Bogus Risque Weeds

Bogus Risque Weeds

FROM THE ARCHIVES

For the last couple of years various people have been after me to unearth the 1967 live recording of the Bogus Risque Weeds Live from Judy and Connie's basement. It was originally recorded on 3" reel to reel tape. The sound quality as I remember was pretty poor and, of course, we were just kids learning how to play guitar.

I had managed to record it to cassette tape somewhere in the 1980's and passed them out to the band, but somewhere along the way they disappeared.

Mike Dugo of 60sgaragebands.com acting on a tip contacted me and offered to transfer these recordings to CD in exchange for archiving them in his collection. Since these tapes are over forty years old and in danger of crumbling into dust at any moment it seems to be a good deal for all of us. At worst we will get a good laugh out of them. Sometimes the search is better than the trophy in the end.

In any case, Mike was looking for some pictures and personnel information. I'll try to answer those questions here. I'll post the track listing when we get the CD back and if it is of any interest to anyone, we'll make it available.

Rich Murray, Randy Murray, Mike Felten

Rich, Murray, Randy Murray, Mike Felten

Randy Murray, Mike Felten

"I see a white man and I want to paint him black"

Randy Murray reads the lyrics, Mike Felten

"G? I thought you said E"

Randy Murray, Dale Hamilton

A change in personnel for a later gig

"Polish"Steve, Dale Hamilton, Mike Felten

..and then women enter the picture....

The personnel for the December 1967 gig was:

Randy Murray - guitar, bass and vocals

Rich Murray - guitar & bass

Dale Hamilton -guitar & vocals

Mike Felten - guitar

Maria Rodriguez - drums

According to the tape box the band got paid $10.

Aside from the pay, I remember a guy named Bob Heatley who was on leave from the the Marines after he had finished boot camp. He was trying to get me to join up so he could stay home for another week. Heard that he was the only survivor in a helicopter crash in Vietnam.

The personnel for the Evanston Neighbor gig was:

Dale Hamilton - vocal & guitar

Mike Felten - vocal & guitar

"Polish" Steve - bass guitar

Dennis Koppo - drums

There is no record of the pay.

Memory of the evening was an older couple trying to arrange a mate swap with my girlfriend and I. This could've been our last gig.

I don't know what happened to "Polish" Steve. I know he was into playing with polka bands for more than he was getting with us.

I tried to join a 'family' band with Maria Rodriguez and her brothers, but I didn't make the cut. I remember being at a practice and watching the west side burn from their apartment.

Randy Murray remains a life long friend, a musician irregardless of the other pursuits he uses to make a living.

Dennis Koppo is also a full time musician mostly with the Murray Brothers Music.

Rich Murray became a full time minister and had a church up in Minnesota. Now he is working full time with drug rehabilitation.

Dale Hamilton, who I've written about as "Rev. Hamilton" works for Mayor Daley's Chicago Park District and is indeed a lay minister.

And you all know about me. If any of this information is in error, my apologies. I might not remember where I parked my car, but I can still get up and do four hours of music for you.