About Me
Since 1975; from Waukegan ILL; (a suburb of Chicago) Vernon recieved his first guitar on his 9th birthday from his late Grandmother Rose who believed it was well deserved after making one out of cardboard and yarn.
He soon began taking guitar lessons from world renowned Jazz player "Billy Martin" in which he will forever be grateful. For the next 7 to 9 years, he practiced daily; hours on end, until his fingers were raw or just literally bleeding.
Passing on a full paid scholarship to Berkley in 1984, he headed straight to the studio and began recording with the band Phenomenon. One of the songs recorded "VICTORIOUS" was then entered into the "BLISTERING LEADS CONTEST" on the then national radio station "Z Rock" out of Dallas TX. They won first place in the contest.
Vernon has played with many different kinds of bands and well respected musicians alike. Some bands he has plyed in include, DISORDER; HABITUAL RITUAL; ENERGY VAMPIRES; and WINTERKILL; who were managed by Chuck Giovanni/EYES OF MARCH and Jim Pedric/SURVIVER. Vernon has had the opportunity to share the stage with bands such as DANGEROUS TOYS; WARRENT; SAVATAGE; OVERKILL; JEFFERSON STARSHIP; SAXON; and ENUFF Z ENUFF.
INFLUENCES
Some major influences of his include; Jimmy Page, Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robin Trower, Steve Howe, Steve Morse, Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Edward Van Halen, Frank Zappa, Carlos Santana, Neil Schon, Keith Richards, Al Di Meola, George Benson, David Gilmour, Warren DeMartini, Uli Roth, George Lynch, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Hacket, Peter Frampton, Nuno Bettencourt, Vinnie Moore, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, and Dimebag Darrell Abbott,
BAND INFLUENCES
Yes, Genesis, Rolling Stones, Weather Report, Earth-Wind -Fire, Spyro Gyra, Santana, Frank Zappa, Parliment/Funkadelic, Prince, Cameo, Gentle Giant, Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Allman Brothers, Mr. Big, L.A. Guns, Bang Tango, Dokken, Lynch Mob, Ratt, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pantera, Sevendust, Dark New Day, Stuck Mojo, Pink Floyd
CURRENT STATUS
Vernon is doing a couple of different things musically. He is playing in the band "BILLYCLUB". And also the band "HOUSE OF HOLLAND" featureing Tommy Holland of STEPPENWOLF/HOLLAND and He also gets together on occasions with his former band mates/friends from "WINTERKILL" and they will do a reunion show about one time a year.
