By: Barry Cannizzaro

Barry Cannizzaro — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 02:48:29 +0000

AHHHHH; the good ‘ole days folks. Let me tell you a tale that I think you’ll “get a big kick out of”; at least I did. Yeah; my brother was right; we used to practice with my band Parousia during our early years at All Saints School at 205 Esser Ave. in good ‘ole Riverside; either in the main school hallway near the gym; or even on an upper floor in one of the classrooms. Yeah; ‘dats’ right; we’d break our backs along with everything else just to practice our music sets just for one day; then we’d have to take everything down again and carry all of our equip. back down the stairs again. What a b….! What can I say; we were a bunch of music hungry addicts willing to do anything for a music fix. You know how it goes my musically inclined crazy ass bastards! Well; on one occasion Steve Soos (our first keyboard player); my brother (Jerry ‘da drummer); and myself (Barry; ‘da dim witted guitarist) were helping out Father Hayes; pastor of All Saints Church (and supervisor of all school and church functions) at a German Festival they were having in the gym (cafeteria). While all of us were on stage setting some tables up, along came a man named Ed (a very good natured man with a handicap); who was cousin to my brother’s friend, Alan Swan; for any of you Riverside fans out there that may know the Swans. (This was when Riverside was a very safe place to live; waaaay back in the early 1970s; but NO MORE). Ed stopped us and asked, “Hey, you guys play in Parousia don’t you?” I then said “yes Ed we do; why do you ask?” He said “great; then I’d really like to hear some rock ‘n roll music; how about playing some rock ‘n roll music for me and the rest of the crowd?” I said back to him “well Ed; we’d love to but what about the German band that’s hired to play for this event; won’t they get mad?” Ed said; “I doubt it, but I’ll check with them first; and if I get it cleared with them will you play some rock?” I said “yes my friend; we’ll play some rock for you.” Just then I noticed the look of disdain on the face of Steve Soos and my ‘bro had a bit of a sour puss also; and said “c’mon guys; cheer up; this may be our first big break in Hollywood; ‘ya rummies”. They reluctantly agreed to do so. Just then I noticed on stage there was an upright piano for Steve to play; a full drum set for my brother to play; and a; gulp, upright bass for me to play. Holy Nightmare Batman; I never played an upright bass before! To make matters worse; it was a FRET-LESS upright bass; which really made me freakin’ fret (Giggidy)! My brother Jerry said, “Don’t worry about it ‘ya moron; just do the best ‘ya can and fake it the rest of the time if you have to; we’ll carry your fat ass!” I said back in return: Well; since you put it that way; I’m willing to give it a whirl. Within about 10 minutes Ed came back giving us “the green light” and “the all clear” to use the band’s instruments. We told him thanks and then went on our merry way selecting our 2 songs we were going to play. We chose “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones; and “Day Tripper” by the Beatles. Now it was “crunch time” and we were ready to start the show. I remember sliding my hands and fingers across the fret-less neck of the upright bass just like I would slide my hands across the naked bosom of some “hot little mama” on prom night. I can dream can’t I players! Somehow; someway; I was actually keepin’ up with my band members. Praise the Lord; it was a miracle (being in a Catholic School and such; ‘ya get me)? Anyway; to our amazement; the crowd started to get up and dance on the gym floor. How they cheered for more. I’m telling ‘ya dogs; it was like a Catholic version of American Bandstand! Dick Clark (God rest his soul) woulda’ been damn proud. We were stoked over this. After we finished our songs the crowd really roared! What a trip! Hey Mikey; ‘dey liked us! Who would of thought? Ed came over and thanked us over and over again for playing some electrifying rock; and getting the place jumping. Even Father Hayes (who later became Monsignor Hayes) came over and said: “Good job; lads!” And for Father Hayes to pay you a complement; we knew we did something right. He was usually strictly business, and as serious as a heart attack. I really feel that this event was a crucial turning point or crossroads in our early career; inspiring and motivating us to push ever forward with our band Parousia. Anyway; the moral of the story is “follow your dreams folks”; whatever they may be; you never know what may happen. All right; enough “Al Qaeda chatter” for now; let me sign off by saying: “Keep on rockin’ pilgrims; keep on rockin’!” Peace out! Barrymannia

Comments on: Parousia Rehearsal at All Saints School in Riverside – Winter 1976

By: Barry Cannizzaro