BIOGRAPHY

THE BAND

The Band That Time Forgot began with an idea from Stash, and the talent of Head West, in 1983. The tale begins thus:

Stash and Head had worked together in the incredible Splendaids in the 70’s. The band featured the renown Uncle Griff now famously of EBay. It was a sloppy blend of comedy, blues, originals, rock, silly string, and chicks singing (they married the chicks, too).

Following the explosion of that band, Stash auditioned for Sonny (then known as Larry) in 1977 for the Tom Rush Band. He got the gig and they toured the country over and over. In need of a guitarist, because previous players were either retarded or insane, they were joined by their mutual pal Head West (a/k/a Peter) and went back on the road - always maintaining a clean and reverent lifestyle because they were married.

Stash eventually left having convinced Robin Lane that he could be a punk rock musician and wasn’t really a plaid shirt wearing folk rock drummer. They were signed to Warner Brothers Records as Robin Lane and the Chartbusters. Head headed off to work with Willy Nile and his own band Heidi and the Secret Admirers - a favorite band of Bill “the Spaceman” Lee.

Stash came back shell shocked from the Robin Lane days and was called by The Young Rationals where he met Rainbow Gates. Despite his propensity for being naughty they hired him. The Rationals became one of the greatest unsigned pop bands in Boston’s tainted musical history.

The perfect storm did brew. Stash had a name “the Band That Time Forgot” and a concept - the greatest 60’s songs that nobody else would ever play. It just needed a band. He called his pal Head West who’s career he had been trying to ruin since 1972.

There was only one truly great keyboard/guitar playing/singer to call and that was Sonny (still Larry). After a few false starts they managed to convince Rainbow (then Richard) that they might have fun and make money and not have to travel anymore. Rainbow was also one the nicest guys in the world. (everybody says so - but he can be very bad, too)

And thus a band was born. They gave each other funny names, hired the greatest dancer ever known to mankind - Jenny Jasmine a Go Go. With Go Go in tow and a bottle of whiskey by her side Jasmine propelled the band to a Best of Boston Award two years later. They were now playing to capacity crowds in tiny and not tiny clubs that mostly don’t exist anymore. But this rag tag group of hard working elders have meant a lot to many people through the years - from students to scientists, from bikers to full-swing golfers.

And still they rise….

Side Note:

The band also incarnated for years as ‘Vas Deferens’ performing the visionary art/rock/pop/blues/punk music of CJ Allen with lyrics and vocal styling by the late and very great Martin “Nellie” Nelson who passed away this year - way way before his time - of ALS. RIP Nellie…