Saturday, November 03, 2007

Poncho John's first band


I stumbled upon this picture of John's band
Air Traffic.
The rest is history

9 comments:

Shmoore said...

I recognize Sutty and Palagi. Is that Donanhue sitting next to Sutton?

Hannah said...

Are the two guys sitting twins? That is one fantastic picture. Man, do I wish I'd have been able to attend an Air Traffic concert. Groo-vy. love, hannah

Johnny Piano said...

Seated: John Sutton (guitar), Mark Donahue (Hammond organ) (not twins; not even related)
Standing: Darrell Bushard (vocals), Johnny Piano (bass), Dave Palagi (drums)

We took this photo just before starting a whirlwind tour of Great Falls's parochial schools. It was sponsored by Great Falls Central as part of an effort to convince the 8th graders that Central would be a totally hip high school to attend.

I held on to that regalia for a long time, though I don't think I wore it again (except for the hat). I still have that brown thing draped over my shoulder -- it's on my dining room wall.

I had dinner with Darrell Bushard last week in Columbia Falls. He spent a number of years as a software programmer on NASA programs in Florida, then returned to Montana to enjoy the quiet life.

Dave Palagi lives in Bozeman. Both he and his son sat in as drummers for a couple songs. This was about four years ago, when Ann and I had the Sonic Boomers band. John Sutton lives in Lincoln. He plays with the Highway 200 Band in that neighborhood. I played one night with them about two years ago.

I don't know where Donahue is. I've run into him several times over the years, but not lately (over 10 years).

Anyway -- probably more than you wanted to know. Thanks for the memory-jogging photo, Jimbo.

Jen said...

wow...that is awesome!!

Abe said...

Oh man. This is just too priceless for words.

Anonymous said...

So proud to have such a groovy dad that is also my idol when it comes to keeping up with old friends.
I agree with Abe - Priceless photo!
B

Jan said...

Whoa!! That takes me back many years. I can remember hauling you little munchkins around to all of your gigs!! Those were the days. I still think that Dave Palagi is one of the cutest guys ever!! I would love to see him as a 50+ adult!! This is a great memory photo, Jimmy!!

meg and ry said...

Ya'll realize that you are related to that "cutie" Dave Palagi, right? At least by marriage. He is Ryan's mom's cousin.

Small world......geez....

Maurika said...

No way! Small world is right. I love this photo, so amazing. I absolutely recognized the brown fabric draped over Johns shoulder in an instant...
amazing how much abe looked like him at that age.
Too groovy for words.

love, m