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Subject: Re: Dave's other bands

Author:
mike smolik

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Date Posted: 00:22:39 08/24/03 Sun
In reply to: Ernie 's message, "Re: Dave's other bands" on 10:48:46 08/17/03 Sun

I was in High School when Dyamite formed (being a former CLOSET Raspberry fan). I remember reading a Cover Story about Dynamite in the PD Sunday Magazine I think in 1975. However I never saw them "Live". Dynamite went on to become Windfall. Dave was NOT a member of Windfall as I remember, only the Raspberries original Drummer, Jim Bonfanti was in Windfall. That was an Unbelievable Sounding Band. Windfall had a singer named Peter Hewlitt (spelling?) who teamed-up w/ Keyboard guy Kevin Raleigh in Jim's band. Windfall should have got a MAJOR record deal, for sure...
I don't think anyone know's what Dave was upto after Dynamite. I remember having my Acoustic Guitar Refinished (Summer 1980) by a Guy named Norm (can't remember his last name). He told me that the "BUZZ" locally was that Dave & Wally Bryson were going to form a Band...then I saw a Cover story about them in Sept 1980 Plain Dealer's (PD) Friday Magazine by Jane Scott...called Smalley & Wally (or something to that effect). The new band was called THE SECRET. Damn they were Good. It was the first time I ever saw Dave play 'Live'. I remember Checking them out w/ my Bandmates at Music Machine (brook park), the Akron Agora, Fantasy in Lakewood, the Sahara in Eastlake and Tommy's in Rock River. They had a singer named Eric Robertson. Robertson is/was without a doubt one of the BEST Lead Singers I EVER Heard in my life (incl the likes of Raleigh, Hewlitt, Mike Stanley,Reising before his lost his voice,Dave Thomas even Eric Carmen). Robertson just appeared on the Scene. I never heard of the guy before the Secret. Dave obviously knew what he was doing to recruit a guy like Eric Robertson. Dave was like "THE GLUE" to the Secret, just like he was in Raspberries. Dave had Tremendous Vocal range and played Bass very, very well. His Harmonies with Wally as they sang Back-up to Eric Robertson were Incredible...again, just like it sounded on Raspberries Record's...ONLY "LIVE". I remember Dave singing Cover songs like "Mr Postman" and "I Need You". I guess the best Venue that I remember watching Dave and the Secret was Tommy's in Rocky River and the Sahara in Eastlake. Both Places were "PACKED" out the ASS w/ people, usually on a Saturday Nite. It was without a doubt some of the most Funnest Times of my life. Dave would NEVER remember me. There were always, WAY, too many people walking up to him and Wally to chat. I do remember saying Hello once. Rapped w/ him for about 10-15 min inbetween the Secret's SETS. Dave is the Most down-to-earth guy you could ever meet. I remember by Spring' time 1981, the Secret was splitting-up...Many of us couldn't beleive it. That band had more talent between Dave, Wally Bryson & Eric Robertson than Most bands could ever dream of...But they SPLIT-up before doing any of their originals. Someone mentioned that the Secret briefly got back together in the Summer' of 1983 or so, but I never heard anything of it. Although, my best friend Tom told me about an opening act, JACK SNYDER & the Balls of Fire who Opened for them back then. Come to think of it, Eric Carmen supposedly appeared on stage with the Secret at that time in 1983 to do a song that Dave wrote. I believe it was "HArd to get over a Heartbreak"...but don't hold me to it cause I'm NOT sure on that one. Bottom line, Watching Dave play w/ Secret was without a doubt Hearing some of the Best 'LIVE' Rock N' Roll that I ever saw. My Bud Tom kept telling me..."remember watching this, because there ain't No-one better...he was right. Fun Times for sure !!!
BTW, this new Disc is Very Cool. laters, mike
.
>>As I was one of the "roadies" Secret was a band that
>played a lot of oldies. Dave and Wally from the
>berries, Eric Robertson who did most of the lead
>vocals and Frankie on drums. The group was quite good
>and played all over the Cleveland area. On any given
>night various Cleveland legends would show up to jam
>with the band. They did spend a little time in the
>studio, but nothing every came of it. W

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