The NY Music Scene Then & Now- Alan Merrill interview by Andy Troy, November 2017
Tell me about the first time you were in a club in NYC.
>> I was a kid, my mother was singing at Birdland. As an adult I often played at the Cafe Wha? and the Palm Gardens / Group Image freak outs in 1966, ‘67. I was in my mid teens.
Tell me about your first club gig in NYC.
>> It was at The Café Wha? In Greenwich Village, 1966.The pay was $7 per band member a set. Played 4 x 30 minute sets, 4 member band, made 28 bucks each.
What was your favorite club and why?
>> Internationally, Byblos in Tokyo. It was hang out for entertainers.
(below Byblos, Akasaka Tokyo 1969)
What makes a club great?
>> Feeling of belonging there, not just a visitor. Good friendly staff.
What was your most memorable gig in nyc?
>> Jeff Beck group, June 18th 1968, Fillmore East.
You’ve played in other cities, how does NYC’s music scene compare?
>> New York is a major music hub internationally. It’s top tier.
What are your memories of CBGBs? The Bitter End? the Bottom Line? Max’s? The Ritz?
>> Saw a Dead Boys reunion at CBGBs a few years ago, it was fun. I played the Bitter End a few times. In the old days I saw Cat Steven’s first US gig there sat in between my “surrogate sister” Laura Nyro and Odetta. Played the Ritz with Derringer and Meat Loaf in the 80s. Good stage. Never went to Max’s. Enjoyed some good shows at the Bottom Line, Andy Fraser was a standout in 1985.
How has the NYC scene changed over the years?
>> It’s always changing. I think the 1960s and 70s were the city’s best years.
What are some truly memorable shows you’ve seem in NY clubs.
>> The Left Banke at BB King’s, April 29th 2013. I was the opening act.
(Below - Alan Merrill & Amy Madden 4-29-2017)
What are some truly memorable shows you’ve performed in in NY clubs.
>> Playing at the Ritz and the Palladium with Rick Derringer, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Todd Rundgren, Ian Hunter, Ted Nugent Tim Bogert, Carmine Appice Karla DeVito and others in the 80s.
(Alan Merrill below photo left with raised guitar)
Interesting/memorable characters from the scene (doormen, bartenders, etc).
>> At Byblos in Tokyo the doorman always had a warm greeting for me. That was a nice touch to the exclusive club.After I’d had a few hit singles in London I was welcomed at a club called Tramp, a show biz hang out. I used to drink there with soccer star George Best and Stone Bill Wyman. The Speakeasy in London was always fun and the after hours Split Coconut club owned by Phil Scott who also owned Maunkberry’s.
Have you seen big names show up unannounced?
>> When I played the Hammersmith Odeon in 1988 London with Meat Loaf the whole Rocky Horror cast got on stage with us and sang “Hot Patootie”- Little Nell, Richard O’Brien, it was surreal actually.
(below photo Alan Merrill at the Hammersmith Odeon with Meat Loaf 1988)
If you could change one thing about NYC’s club scene what would it be?
>> I don’t know. The scene is very crowded with bands I think. Maybe more live music venues would be a good thing.
Do you have any wild/bizarre my club stories?
>> The band Free’s Paul Kossoff literally crying on my shoulder in 1971 at Byblos Tokyo after the band broke up.
Are drugs more or less prevalent now than they use to be?
>> I no longer indulge so I’m less inclined to notice.
Are bands paid better or worse in relation to the cost of living than they use to be.
>> Bands are paid less than in the 1960s NY scene, considering inflation.
What city outside NYC has the best club scene?
>> Tokyo.
Anything ever go wrong during a show?
>> I split my tight purple trousers at Hibiya Park Tokyo 1972. Let it all hang out. I wasn’t wearing underwear. Good thing I wear my guitar low.
How does playing in clubs differ from large, concert venues?
>> You can see their (audience) eyes in small venues. In large concerts there’s less intimate contact.
What makes a great club band?
>> Getting the people up and dancing. Having fun.
Why would a band that’s successful in large venues not be successful in a club? Can you name one?
>> I think all bands are different. I mean the Stones would be great in a small club or a massive arena.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in NYC?
>> I like living on the upper east side. You run into lots of interesting people just walking the dog. John Cusack, Brandon Ruckdashel, Kevin Bacon or Simon Kirke.
Tell us who you’re playing with now.
>> I have my own band and do solo acoustic shows. I work with different band lineups in the USA, England and Europe and Japan.
What shows do you have coming up?
>> UK December 15, 16th and 17th Wagner hall in Brighton, Exchange Arts Centre Keleigh, and London at the 02 Academy. New York Shows, Harold C. Black’s birthday at Lovecraft Nov 16th and the Sidewalk Café Nov 25th.
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