Left us on this day (Dec. 15) in 2008: John Byrne (cirrhosis of the liver, age 61), best remembered as the Dublin, Ireland-born rhythm guitarist & co-vocalist for ’60s San Jose, California garage rock band, The Count Five; although firmly West Coast American, they chose their name to sound more like the popular British invasion bands of the day; John sang lead on & wrote the band’s only hit, 1966′s Psychotic Reaction (Double Shot Records), which reached #5 on the Billboard charts & is generally included on any respectable garage rock compilation; they gained distinction for their habit of wearing Count Dracula-style capes when playing live; the group broke up by 1969, but their memory was immortalized in a 1972 essay by rock journalist Lester Bangs, entitled Psychotic Reactions & Carburetor Dung; The Count Five reunited in 1987 for club performance in Santa Clara, California, subsequently released as Psychotic Reunion LIVE!…(this & more featured today at Roch Parisiens Rocon Communications music chat page...)
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 22:08:10 +0000
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