Hello, I Must Be Going: The Mostly True Story of an Imaginary Band [novel]
ROCK & ROLL IS WASTED ON THE YOUNG.
The year was 1970 and Zack Black & the Blues Attack was poised to be the hottest band in America. Radio loved them, demand for their record exceeded supply, and everywhere they played seats were sold-out. But when stardom seemed within their grasp, they let it slip away. Will Black thought that chapter of his life was closed forever. He had not been in touch with his former bandmates since he moved to New York some forty years ago. But now a mysterious woman has approached him with an unusual request: will he help her carry out her husband’s dying wish?
Incredibly, Will finds himself tasked with putting the Blues Attack back together to prove to the world, and themselves, that they still have what it takes. But to do so means that the one-time friends will have to confront the secrets and lies that had contributed to their demise. Given a second chance, will they make the same mistakes? (Black Opal)
This is a work of historical fiction. Although the plot is entirely fictitious, all of the following bands and musicians are portrayed truthfully in the story, based on hundreds of interviews.
Abbott, Martha
Alfred, Chuz
Alwood, Bob
Bartlett, Bill
Behm, Kenny
Bendler, Bill
Blackfoot, J.D.
Bradburn, Rich
Brown, Joel
Browne, Ivan
B&W Commonwealth
Bryant, Rusty
Cataline, Glen
Carroll, Billy
Cars, The
Chatfield, Mark
Chickadee
Chickadoo
Clapton, Eric
Corwin, Tim
Cotton, Gene
Cummins, Jeanne
Dailey, Chuck
Daniels, Joe
Dantes
Day, David
Ebb Tides
Edicates
Edmonds, Shepard N.
Epics
Fifth Order
Four O’Clock Balloon
Francis, Dean
Gears
Georgia Crackers
Godz
Grayps
Howard, Arnett
Hughes, Bob
Hughes Blues
Jeany, Pat
Johnson, Susan
Kirk, Rahsasan Roland
Lapse of Tyme
Lemon Pipers
Lenker, Ted
Longmire, Wilbert
Mackey, Dick
Marr, Hank
Maxted, Billy
McIntosh, Ladd
Mobley, George
Molland, Joey
Nichols (Ginnetti), Joey
Ocasek, Ric
Ochs, Phil
Ohio Express
Orr (Orzechowski), Ben
OSU Jazz Workshop
Pierce, Frank
Powers, Joey
Powers, Dale
Rasor, Jerry
Rebounds
Robinson, Teddy
Ryerson, Art
Schwab, John
Selby, Chuck
Sender, Jack C.
Sidewinders
Sir Timothy & the Royals
Smith, Sterling
Strongbow
Tatum, Art
Toads
Tonight Only
Ulrich, John
Vanguards
Walker, Gene
Walmsley, Steve
Walsh, Joe
Wiester, Vaughn
Williams, Tommy
Wilson, Chuck
Wilson, Mickey
Workman, Dave
Ball of Confusion: The Somewhat True Story of an Imaginary Bass Player [novel]
YOU THINK ROCK & ROLL NEVER FORGETS?
TRY TELLING THAT TO WES KENNEDY, former bass player for Zack Black & the Blues Attack. Washed up at twenty-two, he found himself back in his hometown, wondering what became of his fifteen minutes of fame. For a few dizzying weeks, he had been a member of the hottest band in America. Now, they barely qualified as the answer to a question on Trivia Night at the Airport Lounge.
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But while Wes and his bandmates were reaching for the brass ring, their friends weren’t exactly standing still. And suddenly Wes felt like everybody he knew had it together except for him. Maybe the answer was the reinvent himself. And what better way for a middle class white kid to do that than to play black music. So move over James Brown, step aside Isaac Hayes, and make way Marvin Gaye, THERE’S A NEW SOUL BROTHER ON THE SCENE!
These are the real musicians and groups who are part of the story:
