The beginning.

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The real start of a work life in media (my original plan had been to be a chemist) was falling in love when The Beatles hit America in February 1964.

Like almost everyone else (at least in Huntington, Long Island, our home town) I taught myself guitar and started a band with my best friend, singer extraordinaire (and percussionist) Rodney Johnson, and second guitarist Phil Courtemanche. By the 10th grade I’d switch to organ (an instrument I could actually play) and Rodney and I had joined forces with Phil Alexander on vocals and guitar, Ray Frisby on drums and vocals, and Brian North on bass. We were your basic cover band playing soul and pop hits of the day.

Rodney named the group (he named our first trio The Evil Lords; he had a knack, you know?) The Neglekted Few. Notice the “K” (like the Byrds, you know?). Since he was the lead singer, he tried to take top billing for a minute; it didn’t take.

I loved every aspect of being in a band. The freedom, the fun, the music. I liked booking gigs, and figuring out the best equipment to use that we could afford. Most of all I liked putting together the sound. Producing recordings became my next logical step.

The Neglekted Few, Huntington High School, 1968:
Phil Alexander: guitar & vocals, Fred Seibert: organ, Rodney Johnson: vocals & tambourine, Brian North: bass, Ray Frisby: drums & vocals