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Far too often it seems that success is measured by how much money you have in the bank, which neighborhood you live in or how much the watch on your wrist is worth. If you use those measurements for success then Joe Grushecky would be the farthest thing from a “success†as you could get. You see, Joe Grushecky is not rich, he doesn’t live in a gated community in a secluded suburb and he doesn’t even wear a wristwatch. However, if you measure success by how many lives you have touched, how many friends you have, and achieving almost every goal you set for yourself, well then Joe Grushecky would be the most successful person you probably have never heard of. In the late 70s Joe fronted one of the most critically acclaimed rock bands in the country, the Iron City Houserockers. The Houserockers music paralleled the city they grew up in, Pittsburgh, PA. Their music was described as blue-collar, industrious and, at times, desperate. It received rave reviews from national publications like Rolling Stone Magazine, Billboard magazine, The Village voice and Creem. Some of the biggest names in the music business even lent their talents to their albums. Steve Cropper, (Booker T and the MGs), Steve Van Zandt, (the E Street Band) Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople) and Mick Ronson (David Bowie) all played on and helped produce ICHR albums. But superstardom somehow eluded Joe and the Houserockers. After four highly praised efforts that produced meager record sales, the band was dropped by their record label and disbanded shortly thereafter. Now that being a rock star was no longer in the cards for Joe, he had to find a way to make ends meet because his list of responsibilities now included caring for his growing family. Fortunately for Joe, he had previously taken the advice of his father to get an education. So he returned to the profession that had earlier helped fund his rock-n-roll dreams, teaching. But not just any teaching job. Joe chose to work with kids that were emotionally distressed, neglected and in some cases violent. Joe refers to them as the “forgotten kidsâ€. He has spent the last 25 years working with these kids. But he never gave up on his dream of making music either. Incredibly, between being a dad, a husband and a teacher Joe, somehow, found time to write, record and play his music. In 1995, long time acquaintance and ICHR fan, Bruce Springsteen, began producing what would become Joe’s album, American Babylon. In fact, Bruce joined the band for a series of concerts to help promote the album. Their friendship grew and they continue to write songs and make music together to this day. Bruce even won a Grammy for a song that he co-wrote with Joe. Unfortunately, commercial success and riches eluded Joe for a second time. But in typical Joe Grushecky style, he keeps at it. He is still teaching, still raising his family and still rockin’. He still tours with his band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, as close by as the club down the street from his house in Pittsburgh and as far away as cities throughout Europe. He also donates his time and talents to raising money for charities such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, flood relief and for programs benefiting his students. Maybe Joe never will make it big in the music business. He may never live in the mansion on the hill or drive a fancy car. And his story may not have all the glitz and glamour like many others, but that’s ok isn’t it? I mean isn’t it ok that sometimes we celebrate someone who’s not rich and famous, someone who’s not a criminal or someone who’s not a privileged socialite? Someone who has simply lived ...A Good Life.Generate your own contact table!
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