Funky Kings?

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 4 Nov 2006 10:53 pm

Hi Folks,

I've been listening to some music online at www.wolfgangsvault.com. For those who are into classic rock of the 60's and 70's, it's a real goldmine as the "Vault Radio" broadcasts are all live recordings of all the old Bill Graham shows from classic venues such as The Filmores (east and west), Cow Palace, Winterland...etc.

Anyhoo...in rotation right now is a song by a band called "Funky Kings". I missed the song title but, the performance was recorded on the west coast in 1975 prior to the release of their first and only album. Pedal steel figured prominently in the mix. Kind of a funky rock thing. Very nice.

Anyone know about this band and/or perhaps the steel player? Just curiuos. Enjoyed the tune. If I can catch it again I will post the title.

Also, just a note to all the classic rockers out there. Some pretty cool stuff on Vault Radio. Also heard some pedal steel on a Bob Dylan performnce from the Rolling Thunder era. And, on a non-steel note (sorry

, I heard a live selection by Led Zep at the Filmore West in '69 that I have never heard anywhere before. Very cool. Likely on a bootleg somewhere( there were so many!)Lot's of never heard stuff though.Check it out.

Cheers!

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 4 Nov 2006 10:55 pm

The Funky Kings was Greg Leisz's band.

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Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 4 Nov 2006 11:10 pm

Cool !

Who's Greg Leisz?

Help me out here. I'm out of the loop! ha ha ha

Any history you feel like passing on?

Thanks.

Chris

Roman Sonnleitner · Post by **Roman Sonnleitner** » 5 Nov 2006 3:26 am

Greg Leisz is one of the most in-demand studio (& live) session players on lap steel, pedal steel and regular guitar, with a very unique sound (esp. on lap steel).
His playing can be found in genres ranging from Alt.country (or at least, non-Nashville country) to rock to jazz, he has been playing with Dave Alvin (ex-The Blasters), Loudon Wainwright III, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Bill Frisell, and many more; I did not even know that he was already active in the 1970s (gotta check out those Funky Kings), the earliest recrding I knew of was his steel playing on The Gun Club's 'Mother of Earth'.

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 5 Nov 2006 11:31 am

"Wandering Boys"- Funky Kings

recorded at The Boarding House, 11/30/75

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 5 Nov 2006 11:48 am

Greg is an excellent musician. Saw him a zillion years ago in an upstate NY concert when he was playing with KD Lang.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 5 Nov 2006 4:27 pm

Been vaulting for nearly a year now.
One of the very best things happening for a baby booming eclectic music lover, like myself.

www.archive.org is another gold mine.
Lots of Mermen. My fave for many reasons.

The vault is now about ready to sell a fraction of the many thousands of complete shows Graham recorded/stored, and which have now been transfered to CD/DVD.

Of course, not everything recorded was that good when it was performed, nor have all the tapes survived the raveges of time (The Doors tapes for example, have not faired well), but for the most part this has been worth the 40 year wait.
And there's lots more to come.

Every Tuesday, the listening rotation changes to partially expose the extent of BG's vision, that he sadly is not around to see happen, but those who like good or bad music from mid 60s to the mid 80s should be all over this.

From Yogi Phlem to Devil's Kitchen to The Great Society to Lamb, you'll find lot's of (mostly) long gone musical artists in their prime, doing what made them famous/infamous.
Zappa, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, It's A Beautiful Day, Mountain, Ten Years After, Dylan/The Band, Miles, Dizzy, BB/Albert King, Muddy, Albert Collins, Booker T & the MGs, Flaming Groovies, Chambers Bros., Aretha, Elvis Costello, Zep, Janis & Big Brother, Jimi, the Dead/JGB/Garcia on steel w/NRPS to name more than a few, and plenty other rare moments are here to be enjoyed for free via streaming or purchased on disc.

Relive, or find a new life thru these past shows.
It's awesome!

No, I'm not affiliated with them, but I do approve this message.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ron Whitfield on 05 November 2006 at 04:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

Chris Latta · Post by **Chris Latta** » 10 Nov 2006 5:13 pm

Here's a link to a page with 5 songs recorded live by "Funky Kings" on the same night mentioned above.
http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/ConcertDetail.aspx?id=38132|12842

Cheers!