In 2023, I set an unusual goal for myself- to treat a different musician to lunch every week. I saw plenty of bands in my younger days but never considered the possibility of actually meeting or getting to know the musicians. After retiring, I began attending so many shows I developed a new group of friends who were all in tune with the Philly music scene, and as a result, I got to meet a lot of musicians that in the past I only saw on stage or on television. Over the course of 2023, I had lunch with 50 musicians and loved speaking with every one of them. I often felt like a teenager asking a girl on a date- nervously wondering if they would accept my invitation. But more often than not, they happily accepted my invite. My lunch time adventures took me to New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, and as far away as Japan, talking with people who all amaze me with their musical talent. When I first retired, I took guitar lessons for a brief time and quickly learned that neither my brain nor my fingers could handle playing an instrument; I developed a new appreciation for musical talent. I really enjoyed hearing how these musicians learned and developed their craft over the years. I’d love to post about every one of my 50 musician lunches, but due to space constraints I’ve picked 10 of my favorites:
1- Kenny Aaronson
I distinctly remember watching Midnight Special on July 6, 1973, and the Stories were performing their number 1 hit “Brother Louie”. Who would have guessed that 50 years later, I’d be having lunch with that Stories’ bassist I saw on TV. Kenny has had an incredible career, playing in Joan Jett’s Blackhearts, the New York Dolls, the Yardbirds, and the bands of Bob Dylan, Hall and Oates, Rick Derringer, and Billy Idol, to name just a few. And I just recently discovered his awesome first band from 1969, “Dust” (featuring the future “Marky Ramone”)! But I really got to know Kenny the past few years by seeing him play with several local bands, including David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket, John Eddie, and Greg Sover. I loved hearing about his musical journey over the years (especially his audition with the Rolling Stones!). What a nice guy- it was quite an honor hanging with a rock legend.
2- Chico Huff
I was a bit nervous about asking renowned bassist Chico Huff to lunch. After all, he’s performed and/or recorded with some big names, including James Taylor, Carly Simon, Dr. John, Jef Lee Johnson, and the Jefferson Airplane, to name a few. But much to my surprise, he replied “I thought you’d never ask!” I got to know of Chico initially from his playing with 2 of my previous lunch guests, Wally Smith and Greg Davis in their awesome groove oriented jazz/rock band, Crosstown Traffic. I then saw his name pop up on recordings by many other favorite Philadelphia area musicians, including Dan May, Lizanne Knott, and Lili Anel. I loved his monthly jazz gigs (“Chico and Friends”) at the Living Room in Ardmore- it was always an entertaining night! It was great to chat with Chico over lunch and hear about his vast musical career, and his moving to the Philadelphia area from Martha’s Vineyard, eventually becoming a big part of the music scene here in Philly.
3- Kenn Kweder
What a special treat it was to have lunch with a true Philly legend- the “Mayor of South Street”, the one and only Kenn Kweder. His business card reads “Kenn Kweder, ROCK STAR” for a reason. Kweder has written at least 200 songs during his half-century career. He has recorded three vinyl singles, seven albums, three greatest hits collections, two EPs and one cassette, all on Pandemonium Records. I’ve seen him play many times over the years- at a small cafe in Wissahickon Park, outside a supermarket for an Eagles pep rally, at the Living Room in Ardmore, at the Bridgeport Rib house, at his weekly packed gig at Smoky Joe’s, at the premier of the documentary film about his life, at Sweeney’s bar, and at many other iconic clubs in Philly. And of course, dozens of In The Pocket shows! I loved hearing about his many decades playing live music, and the changes in the music business over the years. And I unexpectedly left with a great assortment of merch from Kenn- Kweder posters, stickers, bills, coins, and a key chain. Unfortunately the restaurant wouldn’t accept my Kweder bills as payment for lunch. Kenn always has a full calendar- hope to see you at one of his upcoming shows. I guarantee you’ll be entertained!
4- David Uosikkinen
Live Aid, July 13, 1985- the concert of a lifetime! While I was excited to see every performer on the bill- Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Led Zeppelin, Santana, etc., I was especially looking forward to seeing our Philly favorites, The Hooters, performing on the big stage in front of the world, making Philly proud. What a day! I never in a million years could have guessed that some 35 years later I would become friends with the Hooters’ drummer. I could write a whole book on what David and Dallyn Pavey Uosikkinen have meant to me since I’ve retired, but suffice it to say that most of the musicians and music fans who are my friends now all trace back to me meeting David and Dallyn through their In The Pocket project. It probably wouldn’t have happened without Facebook- it’s how we all stay in touch, share our lives, see where everyone is playing, and what shows our friends are going to. In addition to the Hooters and In The Pocket, we’ve enjoyed seeing David play with Smash Palace, The Bar Band, DC500, Robert Gordon, and even the kids from the School of Rock. He always brings his A-game whether he’s playing in front of 10 people or 100,000. Of course we talked some sports and music, and living life to the fullest. And it was nice to get updates on Dave’s many bands and musical projects- he’s a busy guy. I’m glad he was able to fit me into the schedule. A fun hang!
5- Richard Bush
I was thrilled when Richard Bush accepted my lunch invitation. Another legend of the Philly music scene, Richard was the front man for the band the A’s. Philadelphia Weekly ranked their album “A Woman’s Got the Power” on its list of the “100 Best Philly Albums of all Time”. And he continues to put out great music with his current band, the Peace Creeps, whom Eva and I have seen live more times than I can count. One of the first Philly concerts we went to after I retired from Merck was the A’s Last Dance Reunion show at the Underground Arts in 2013. It was an unforgettably packed house, and a wild crowd. We didn’t know it at the time but many of the fans in the audience that night would soon become some of our closest friends. At lunch, Richard and I didn’t just “Talk About the Weather” (a reference for you Peace Creeps fans). I enjoyed hearing about his song writing process. And of course we talked about our mutual love of the Beatles, as well as my favorite Peace Creeps song, “Meet The Beatles”. (“If we could paint the town one last time, it would make everything much better. We can do anything we want to when I get my time machine together. I’ll stop back and pick you up, we’ll go and meet the Beatles. You can choose the place and time- at the Cavern in their prime.”) It was great to get together with Richard for lunch and a casual chat, without the usual commotion around a concert.
6- Ben Arnold
It was a real pleasure to get together with one of my favorite performers, Ben Arnold. I should say “One of OUR favorite performers- Eva never misses a Ben Arnold show, even if she has to come directly from the hospital, as you can see from the photos above. I was going to ask Ben to lunch earlier in the year, but he was on tour in Germany at the time. Ben is another musician we first discovered playing with David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket band. Eva and I both became big fans, and see him every chance we get- whether it’s solo, with his band, his full 48 Hour Orchestra, or US Rails. Ben’s album “Sunday Morning Meltdown” is one of my favorite albums of the past 10 years. His lyrics really hit home for me. Ben has a long history in the Philly music scene before we knew him. It was interesting to hear about his various music projects over the years (especially his “Pistol for Ringo” band), how he developed a global following, the music industry today, and his years of experience teaching music. The time flew by- a fun hang!
7- Bobby Michaels
I was so happy when renowned sax man Bobby Michaels accepted my invitation to lunch. Bobby has been one of the premier sax players on the Philly Tri-State scene for the past thirty years. I first saw Bobby play with David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket band several years ago. I’ve also seen him several times with Classic Stones Live, the area’s premier Stone tribute band. It was great to hear about Bobby’s incredible career. By the mid 1980’s he was working steadily in Las Vegas and Atlantic City with many national and local acts, including Chuck Berry, Bobby Rydel, Little Anthony, Martha Reeves, The Drifters and various casino production shows. Bobby has also been on tour performing worldwide with acts such as The Stylistics, The Soul Survivors, Billy Paul and The Delfonics. I scored a copy of his most recent recording, The Circus Hearts’ killer 2023 release, A Stitch or Two (Love his sax on “Annie C’mon”). I really enjoyed getting a chance to hang out with Bobby and chat. He’s one of the greats!
8- Jay Davidson
I also had the pleasure of having lunch with Jay Davidson, before his sound check with The Hooters at the Ardmore Music Hall. A perfect opportunity to have my favorite Japanese meal (お好み焼き- okonomiyaki) at Maido, where Jay is also a frequent customer. I was first introduced to Jay through his work with In The Pocket, and we subsequently chatted quite a bit about electric cars, as he was the first person to talk me into going with an EV (thank you, Jay!) A renowned sax player/multi-instrumentalist, he’s played and/or recorded with some to the top musical acts of our times- including Whitney Houston, Cinderella, Taj Mahal, Steve Winwood, Billy Preston, Phoebe Snow, Joan Osborne, Levon Helm, and the Funk Brothers, to name a few. Or perhaps you know him from the Sixers house band, In The Pocket, The Hooters, Brit Floyd, Holedelic, or Swift Technique. What a resume! It was great to catch up with Jay after he battled some tough health issues the past year. I really enjoyed talking to him about his career, the music business, Japan, and of course, electric vehicles! And we didn’t even get to touch on The Sixers- next time! Anyway, Jay’s a great guy, and a helluva player. Always a fun hang!
9- Garry Lee
It was great to catch up with Garry Lee in East Falls. I’ve seen him play many times over the years, particularly at Sellersville Theater, with The Deb Callahan Band and the Greg Sover band as well as The Orlons. And then I saw him again at the Ardmore Music Hall for the packed house June Rich reunion show. I loved hearing about his good old days with the iconic Philly bands The Daves, June Rich, and the Rhythm Cats Revue, and his memories of his late friend and band mate Tom Walling. But the highlight of our lunch had to be meeting his famous dog the adorable Mr. Griffin (who sadly subsequently passed on). I enjoyed getting a tour of East Falls and the Fallser Club, where Garry books the musical acts. It was impressive that every single person we came across knew Garry- I think he must be the unofficial mayor of East Falls. A fun hang, for sure! If you get a chance, check out some live music at the Fallser Club, and tell Garry I sent you!
10- Christine Havrilla
I remember it was a beautiful day when I drove to Delaware for lunch with another favorite singer/songwriter, Christine Havrilla. I first saw her play at Sellersville Theater many years ago, but I didn’t really get to chat with her until I saw her play one summer afternoon close to my home, in Lansdale, PA. I quickly became a fan. One of the busiest musicians in the business, I was lucky to catch her for lunch on an off day. It was great to have a conversation beyond the usual “hello” at one of her shows. We talked about our lives and our health, and of course, the music business. I’ve seen her play many times over the years, with many different players. My son Jason still talks about the time she played at Muhlenberg College and she let him sit in on the cajon for a song. I also scored a copy of her band’s new EP, California Night- check it out, it’s really good! Battling her own health issues, she is a true inspiration to me and everyone who knows her. I admittedly get a little down at times, but I just follow her words to pick me up-
“You’re only as down as you let yourself be…
I want you to sing of life, sing out loud,
sing of the happiness you’ve found,
sing of love, sing of hope
sing because you’re not alone”
I enjoyed having lunch with so many other inspiring musicians, I wish I could mention them all here. Apologies to those I missed! Having lunch with some of my favorite musicians is something that never would have been possible when I was a working man, but it has been one of the benefits of retiring and living life to the fullest in my “golden years”. Although this exercise is now over, I am always happy to meet up with people for lunch- everyone has an interesting story to tell. Let me know if you’d like to have lunch some day!
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