A few commenters have asked “what happened” or “why were you kicked out of the Blackhearts”? Looking at Otis’s title for this segment “Working for Joan Jett” the answer to your questions becomes very easy. I never thought I was “working for Joan Jett”. I thought I was in a band with Joan Jett. If you’ve ever been in a real band, a band of partners, you know the difference.
My brother and I have played for a shitload of people in our careers but I can honestly say that neither of us ever took a blood oath to get a band going. That is a commitment worth admiring and not just pulling a paycheck. Respect. 👍
I saw you in November of 2000 in Dallas, Texas when you were playing with Steve Earle. It blew my mind that I got to see Steve, with you, and Kelly Looney, as well as Steve's brother, Patrick on drums! Justin played with y'all that night as well. Very cool experience.
Hmm, this "answer" raises more questions than it answers. Still, much respect to you and your privacy as to the details of being booted from Joan's band. Besides, if you weren't kicked out maybe the Del Lords never would have happened. And that would be a damn shame! Fantastic band.
At 70 years old I guess I didn’t pick up on being a band member vs working for a lead singer. I get it now and understand the turnover of original Blackhearts band members.
My daughter has been battling Metastatic Neuroblastoma (Cancer ) She told Make a Wish she wanted to me somebody as cool and tough as her. That's when my 7 year old said she wanted to meet Joan Jett. This was in September of this year. We were told we would have tickets in the front row, but couldn't guarantee we were meeting Joan. To our surprise we were requested on the tour bus. Joan hugged our little girl and spent almost 40 minutes with her. Joan asked my little girl what her favorite song is of Joan's. My little girl told her she loves I hate myself for loving you. Joan looked at Kenny the keyboard player and said we are playing that tonight.. Joan advises us we are not in the front row. She tells us she wants us on stage for the whole show. At the end of the show Joan starts playing my daughter's favorite song and calls her to the front of the stage and dedicated it to her. Seeing Joan smiling, while watching my daughter jump up and down was priceless. I will never forget Joan's face when my daughter told her she had a surprise to tell Joan. Joan said what is it? My little girl tells Joan I had 28 spots of cancer and now I have 0. Joan is by far the greatest human being I have ever met.
That woman absolutely ROCKS. Her music has always picked up any day I've ever had. I am touched at this story and am just that much more encouraged that she's been such a part of the soundtrack of my life
I saw Joan when Roscoe was tearing that guitar up. But what I remember most about Joan is the "kid phenomena". I was a confirmed batchelor, but a lot of my friends were married, and had children. Every time Joan's song "I Love Rock and Roll", the kids would freak out. All the kids my friends had, from about 2 to 5/6 years old, just loved that song. No matter who's kid, when that song came on they would stop whatever they were doing and jam out. LOL! They especially loved the part when she sang "me, yeah me". A lot of them would point to themselves with their thumbs.....It was great.
Joan Jett is awesome! She was filming Light of Day in our neighborhood in Chicago with Michael J. Fox and Michael McKean. They hung out with all the neighbors in the street talking, taking photos,signing autographs till like 3 o'clock in the morning ! Great memories for us !
@@scparker8625 Maybe so, but I can't front, I might've never heard those songs otherwise, cruising around with my uncle whose Le Stereo probably cost as much as Le Car. Then I got into the Sex Pistols and uncle shunned me. I tried pointing out the irony, i.e. rhythm section, but he just said you're a nag, nag nag, naggity nag, or words to that effect.
Many years ago I was up at Mohegan Sun Casino in CT and I find out that Joan Jett is doing a concert in the Wolf Den. That is a free venue! Needless to say, I was there for the entire show. Always been a huge fan.
When you're in a band, it's like a marriage; if the chemistry ain't right, it just won't work, but when it's right, believe me, you'll know!! Great interview!!!
I can totally agree with your post, 👍 I played with the band Chicago and Tanglewood and the electricity was just awesome the chemistry was right , and Terry cath was on the top of his game before he went over the edge ♦️♦️♦️
I saw you guys play in a barn in the middle of nowhere in Kansas once and it was a killer gig. We heard about the show while playing pool in a bar in Topeka and everybody poured out of the bar and hauled ass to that gig.
Cool story. My favorite show was at BDR "Wings Cafe" a small restaurant club next to my work at the airport. It's great to be.a fan!! I love Joan Jett and the Blackheart's 💕
The fact that these stories are all fond recollections, and there's no bad blood says alot about the players involved. Joan is, and alway will be awesome. Anything she did always had integrity, and trueness to it. We love you Joan!🤘🏻
Roscoe Ambel is a great storyteller and is always respectful of other artists. A class act . I, like millions of other young guys in the 80's, was in love with Joan Jett's music and Joan Jett the woman...
I was driving a truck on Deep Purple's House of Blue Light tour about 1986 or 7. Joan opened for us in the Northeast but was replaced by Iggy. She rocked, we rolled.
Back in my first year of college (1980-81), I saw Joan Jett and the Blackhearts open for the Bus Boys in Knoxville, TN. Great show! Jump ahead to 2013, and I saw the Del Lords in Lexington KY and got to meet and chat with the band after the show. I mentioned to Eric that I'd first seen him in Knoxville in 1980 or '81 with Joan Jett, and he immediately said, "With the Bus Boys!" I laughed and said, "You remember that show?" He answered, "Yes, that's the only show we played with them." I always thought they were on tour together, but apparently not...their paths just met that one night. So, I got to see a unique "once in a lifetime" show that night!
Saw the Blackhearts with Joan Jett at the Boathouse in Norfolk Virginia in 1991 while in the Navy and it was show that knocked me out of my Vasque mountaneering boots!! 🥾😁🎸
I spent a lot of time in that upstairs VIP area at The Starwood. I danced next to, but not with Joan, at some sparsely attended punk show in Hollywood one night, and was on the periphery of X's friends and acquaintances. I have An Eric Ambel and Roscoe's gang CD, I'm going to have to play today. We both patronized Mojo Guitars in NYC.
Gary is one of my fave bassists and I’ve learned so much from his basslines from the Blackhearts records! I was super stoked to see him on stage again for Joan’s RNR Hall Of Fame performance!!🎶🎶🔥👍🏽😁
Otis, I always love your interviews and learn from them. For personal reasons, I look forward to this one with great anticipation. Eric is one of the most honest and kind souls I have met in my 45+ years in our world. He has given his all to help others in the NYC music scene over the last few decades. I could continue with an unbroken line of personal tales and accolades testifying to his credit; they could easily string on for days, but that would only embarrass his Midwestern self. I'll leave it at this: I have never heard Eric compromise his humility, humanity, or humor when speaking of anyone, friend or foe. I have witnessed firsthand - and benefitted from - his willingness to put his own money on the line, all to offer other NYC musicians a place to play, develop an audience, gain their chops, find a voice, and feel at home. I suspect that might have been at great cost to himself and his family. True to form, we'll never know. Eric is a deeply soulful gent, a master musician, and a true embodiment of the old adage that says, "a rising tide lifts all boats." I consider it an honor to be in his orbit, and have always found him worthy of my utmost respect. He's proven himself a true friend, but would most likely hate that I am being this effusive-so I close with this at the risk of embarrassing him: I love the guy. Thanks for putting his voice out there, Otis.
Been a HUGE fan of Eric's playing for years. His work on the Rik L Rik stuff influenced me a lot. He's a legend as far as I'm concerned. Never got to meet him,but a few mutual friends have told me what a humble,cool guy he is. One of the greats.
This was a delightful interview! I talked with Joan a couple of times backstage @ the Whiskey back in the 70’s when I played lead guitar for a band I was in, Bates Motel. How did we not cross paths back then? She saw that I used an Ampeg VT 40 and she played thru an Ampeg as well. I enjoyed talking with her. In the early 70s I played a Fender Twin Reverb as my brother John Beland did who played for Linda Ronstadt and we both had our gear serviced by Red Rhodes. (I have a great story about Red.) I fucking LOVED the stories about playing with the Coasters! Those recordings are Godhead. This was a very enjoyable interview.
I have a 1967 Ampeg V4 Rig! Never knew Joan did, too. I thought only Leslie West from Mountain had one, as far as popular rock bands go. Great story on Eric "Roscoe" Ambel's part.
Love these channel and these great stories Otis! My old band had a gig opening for the Blackhearts in Racine at a fest back in the aughts and after our set one of her roadies comes up and asks if he can buy my boss tuner for a hundred bucks which a the time went for a just a bit more than that. When I told the dude he said man, pleeease, this humidity is killing Joan's tuner - if it fucks up on stage she'll kick my ass. There's was something about the tone of his voice that made me believe he wasn't joking and I couldn't leave a brother (or sister) hanging. When they hit the stage they killed and it was very clear who the law was by the eye contact on stage so I felt good about taking one for the team - and even though the planet waves tuner I got to replace it for a hundred bucks sucked and left me stranded on more than one occasion it turned out to be a pretty good story!🤣😎😋
So cool to hear of Eric's time with Joan, and his name check of the late Larry (Henrickson) of Ax-in-Hand in DeKalb, Illinois. Definitely true that Larry was among the very first handful of vintage dealers. In 1982 or '83 I bought from him my 1963 blonde 2x10 Fender Tremolux and I still have it today! Visits to his store back then, when vintage fever was starting to really ramp up, were so much fun.
I’m from the Chicagoland area My jaw dropped when Eric mentioned Axe In Hand, My brother and I visited The store in the early 80s We were blown away by the inventory It brought back so many memories to hear that name and what a fun video thank you for great rock ‘n’ roll stories to me the stories are as cool as the music
Love the "no pedals, no tuner..."... As well as all the other stories.. Thanks for sharing these!!.. Myself it has been a huge temptation over the years to use effects, layer and such but I still always strive for just doing it
One of the things that is great abut Otis Gibbs' UA-cam channel is that you could you put the videos on a random selection machine, and they are all amazing.
What great insight on a band I grew up on! When they played I Love Rock and Roll in 1979, that was it...I have had a crush on Joan Jett ever since. 🤘🤘🤘
Man Eric was in the band in it’s coolest phase of evolution!! I really dig the story about rehearsing with the Coasters and also all the deets on the modded pickups in the melody maker. So cool!
Eric, great stuff. Musician stories are always unbelievable but usually 100% true! Love it! BTW I had the chance to meet Joan and the Runaways in '76 'before' their first lp came out. I was visiting California with Gary Sperrazza! and who knew Greg Shaw (Bomp Magazine - a really nice guy) We hooked up with Kim (I'm Bad) Foley and we went to the studio to hear rough cuts of the forth-coming lp. We also went to a home party where they played and to a high school where they were going to play. The days of Rodney Bingenheimer. By the time I was there in '76, my party days were way behind me and LA was much too fast for the 'new' me. (and I'm sure you know what I mean) For me, a great place to visit but I did not want to live there -lol! OTI, thanks for posting!
Man what a great interview! I can relate to the Hollywood era and I had both versions of that Music Man 130 amp, the 2-12” speaker and 4-10” speaker versions. Love it!
Man, I love you’re doing these. As an East Nash musician since 03’ , I Really love hearing the passions, and love for the art they created and create. 👍👏👏👏 cheers Mate!
This is pure gold...Thanks to you both for sharing this. I love the story about the white melody maker... Eric Carman.. and the pick up mods.... wow. Fantastic!! I'm a gear nerd so this is all cool info. I've done a lot of rental backline (SIR Miami) gigs with Joan, and it's always a cool work day. Her manager Kenny Laguna plays keys, and always took the time to say thanks. I know all about the Musician Man amp and the Vox AC30. The AC 30 is in the backline rider (UK made models only, blue speakers prefered) which she uses as just the speaker cab for the Music Man amp. I've helped repair that amp on a couple of South Florida fly dates when it didn't do so well on the flight. If I remember, the power supply would come loose in transit which is never a good thing Band and crew always very nice to work with, and her manager used to give out copies of her Greatest Hits CD to the the local crew folks like me after the gig as away of saying thanks.
Captured by his stories. I am familiar with his tunes, but don’t know anything about him, yet he seems so familiar. Great music. Great to take a break & listen. Thank you.
@@sayeager5559 not really. In the end things worked out well for me in my life and they worked out well for Joan too. It was a very difficult period for me but I got past it. Thanks for asking.
Top Jimmy put a lot of thought into that tattoo with the skull and the heart chained to an 8-ball. No more orange nightgowns forever. Enjoyed the interview, cheers.
Otis, this is priceless interview: That thing about the Audition. Amazing that 35 years later the gift of Humility arrives. Eric if you are reading, thank you for sharing.
When I Love Rock n Roll came out in early 82 on Mtv,Me and all the guys in our little band,Loved playing that song and Crimsom and Clover.Good times Always.Take care Otis and guests,every cool music story feautures, Keepin the Good Times Alive!Thanks,It means A Lot nah!Jcsx
Great interview! I always love hearing what Roscoe has to say. He's a sharp, knowledgeable person who is so generous with his advice. All around good dude!
What a great story! I grew up listening in that era, I was such a ROCK head...now I have this well-rounded appreciation of all music genres! Getting old isn't all that bad! Joan, Amy from Evanescence and so many others, GIRLS just ROCK in ROCK n' ROLL! Blessings
I love the part of the story where everybody had Music Man amplifiers. It reminds me of my old Rock band and both me and the other guitarist had Music Man amps back in the day. They were just THE next thing with Leo Fender attached to them.
I am lucky enough to own one of those Musicman HD 130 410 amps. Great amp, loud and clean, great for pedals, sings when you push it. Mine is a mid 70's and has the solid state front end!!!🖤🖤🖤
Eric Ambel is super cool! He worked with Joan, was a member of The Del Lords, and I have seen him live, recently playing with Sarah Borges a few times in Kansas City. He is a Rock & Roll VIP!
Oh yeah, Ax in Hand. Larry was a hoot & it was a great place to browse - always cool stuff & looking back the prices were fantastic but of course at the time it didn’t seem so. Love the inside info on JJ and the Blackhearts. Thanks gentlemen for sharing another great story, as always much appreciate it!
I also found Joan a sunburst Epiphone Olympic solid body there at Ax In Hand. It was the Epiphone version of the Melody Maker. She had a Velvet Hammer put in right away and still plays it on occasion.
I fondly remember Larry Truman Hendrickson's 'Ax In Hand', being an NIU student back then. Such a pleasant surprise to hear him name checked even now. He always had the most amazing guitars, well into vintage models before they became so coveted. And all in this modest shop in a remote little college town. Larry passed away in 2000 but the store still survives through his sons. Larry Sr. really did acquire a well-earned reputation for being a go-to vintage dealer by some big players, including Tom Petty, The Doobie Brothers, of course Rick Nielson (Rockford IL being a short drive away). The dealing of vintage gear ended with Larry Sr. but his legacy still continues.
My introduction to I Love Rock n’ Roll was, in about 6th grade music class a kid brought in a “boom box” and on the cassette tape, before the teacher showed up, he was blasting this song to the entire class. No clue how he got it on tape….but that was the most bad ass song I EVER heard! I was like who the hell is that??!!! Where did you get that song from??!!! It just blew me away! Still a great song👍😄
A few commenters have asked “what happened” or “why were you kicked out of the Blackhearts”?
Looking at Otis’s title for this segment “Working for Joan Jett” the answer to your questions becomes very easy. I never thought I was “working for Joan Jett”. I thought I was in a band with Joan Jett. If you’ve ever been in a real band, a band of partners, you know the difference.
My brother and I have played for a shitload of people in our careers but I can honestly say that neither of us ever took a blood oath to get a band going. That is a commitment worth admiring and not just pulling a paycheck. Respect. 👍
I saw you in November of 2000 in Dallas, Texas when you were playing with Steve Earle. It blew my mind that I got to see Steve, with you, and Kelly Looney, as well as Steve's brother, Patrick on drums! Justin played with y'all that night as well. Very cool experience.
Ever a gent. if I needed to send someone up to Saint Peter in my defense, I'd want you on my side. :)
Hmm, this "answer" raises more questions than it answers. Still, much respect to you and your privacy as to the details of being booted from Joan's band. Besides, if you weren't kicked out maybe the Del Lords never would have happened. And that would be a damn shame! Fantastic band.
At 70 years old I guess I didn’t pick up on being a band member vs working for a lead singer. I get it now and understand the turnover of original Blackhearts band members.
My daughter has been battling Metastatic Neuroblastoma (Cancer ) She told Make a Wish she wanted to me somebody as cool and tough as her. That's when my 7 year old said she wanted to meet Joan Jett. This was in September of this year. We were told we would have tickets in the front row, but couldn't guarantee we were meeting Joan. To our surprise we were requested on the tour bus. Joan hugged our little girl and spent almost 40 minutes with her. Joan asked my little girl what her favorite song is of Joan's. My little girl told her she loves I hate myself for loving you. Joan looked at Kenny the keyboard player and said we are playing that tonight.. Joan advises us we are not in the front row. She tells us she wants us on stage for the whole show. At the end of the show Joan starts playing my daughter's favorite song and calls her to the front of the stage and dedicated it to her. Seeing Joan smiling, while watching my daughter jump up and down was priceless. I will never forget Joan's face when my daughter told her she had a surprise to tell Joan. Joan said what is it? My little girl tells Joan I had 28 spots of cancer and now I have 0. Joan is by far the greatest human being I have ever met.
That woman absolutely ROCKS. Her music has always picked up any day I've ever had. I am touched at this story and am just that much more encouraged that she's been such a part of the soundtrack of my life
Hope she gets well. That's bad around here from a coal tar plant. Family won millions. It's downright evil what these chemicals are doing.
😊😊😊🙏🙏🙏thank you and prayers your daughter gets better!
Wow how beautiful 💙✝️☯️😔😀
IN TEARS DUDE...
Joan is literally the nicest celebrity I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was so down to earth and humble…Her shows are always awesome!
the original drummer was my math tutor in NYC back innthe day i was a punk rebel- he asked me you ever heard of joan jett n black hearts? i said no.
I saw Joan when Roscoe was tearing that guitar up. But what I remember most about Joan is the "kid phenomena".
I was a confirmed batchelor, but a lot of my friends were married, and had children. Every time Joan's song "I Love Rock and Roll", the kids would freak out. All the kids my friends had, from about 2 to 5/6 years old, just loved that song. No matter who's kid, when that song came on they would stop whatever they were doing and jam out. LOL! They especially loved the part when she sang "me, yeah me". A lot of them would point to themselves with their thumbs.....It was great.
The Blackhearts members don't get talked about enough. Really great players over the years.
*There were so many great women singer's, but none of them could do rock and punk like Joan Jett. She's one of a kind..*
@Deco Electra put an * before and after a word or sentence and it becomes bold....
I agree
Could Joan Jett also fit into heavy metal as well ?
Chrissie Hynde!!!!!
My best friend used to do her website. He loved working for her. Andy passed away. I really miss him. He was my best friend.
Sorry for your loss of Andy. Hard to lose our best friends.
Joan Jett is awesome! She was filming Light of Day in our neighborhood in Chicago with Michael J. Fox and Michael McKean. They hung out with all the neighbors in the street talking, taking photos,signing autographs till like 3 o'clock in the morning ! Great memories for us !
Jolly from the Aragon is in it.
@@m.c.5459 wow I didn't remember that ! Thanks.
They filmed here in Cleveland too.
Cool! We had John Travolta film part of a movie a couple streets over from me in our Columbus, Ohio movie. Hes not as cool as Joan though!😉🖤
Yeah I remember that too. Near St Lambert's. I was a few blocks from there.
Her cover of Crimson and Clover is a guilty pleasure of mine. I love that song.
Nothing to feel guilty about with that one my friend.
@@awarewolves1712 Nope, that shit rocks.
Most of her songs are covers.
@@scparker8625 Maybe so, but I can't front, I might've never heard those songs otherwise, cruising around with my uncle whose Le Stereo probably cost as much as Le Car. Then I got into the Sex Pistols and uncle shunned me. I tried pointing out the irony, i.e. rhythm section, but he just said you're a nag, nag nag, naggity nag, or words to that effect.
I agree I love their version of that song.
Met this dude at Ardent Studios when I worked there in the late 90's-2000's. He was producing a Bottle Rockets record. Super nice guy.
Many years ago I was up at Mohegan Sun Casino in CT and I find out that Joan Jett is doing a concert in the Wolf Den. That is a free venue! Needless to say, I was there for the entire show. Always been a huge fan.
Funny to hear you mention Axe In Hand. I remember when Joan Jett played Dekalb’s Corn Fest.
When you're in a band, it's like a marriage; if the chemistry ain't right, it just won't work, but when it's right, believe me, you'll know!! Great interview!!!
I can totally agree with your post, 👍 I played with the band Chicago and Tanglewood and the electricity was just awesome the chemistry was right , and Terry cath was on the top of his game before he went over the edge ♦️♦️♦️
What an incredibly articulate, well spoken storyteller. I could listen to his tales of yesteryear for hours. Great watch! 🤘🇨🇦
I remember meeting you in Brisbane Australia at the bar after the Joan Jett show. Good to see you're still rocking.
any time the phrase "hey johnny gimme yer knife." is uttered you know shit's about to get real.
This is just SO cool. Big Fan. Thankyou from Australia
I saw you guys play in a barn in the middle of nowhere in Kansas once and it was a killer gig. We heard about the show while playing pool in a bar in Topeka and everybody poured out of the bar and hauled ass to that gig.
Gerat stories~I Love Joan Jet~all the Blackhearts too!!!
These memories are PURE GOLD. Nothing like hearing it "from the horse's mouth", so to speak. Thanks!
Of course X and Johnny Doe are at the at the root of a great tale!! Thank you again Mr. Gibbs and to you Mr. Roscoe
Cool story. My favorite show was at BDR "Wings Cafe" a small restaurant club next to my work at the airport. It's great to be.a fan!! I love Joan Jett and the Blackheart's 💕
One of the few who gets a job because he’s a nice guy.
I saw Eric with Steve Earle and the Dukes - his live guitar sounds (Tele Custom with a neck humbucker) was one of the best I have ever heard.
The fact that these stories are all fond recollections, and there's no bad blood says alot about the players involved.
Joan is, and alway will be awesome.
Anything she did always had integrity, and trueness to it. We love you Joan!🤘🏻
Roscoe Ambel is a great storyteller and is always respectful of other artists. A class act .
I, like millions of other young guys in the 80's, was in love with Joan Jett's music and Joan Jett the woman...
I was driving a truck on Deep Purple's House of Blue Light tour about 1986 or 7. Joan opened for us in the Northeast but was replaced by Iggy. She rocked, we rolled.
A girl I dated back in 80s lived with Joan Jett She was the nanny for Meryl and Kenny Laguna
Back in my first year of college (1980-81), I saw Joan Jett and the Blackhearts open for the Bus Boys in Knoxville, TN. Great show! Jump ahead to 2013, and I saw the Del Lords in Lexington KY and got to meet and chat with the band after the show. I mentioned to Eric that I'd first seen him in Knoxville in 1980 or '81 with Joan Jett, and he immediately said, "With the Bus Boys!" I laughed and said, "You remember that show?" He answered, "Yes, that's the only show we played with them." I always thought they were on tour together, but apparently not...their paths just met that one night. So, I got to see a unique "once in a lifetime" show that night!
Saw the Blackhearts with Joan Jett at the Boathouse in Norfolk Virginia in 1991 while in the Navy and it was show that knocked me out of my Vasque mountaneering boots!! 🥾😁🎸
Yeah Brother!! Saw her at the Boathouse in 84!! "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth" it was Beautiful!!🎼
Eric is an absolute treasure. One of the Good Guys!
I spent a lot of time in that upstairs VIP area at The Starwood. I danced next to, but not with Joan, at some sparsely attended punk show in Hollywood one night, and was on the periphery of X's friends and acquaintances. I have An Eric Ambel and Roscoe's gang CD, I'm going to have to play today. We both patronized Mojo Guitars in NYC.
The original bassist Gary Ryan is teaching my daughter in POCONO PA
♥
Gary is one of my fave bassists and I’ve learned so much from his basslines from the Blackhearts records! I was super stoked to see him on stage again for Joan’s RNR Hall Of Fame performance!!🎶🎶🔥👍🏽😁
I love The Coasters, so I was happy to hear Roscoe mention them. Here's the song he talked about. ua-cam.com/video/ZGn9TNsXECQ/v-deo.html
Otis, I always love your interviews and learn from them. For personal reasons, I look forward to this one with great anticipation.
Eric is one of the most honest and kind souls I have met in my 45+ years in our world. He has given his all to help others in the NYC music scene over the last few decades. I could continue with an unbroken line of personal tales and accolades testifying to his credit; they could easily string on for days, but that would only embarrass his Midwestern self. I'll leave it at this: I have never heard Eric compromise his humility, humanity, or humor when speaking of anyone, friend or foe. I have witnessed firsthand - and benefitted from - his willingness to put his own money on the line, all to offer other NYC musicians a place to play, develop an audience, gain their chops, find a voice, and feel at home. I suspect that might have been at great cost to himself and his family. True to form, we'll never know.
Eric is a deeply soulful gent, a master musician, and a true embodiment of the old adage that says, "a rising tide lifts all boats." I consider it an honor to be in his orbit, and have always found him worthy of my utmost respect. He's proven himself a true friend, but would most likely hate that I am being this effusive-so I close with this at the risk of embarrassing him: I love the guy. Thanks for putting his voice out there, Otis.
Been a HUGE fan of Eric's playing for years. His work on the Rik L Rik stuff influenced me a lot. He's a legend as far as I'm concerned. Never got to meet him,but a few mutual friends have told me what a humble,cool guy he is. One of the greats.
Love this interview.
I saw that band on the I Love Rock and Roll tour. Loud, heavy and tight as hell. Tremendous.
This was a delightful interview! I talked with Joan a couple of times backstage @ the Whiskey back in the 70’s when I played lead guitar for a band I was in, Bates Motel. How did we not cross paths back then? She saw that I used an Ampeg VT 40 and she played thru an Ampeg as well. I enjoyed talking with her. In the early 70s I played a Fender Twin Reverb as my brother John Beland did who played for Linda Ronstadt and we both had our gear serviced by Red Rhodes. (I have a great story about Red.) I fucking LOVED the stories about playing with the Coasters! Those recordings are Godhead. This was a very enjoyable interview.
I drove you guys to a gig one time many years ago. I was just telling a friend last week how cool you guys were lol. Peace.
Gary lives near me and he is the most ultimate nicest guy,I could listen to his stories all day…so cool
I have a 1967 Ampeg V4 Rig! Never knew Joan did, too. I thought only Leslie West from Mountain had one, as far as popular rock bands go. Great story on Eric "Roscoe" Ambel's part.
I have a 2 V-4 cab stack, but use a '65 Ampeg Portaflex B18-X head. Love 'em !
Great reminiscences
Really liked the stories
Very cool to not hear someone ripping on old band mates
Can feel the joy you had
🎸
I was a singer in the 80s and 90s, CANT COUNT the number of times people asked me if I was her.
Love these channel and these great stories Otis! My old band had a gig opening for the Blackhearts in Racine at a fest back in the aughts and after our set one of her roadies comes up and asks if he can buy my boss tuner for a hundred bucks which a the time went for a just a bit more than that. When I told the dude he said man, pleeease, this humidity is killing Joan's tuner - if it fucks up on stage she'll kick my ass. There's was something about the tone of his voice that made me believe he wasn't joking and I couldn't leave a brother (or sister) hanging. When they hit the stage they killed and it was very clear who the law was by the eye contact on stage so I felt good about taking one for the team - and even though the planet waves tuner I got to replace it for a hundred bucks sucked and left me stranded on more than one occasion it turned out to be a pretty good story!🤣😎😋
Great story !!!!
@@jeffreysnow2640 couldn't say no to Joan Jets crew!
So cool to hear of Eric's time with Joan, and his name check of the late Larry (Henrickson) of Ax-in-Hand in DeKalb, Illinois. Definitely true that Larry was among the very first handful of vintage dealers. In 1982 or '83 I bought from him my 1963 blonde 2x10 Fender Tremolux and I still have it today! Visits to his store back then, when vintage fever was starting to really ramp up, were so much fun.
I’m from the Chicagoland area My jaw dropped when Eric mentioned Axe In Hand, My brother and I visited The store in the early 80s We were blown away by the inventory It brought back so many memories to hear that name and what a fun video thank you for great rock ‘n’ roll stories to me the stories are as cool as the music
I met Joan through a mutual friend in Baltimore she's a gem 💎
Good 4 U
@@spooky3120 ..😂😂😂
That's pretty lucky! Any cool tidbits about your time meeting and hanging out with her that you wouldn't mind sharing?
great interview thx for doing it Otis. you're capturing history!
Awesome interview, I spent a lot of time in Dekalb in the late 70s. Mickey Baker was that man!!
Awesome interview! Really enjoyed it, thank you!
Thanks, guys, for the great stories.😊
Thanks Roscoe. Cool stories. Big fan of your work.
Love the "no pedals, no tuner..."... As well as all the other stories.. Thanks for sharing these!!.. Myself it has been a huge temptation over the years to use effects, layer and such but I still always strive for just doing it
Cool stories, come on Joan give him his amp back!
Thank you Roscoe for sharing this and thank you Otis for making it happen.
Hey Otis, I just wanted to send some love your way and thank you for your posts. Thank you man.
What a great storyteller. Really enjoying these videos.
What a life Rosco had from this and all his other stories, so kool ! Thanks for sharing. ✌🏻
Great story teller...I didn't want it to end.
Billy Zoom is the best tube amp builder/tech!
One of the things that is great abut Otis Gibbs' UA-cam channel is that you could you put the videos on a random selection machine, and they are all amazing.
What great insight on a band I grew up on! When they played I Love Rock and Roll in 1979, that was it...I have had a crush on Joan Jett ever since. 🤘🤘🤘
She didn’t cover the song till 81
@@jamescrisp7951 1982
Love hearing stories like these
Man Eric was in the band in it’s coolest phase of evolution!! I really dig the story about rehearsing with the Coasters and also all the deets on the modded pickups in the melody maker. So cool!
My ears perked up - Dekalb illinois- I’m in Springfield always loved JJ music
Super interview and yes I love Rock And Roll! thanks Blackhearts and Joan.
Great stuff. Otis , really miss your podcast. Even with musicians I hadn't heard of.
Good stuff.
Thanks for sharing.
Most enjoyable and delightful video I ever watched on the topic of Joan Jett.
Eric, great stuff. Musician stories are always unbelievable but usually 100% true! Love it! BTW I had the chance to meet Joan and the Runaways in '76 'before' their first lp came out. I was visiting California with Gary Sperrazza! and who knew Greg Shaw (Bomp Magazine - a really nice guy) We hooked up with Kim (I'm Bad) Foley and we went to the studio to hear rough cuts of the forth-coming lp. We also went to a home party where they played and to a high school where they were going to play. The days of Rodney Bingenheimer. By the time I was there in '76, my party days were way behind me and LA was much too fast for the 'new' me. (and I'm sure you know what I mean) For me, a great place to visit but I did not want to live there -lol! OTI, thanks for posting!
Man what a great interview! I can relate to the Hollywood era and I had both versions of that Music Man 130 amp, the 2-12” speaker and 4-10” speaker versions. Love it!
Man, I love you’re doing these. As an East Nash musician since 03’ , I Really love hearing the passions,
and love for the art they created and create. 👍👏👏👏 cheers Mate!
This is pure gold...Thanks to you both for sharing this. I love the story about the white melody maker... Eric Carman.. and the pick up mods.... wow. Fantastic!! I'm a gear nerd so this is all cool info. I've done a lot of rental backline (SIR Miami) gigs with Joan, and it's always a cool work day. Her manager Kenny Laguna plays keys, and always took the time to say thanks. I know all about the Musician Man amp and the Vox AC30. The AC 30 is in the backline rider (UK made models only, blue speakers prefered) which she uses as just the speaker cab for the Music Man amp. I've helped repair that amp on a couple of South Florida fly dates when it didn't do so well on the flight. If I remember, the power supply would come loose in transit which is never a good thing Band and crew always very nice to work with, and her manager used to give out copies of her Greatest Hits CD to the the local crew folks like me after the gig as away of saying thanks.
Captured by his stories. I am familiar with his tunes, but don’t know anything about him, yet he seems so familiar. Great music. Great to take a break & listen. Thank you.
When I mention playing with "Jimmy" I'm referring to Top Jimmy.
Top Jimmy cooks.
@@PondoSinatra680 Top Jimmy swings.
@@roscoenyc Are you willing to expound on getting kicked out of her band?
@@sayeager5559 not really. In the end things worked out well for me in my life and they worked out well for Joan too. It was a very difficult period for me but I got past it. Thanks for asking.
Top Jimmy put a lot of thought into that tattoo with the skull and the heart chained to an 8-ball. No more orange nightgowns forever. Enjoyed the interview, cheers.
Otis, this is priceless interview:
That thing about the Audition. Amazing that 35 years later the gift of Humility arrives.
Eric if you are reading, thank you for sharing.
When I Love Rock n Roll came out in early 82 on Mtv,Me and all the guys in our little band,Loved playing that song and Crimsom and Clover.Good times Always.Take care Otis and guests,every cool music story feautures, Keepin the Good Times Alive!Thanks,It means A Lot nah!Jcsx
Thanks for putting this out!!! Super cool biopic
Great story to start the day off. Thanks
Great interview! I always love hearing what Roscoe has to say. He's a sharp, knowledgeable person who is so generous with his advice. All around good dude!
Howdy from France !
wow always cool stuff Otis comes up with.. back stories are soo good.
What a great story! I grew up listening in that era, I was such a ROCK head...now I have this well-rounded appreciation of all music genres! Getting old isn't all that bad! Joan, Amy from Evanescence and so many others, GIRLS just ROCK in ROCK n' ROLL! Blessings
This is a great Rock n Roll story from a great time to be in it. I would like to hear more from Eric.
Roscoe rules. That Music Man backline must have been loud!
So cool... love the history on this channel. Thanks Big O!
I love the part of the story where everybody had Music Man amplifiers. It reminds me of my old Rock band and both me and the other guitarist had Music Man amps back in the day. They were just THE next thing with Leo Fender attached to them.
HE'LL YA...I SAW YOU PLAY...SUCH A RAUNCHY GROUP OF MISCONTENTS..AND WE LOVED IT....THANK YOU...
Joan Jett not only plays rock and roll, she is rock and roll.
Have always loved Joan Jett. She’s tremendous
Anyone who likes Rocky Road can't be all bad.
“LOVES” rocky road!
I am lucky enough to own one of those Musicman HD 130 410 amps.
Great amp, loud and clean, great for pedals, sings when you push it.
Mine is a mid 70's and has the solid state front end!!!🖤🖤🖤
Golden stuff right here. Great vid
awesome interview...thank youi sir
Great band and tone. Joan Jett every boys dream back then.
I like your inter peace with music and people over yourself. I wish I could find that.
Eric Ambel is super cool! He worked with Joan, was a member of The Del Lords, and I have seen him live, recently playing with Sarah Borges a few times in Kansas City. He is a Rock & Roll VIP!
Wow, a great listen, thanks!
Oh yeah, Ax in Hand. Larry was a hoot & it was a great place to browse - always cool stuff & looking back the prices were fantastic but of course at the time it didn’t seem so. Love the inside info on JJ and the Blackhearts. Thanks gentlemen for sharing another great story, as always much appreciate it!
I also found Joan a sunburst Epiphone Olympic solid body there at Ax In Hand. It was the Epiphone version of the Melody Maker. She had a Velvet Hammer put in right away and still plays it on occasion.
I fondly remember Larry Truman Hendrickson's 'Ax In Hand', being an NIU student back then. Such a pleasant surprise to hear him name checked even now. He always had the most amazing guitars, well into vintage models before they became so coveted. And all in this modest shop in a remote little college town. Larry passed away in 2000 but the store still survives through his sons. Larry Sr. really did acquire a well-earned reputation for being a go-to vintage dealer by some big players, including Tom Petty, The Doobie Brothers, of course Rick Nielson (Rockford IL being a short drive away). The dealing of vintage gear ended with Larry Sr. but his legacy still continues.
My introduction to I Love Rock n’ Roll was, in about 6th grade music class a kid brought in a “boom box” and on the cassette tape, before the teacher showed up, he was blasting this song to the entire class. No clue how he got it on tape….but that was the most bad ass song I EVER heard! I was like who the hell is that??!!! Where did you get that song from??!!! It just blew me away! Still a great song👍😄
Here's Roscoe telling a great Neil Young story.
ua-cam.com/video/j0_-Fw32uAc/v-deo.html