Ricky Byrd Speaks about NYC HIT SQUAD... here's the scoop
In June 2003 at an event in N.Y.C, I ran into longtime Billy Joel drummer Liberty Devitto. So we shoot the breeze, talk about this that and the other until we hit on the subject of current events. It seems Lib is off the road and I'm smack in the middle of the long and tedious process of finishing my Solo CD... Bottom line is we're both achin' to play out live!
So we're gathering up a bunch of like minded pirates who you've probably heard of and putting together a band we're calling "NYC Hit Squad."
No record companies, publishers, booking agents... well actually we could use a booking agent!! This is about having fun, no strings attached.
Oh Yeah, we're going to be playing the stuff we played when we first started out, before the 'Business' became part of the 'Music'.
Ex. "I'll go Crazy," "Little Queenie," "Girl Can't help It," "My Girl," "That's How Strong My Love Is," "Route 66" ... You get the picture.
And maybe... just maybe, we'll throw in a few songs from our respective checkered pasts!
Based on availability (cause everybody's doing this or that) the revolving band consists of:
Ricky Byrd-guitar and vocals (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter band, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes)
Andy York-guitar (John Mellencamp, Ian Hunter band)
Liberty Devitto- drums (Billy Joel)
Simon Kirke- drums (Bad Co., Free)
Will Lee- bass (Letterman band)
Hugh McDonald- bass and vocals (Bon Jovi)
Muddy Shews-Bass (Asbury Jukes)
Jeff Kazee-Keyboards (Asbury Jukes, Bon Jovi)
Joe Lynn Turner- vocals (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
Christine Ohlman- vocals (Saturday Night Live Band)
Andy Burton- keyboards (Ian Hunter band)
Jeff Carlise- guitar (38 Special)
Richie Cannata- horns (Billy Joel, Beach Boys)
Chris Anderson- Horns (Asbury Jukes)
Joey Stann- Horns (Asbury Jukes)
Eddie Manion- Horns (Asbury Jukes)
Gerardo Velez- Percussion (Hendrix, Bowie, Stevie Winwood)
And the list keeps growing... So keep an eye out for "NYC Hit Squad"
I'm thinkin' this is gonna be fun!!!
