Call For People: Former Musicians With Unique Jobs

Happy Thursday. A different type of post today. We've been together a long time and I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm looking for former metal musicians that now have unique careers that don't have anything to do with playing on stage in front of people. When I say former musician, I don't mean in the Vito Bratta sense necessarily, but if someone has Vito's email, please share! In reality, I'm thinking of musicians who were making their way up the club ladder, had a demo or album, regularly did gigs, etc. But now, a couple decades later, life is different. Do you miss music? Is it still your passion? Would you trade everything to get back on stage?

If you want to talk to me about your past (future?) musical life, drop me an email at allyson@bringbackglam.com and put "metal music past" in the subject line. I appreciate the help.

Okay, here's some Vito Bratta solos, just for fun!

Comments

[Gary]

Vito, IMO, was THE most melodic player to come out of the whole era. He had killer chops,did all the Van Halenesque tricks, but his solos had SO MUCH feel to them,also. The solo to Little Fighter is quite possibly one of the best solos ever put to vinyl. The one from Wait isn't far behind. Just listen to how he mixes pentatonic scales with the modal scales and arpeggios,and makes it all sound so natural.Oh Vito,why'd ya have to wig out and shit can the music biz? Lol

[Steverox]

What Gary said. My favorite player from the era. I can just listen to his solo's all day long. Broken Heart is my favorite. There's a guy who posted youtube video's of him doing Vito's solo's (3 of them), and he nails them note for note (as well as tone). I find myself watching it all the time when I need a guitar fix.

[Jeff]

His Radar Love solo is incredible as well

[Shawn]

I agree I really appreciate his playing - I heard an interview with him in the studio with Eddie Trunk. I think he still plays some but they almost sounded like he had some hand/wrist problems that prevented him from playing all the time. Gary man you nailed it just very tasteful phrasing with all the components mixed together.

[Metalboy!]

As I've bragged many times before (sorry, I know it can get annoying), I saw White Lion POINT BLANK, standing smack dab in front of the stage where Vito Bratta was blowing my face off at The Cat Club in NYC off their "Big Game" album and I was absolutely gobsmacked by his playing live, as was the rest of the audience.

Just as those have essentially commented above, he out Van Halened Van Halen, playing with such heart and natural talent you almost wanted to cry.

All the more, why his story is one of the greatest mysteries in Rock & Roll, though as Shawn mentions about the Eddie Chump interview with Bratta (which I listened to on YouTube years ago), he did express that he has hand/wrist issues but I also seem to recall him saying they were getting better, yet there really hasn't been anything on him since.

As far as the "Where are they now?" story angle of Rock Stars, or, actually, "What are the doing now?", it's a fascinating topic and I look toward to seeing where you're taking it, Allyson.

One person I can think of off the top of my head is Jackie Fox, former bass player of The Runaways. Though her plight in that band was horrific due to their manager, Kim Fowley, sexually abusing her, she is now a successful entertainment attorney in the motion picture business. As I think of more, I will send them your way! Good luck with it!

[Gary]

Just read that Jeff LaBar from Cinderella has enrolled in a 2 year Culinary Arts course in Tennessee. Soon to be " Chef Jeff"????

[Metalboy!]

Maybe then he can open a high end bar restaurant in Nashville called, get ready for it, "La Bar"!

[Kari]

Would Michael Lee Smith, singer from Starz, qualify for this topic?

[Allyson]

Thanks so much for the musician ideas, specially Metalboy and Kari. I hope to make something good of this soon! - Allyson