Anyone remember this one? I don’t! What year was it?
HONK News
Have you seen the video retrospective of Honk? Check it out!
The 2 albums on 20th Century are now available as a download. The first HONK LP was released by Twentieth Century Records in 1973. The cover showed clay figures of the band. A second LP was recorded by 20th Century but never released as an LP. In 2004, both albums were remastered and released on a single CD. This package includes all 20 selections as well as the cover art and the booklet.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN MP3 DOWNLOAD. THE PHYSICAL CD IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
History of Honk
The Honk Band began in Laguna Beach in 1970. I joined in 1972. That year, we produced the music for a very popular film on surfing called “Five Summer Stories.” One of the songs on that sound track LP – “Pipeline Sequence” – became a #1 hit in Hawaii and climbed the charts in Australia. We later headlined a concert in Honolulu.
From 1972 to 1975, Honk was featured at high school and college concerts all over California, as well as at LA hot spots such as the Whiskey Au Go Go and the Troubadour. We recorded with producers known for their work with Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, the Beach Boys, and Ike & Tina Turner.
In 1974 & ’75, we toured the U.S. with the Beach Boys and also opened several concerts for Loggins & Messina, Chicago, Jesse Colin Young, Jackson Browne, and many others.
Amazingly, in Honk’s 40-year life span, there have been only 2 changes in personnel! This may be a record for a rock band. The members are: Beth Fitchet Wood (vocals & guitar), Steve Wood (vocals & keyboard), Richard Stekol (vocals & guitar), Craig on saxes, clarinet, & flute, Will Brady (bass & vocals), and Tris Imboden (drums).
All of us are still full-time musicians. Steve has played with Kenny Loggins, The Pointer Sisters, etc. & has produced IMAX sound tracks. Richard produced 3 of my CD’s in addition to a bundle of his own, has played with scads of bands, has written songs for Kenny Loggins, Ricky Nelson, and Kim Carnes, and is a noted golf pro. Beth and Willy have made some great CDs and perform in various all-star settings. Tris has been the drummer for the band “Chicago” for 20 years & has played with almost everyone else. Since the “Chicago” touring schedule has grown increasingly busy, Tris has had to send in a sub for several recent HONK concerts. He chose the incredible young drummer Nate Wood (who just happens to be the son of Steve & Beth). The wonderful Frank Cotinola, (formerly of the Righteous Brothers and now with the Missles and known as “The Truck”) has also appeared with Honk.
Since 1983, Honk has been offering yearly “reunion” concerts to sold out venues in Southern California. The band has an uncanny way of retaining the freshness of its material & execution. These concerts are loads of fun! We are often featured at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA, (949) 496-8930.
The members of HONK (with Nate again substituting for touring Tris) graciously consented to perform on my CD “Renewed Hope.” HONK’s Steve Wood produced this effort.
While HONK took its 8-year “vacation,” Willy & i formed the jazz group “Storyville,” which released 1 of the several albums we recorded, played all over California, and opened for Dizzy Gillespie and the Crusaders. The Storyville trio featured the wonderful Jack Prather on bass, from whom we learned so much about music. Other Storyville alumnae include John Ferraro (drums with Larry Carlton, Rod Stewart, etc.), Paul Kreibich (drums with Ray Charles, James Moody, Woody Herman, Gene Harris, etc.), Karen Hammack (LA first-call studio pianist), Brian Atkinson (Disneyland Band, Lou Rawles, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, etc.), and Dan Barrett (trombone with Benny Goodman, Concord All-stars, etc.) Dan, Brian, Karen, & Paul all appear on my latest jazz CD “Skykomish,” a collection of popular songs from artists such as the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, the Doobie Brothers, etc. transformed onto fresh new jazz arrangements.
To purchase HONK CDs:
For the “Clay Figures” LP on 20th Century Records, click here. This is an EXCELLENT re-issue, fully endorsed by all the members of HONK. The original tapes were completely re-mastered by a well-respected mastering artist. In addition to the original LP, a second set of 20th Century recordings never before released has been included. There is also a beautiful booklet with photos of the band and essays on our history.
For the soundtrack to “Five Summer Stories”, click here.
In response to overwhelming demand, i have again begun offering a burned CD copy of the 1974 HONK LP on Epic Records (the “orange LP”). You can download the mp3 collection along with various HONK photos for $6.99 by clicking here to order the download.
Or, to order the physical CD for $25 plus postage, Click here to order the physical CD.
Here is a cool article about HONK written by the world-famous surfer Corky Carroll.
Here is a poster of a Linda Rondstadt concert for which HONK was the opening act. I was late to this one, because i was attending my grandmother’s funeral, so Dan Hicks had to go on before HONK. I hope he has since forgiven me.
Check the Events Calendar for Concert Dates. New photos of the band will appear here soon. If you have any photos of HONK, please contact me.
HONK in 2008, Irvine, CA, photo by Joe Truxaw 
CRAIG BUHLER JAZZ 
I have the soundtrack to 5 Summer Stories but lost my other Honk LP’s – I would love to have all of the Honk music! Some of the best concerts in my life have been seeing you guys at the Coach House.
Peace and respect,
David Hickey
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I grew up in Newport Beach in the ’70’s and LIVED on Honk melodies! Richard’s nephew (or cousin?), Dan Stekol was in my class. I also went to Mariners elementry school and knew teacher Mrs. Wood, Steve’s mom. Honk once played at one of our Ensign, Jr. High dances and were obviously awesome. What memories! I still love hearing every song where Craig blows his horns and woods. My family still has the original Honk 5 Summer Stories LP. It’s so fantastic you are all still going strong. I’m helping to organize our Newport Harbor High Class of ’78 30-year Reunion. I doubt if our current budget could afford your performance fees, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. So, is Honk booked for the summer of 2008 yet?
Sincerely, Bill Beamish azbeamish@msn.com
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Craig:
Remember I said we were musically motivated by Steve Wood’s Mom in 6th grade at Mariners Elementary School in Newport Beach, CA?
If you have a little time, go to our class reunion website, (above) and go to the “Past Voyages” page. If you scroll down to the “Elementary School” photo album, you’ll find Mrs. Wood and her 6th grade class of 1972… the same year you joined up with HONK! Mrs. Wood was your biggest academicaly-minded promoter!
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Hi Craig.
Thanks for the great music! About a year or so ago I got the gift of “Capistrano Sessions” Just been listening to it again. Great Cd……. all the way around. Such incredible players, feeling, production and recording quality.
My life long friend in Southern California ( since the 2nd grade), Jeff Barrad sent it to me. I was the other music fan organizing and putting on the light shows on screen behind the band., mostly at the Laguna Theater (the Honk all nighters). The Great White Light Lite Show as we called ourselves. He mentioned that he had emailed you back that year or so ago. Listening to your CD today prompts me to write this note of thanks.
.
A couple of years ago I found Beth’s website, sent her and Steve some emails of appreciation for all the great music and musical influences that you all passed on. They were kind enough to respond, clearly remembering the young hippie upstairs. It really was so long ago, but I have great memory.
Seeing so many Honk shows no doubt had a positive musical influence. Whether it was an original tune, Jackie Wilson, Dave Brubeck, or whatever, always entertaining. I can still see those Quilter Amps. We were doing the visual arts thing but it really was all about being close to the music for me.
I have played in all kinds of groups here in my rural county since I came here in late 1974. Only in the last couple of years have I decided to go deeper, really learn more about music. I have fallen in love with jazz, especially the old stuff.
I play guitar and being self taught have created many bad habits (mechanical issues), limiting my progress. Right hand, left hand teqnique etc.
Fortunately my current group has a very accomplished guitarist, teacher ( http://www.fredtreece.com), who is giving me some lessons and exorcises to do to address things.
Anyway just want to, after all these years, thank you for the great music and musical influences. Please pass this on to Richard Stekol too. He deserves much thanks and appreciation from me.
I have never had the opportunity to see a Honk reunion concert. Please inform me if that continues to happen. If anyone from the “ancient band ” keep an email list, please put me on it. With enough advance notice my wife and I could attend. We are about 450 miles from Laguna. ( Sierra Mountains near Yosemite).
With total appreciation,
Ron
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Hi Craig,
Tom LeCompte here, pioneer surfer in the PNW and Alaska. Honk albums were required in my environment. I play a lot of folk and bluegrass and do a local NPR Bluegrass/ eclectic folk show weekly. I play some Honk from my old vinyl from time to time..and Oh Daddy seems to show up on a blues show from time to time.
I’d love to but CD’s of Honk albums, the Storyville Band and can you tell me any other albums Beth plays on. Loved her style as well.
Best wishes and keep playin’,
Tom LeCompte
Ketchikan AK
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HUGE fans of Honk
loved the 70’s surf music you guys did
looking for an excuse to travel out west
a Honk Reunion ???
Is tat a possibility in 2008 ?
I am from Boston
Brian
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Thanks for your great music! Listening to the 5 Summer Stories album puts me right back to that time in high school surfing uncrowded Salt Creek and Trestles. Remember seeing Honk at San Marino High School around 1975(?) when Van Halen opened for you! My 1 year old son and 5 year old daughter dance around the house to High in the Middle all the time. You bring joy and beautiful memories into our world.
Taylor
Laguna Beach
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The concert was March 29, 1974 and presented by the Key Club. The ticket price…hold on to your hats…a wooping $3.50!
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I went to San Marino High then, and saw that concert!
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Great to hear from you, Taylor. How about you post a video on YouTube of your 1 + 5 year olds dancing? So glad our music helps spread joy.
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Saw Honk tonite at the Coach House; wow! Like what you did with Pipeline Sequence, the new stuff and song 2 going into song 3 was beautiful – it all was. Thank you very much; my wife and I had a great evening and it was her first show seeing you all. She loved it (I did good being it was Mother’s Day wknd. and hope to take our son to see ya sometime in the near future). Your song October, right on! It had been awhile since I saw Honk last (Laguna Bowl in the mid/late Eighties), but never stopped listening.
Thank you all again for your music and fun. I’m listening right now as I write this,
God Bless!
Chris
San Clemente
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I saw Honk with The Beach Boys about 1975 or 6 at UCSB..
They kicked The Beach Boys ass !
Glad they are still playing..Cool..
Love The “Pipeline Sequence” song..
I’m going to buy it on iTunes today.. 🙂
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Richard Stekol is my brother in law, or ex brother in law as he divorced years ago unfortunately from my sister Sue. We still keep in touch from time to time and I see my nieces Maggie and Kellie Stekol all the time. They live in Laguna Niguel.
Honk was an awesome group when I went to Newport Harbor High in the early seventies. It was all we listened to in Newport at the time. Pipeline Sequence is an instrumental masterpiece and never got the real credit it deserves nationally. It’s a wonder they never made it real big nationally as a group but so much of it is marketing and not just talent. Richard did write for Kenny Loggins for a while and Tris and Steve played for Loggins in his popular Caddyshack years.
Now Richard is basically retired from music and coaches golf at Laguna Beach High School. The guy is still amazing to sit and chat with though. I think his IQ is around 180.
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My best to all. I haven’t seen you guys for years since we went to the Ranch for Stuart’s birthday. Damn. Give big hugs to Beth and Steve. They don’t know it but they sealed the deal with my wife. Tell Richard he’s not such a bad guy though I’ll kick his butt in beach football. Kidding. B.D.
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Honk has been playing in So. Cal? Oh’ma god! Will they ever come up to Santa Cruz and play? The other “Surf City”… I remember first hearing their soundtrack to five summer stories at the SC Civic Center in town where all the surf movies would play. Still can’t get their songs out of my head.
Anyone know if there is any sheet music to any of their music?
Cheers-
BK
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When I was a senior at Vista High in 1975, some buddies and I skipped school and drove to the Big A to see the Beach Boys, Chicago and Honk. It was a great concern, but sadly Honk was not there. I still have their two LPs, but alas have never seen them in concert. Anyone else go to that one expecting to see them?
Mike
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I cannot think of surfing without Honk in my head. When I see film or think about great sessions with my friends, you provide the soundtrack.
I just wanted to thank you for that . . .
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i was in hawii and heard the song pipeline sequence .i liked the song very much and want to know where i can buy it .thanks again from rogerhayden @ymail.com
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Oh “the many times” we tripped on down to Laguna for your concerts. From Newport Beach. I still sing to myself ” Money slips through my fingers” to myself when I get on my spendo matic mode, which hasn’t changed much over the years. Hung out at the “frog House” listened to Fready play on the piano, and surfed the river jetty mostly. At night when possible off to Laguna for another concert. School wasn’t the top of the priory list. I still have your album, sure would like to get it in CD. Well to the days of my youth, and your music that left quit the memories. To cool thanks DeDe.
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As a Laguna kid in the 70’s I remember well the midnight shows at the movie theatre. What a skillfull group of fun loving musicians. Are the CD’s avaialble? Wonderful pop music.
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It’s amazing that your band is still in tact. I live in South Texas, no longer surf, but sportfish extensively and will add some HONK to the salt water play list. Sure would appreciate FIVE SUMMER STORIES soundtrack on CD.
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I love your music, and used to go to skateparks in the late 70 when I was in the Navy and we would put your music on and skate and have the greatest time. You guys are great!!!
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I was living in Hawaii in”72 when Five Summer Stories was released. I saw the movie 7 times and one of the reasons was the soundtrack. I had, but lost 2 vinyl albums from the seventies over time. About 10 years ago, I bought the VHS of Five Summer Stories online and it renewed my interest in your music, but I could only find one CD online. What memories! Is there any sheet music available for “The Blue of Your Backdrop” song. I play guitar and would love to be able to play that song, but I can’t seem to figure out the chord progression. Another favorite I would love to have is “Don’t Let Your Goodbye Stand”. I’ve searched all over the internet, but can’t find your music anywhere. If you could help, I’d be eternally grateful. Living in Tahoe now, but still dreaming of the old surf life!
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Just came across your website! Great job, and great success. I’ll be up in Vancouver in a couple of weeks, I’ll see if i can look you up or give you a call. Be great to see you after all these years.
Allen
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John Meylor Says:
Craig:
I am a fan living in Indianapolis. I’m sure you hear this all of the time, but, Hesitation has always been my favorite. I have not heard it in over 36 years. Is it possible to get the song or the album on CD? I am not a computer wizard…but I’d love to be able to burn it on to a cd of my favorites.
Used to see you at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach.
Thank you for wonderful memories.
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I had to come all the way from Germany to discover the incredible music of HONK,but when I arrived in Corona del Mar in 1976 the story seemed to be over already….not really ,as everybody knows the guys never quit and kept it together and matured over the years like a great wine.
Would never dream to become a lifetime friend of the gang and will never forget the many great moments we shared in Laguna,Corona del Mar, the Quiet Woman, Studio Cafe,Coach House etc etc.not to forget my guitar lessons with Willy….
What a ball my new friends in Argentina would have if they had a chance to see and to listen to HONK! They dont know what they are missing!
Steve,Beth, Willy,Craig,Tris and Richard …and Nate,look forward to another show one of these days.
Love to you all from Buenos Aires.
Lothar and of course from Lily as well
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First heard Five Summer Story soundtrack in 1976 when I was 17 and was hooked. Saw you at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach and later in the (late 80’s?) at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. Your music is classy and classic and now I hope to see you again. I’m glad to hear you’re still together and will actively pursue attending some of your gigs.
You recapture a mood and time as well as simply having great music to listen too.
Best to the band,
Steve
Carlsbad, CA
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I had a wonderful time at the concert, and my friend also had a glorious time. “Friday night with Honk,” he said, “made me feel young again.” He was so animated and having such a good time. It was a triumph for Honk musically but also psychologically for this audience. It was of a piece one of the best musical evenings I have had in my life, and I thank you all so much for the experience. It was transcendent.
Thank you.
Linda
P. S. Man, you can blow!!! Ah-may-zing.
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I have all the old albums, and I bought the c.d. with most of the songs. But one of the best albums ever made was your 1974 album on cbs inc. on epic records. With great songs like home, oh daddy, where is love, hesitation, mademoiselle, etc. I need to have my honk fix everyday. Tell me where I can get a c.d. copy of this great album.
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I saw Honk many, many times back in the 70’s, but their very best concerts were the ones down at the Laguna Beach movie theater. They’d start at midnight and go for hours with everyone dancing in the aisles. The acoustics were incredible! Once I ran into Tris walking along the cliff path and talked for awhile, then again later that night at one of their Laguna concerts, during intermission. It was great how accessible they were to their audience. They were always having so much fun and it was contagious! I saw an interview with Tris on the news a few years back and learned that he was playing with Chicago. But it’s so great to hear that Honk is still together and still touring. Honk’s music was the soundtrack to some of the best memories of my life! Thanks!
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Dear Liz, Thank you for your kind words. we trust that you will still discover us to be fun-loving and accessible. Above all, each of us has endeavored thru the years to grow in our individual and combined musical excellence. we all met in Laguna Beach last January to record a CD of my compositions which we call “Renewed Hope.” Our pianist, Steve Wood, produced this project. It is even more fun these days to spend time with each other, as the old insecurities have evaporated and maturity levels have increased. HONK has appeared in concert on several occasions in recent years. Some fine photos from these concerts can be seen on my YouTube site “Roll Over Redmond.” i hope to meet you at an upcoming HONK event. Please introduce yourself. Sincerely, Craig Buhler (saxophone with HONK since 1972)
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Craig,
this is Craig, April Fulladosa’s (now Gislason) brother. I remeber two awesome concerts when I was inhigh school at Dana Hills. The first one is when you encored 3 times and jammed with a guest hot female dancer in hot pants on the stage. I was up front and dancing like a madman. the second was at Tustin HS where April got us in backstage. We sat on the gym floor up front and it was verry, very wierd. All the crowd sat so politely quiet for the whole concert unlike my first show at Dana Hills. Finally my buddy and I stood up all alone and started boogieing on the last song. The next thing you know the whole place stood up dancing and went CRAZY. That was really fun. I’ll never forget it. Thanks for the great memories and maybe I can see you again sometime with my wife and sister when she comes down from Victoria, BC.
If you get a chance check out her site too. http://www.AprilGislason.com, ok?
Glad you all are still around.
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Hey! April was awesome on the Going Surfin’ sound track. Any chance we’ll see that on CD. I’ll be watching for a reply. My LP is all but worn out and I need a new fix.
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Hello Craig,
Well I just have to rave and rant a bit here. Barbara, my granddaughter, and my niece went to the Luau at San O yesterday. Richard, Beth and Will played on the beach to a very stoked crowd of young and old surf dogs. Beth’s version of “Some Where over the Rainbow” had everyone completely entranced. Richard rocked on the acoustic and kept us challenged with the statement- you have to pick up a newspaper and not just surf all day. Wise counsel amigo.
My friend Bob Lombard was responsible for their appearance on the beach, and he was invited over to the show at the Coach House last night. Barb and I had had a full day, starting with the pier to pier swim in Newport Beach. We ginned up another energy level and showed up, and were rewarded with seats right next you your spot on the stage. I guess I had always had an issue in my head about your group because my girlfriend back in the day ran away to be a band groupie. Now, whatever on that.
The performance last night was spectacular! What a fusion of blues, jazz and surf music. 5 Summer, was one of the best surf movies ever- and much of the reason was the hot music. Their has been no deterioration in quality, only a rich infusion of progression. Steve’s Italian ballad brought us all to our feet in amazement. Your solos pushed the jazz boundaries. We noticed you play with no shoes on.
Anyway, what a gift of music! Thanks, and we’ll look to be in your audience again soon.
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Hi Craig,
I was just listening to my 16 year-old son’s collection of music and I found the live Beach Boy concert made in ’73. That piqued my interest to research a concert I attended in 1974 on Palm Sunday at UCSB. I saw Honk, Jessie Collin Young, and the Beach Boys (I hope I have that right) on an absolutely beautiful and memorable day. The Santa Barbara mountains as the backdrop with the stage on the field, on a spring-break weekend was amazing, what a day.
Anyway, I remember Honk and enjoyed every performance on stage that day. My only regret is not following Honk over the years. I didn’t realize Honk’s roots are local, very cool. Looking back, I think I owned 5 Summer Stories – I might have to order a copy, mine is long gone.
Thanks for being playing a part in one my favorite memories of all time, that day in SB.
Chris
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Hi Chris,
Some important photos were taken of HONK at that concert, so i always remembered that particular day. 6 years later, i was rehearsing with Carl Wilson for an unrelated concert at the Beach Boys practice studio. On the wall, out of all of the thousands of concerts they had performed by then was the poster for the day in Santa Barbara you are describing. That was such an amazing co-incidence.
HONK has played 2 concerts this year so far in Capistrano. We never know when the next 1 will materialize. The most recent (July 10 at the Coach House) was my favorite concert in years, as the music just seemed to sparkle. Also, my fiance heard HONK for the first time ever that night. We became engaged the following afternoon! Thank you for your kind & encouraging words.
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Saw Honk with Van Halen in 1975 at my high school in San Marino. Looked forward to hearing Honk, yet after Van Halen opened and half way through Honk’s set, our vice principal cancelled the concert since Van Halen was smoking pot. Dang Van Halen and Vice Principal!
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Those were sure some fun memories. Thank you for sharing. Let’s keep the legacy of great music alive.
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Indeed. I look forward to catching Honk at the Coach House next time. Didn’t hear about last summer’s gig. Been talking with high school friends about Honk and received a lot of nice compliments after posting “Don’t Let Your Good-bye Stand” on Facebook. Keep making great tunes.
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So glad to hear that the music still strikes a chord. Looking forward to meeting you at the next reunion. They are always special.
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Sat., July 9, Coach House. Hope to meet you there.
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Hi Craig,
Excellent gig at the Coach House. Loved hearing your sax. Was a little shy to meet you. Your band played some Honk favs along with new creations. Look forward to the next concert in Southern Cal.
Best wishes,
Jeff,
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Thank you so much for being there, Jeff, and for your encouraging note. It always blows me away how this group of 6 players still is able to jell and create a great musical experience. i’m blessed to be a part of it all and am stoked that you enjoyed it as well.
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Hi Jeff! Hope all is well with you. As I replied to Taylor’s post, the concert was March 29, 1974 and the ticket costs only $3.50. B.D.
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Craig,
Just wanted to again tell you what a joy it is to listen
to your fine work. You were so kind a while back to burn
a CD of the Honk LP. I was on a walk this morning and was
listening on iPod to your work on Hesitation, Move Me and
Where is Love … your horn sounded so good and still holds
up today.
Just thought you may want to know that the tracks you laid
down years ago are still sweet and appreciated.
Tom Garcia
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Wow, Tom, thank you for the encouragement.
“Where is Love” in particular is one i am pleased with. It was a spontaneous performance done in one take, and it does not make me whince to hear it now.
Just looked at your web site. Don’t fully understand, but it looks like a great product. My good friend, Michael Lobbett, is in sales for a company
which manufactures stamping equipment for plywood, sort of label related.
I’m so glad you still love Honk.
Honk will play Coach House in July. Hope to see you there.
HONK also assisted me in recording my latest CD “Renewed Hope.” All the members are still serious about music.
cb
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Hi Craig,
I was at the Beach Boys, Jessie Colin Young, Honk concert at UCSB in 1975. As all who atteded know it was a fantastic day and venue and of course the BBoys were great as expected, but the song I most enjoyed was Honk performing “Jimmy Mac”. At least that’s what I think I remember. Please tell me I’m not dreaming and where I could find that rendition. My wife and I really enjoyed your music in % Summer stories also. Great music and fond memories. Hope you are well.
Pete Bonsignori
Ojai CA
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Hey Pete,
Thanks for bringing back those great memories. i believe there is a photo of Beth & me taken at that concert on my web site. Honk did not record Martha & the Vandella’s song “Jimmy Mack,” though we performed it in concert often. The song we did record of M&tV is their smash hit “Heatwave.” That recording is on the Honk “Clay Figures” LP originally on 20th Century, now as a wonderful CD reissue on Hipp-o-select (click on: http://www.hip-oselect.com/scr.public.product.asp?product_id=0dbc9ca5-65aa-8134-6781-e006d219051f ) Honk re-assembled to play on my most recent CD “Renewed Hope.” Honk will be at the Coach House on Sat., July 9, 2011. Maybe i’ll see you there.
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Hi Craig,
Hope you’re doing well and Honk performs again this summer in Southern Cal. Last show was awesome. I’ll keep an eye out for your gig.
Keep honkin’ the sax,
Jeff
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Hi Craig,
Just saw you’re playing June 2. I’m planning on coming and will tell friends. Can’t wait. Hope you play lots of your golden oldies with new delights. I’ll make a request list. Your “Pipeline Sequence” sax solo was super the last show.
Don’t let your good-bye stand,
Jeff
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Yes indeed! HONK will return to Capistrano’s Coach House on Saturday, June 2. HONK will also be playing a concert on the beach at Doheney State Paek on Saturday, August 11.
Do you remember the band “Storyville” that Will Brady (from HONK) and i started in the late ’70’s? Storyville will be presenting a one-time reunion concert on Monday, June 4 at Laguna Beach’s Marine Room. Included in that band are 4 other wonderful musicians: Paul Kreibich (from the Ray Charles Band), L.A. recording star Karen Hammack, Brian Atkinson (Disneyland Band & Big Bad Voodoo Daddies), and long-time Laguna Beach favorite Jack Prather. A host of fabulous musicians and other wonderful friends will be there to help us celebrate this marvelous era in our musical history. i’ll be debuting my brand new CD at that concert. Hope you can join us.
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As a classmate of Jeff Manglesdorf and a livelong lover of HONK, I was at the Coach House for your June 2, 2012 concert. It brought back great memories. Wish you were there Jeff. I just bought tickets to the Doheny Saturday concert just to see yo guys. Any idea what time you perform this Saturday?
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Thank you, Eve. The official schedule for Honk at Doheny is 5:15-6:15. Those schedules are always subject to change, but that is the plan. i’m planning to go early and get in some swimming. See you there!
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Aloha Pumehana Honk – I saw the surf film “Five Summer Stories” at the old Haleiwa Theater when it was first released back in the early 70’s. It was an electric event – The awe and amazement felt by the audience (of course fueled then by lots of pakalolo) was palpable. The visuals of film blew everyone’s minds but equally stunning was the soundtrack. I remember so many people leaving the film asking who was that Band that did the soundtrack. When that Honk Five Summer Stories album came out it seemed everyone back in Hawaii owned it and it was played constantly. I have the CD loaded on my iPod and when I’m playing it and listening to e.g., Creation-Blue of Your Backdrop ….. Lopez …. Pipeline Sequence, etc I close my eyes and images of the film still flood my mind. What a gift Honk left many of us. Glad to see Honk still kicking it after all these years. Mahalo nui loa you guys!
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Wow! Amazing to stumble upon this site. 5 Summer Stories has been favorite album since way back in the day. Don’t know if this site still being monitored? If so, I live in Arizona and have asked my young piano playing daughter to learn “Blue of Your Backdrop” for my funeral someday. Any chance you know where to find the sheet music? Have been looking for years. Teenage son tried to play it by ear a few years ago when he was taking piano, but gave up.
Peace, Mark
p.s. I see Honk performing in SJC on May 31st. Only wish I could get there.
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Hi Craig!
I got interested in Honk only about a year ago when I found the dollcover lp in someone´s blog and confess downloading that vinyl rip. But mind you, without that I would never have known anything about your band or ordered the mp3`s, so there definitely is an upside too. And I´d gladly order that 1973 album in cd, but unfortunately it seems to be sold out… Any chance making that available in mp3`s too? When I first listened to Honk I expected to hear southern rock (for some reason?) in the style of the Allmans (great band alongside BOA, Wet Willie & The Marshall Tucker Band), and was glad to learn that there was more to it; all the jazzy little stuff etc, plus of course a lady singer! Now that lp-rip is one of my favorites, well, with a few hundred others of course. I still have about 3500 vinyl lps left although I have a bad conscience about often lazily putting on a cd instead of the real thing…
Well enough of that, thanks for the email & as Abba once sang, thank you for the music! Greetings from Finland, Jussi Wistrand.
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Hey Craig. Mark from Arizona here. Thanks for putting together the musical slide show. Will take the Coach House show and meeting you all to my every day hereafter. It was a great experience. Blessings of Peace,
Mark
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Hi Mark,
It is great to know that the music is still important to you. We put 100% into each note we play, and among the rewards we reap is the knowledge that Honk’s performances still bring people joy.
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Some more thoughts of Honk and music, and my musical history too, so beware!
The collector in me unfortunately wants to have (or at least hear) everything done by an artist or band I “discover”, you know the single b-sides etc. Of course it´s not always possible but the cd-collections and internet has made it easier. I remember when about 15 years ago I had to accept the fact that I may never get a copy or even hear two of Phil Ochs´s LP´s and then a couple of years later the netshops came and one day the mailman carried those vinyl records to my door. That felt unbelievable and great! Now I of course have them on cd-format also…
Yesterday I purchased the mp3´s of 5 summer stories which were available in a legitimate finnish netshop called meteli.net.
Nice sounding instrumentals what little I listened to; I´m saving that one for friday night with the 74 album and a couple of beers.
And then I have the 3 hour Eagles document still waiting to be watched, oh the horror, let´s see if hell freezes over before i nod off…
Seriously, there´s so much great music in the world for different moods and situations, and for different ages too. At 20 I bought a
Doobie Brothers greatest hits album and sneered a little at what i thought was AOR. At 30 I heard Long train running on the radio and thought, what a great song and sound, do I have this, and of course I did. Now I listen to a self-made 2 cd best of-compilation of the Doobies.
I started at age 7 with the Monkees who were on finnish tv also, though in black and white in 1967 (still think they represent the 60`s popmusic in a great and many-sided way, manufactured or not, and they weren´t the only group who were forced to use studio musicians in those days, and Michael Nesmith is also one of my favorites and has had a great if perhaps underrated career in countryrock afterwards) and then heard Jimi Hendrix which blew my 7 year old mind to a different direction. Funny coincidence is, that these first two of my favorites did a tour together, where Jimi was warming up for the Monkees! Didn´t last long for the obvious reasons…
Then I got my own record player when I was 9 (a red Philips portable) and was lucky enough to have a friend who shared my enthusiasm on music and so we listened to and liked all kinds of stuff from Zeppelin to Bizet´s Carmen and Simon & Garfunkel to Hair-soundtrack, not to mention the obligatory Beatles-Stones-Who-Dylan-Elvis &co. I also wanted to, from a very early age, know everything about music and the artists so I bought english
magazines and even some books and tried to read them with a dictionary cause I didn´t have english at school yet, but I learned! And me and my friend used to go to a music shop in Helsinki (the capital of Finland) and lie on the floor there copying lyrics from music sheets with people stomping around and over us, grunting, but the shop assistant (female) had got to know us and was very friendly to two cute little boys so interested in music. Then at home we typewrited them and I still have those lyrics between some of the record sleeves. We pretty soon also checked the 50`s stuff where it all began(?), you know Berry, Cochran, Jerry Lee, Little Richard and of course the Everlys and the Great Buddy Holly. Then from England came first the glam rock period with Slade, Sweet, Bolan with T.Rex etc and a bit later punk rock, so I also have a weak spot for music I know is “bad” and am not ashamed to admit it! My friends clarinet teacher introduced us to Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago and I´ve been hooked ever since.
I could go on and on, but it was just such a great point in life to discover a new and great artist or band almost every week; Johnny Winter, Stevie Wonder, Jan Hammer, ELP, Guy Clark, Rory Gallagher, ELO, BB King, Billie Holiday, you get the picture. Classical music has it´s place too with Mozart, Bach, Chopin and Paganini to name a few (I know, they are the “pop” of classical music, easy listening, that´s propably why my simple and mainly pop and rock oriented brain likes them).
Singer-songwriters have become more and more important by the years; just lying on the sofa staring out the window listening to stories told by Harry Chapin, Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Tim Hardin or Jim Groce is very relaxing. And of course there´s a whole lotta important music coming from all around the world, I like the french a lot and let´s not forget Wilfrido Vargas & sus Beduinos from the Dominican Republic, whose “No me pises los zapatos” is the Blue Suede shoes of the Caribbean! And believe it or not, the finns have made some damn good rock music too, a band called Wigwam is worth checking out on Youtube…
The downside of today’s possibilities with the internet is that you can get depressed noticing how much music has been done and that you can never be able to hear it all. And some great bands or records will slip by your ears. Going through the music blogs really amazed me with the amount of bands who got to make at least one longplay in the 70´s. And you think you know the history of rock… Well, it may be that the one´s I don´t know are not generally known for a reason, but I still feel very sympathetic for a lot of the bands and music I`ve never heard of before. Take Honk, I don´t know how popular it has been, was it a regional thing mainly, but I´m glad I stumbled across it and to hear that you´re still going strong!
Well, this became a long biographical mail, so I´ll just add some other personal info too and tell you that I work at YLE, the Finnish broadcasting company which covers the whole of Finland, TV and radio (there are of course a lot of regional and commercials stations too). We started the first talk radio channel in Finland a couple of years ago and despite the fact that there´s only 5 million of us finns, there seems to be some 500.000 people who are bored to hear music all the time or at all on the radio.You can visit our website, if you like at: yle.fi/puhe, and if you scroll down the front page you see pictures of beautiful people, and me on the top row, fift from the left. I don´t know how good your finnish is, so I´ll translate my motto from that text: “A lot of things I would have understood, had they not been explained to me.” I´m married for the third and hopefully last time, have a girl and three boys, youngest of which just turned 18, so we can relax and say “job well done” or something like that. With my kids I´ve been able to relive some of those magic moments in discovering music, when they´ve come to me asking for example “hey, do you have any Rolling Stones records?” Talk about stupid questions… And a couple of years ago a tear came to my eye when I entered a teenagers room and on the wall were my old Zeppelin and Hendrix posters and Alice Cooper´s Billion Dollar Babies was playin´… Some things do stay although a lot changes, maybe not for a hundred years, but who knows? And does it matter, well that´s another discussion…
And although this has been all about music and our shelves are filled with records, I don´t listen to music everyday anymore, but I do hum and sing and whistle a lot, so it´s in me. But what I do everyday is read. Hemingway, Steinbeck, Vonnegut are old favorites and new ones can be found at the library. I do read about music too; I´m just re-reading Robert Sheltons book of Dylan from 1986 and was laughing at how people already in the sixties were saying how Dylan´s all washed out and finished…
I´ve got a finnish newspaper clip from the 80´s where after Bob´s Helsinki concert, which I was fortunate to attend, the headline read: “Dylan has lost his zest for life!” Yeah, right…
In the “world is small” -category goes the fact that my wife´s best friend and the godmother of our youngest child who´s married to a u.s. male living in, wait for it, Laguna beach, Orange County CA! And there´s a nice jazz restaurant named Storyville in Helsinki right next to our Parliament house, probably not the only Storyville in the world, though…
The never ending story continues a couple of days later: On friday night, as promised, I enjoyed both the 1974 and Five Summer Stories albums, and of course liked them a lot! Well, to be quite honest, I don´t think I´ll be playing the latter as much as your other two records, but there are fun moments in that too. And you managed to sneak a country song in a surf movie!
I checked the movie out too (goes to the category of wanting to know everything about everything), downloaded it and glanced it through. Some nice waves, that´s something we don´t get to enjoy here in Finland, although I live close to the sea, but there´s not a lot of open beaches, I mean that there are so many little islands getting in the way of the waves, so they’ll be very small by the time they hit the shore. But after spending all my childhood summers in and under water, I couldn´t live inlands. I don´t see the sea all the time, but I know it´s there, and that´s really important.
Getting back to music, I didn´t mention Sibelius in the classical music section, because that´s what people usually know about Finland, if anything.My favorite is probably Valse Triste, which was played in restaurants and salons across Europe (at least that´s what Wikipedia just told me). You might know that Finlandia represents our nations battle against the russian oppression (finally we gained independence, although we lost the war, go figure that out!) and it was also the national anthem of the short-lived African state of Biafra! (again thanks to Wikipedia).
Jazz is also played on the Finnish Broadcasting companys channels, though not on the one I´m at, being a talk channel. When we started with our channel, there used to be talk during the days and – surprise surprise – jazz at nights. But nowadays we just bore people night and day…
My jazz favorites are again from the lighter side, I guess, including Gene Krupa on drums, Django Reinhardt on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Toots Thielemans on harmonica, Billie Holiday singing and a lot of horns blowing away! I wont start to name the hornplayers, cause there´s a lot of them I like, well I seem to do it now anyway, so Stan Getz, Miles Davis, Bird and Dizzy, there. And I like the Big Band era a lot, too, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and such. I guess it´s also jazz, though again on the light side?
So I like horns on rock and pop too, and that´s one reason why Honk sounds so good. You have a big role in that band, there are even songs with horn licks (if you call them that). And the one with the flute on Honk 73 made me remember that I also like Herbie Mann, especially the records where he plays versions
of pop and rock songs. The Stones´ Bitch sounds cool on his London Undergroud lp. I´m also gonna go through what there´s on Youtube about you guys when I have the time (so much music in the world and I only have two ears).
Finally, I´ll end this with making one last (really?) comment about Honks music: it´s fun. It´s fun to listen to and you get the feeling that the band is having fun doing it. And that´s really important. So keep on doing it and enjoying doing it and I´ll do my part listening and enjoying!
Best wishes and keep on churnin´ till the cows come home! Jussi W.
PS. Jimmy Buffett wasn´t mentioned on this, so there.
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Hi Jussi,
Some reactions to your words:
My jazz group at age 15 with Mark Turnbull http://markturnbullsings.com/ was resident Sunday afternoons at The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, CA, a folk club featuring acts like Phil Ochs and Jose Feliciano. (Mark later wrote 4 Honk classics, “Money”, “Greyhound”, and Mademaselle”, and “Buck Eye Jim.”)
5 Summer Stories was the “break” that took Honk from an Orange County, CA band to a bigger fan base. They called us a “surf band,” although, as you can tell, we are not at all. In ther early days, Beth was a “folkie” — friends with Jackson Browne, Richard was a disciple of Clapton, my influences ranged from Junior Walker to Sonny Rollins to Stan Getz, Don was country, Steve was Sam & Dave, Tris was Ginger Baker.
Never met the Doobies, but the wonderful Michael MacDonald opened a show or 2 for us before he was famous at Mammoth Mountain ski resort.
Never met the Monkees either, but Mike Nesmith also was a regular at the Golden Bear, and my group Storyville https://craigbuhler.com/2012/05/12/storyville-reunion-concert/ recorded an LP for his label which was never released.
By the way, your English is amazing! My step-father’s mother was from Finland, and he was VERY proud of his heritage. He grew up in a logging camp. Did you mention Sibelius, Finlandia in your classical favorites? I am the music leader at church, and we sing that. My aunt married a Norwegian painter, Alf Yorgen Aas.
Storyville was all set to open for Chuck Berry, but the mayor of our town was a racist and cancelled the concert. I got to see Little Richard and B.B. King live a couple of times at Los Angeles’s Whiskey Au Go Go. My R&B band “Yes Indeed” opened for Delaney & Bonnie there. Our lead singer later played bass for Dylan.
Honk’s drummer, Tris Imboden, has been with Chicago for 20 years.
Regarding singer / songwriters, Richard Stekol is among the best. His material has been recorded by Nesmith, Ricky Nelson, Ian Matthews, Kim Karnes, and Kenny Loggins. I toured & recorded with Ian in ‘79 (the “Siamese Friends” LP).
Speaking of the Caribbean, Honk opened for Marley’s son Ziggy I 2008. Who else have we appeared with? We toured with The Beach Boys and opened shows for a bunch of other big acts (Chicago, Santana, Loggins & Messina, Dave Mason, Linda Rondstadt, Poco, Jackson Browne, etc.) Van Halen once opened for us before they were famous! We also did the national CBS sales convention with another “unknown” group…Aerosmith! More recently, we opened for Jimmy Buffet and later for Eddie Money. Our “region” of real popularity was Calif & Hawaii, and Five Summer Stories also sold in Australia. The movie is considered “a surfing classic.”
I’ll check out your web site. Is there any jazz on your station? I have recorded 9 CDs, mostly jazz, including jazz versions of pop hits.
Your motto is a classic!
cb
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Hey Craig,
I really cant believe I am writing this after 40 years. Just wanted to say thanks for literally changing my life 40 years ago. I am sure you hear from lots of people how much Honk meant to them, but do you remember this night? It was at San Marino High School 1974. Honk was the headliner, Van Halen was the warm-up band, and I was the bouncer at the back door. You and I were hanging around back stage, and we had a brief conversation which really impacted me. The masses hung onto their Van Halen love (not saying I still don’t love Eddie’s riffs.) But for true musical ability and soul searing, there never has been another Honk. Although I was never a rabid fan and remember my bouncer days fondly, and I am sure that you don’t remember that night, however, I went from a violent crazy person to a Soul Surfer after my experiences with you all… Honk and “Five Summer Stories” changed my life, as I would probably be dead or in jail, if I had not changed my path. Your brief conversation with me back stage that night changed it all for me. So thanks.
I have traveled the World, surfed all over the world spreading joy and good will ever since. I have worked in the surf and ski Industry, I have published sports magazines and am now involved with alternative energy. I was on a plane with Graham Nash last month on my way to Kauai and got a chance to speak with him and to thank him for his music and philosophy, and I am so grateful that I can thank you as well this many years later and tell you that you really made a difference! So thanks man!
Hope all is well. Maybe I can make it to your next gig, as a fan, not a bouncer!
Sincerely,
T.R.
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Hi Craig-
Just a note of thanks to you, Tris, Beth, Steve, Richard and Will for sharing your gifts with those of us that were fortunate enough to experience the magic that was southern OC back the early 70’s. 5 Summer Stories and your music pretty much epitomizes the beauty, simplicity and love that was the early 70’s along the south coast. My friends and I saw you guys play many times. You played our senior prom in ’73 and we watched as the band grew in popularity. We thought you’d hit the big time when you went from playing gigs in the canyon or local theaters to playing a “huge” venue like the stadium at NHH with Manna. It wasn’t but a year or 2 later that you opened for Loggins and Messina at the Forum in ’75 (remember when the power went out in the middle of Angry Eyes?)- and we felt privileged to have seen you at places like the Golden Bear and other intimate venues around OC. As we stumbled from the Forum over to the House of Pies that night after the show all we could hear were people all around us asking “who WAS that first band? They were great!” and we were proud to tell them who you were and that we had seeing you live for years. It was a cool moment in time, and I remember thinking, ‘I wonder if this is what launches them into orbit?’ I’ve kind of been a music junkie all my life, and we were fortunate to come of age at a time when there was so much great music being produced, and live close enough to LA that we could just jump into a station wagon with 5 or 6 friends and in 60 minutes be in line at the Palladium or the Roxy, Whiskey, Troub, Shrine, LB Arena or LB Auditorium, McCabes or any number of other venues to catch a great act for $4 or $6 at the door (those were the days)- but you guys were our “house” band and local favorite. I left OC in the summer of ’75 for Humboldt County and then moved on to the Seattle area in 1990. Whenever I return home and hang with my best friends up off Bluebird or down in Monarch, we wax poetic about our youth, and invariably HONK gets mentioned. I wish I’d known you were up here- I’ve lived in the Redmond area for 24 years now and had I known you were right over at Mills Music I would have certainly stopped in and said hi. I was saddened to learn of Molly’s passing, and you have my belated condolences. I, too, am a man of faith, and we both know she is basking in His light, but I am certain that you have struggled at times and you have my thoughts and prayers. I’ll have to get over to Sequim some Sunday and join you in your worship service. So, again, thanks for the good times you and the band provided to so many of us back in the day. Many of us still warm our hearts in the glow of the music you created in a different time and a different place, and thanks for continuing to share your creative efforts with us between then and now.
Blessings-
Barry Savage
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Hi Barry, Yours is a most encouraging and inspiring letter. Thank you so much. We have 3 dates scheduled: The Armed Services Superbowl Party concert Feb. 2 in Newport, the San Louis Obispo Film Festival March 7, and the Coach House May 31. Look forward to meeting you soon, either in CA or in WA.
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The show in SLO was a really great night for so many of my friends and fellow beach lovers. We were in the third row, craning our necks for 5 Summer Stories…to bad the sound track got off kilter, pretty hilarious. But then you guys came out and sounded so good. Loved your horns, really feel lucky to see you, thanks for spreading your talent. Dan Lapp, Morro Bay
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Thanks, Dan. So glad to hear you enjoyed the show. Yes, indeed, that was one for the memory books! When those big giant waves appeared over the tops of our heads as we played songs from the film, it was such a thrilling feeling to be a small part of something so powerful.
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I was one of the thousands of Kailua surfers that thrived on 5SS and Honk in the early 70’s. One of my best memories was packing into a station wagon, surfing the south shore, and finishing the day at the Honk concert in Manoa (Honolulu). My kids and grandkids (now big fans) found an original album plus a CD for my birthday several years ago. Such a treat!! I play the CD in my office in Peru… the locals all want to know where this great music came from.
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Peru??!! Wow! Round, round, get around…YOU get around!
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the anaheim convention center was our final gig together. 1975 with bill berg on drums.
richard
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Great drummer! Played on Dylan’s album “Blood on the Tracks,” i believe.
Were those train tracks, or recording tracks?
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1975 summer our final gig. with bill berg on drums.
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my previous email would be in reference to the anaheim convention center poster question you had Craig.
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I put together a fundraiser for the Surfrider foundation at the Belly Up in Solana Beach in 1989. Honk was the featured group and of course they were fantastic. The sold out crowd was mostly surfers and we auctioned 15 brand new boards and raised $10,000. This was the genesis for all the Surfrider foundation chapters. We formed the first chapter in San Diego that night. An unforgettable joy filled hoot.
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Thanks for sharing that fond memory. It was a great evening.
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