A California native born in Seal Beach. An avid surfer. Wrote first song at age 4. Took up sax at age 7. Played school bands, marching bands, dance bands, and jazz ensembles. Church orchestra. Then at the age of 12 joined a surf/rock band. No more charts and music sheets. Just booze, girls, and parties. Went to CBS recording studios when I was 12 and recorded a demo flop. Almost flunked out of high school my freshman year because of booze and girls. Got straightened out when I started surfing and made honor roll. Still played in bands. Got drafted while I was trying to retire on Maui at the age of 18 and while becoming a hippie with hair down to my butt. Played in several jazz bands in the army back east, and survived being the only white in some pretty tough clubs. Became a lead singer in rock bands for 12 years and got sucked hard into the decadent lifestyle as I became a pro surfer. Blew my voice out singing Zepplin 5-9 nights a week as I was drinking and smoking everything in sight, and fulfilling every male fantasy ever conjured. Had my clothes ripped off twice by mobs of crazy, beautiful girls, and it was not pleasant. Got jobs singing backup and playing sax/percussion with some very good rock bands. While still competing in national and international surfing contests and while being married with kids. Gave up the drugs and worked days as a framing carpenter while playing or recording almost every night in LA and living in Orange County.
I played with the first Rolling Stones cover band and did some pretty good touring. Recorded constantly with several very good bands that just did not make it bigger than the LA club scenes. Put together a horn section for Dick Dale and became a Del Tone. Got offered an opportunity with the Coasters and turned it down to raise my kids. Jammed a little with some great players and even got to sing one time with Tina Turner at a big concert. I was on the stage drunk singing along with her and she grabbed me and held the mic to my mouth as we sang the song Higher. Ike looked at me like I was dead meat and that was the first time I ever sang with a female vocalist. I was pretty wasted.
I quit surfing contests at the age of 37 after being eliminated at the World Trials. All my trophies are in boxes in the basement. I guess they weren't really that important.
I kept playing music but not as much until my kids grew up. Been very happily married for 35years.
Eight years ago I decided that God had been so good to me that I was going to devote my life to Him. I did and gained more Joy and self control than I ever thought possible.
I started concentrating on my music and playing every chance I could. I met some world-class musicians and brought them into the studio with me and this new CD is the result.
My goal is to bring a little bit of joy, peace, love, and romance to this hectic world and to help troubled children.
My musical influences are too numerous to list but some of the biggest are: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Tony Williams, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Stones, David Sanborn, Frank Sinatra, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, The Doors, Love, Canned Heat, Muddy Waters, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Angus Young, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Andreas Borcelli, Christine Agularia, Chris Falson, Donovan, Blackeyed Peas, Iron Butterfly, Bob Dylan and Lenord Cohen.
Some of my favorite musicians today are actually on my CD. WOW! How cool is that!!
We are very excited about playing at such an awesome jazz club. We have some great sets lined up for you, so don't miss it. Friday and Saturday November 20th and 21st, 5:00-8:30p at Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago
Aaron Koppel -Guitar, Matt Nelson; (Lupe Fiasco, Matthew Santos) -Keyboard, Graham Czach; (Chicago Afrobeat Project) -bass, Robert Tucker (Matthew Santos) -drums
Talk soon! Miss your sax playing, your beautiful voice and all your talent, crazy, was too long.. Hope you are doing well! Got your sweet voicemail! God Bless You, swetheart!
Hi, Bobby! Please stop by my profile to show your support for my music by listening to and buying my two new singles off iTunes called, “The Singles.” They include the new song, “Someday” and the NEW version of “Have Faith.” click here for iTunes Also, I’d really appreciate it if you’d add my new FACEBOOK music page: www.facebook.com/elizabethsouthmusic and new TWITTER: www.twitter.com/elisabethsouth Please leave a comment letting me know your encouraging thoughts on the songs or to just tell me how you’re doing! Thank you.
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
Ciao,Bobby Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal