year since I saw you last...it seems more like last month. I can't tell you how much fun it is to hang with you guys and listen to you play. Your musical abilities are almost as amazing as your patience with my endless questions. (BTW Darren, the initial reviews of AL are in and very positive. Details to follow). Joey and Diane, seeing you again was a real treat for me, and giving you a lift to PHL was my pleasure. It reminded me of the bus rides we took together at the 75th. Graham and Alison, I can't tell you how much fun I had seeing you two again. Alison's smile is even better than it was a year ago, and appears to have rubbed off a little on Graham. Who would have thought that a proper, upper crust Brit could conjur up grins like that? As always, you guys were super. John and Kathy, it was great to see the two of you. I loved being a part of the group that urged John to hit the BIN, and still laugh at the sight of Darren asking me if John was still around, and then tearing down the stairs screaming, "JOHN SIMMONS....GET UP HERE RIGHT NOW!!!". John and Kathy both had us laughing so hard during the weekend that I almost wet my pants. I don't know whether John's story about David and his "fiddling" or Kathy trying to set up JDog with her daughter were more hilarious...not to mention the tales of her uncle!

Dave, you are Lisa are amazing! I've never been so warmly welcomed as when I visit you. Your hospitality is becoming legend. I count it one of the blessings of my life to be able to have you as friends. I wish I had some superlatives that could express how much fun we all had, but I'll have to be satisfied with just saying, "Thank you," once again. It was an amazing experience...thanks to everyone who was involved.

I have two emails from friends who were at the benefit telling me about this crazy group of people playing "those Beatle guitars you like" and having loads of fun. You guys must have had a blast if people watching could see it!

Does anybody else find it odd that Darren was specifically referenced by my friends? Does he stand out in a crowd?

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. However it was you who made it so special. Once my head is back on straight next week, I will post some more info.



Todd

"Does anybody else find it odd that Darren was specifically referenced by my friends? "
Not at all . Darren's auction segment stole the show I say.


"Does he stand out in a crowd?"
YES. X 1000

dswp wrote:Darren's auction segment stole the show I say.

It's made of maple...and walnut....and chombly womblies. Crikey!

Who would have thought that a proper, upper crust Brit could conjur up grins like that?

Graham?? Upper crust?? You sure it was Graham, John?

“It's made of maple...and walnut....and chombly womblies. Crikey!”

John that is very offensive making fun like that!!!!

dswp wrote:John that is very offensive making fun like that!!!!

Don't you have a bass that needs tuning? oooo000000OOOOOOOOO0000000oooooo!

nyrkickazz1 wrote:Don't you have a bass that needs tuning? oooo000000OOOOOOOOO0000000oooooo!

Pat sure thinks sooo0000OOOO000oooo!!