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In Remembrance
Thoughts regarding those who have passed can be overwhelming. However reflecting on the quality time-shared with them aids
in a healing process which begins and lasts an entire lifetime as their spirit stays forever within our heart..
We as artists walk down many roads and sometimes travel separately away from other band members thus, moving in different
directions of the entertainment world . This is my story meeting 'Freddy Kreiss' as a teen and sharing many memorable times
from that period, the late 70's as well as myself being a former "Mad Daddy" in the very early 1980's......
I met Freddy Kreiss later known as (Stinky Sono Buoni) in 1977 through a local music paper via an ad I placed regarding
singers. Three weeks later I received a call from Freddy who asked 'How serious are you about making music'. I explained that
we were young and eager but in need of a flashy front person who could lead the band. That same week he came down to our rehearsal
and we banged-out cover material. After several more rehearsals we were playing original songs. The problem was, we had no
bass player a drummer with a poor kit and a guitar player with no ride. Needless to say, we were in our teens and didn't drive.
Freddy was already driving and didn't mind picking up the guitarist on his way down to practice. Then one Sunday afternoon
Freddy asked if I wanted to check out a studio in Jersey City. This would be the first time being inside a true rehearsal
studio other then the usual crammed garage space. After that afternoon I realized I needed to find real players to join forces
with Fred and myself. During this time Freddy acted as a 'big brother' so to speak and began introducing me to the thriving
local music scene in NJ & NY. He outreached me to people & clubs that I otherwise would not have been exposed to until
later. In fact, Freddy knew everyone. Fred often took me with him to many rock clubs. I remember worrying about not getting
in as I was just 15 then. His words were, 'Don't worry just let me handle it'. When security proofed us at the door Freddy
said, 'l'll claim responsibility for him' and I went in . Everyone loved Freddy, he had style & charisma. Even my parents
liked and trusted Freddy. Several months went by and I found two other band members that would become the foundation for my
band the 'Lovers'. After a short time with a female singer, a new drummer and a guitarist turned bass player we became the
'Hornets'. We played several gigs with myself singing lead. By late 1979 Freddy called and wanted to check it out.. When
he came in he explained that he had been singing with a band that had a blend between, 'Robert Gordon and The Cramps' . He
went on to say he really liked our music and would try to divide time between singing in both bands. We ran through the rehearsal
with original numbers and a version of 'The way I walk'. However that version of the band never got off the ground and Fred
went on to pursue "Freddy & The Hubcaps". I stayed on with the same drummer and recruited a female bass player
eventually becoming "Fractured Glass". I stayed in close contact with Fred and although not in the band, he booked
shows for us. He continued to introduce me to many people who were making cool modern music. I did not start driving until
late 1980 however, Fred would pick me up and we would go to see bands. By the time I did drive I was still working as apprentice
for a lighting company. On one occasion, Fred asked if I would come down and rig-up a small lighting system for his new band
"Freddy &The Hubcaps" and so as it happened, with four bulbs and two outdoor spotlights, I provided a primitive
lighting source that actually worked fine. I did several more lighting gigs for the band and concentrated on my new outfit,
"Fractured Glass". After coming back from the UK early 1981, I had seen Fred at a local theater which had been
running a cult movie marathon. He was eager to know what I had been up to. I told him about our record release in London and
how I really wanted him to listen to one song in particular called, 'Horror Show' since it was similar to what he was doing.
That following weekend we got together. He listened to the song and asked if I would consider becoming a member of the band.
Freddy was not one to fool around, he had a lot of gigs lined up and the fan base was growing. After two more rehearsals we
began gigging with myself handling duties as second guitarist. It is most important to point out that Freddy was an innovator
and wanting to change direction. He wanted to ditch the good boy image for something more edgy and during a break one night
at practice he announced his idea in a most astonishing way. I shall never forget how he went about it. We practiced in the
drummers basement, which had a small home bar. Fred started talking about his ideas on changing the bands name. Then before
any of us could speak, he jumped up onto the bar and proclaimed "Now its time for The Mad Daddys". it was classic.
Two weeks later we opened a show for 'The Cramps' at Hitsville in Passaic NJ to a packed sold out crowd. I stayed on with
"The Mad Daddys" up until I needed to fulfill my agreements to record another single with my former band which lead
me back to the UK. The times shared with Fred both before 'The Daddys' as well as during were legendary. Although I did record
with 'The Daddys' early on, I never appeared on any of the releases,. Sadly, that material has long been missing. Freddy Kreiss
was an artistic individual in every sense of the word. A true showman that knew what he wanted and how to get it.. More importantly
he aided fellow artists and acted as a 'Big Brother' to younger musicians. As we moved in different directions in the changing
entertainment world, I never forgot my days of being in the group or its many crazy antics. They shall always remain forever
memorable..
I remember one gig in NYC. Fred and I walked down to NYU. He wanted the DJ to announce the show on the radio. Somehow
we mistakenly entered a Staff elevator. We kept hearing music but could not make out what it was. Then when the door opened
we found ourselves directly on stage in the middle of a 'David Johansen' concert in the collages auditorium. We had absolutely
no clue 'Johansen' was performing that night ? We had to sneak off stage as onlookers and even 'David Johansen' looked in
complete amazement at two strange figures entering & leaving. We laughed for weeks at the scenario. Yet another bizarre
incident found the band almost stranded in a 1-foot snowstorm on the Pennsylvania Mountains. Me and the other Guitarist got
out and pushed the van out of a ditch, then it started to slide down the road pulling us along with it. We hung on the back
doors until Fred finally wedged the vans wheels into a brush of bushes. It would be some 16 years later that I would see Freddy
again. It was like magic, we gave each other a big hug and he began telling everyone, "This is an Original Mad Daddy".
We talked about the old school days and our musical endeavors and how fast time went by.
"The Mad Daddys" had gone through several line-up changes through the years. Although I served a short time
as a member. I am proud to have been in its earliest conception. Likewise, happy for Freddy leading the band into its outstanding
career which has left its mark in Rock 'n' Roll history.
After that night I spoke to Fred over the phone several times with the last time being about a year ago.
I mentioned, he had plenty of fans in Japan as since I had been there promoting my music as well as
other artists. He was thrilled to hear it and was eager to discuss more on the possibility of distributing
"The Mad Daddys" past releases in Japan. Do to several of my own personal issues I fell out of the loop
and did not find out about Freddys illness until late and shortly thereafter receiving the very sad news of his passing
on May 31st , 2006 ......................................
* Rest My Big Brother 'You are Truly The king of Cats ! . ........ God Bless - Roger Vincent Tari
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