When Ed is not doing solo or duo work these days, the full band continues to perform and record. Over the years, there have been quite a few Heavyweights... nowadays the line-up includes: Steve "Jr." Toutant, a FH veteran of 13 years, on Bass.
Dave "the love Dr." Lenson, a survivor from working with John Lee Hooker, Jr. Wells, Buddy Guy and Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson, plus a twenty year of and on FH playing Sax.
Jeff "Chicken" Thompson; Chet "Tempo of Boom" Pacek; Joe "Jopey" Fitzpatrick are our current trio at the revolving drum seat!
Influences
Any good music played by anyone in any genre at any time.
While Ed is excited about supporting his new acoustic blues CD "Eatin' Time, The Fabulous Heavyweights Blues Band has supported him for many years. First formed in late 1981, they have, throughout the years, performed over 4000 gigs, while travelling over 800,000 road miles. The original concept was to play great music and some comedy. The band was sponsored by "Everlast" for awhile and performed in boxing gear. Folks readily accepted the humor, but didn't treat the music seriously enough for Ed. After about a year, they abandoned the costumes and most of the comedy, concentrating on the blues and original music.
Throughout that time, many a player has come and gone. Some forgetable, most unforgetable for both good and bad reasons.
The band recorded five albums.. with a sixth about ready for release.
They opened for about everyone at one time or another. Co-billed with B.B. King.
Served as band for Otis Rush, Pinetop Perkins, and Bo Diddley.
Performed as a mainstage act at many local and national blues festivals including Fort Lauderdale, Berks County Jazz and Blues, and the reverred King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Arkansas.
Extensive touring for the band has ceased, but they do make random ventures for a quality gig or festival and Ed is always ready for a road trip. They continue to play Monday nights in Northampton, MA.as they have for the last 13 years.
Ed- Greetings from St. Louis! I am grateful to you for at least two things...letting me sit in with you at The Anna Christie in NL Ct on some Jimmy Reed in 1974 (I was only 15!) and your "Nadia Comaneci, eat yourself out" joke while you wore a mop on your head. Never lose your music or your great sense of humor. Peace, Jake
hey Ed, bummed I missed the show last night. hope it went great! we'll be in the happy valley next week from 5/4 to 5/8. hope we can hook up? all the best my friend. peace J
I played on the Northampton streets and lived at the old Northampton State Hospital. I'm a nobody from nowhere... but i can play live music and record it with anyone in the world at anytime, using only my old Windows 98 computer. Good Quality and novel, so I'm told. If anyone is interested please let me know. Thanks for contemplating this idea Ed. If I can ever help you in any way, please let me know . soccertom1026@yahoo.com
Edya, Everytime I hears your voice you make me crazy child; everytime I hear your cold strings like to make my joy bells to ring an my mouth caint'help but smile. Love that blues, especially by you!
I am honored to be listed as one of the trio of drummers...Ed continues to teach me what a drummers true roll (no pun intended) is in a band. Ed..you rock my musical world. Kisses and Huggz... yourz foreveer.....jopey.....
