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*************** LOOKER REUNION WAS GREAT ****************
April 25th was a great night. LOOKER was on stage for the first time in 20 years. The night was great. Old friends made the night a blast. Stage Stop was rockin, Thanks to Nita at the Stage Stop for helping us pull this off. We also made history with Jack Holder and Steve Ingle playing together for the first time. Thanks to Mike Hutchinson for making the trip from Ohio and Troy Upchurch comming from E. Tennessee. David Kurtz, David Wade, Tony and Billy Maharrey and Jerry Dean played the first set with Mike Hutchinson setting in and playing 3 great tunes. Todd Poole, Lee Miller and Troy Upchurch teamed up with Wade and the Maharreys to form the 2nd version of LOOKER and played in the 2nd set. The night was magic. You can see the videos on the LOOKER BLOG. Thanks for everything. And this will happen AGAIN SOON. STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!
************JOEY PAYNE AND BEN SHUMATE***************
We love and miss you both, our two biggest fans have been called away. But we will remember you always. Love LOOKER and the Mongo's Gang.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The LOOKER Story<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
In mid 1983 vocalist David Kurtz (The Next, David Kurtz Band) and guitarist Ricky Triolo (Medieval Steel) joined White Kid Leather members David Wade, Billy Maharrey and Tony Maharrey and to form the original line up of Looker. The writing styles of Kurtz, Wade, Triolo and Maharrey made a great match combining, Rock, Pop and Folk with hard driving guitars, keyboards, big harmony's and a rock steady rhythm section made for a sound that was unforgettable and all LOOKERS.
Looker was different then most Memphis bands because they played ALL original music. This made it hard to get some of the best club gigs so Looker started playing headline shows at Club Television and The New Daisy. After about 6 months of this the name and the sound was getting around Memphis and club gigs started to roll in, (Stage Stop, Silky"s, Night Moves and Flanagan's to name a few) Clubs were full and Looker was on it's way.
In late 1984 looker teamed up with Jack Holder and Don Smith and went into Sounds Unreel Studio to record demo tracks to shop. These sessions were great. Turning out the songs Believe, Same Old Lines, I Got To Know, Your Still Here, Waiting for Nighttime and Look in You Eyes. Though these tracks were never for sale they received great revues in the Memphis Star and Commercial Appeal as well as some airplay on Rock 103. With a catchy intro and guitar solo Believe became Lookers signature song at the time and was entered in the Strohs Superstar Talent Search.
Looker was chosen as one of 4 finalist in the national contest but chose to change songs to (Same Old Lines) because Bon Jovi's Runaway was released and it sounded like Believe. This was unfortunate because many felt Believe was a shoe in.
1985 things exploded. With the publicity of the contest and club dates filling the books, Looker started to be asked to play some of the areas biggest shows. Memphis In May BBQ contest, 4th of July on the river, Memphis State Pep Rallies on Beale St., Music Fest and Mud Island. Looker was also asked to open for Creed, Cobra and The Breaks, some of Memphis top bands, as well as touring acts Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet, Black Oak Arkansas and Rare Earth. We were also proud to share the stage with other Memphis bands, Ransom, Juggler, Medieval Steel and Xavion to name a few.
In 1986 Looker wanted to get their music heard outside the Memphis area and booked dates from Texas to Atlanta. After a trip to Club Rockers in Houston, Looker returned home and started to get back into the studio. A few members decided to leave at this time and those sessions never happened.
1986 David Kurtz decided to focus on his solo project. Looker needed to find a front man. Vocalist Jeff Adams (Turning Point, Kings Trio) was invited in to sing "Look in You Eyes" and Clay Plunk (Juggler) sang "Emotion" ( a song that had become a fan favorite) in an attempt to revamp the line up. This never happened and Looker was put on hold.
However in 1987 LOOKER was asked to open for Ted Nugent. Clay Plunk was asked to sing and Troy Upchurch played bass in what turned out to be a GREAT line up.(see pics). Alot of buzz was starting about this line up but Clay was starting a band call Reance with his sister (Stacie Michelle)(see Stacie on tour with Kid Rock my space) and choose not to join LOOKER as the front man.
After that founding members David Wade, Tony Maharrey and Billy Maharrey asked Vocalist Todd Poole (T&A, Roxy Blue), Guitarist Lee Miller (Foreplay) and bassist Troy Upchurch (Pegasus) to join them and form the 2nd line up of Looker.
This line up was much different, cover songs hit the set list and a big stage show with all the bells and whistles was added. Stage Stop became our home and Looker played for packed house after packed house. With great guitar work and strong backing vocals Lookers sound was huge and very commercial. But after a year with no luck getting signed and members looking in different directions Looker finely called it quits in late 1988.
Members of Looker today
David Kurtz--(Vocals) went on to form The David Kurtz Band and still plays and records in Memphis and New Mexico where he now lives. He has a very successful business. His new music is great. You can hear David as well as see where he is playing at www.davidakurtz.com or David's My Space.
David Wade--(Keyboards/Vocals) went on to play country with The R.T.Scott Band, Steve Ingle Band and signed an artist development deal with Highland House Productions. David plays with many band as a pick up player. He is now a Firefighter in Jackson TN.
Billy Maharrey--(Guitar/Vocals) Graduated from Memphis State in Recording Engineering and owns his on advertising business in Mississippi. Billy still plays in the studio and writes many of the jingles heard on Memphis radio and TV today. Billy will soon be playing around Memphis with singer Mark Furr. Stay tuned for details.
Tony Maharrey--(Drums) went on to play country with R.T.Scott Band and Steve Ingle Band and today plays with White Noise Theory. To see where Tony is playing check out the White Noise Theory My Space. Tony has become one of the hottest drummers in the Mid-South.
Ricky Triolo--(Guitar/Vocals)Works for a major jewelery firm in Arkansas. Ricky also still plays and was a founding member of Medieval Steel. Ricky also played in many studio sessions at the request of several bands. Ricky was considered one of the top metal guitar players in Memphis in the 80's
Lee Miller--(Guitar/Vocals) is the band director at Wooddale High School in Memphis. Lee plays in many bands in Memphis as a pick up player and does regular studio work in Memphis. Wooddale has become one of the top bands in Memphis under the direction of Lee.
Todd Poole--(Vocals) Went on to form Roxy Blue and signed a deal with Geffen, He also played drums for Silvia. He now plays with Stiff Kitty in Memphis. Todd also has recorded many jingles as well as backing vocals for many bands. See where Todd is playing at the Stiff Kitty My Space.
Troy Upchurch--(Bass) Troy now lives in East Tennessee in the mountains with his wife Laurie and 3 kids. We will have more on Troy comming later.
Mike Hutchinson--(Bass) Lives in Ohio.
Many other people had a hand in LOOKER, Greg Presler--Sound and Lights, Tommy Brown --lights/sound, Joey Payne--Guitar Tech and Stage Mgr., Donnie Kincade and Freinds--Stage Crew. Most of all the Fans and The MONGO'S GANG. I can't name you all but to all who helped on our little journey. <> Thanx.
All of the members of Looker thank you for you comments and your thoughts and remember," Believe in the Magic when two can be as one"
God Bless
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