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| Kevin Richtig Lead Guitar Vocals Attitude |
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From the moment I heard “Shimmy,Shimmy-Koko Bop” and Neil Diamond’s
“Cherry” emanating from the old hi-fi console stereo, and fashioned a stage from a
quilt in the dining room I have been affected, and enthralled with anything musical,
noisy, sweet and rude.
Of course I was influenced by my uncle John Richtig time and again over the
years. I don’t remember the Ravelles but I witnessed The New Breed which included
Jim and Bill Counter Jr. along with Scott Ohlsen (owner of the Music Tree) at
many wedding receptions. It seems as a child, there was always a radio or KISS
record playing, and my first guitar arrived in 2nd grade.
Things didn’t “click” for me and the guitar until I saw the video for Van Halen’s
“Panama”. Then things got out of hand. I had an insatiable appetite for anything
guitar, spending hours in my bedroom trying to recreate those “sounds”…
Hundreds of Magazines… Books… Cassettes… Beta and VHS… Headbanger’s
Ball. I was a student of the Van Halen philosophy of guitarring. And nothing disgusted
me more than to see a video where the guitar player’s hands weren’t playing what
was being heard. How was I supposed to figure it out?
And of course, my teachers: Louie Goffett, Fraser Krans, John Richtig, Bill
Counter Jr. Bill being my biggest single influence. I remember bringing in cassettes
of songs I wanted to play and he’d listen and play them back. He showed me it could
be done. Thanks Bill!
Every and any chance I got, I would beg my way into town to hang out at
Thunder Island spending hours playing all the guitars and amps and watching with
keen attention to every single musician who came through the door. I learned so
much in that beautiful haven for a kid with big dreams.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that at the same time I was involved with
the school Chorus and Choir. Under the patient, and artful direction of one Crystal
Hogan, I blossomed as a baritone in Concert Choir, Barbershop and Double
Barbershop, Swing Choir, and Solo earning a couple of firsts at the State level and
being chosen for State Honors Choir. Her words of encouragement and knowledge
ring true every time I step to a microphone. My debt to her is great.
“Cherry” emanating from the old hi-fi console stereo, and fashioned a stage from a
quilt in the dining room I have been affected, and enthralled with anything musical,
noisy, sweet and rude.
Of course I was influenced by my uncle John Richtig time and again over the
years. I don’t remember the Ravelles but I witnessed The New Breed which included
Jim and Bill Counter Jr. along with Scott Ohlsen (owner of the Music Tree) at
many wedding receptions. It seems as a child, there was always a radio or KISS
record playing, and my first guitar arrived in 2nd grade.
Things didn’t “click” for me and the guitar until I saw the video for Van Halen’s
“Panama”. Then things got out of hand. I had an insatiable appetite for anything
guitar, spending hours in my bedroom trying to recreate those “sounds”…
Hundreds of Magazines… Books… Cassettes… Beta and VHS… Headbanger’s
Ball. I was a student of the Van Halen philosophy of guitarring. And nothing disgusted
me more than to see a video where the guitar player’s hands weren’t playing what
was being heard. How was I supposed to figure it out?
And of course, my teachers: Louie Goffett, Fraser Krans, John Richtig, Bill
Counter Jr. Bill being my biggest single influence. I remember bringing in cassettes
of songs I wanted to play and he’d listen and play them back. He showed me it could
be done. Thanks Bill!
Every and any chance I got, I would beg my way into town to hang out at
Thunder Island spending hours playing all the guitars and amps and watching with
keen attention to every single musician who came through the door. I learned so
much in that beautiful haven for a kid with big dreams.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that at the same time I was involved with
the school Chorus and Choir. Under the patient, and artful direction of one Crystal
Hogan, I blossomed as a baritone in Concert Choir, Barbershop and Double
Barbershop, Swing Choir, and Solo earning a couple of firsts at the State level and
being chosen for State Honors Choir. Her words of encouragement and knowledge
ring true every time I step to a microphone. My debt to her is great.