Cead
Mile Failte!
(Kaid-meel-a-fall-cha, A
100,000 welcomes!)
I am so grateful to have had the chance to live in such a Time & Place where the Music was Simple, Heartfelt and Timeless. Thank you Rock N' Roll!
"I get off on 57' Chevy's,
I get off on screaming guitar!"
The Bruce
The Early Years!!
The Friction Era
Rico is a fanatical
Stevie Ray Vaughan
and Angus Young fan. Just ask him when you have an extra couple of hours!
Conradh Bruce
Quintos
At birth, Rico was given the Irish (Gaeilge) Gaelic name of Conradh (poor kid) by his mom. He always went by Bruce because no one could pronounce Conradh. (Kon-Ra)
Ar Aghaidh Linn Le Cheile!”
(Let Us
Go Forward Together
He was born and raised on Chicago's West Side to Irish/Filipino parents and came into this world with a Fender Strat under one arm and Highland Bagpipes under the other.
Bruce, who plays seven different instruments, started playing lead guitar professionally at the ripe old age of 13 with the Chicago rock group "The Shy Lads". RicoQuinn's own Ken Januszyk was the lead singer/keyboard guru and Tommy "Rooster" Cline was the drummer. Bruce actually played in 3 or 4 garage bands before this but doesn't even remember the names. How convenient!
In 1969, all three went on to form the eight piece R&B group, "Friction". Quoting The Bruce "It sure seemed like a good idea at the time!". After a few years, many gigs, road trips and recording sessions, they went back to their Rock N' Roll roots and reformed The Shy Lads.
In 2003, Following his musical dream, he became a founding member of the Irish Rock power trio, "Bluestack", performing all over the United States for three years as piper, guitar, bodhran, and bass player. Regrettably the band broke up in 2006 but the best was yet to come!
In September of 2006, he finally formed the group he always wanted, RicoQuinn.
After completing 28 years as a career Police Officer he retired from his position as Police Commander of Field Operations with the Cook County Forest Preserve Police and went into politics. Bruce is currently Village Trustee for the Village of Chicago Ridge.
He is also currently the Pipe Major/Music Director for The Pipes And Drums Of The Emerald Society, Chicago Police Pipe Band.
Bruce is one of Chicago's top Blues/Rock Guitar Players. His vast experience in and out of recording studios and his familiarity with all styles of music has made him one of Chicago's most sought after Session Guitarist, Piper, Boudhron drummer and Bass Player. He can do it all!
His musical career to date has provided him with many unforgettable moments. He has performed in concert with Doc Severinson, piped Jay Leno on stage for the “Tonight Show”, piped for Hillary and Bill Clinton at Hillary's birthday party, piped for President Jimmy Carter and lead the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society on stage at Carnegie Hall receiving a standing ovation.
He has served as the Midnight Piper at the National Police Memorial in Washington D.C. and as Piper for the Irish Memorial organization, An Gorta Mor.
A true musician, he has penned many concert arrangements for pipe band performances. He also performed for 85,000 people at the opening ceremony for Special Olympics in Dublin, Ireland and piped at Arlington National Cemetery for slain Police Officers Gibson and Chestnut .
His most treasured and honored memory was playing Amazing Grace at Ground Zero at the one year Memorial of 911.
Bruce and his lovely wife Dawn have two daughters, Stephanie and Ryan.
Dawn says "Keep Rockin' Rico!"
Johnny Thunder
Work it Johnny!
Unleashing the
Thunder!
John E. Thier,
(JET!)
Johnny Thunder!
Our Singin' Bass Player, is known as the “Quiet Man” of the group. He was born and raised on the South- Side of Chicago with memories of listening to the old WLS radio station when they still played Rock N’ Roll. He remembers not being exactly sure what instrument he was listening too but knew he wanted to play it.
The “Instrument” turned out to be the Electric Guitar. Johnny, who is an outstanding self taught guitar player, also plays the drums, bass and mandolin. He has earned his place as a much in demand Celtic and Bluegrass session musician.
Johnny's musical journey began in 1985 when he started playing mandolin and guitar in the proverbial “Bluegrass Band”. What followed next was a true direction turn back to the Mother Music. He joined with friends Roger and Don to form the Blues/Rock group “Blues For Ziffel”. Johnny was now a “Singer in a Rock N’ Roll Band”. Home at last, Home at last!
Currently he has a full musical plate on the table. In addition to RicoQuinn, he also works with the popular Celtic band “NATCHEZ AVENUE” and the well established Bluegrass groups “FORESTVIEW EXPRESS” and “JUST OVER YONDER”. His musical talents really shine here because he plays guitar, mandolin, drums and bass but not all at the same time. He's working on that!
As a side note, we nick-named him
"Johnny Thunder" We like it!
For the TRUE story on how
Johnny first met
Rico check out
"RICOISMS!"
This is a "young" Tommy Cline practicing in some unknown forest a long time ago!
Is this Tommy's new set?!?!?
Will Dr. Ramon be retained as Tommy's drum tech?!?
Stay tuned for the very true story of how Tommy got trapped behind a Vox Super Beatle, a Selmer saxaphone and a Fender Bassman amp for a full 3 hour gig. Names will be named!!
Irish Tommy Cline
Percussionist from two legendary Chicago bands
THE SHY LADS and FRICTION!
So it began! (begins? Begun?)
Tommy Cline began his musical journey in the Gage Park neighborhood of Chicago. He was the “Redheaded Irish kid” on the Polish block living directly across the street from RicoQuinn’s own Ken Januszyk.
Enter the “MAS” from stage left
Eddie Maslowski also lived across the street from Tommy and played drums. This sparked an interest in the young budding musician. While in 3rd grade, Tommy got a paper route and begged his parents for drum lessons. Instead he was sent for accordion lessons on a brand spankin’ new "Red and White Squeeze Box” which really impressed the Polish neighbors. Forsooth Tommy, Forsooth!
Good advice from Mom
“Save your money for a rainy day!”’
Tommy’s goal in life was to emulate the drummers on the 45RPM records that he listened too. WLS AM radio was on constantly. Except for a brief period when Tommy and his young buddies would try to meet "chicks" on the WLS “BEEP LINE”, it was Rock N‘ Roll that came first!
Soon the accordion was relegated to a corner in the attic. Tommy drowned his sorrows over not “banging on D’ drum all day” with chocolate, magic tricks and comic books.
While in seventh grade, a local bully forced him to “Smoke and Choke” on several Lucky Strikes. As chocolate cravings diminished, garbage cans and/or anything available were thumped on more and more. Nicotine and Rock N’ Roll coolness took rise and The Drummin’ Plot was Afoot! Tommy’s vocabulary increased by six words overnight:
Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich & Louie Bellison!
Loud Drummers and Pirates.
Oh my BuckenEars!
Overcoming his “Cheap” gene ,Tommy decided to spend most of his saved paper-route money on a set of drums at Carnavale’s Music Store. (This is the same place where Rico bought his first guitar) For 800 smackeroo’s, he bought a LUDWIG silver sparkle drum kit with ZILDGIAN cymbals. Puurrttyy! But true to his “cheap Gene”, he still uses the same set today with RicoQuinn.
Almost got Maslowski'd!
Tommy set up his new drums in the attic and when not delivering papers, played his 45 collection (LOUDLY) trying to copy the drum beatings of true Rock N‘ Roll percussionists. Tommy was playing "Loud and Proud" with windows wide open. The neighbors hated it, especially Eddie Maslowski, who was now trying to study math in college!
Urban legend has it that MAS had some heated, "Stop Bangin' On Those Cans!" conversations" with Lil' Tommy!
Oh Tommy Boy, The Drums,
the Drums are calling!
Tommy went to De La Salle H.S. and hung out with Ken and Rico who were going to St. Rita H.S. Both of the future Rico guys were in a band called THE SHY LADS playing all over Chicagoland. Tommy started going on jobs with them in the mid 60's to help manage (to get in free) and carry equipment. It was at this time he made a life changing discovery:
Bartenders gave booze to the band regardless of their age!
Tommy was now a full fledged drummer-in-training and Roadie to boot! Fate was heading towards “Tommy the Drummer” and he didn’t even know it.
Tommy’s ticket to “The BIG’s!”
In 1967 THE SHY LADS lost their drummer Wayne who was leaving for college. Tommy was the logical replacement since he knew all the songs and had built a strong back from lugging all THE SHY LADS equipment over the years! (Tommy was seen passing out white envelopes at practice. Oh, the Chicago way!)
Two strong brotherhoods were being formed. First, Tommy joining the Chicago Police Department as a 18 year old Police Cadet. (later to become a career Police Officer along with Ken who was already on the job)
The second was a musical brotherhood starting with THE SHY LADS, then the legendary “Rush Street” R&B group FRICTION and finally with RicoQuinn.
Family Man, Cop, Musician,
Magic Clown and Author
Tommy married the love of his life Sandi and together had seven kids, one of each! You couldn’t throw a rock in the school yard without someone yelling;
"You almost hit one of the Cline kids!“
He perfected his interest in magic, clowning and entertaining as “Rooster T. Magic Clown” to help pay for tuition. Returning to school as a 48 year old student, he completed his BA and earned an MBA and a MAP.
Now for the author part!
Tommy penned a side splitting, must read book based on his 40 year experience as a Chicago Police Officer.
Coptales Volume 1
"Never Spit in a Man’s Face...Unless His Mustache is on Fire"
available at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Cop+Tales%2C+Never+spit&x=17&y=19
Please tell me that Gibson ES335 was put away safe in a humidified secure place somewhere!
Leo Fender, creator of the Fender Guitar with Dr. Vic!
Dr. Vic on stage keeping the
BLUES alive!
You thought Rico's got a guitar collection?!?
Vic and his old friend Kevin Cronin.
Vic and Kevin used to hang together at the old ALI'S COFFEE HOUSE during the early 70's before the
REO Speedwagon
days, many, many years ago!!
Vic with his pal and jazz guitar great,
Nick Colione.
Quote The Vic!
"I like to play guitar and sing a lot of different styles of music. That's always been a big part of my life. It is what makes me happy and keeps me content. To me music is the ultimate form of self expression. That's not likely to change for me nor would I want it to. Next I like the outdoors. Being in the beauty and vastness of it puts everything else in perspective for me. It is so very inspiring. It's like being a note in a song that another artist wrote. When I get to put that all together with doing a little fishing now and then I am as happy as I could hope to be!"
"Playing Classic Rock/Blues and Funk is fun. That's what I'm doing with RicoQuinn in and around the Chicago area. I like to listen to just about any style of music and the songs I have written so far have crossed over into various types and styles. As a result, I have no plan of direction with my music--I've never had one! Whether that's a good or a bad thing I don't really care. For me in music only one rule applies---"If it sounds good and feels good--PLAY IT!"
"All musicians successful or not who are real and know that it's not about the celebrity and the bling. It's about how you can make others feel with your music. "
We proudly welcome our friend, Blues/Rock singer and Guitar Slinger,
Dr. Vic Rochkus
"The Blues Doctor!"
This guy ROCKS!
What a year that 1960!
Rock N’ Roll was still reelin’ from the deaths of Holly, Valens and The Big Bopper on February 3, of 59’
Eddie Cochran died at 21 in a car crash while the Ventures were creating “Surf Rock” with Walk Don’t Run.
The King was discharged from the Army and 7 year old
Victor Rochkus got his first guitar! Who would ever think that this connoisseur of fine vintage guitars would start out on a 1960 Sears acoustic Silvertone. Yikes Vic!
A self taught musician, Vic concentrated his playing chops on Blues, Rock N’ Roll, Blues, Pop top ten and did I mention Blues? This would not only form his playing and singing style ala B.B. King and Clapton but also give him an opportunity for teaching and studio recording work.
The Terry Kath era
January 31st 1946 ~ January 23rd 1978
The Guitar Blazer from Chicago Transit Authority
played an important role in Vic’s solo guitar development. You can hear and feel the Kath influence in Vic's Blues/Rock scorching solo's!
Vic's view on Kath was even though Hendrix was great, he could not match the speed and accurately produced scale runs of Terry's blazing guitar work. He mixed blues, jazz and rock riffs throughout his playing.
After hearing Kath in 1968 at the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, Hendrix told C.T.A. saxophone player Walter Parazaider "Your guitar player is better than me!" Vic agree's!
Getting Quintos'd!
Vic and Rico met and formed a life long friendship while hanging around, teaching, selling and soft shoeing at the infamous Carnavale’s Music Store on 63rd St. in Chicago.
Rico was playing with The Shy Lads and Vic was playing with “The Screaming Silence” Band.
The late 60’s and early 70’s
put Vic in many Chicago based bands and gave him the opportunity to tour the world opening up for the likes of Steppenwolf, The Spencer Davis Group, The Cryan’ Shames, The Ides of March, Buddy Guy (Vic’s friend) and Three Dog Night just to name a few!
Enter the "GENO MARTINO"!
In 1971, Vic worked with Rico’s friend and guitar virtuoso, Gene “GENO MARTINO” Strentz in the popular rock band Crossfire.
(We have it on good authority that Geno is the only guitar player that Rico is in awe of!?! But can he dance? Can he play pipes? Can he climb trees and crack coconuts while he's drunk? I think not!
(Maybe it's the hair!)
All three Guitar Slingers are still very good friends to this day and can be found at Geno's PLAYERS Music Store in Worth Il. still talkin' AXE SLINGIN'!
In 2004 Vic met PoPo (Police) drummer Bob Park and joined the popular Coppersnake band.
Currently, besides working and partying with RicoQuinn, Vic is the General Manager, Studio guitarist/Vocalist for
Horse Drawn Productions recording studio
in Berwyn Il. where by the way, RicoQuinn records. Ah Cook County. Ya got to love it! Welcome my friend. Now let's
Rock till we Drop because
"Rock N' Roll is here to stay, it will never die!!"
Ken Januszyk's
musical career began at the age of 8 when his mother
asked if he wanted to take accordion lessons as was the practice in most
Polish families in the "old neighborhood" on Chicago’s South side.
At
St. Rita
H.S., he was
introduced to the Hammond organ playing at daily mass in order to pay for
his tuition. While Ken learned to sing in the school choir, he spent most of
his time playing the snare drum for their championship marching band that
played at an NFL championship game. When a broken wrist prevented him from a
competition, he played the bass drum with a full arm cast and the band took
1st place.
With fellow musicians, the 60's rock group
"The Shy Lads" was
formed starting as a "garage band". By his senior year the band had played
at hundreds of school dances and included playing in the finals for a
rock&roll band competition at
Aerie Crown Theater in McCormick Place.
After high school, a few college music classes sharpened his arranging
abilities and the band progressed to an 8 piece show band called
"Friction". His leisure
time would include playing kazoo on New Orleans street corners during the
annual Mardi Gras.
His "real" job as 35 year veteran
Chicago Police Officer saw him advance to the rank of
Captain. That didn’t prevent Ken from joining their
"Drum & Bugle Corps"
where he became the Music Director
playing snare drum, marching bells, and both the baritone and soprano bugle.
To add to his versatility, Ken became a bagpiper for the
"Chicago Police Pipes and Drums".
He currently plays with
"The Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society,
Chicago Police Department".
On October 1, 2009, Ken was promoted to the rank of Pipe Sergeant. Congratulations!
Ken is now retired from
the Chicago Police Department .
An "Electrifying performance with RicoQuinn at Dugan's!
Glenn and Stephanie (Rico's daughter!) from D/4 REPRIEVE sitting in with RicoQuinn!
Glenn "G.J." Oskvarek!
Blues Man!
Performing with his Blues Band,
D/4 REPRIEVE
Glenn will be performing with RicoQuinn from time to time as our very Special Guest bringing his unique Blues/Rock Sax with him!
Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Glenn has the Honor and Distinction of being a Jazz/Blues Sax Player, Percussionist and Drum Major for the award winning St. Rita H.S. Marching Mustangs! Rico and Ken also hailed from this fine group and have known Glenn and his family for what seems like forever!
Glenn is a four year Saxophonist for the St. Rita High School Jazz Band and recipient of the U.S. Marine Award of Musical Excellence and a Founding Member and Drum Major for the Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department.
After a serious injury and multiple surgeries, Glenn began his journey back as a Blues Saxophonist. With the help of the members of his Band, D/4 REPRIEVE, Glenn’s musical soul has been revived!
Glenn has guest appeared with Chicago Blues Artists such as the Mike Wheeler Band and the Linsey Alexander Band.
