Jimmy Strassburg

I studied drums w/John Boch and Sonny Igoe. Started playing professional gigs w/the Gems in 1960 who sometimes used guitar legend Danny Kootch. Kept playing around and finally got the chance to play w/Linc Chamberland and the Orchids one of my favorite bands. In 1969 I found myself in Mexico City-Mexico playing w/Los Sinners along w/Mike Brecker and David Gross. That group reformed in N.Y.C. w/Enrico Rava, David Gross and Richard Grando in the horn section. After recording for CBS distribution deal w/Teo Macero the group became Gas Mask for its record release. About a year later Linc Chamberland joined the group along w/Michael moore on bass. This was a great playing experience as we worked every nite. During this time Linc got me many studio gigs w/Don Elliot at his recording studio in Westport, conn. We did an album for Quincy Jones the "Hot Rock". My next band Sawbuck featured Dave Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis, John Gatchell, John Eckert, Chris Qualles, Linc Chamberland and Sky Ford. We recorded w/Motown records in Ca. Dave Liebman went w/Elvin Jones and we were lucky to get Frank Vicari at the last moment to go to Mowest with us. We tried to make it happen changing our name to Gotham, but Motown shelved our albums. My next major gig was w/Sly and the family stone recording Sly’s 8th album "high On You" which the single peaked at 3. After Sly my friends Pee Wee Ellis and Dave Liebman moved to Ca., where I lived to form the Ellis Liebman band with two record labels A&m and Arista, I played on both albums but the band was short lived only lasted about one year. Since then I’ve been plagued with a bad back which put a damper on my career. I’m still here and have great memories of all the hundreds of musicians I’ve worked with and the fun we had. All the best to everyone JIMMY