They soared higher on their debut, but this was the top hit (#14 on the Hot 100) for Quarterflash ("...Three quarters foolish, and one quarter flash...") on their second album (of eventually four), before they faded away, just about the time vinyl turned into CDs. It was also about a thirty-year ear worm for me, and was one of a couple of songs that got me to stop three decades of playing air drums, buy a high-quality electronic kit, and teach myself to play them for real. (It worked. If Marv & Rindy Ross - still together after all these years - ever need someone to fill in on drums, I've got most of their catalogue memorized, and I can make the time for the tour.)
I had help. Mainly from a good ear, and people on YouTube posting things like their live concert at the Hollywood Palace in '84, at the height of their power, so I could see what their drummer was doing from time to time, to make sure I'd picked it up correctly by ear. (I did.) But the '80s are over, and I won't be doing the spandex jumpsuit thing. Fad is not fashion, and must needs die after its day in the sun. Thankfully.
Quarterflash is just a memory though, and lead singer Rindy's a psychologist in Portland now. Which means job security long after she loses her lip and the voice fades, given the average sanity level there.The tune still works though. Doubly so with a lead singer in her prime with that voice, and a ringing hook from lead guitar.
10 comments:
Love it! Saw them twice, 1981 and 1982 when they were red hot. Was up against the stage at one show, even got a smile and wink from Rindy (be still, my teenage heart!)
Your music posts so far are a spot-on reflection of my tastes. Being both contemporaries and California kids might have a wee bit to do with that. LA radio in the 70s and 80s was the best.
Ah the 80's...such great music! But gawdalmighty! Those clothes.
It was a very good thing that my attire, on-duty certainly and off-duty practically was prescribed. No embarrassing spandex and big hair photos for me.
Still...so much of that music was SO good! Thanks for the reminder.
Boat Guy
I saw 'em at Seattle's Paramount Theatre for the old KISW-FM's Rising Stars series in '81. 1 fuckin' dollar - Them, Springsteen, Heart, ZZ Top, Bob Marley & the Wailers; all for a buck. That world is so far gone....
https://youtu.be/UgYDBRl-FPQ
I've gotta feeling that if we were stuck together in a vehicle on a cross country trip we would be able to easily agree on a compatible music play list.
The album had two members of Eagles playing/singing. Joe Walsh played slide guitar and Timothy B Schmit provided vocals.
Where to get parachute pants with lots of zippers? Chess King is not an option. Asking for a friend.
Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EM28954/ref=twister_B07BSN8B26
As a bonus, when you get dumped into a men's 6' group urinal for wearing them now, the water generally beads right off of them. ;)
Steven Banks? Aesop, you magnificent bastard!
I saw that exact episode when satellite TV was only for the cool kids that had room in a yard big enough to swing an 8 ft dish. That was back before Al Gore invented the innernet. I’d never seen Steven before, and never saw him again. I’m about to unleash my google-fu to see how he made out in all that time. I hope to find that he did well. What a treat to see him again.
Steven Banks: Head Writer for SpongeBob Squarepants, etc.
He's done very well in show biz since that intro.
OMG, I had forgotten about "Chess King". I did some shopping their in 1982'ish.....they did have pretty cool shirts.
Marv and Rindy still play/sing with a folk-type band, playing music from the 1800's. They also do a QF concert once in a while.
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