Jeff Guenther: Guitars, bass, percussion, vocals
Annmarie Guenther: vocals, percussion
Pete Bremy: bass, organ, percussion, vocals
Roger LePage: bass, guitar, harp, keys, percussion, vocals
Joey Van Winkle: bass, vocals
Jack ODonnell: guitar, vocals
Bill Meligari, Glenn Hubner, Russ T Blades: Drums, percussion.
Bill, Joey and Jack really kicked it up a notch and the Royal Jam USA show!
Influences
British Invasion, Southern Rock, 60' - 70's power trios, Hammond Bands, Soul, R 'n B...Beatles, Allmans (Duane!), Vanilla Fudge, Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, Cream, Hendrix, the "King" Family, too many to mention!
Growing up in Wayne, NJ, Jeff Guenther took up piano, accordian, harmonica and drums before getting into the guitar. Finding his first real guitar teacher, Pete Braunius, Jeff sought out to hone his lead guitar skills. Mr. Braunius demonstrated his lap steel guitar to his young student...that was it! Jeff took to slide, using soda cans, screw drivers...whatever he could get his hands on. Songwriting came next...mostly instrumentals, as Jeff was too shy to sing.
Junior and Senior bands came about, most notable of all was "Heaven's Sundae," a five piece group featuring neighbors Pete Bremy and Ed Walker. The three have had many groups together through the years, but this was the biggest.
College came, the band broke up, Vietnam was calling. Jeff was accepted to Berklee Scool of Music and another page was written. Jeff became more engrossed in composing, playing to his record collection and the radio. Through the friendship of two fellow Jerseyans, Frank Bordino and Sam Masiello, Jeff made some definative connections...Dave Blake, owner of Fox Recording, Rutherford, NJ and Ernie White, Trenton, NJ. Jeff, Sam and Ernie formed the group Wind, mostly an outlet of their original tunes. Many of these were recorded at Fox. Ernie was the major interpreter of Jeff's songs (now with lyrics). Wind existed through most of 1979.
The 80's started with Jeff working with many acts from the Trenton - Philly area, subbing for many acts, adding a second guitar to others. Even more session work came about.
1985 brought Jeff back to North Jersey, as he was embarking on a gig as bassist for singer Sarah Dash. Being a short term stint, Jeff took two career paths...playing bass for the noted Motown Cover group, The Intentions and becoming an apprentice engineer at Fox. Here, as he deepend his session skills, along with engineering and producing a number of acts, Jeff met his wife - to - be, Annmarie D'Chiara. They later formed LTM (Live Tech Music), combining Annmarie's vocals with Jeff's guitar and backing tracks. Pete Bremy re-appeared, adding bass and a third harmony.
Eventually, Jeff needed to get back to his live rock/originals roots...
Retrofitz is: Jeff Guenther (lead/rhythm/slide guitar / bass / vocals), Annmarie Guenther (vocals / percussion), Peter Bremy (bass / organ / vocals), Joe Van Winkle (bass / acoustic guitar / vocals), Roger LePage (bass / organ / guitar / harp / vocals). Our drummers of choice have been "Tiger" Bill Meligari, Glenn Hubner and Russ T Blades. Our original drummer, Frank Bordino, passed away, so we pay tribute to him here.
Some of the musicians Jeff has been honored to share the stage and studio include Ernie White, Joe Zook, Paul Plumeri, Sam Masiello, Steve Mosley, Kitty Mayo, Courtney Colletti, Tony Juliano, Bobby Lenti, Johnny Jackson, Ralph Liberto, Jody Giambelluca, Richie Sambora, Bruce Foster, Richie Cole, Frank Stallone, South Side Johnny, David Johansen,Duke Williams, TJ Tindall, Meatloaf, Vince Martell, John Cafferty & Beaver Brown, Tommy James and George Thorogood.
Hi Cuz Your cd arrived today. Have been playing it non stop since I opened it. I absolutely Love it!!!In case I haven't mentioned it before, I Love Annamries voice! What you guys can do with a song... WOW!
I'm jealous that some of my readers can get to see you while I can't LOL No didn't get the cd. Have to say I absolutely LOVE the title! "Passion for what we do and who we are keeps us young at heart" I still tell people how being allowed to sit in your room listening to you play the guitar when I was a kid was such a treat!!!
Hey Cuz, Hope you won't mind my posting little bits about where you are playing in my blog. Have some reader's who are displaced Jersey people, and some who still live back up home. I include information on events of interest up your way.
Online Now!
, Bill
