The Johnny Rocket Story

band also in the same area. I was called Terry Man the one man band. For

years we both played the same venues. Some times I played next week after

him at the same place some time she would follow me the next week at the

same place. We both gained a reputation as rockers. I would pick up his fliers

and I found out he would do the same.

We started to leave notes for each other pinned on the stage wall or

somewhere where we would find them. They would say stuff like “Break-ALeg

Terry Man you rock) of course this saying comes from Superstition: A

common belief is that wishing someone "good luck" is actually tempting fate

and would lead to bad luck. Therefore, to avoid this, people in the theater

started wishing for something bad, like to "break a leg," so the opposite

would happen. Or things like “Rock The House Man” I would do the same

and after a while we would both expect to have a note waiting for us when

we followed after each other at gigs. It came to be that we both would expect

these notes and look for them. This became a really cool game and we both

took to hiding the notes knowing the other would look for them.

This went on for a couple of years. Then one Saturday Night I was setting up

at a club Called The Main Event to play in a few hours. This man walks up to

me and was not familiar to me. I had only seen Tom as Johnny Rocket with

the white coat and two tone shows. He walked up to me as I was setting up

my sound system and said “Man you rock” I have heard all about you and

have wanted to meet you for quite some time but we always seem to be

working on the same nights. I am really glad to finally get to meet you, my

name is Tom. I can't stay long because I am on my way to a gig and I have

my son out in the car to drop him off at the sitters. I just wanted to meet you

and shake hands with you. Even though I've never heard you play your

reputation as being a rocking guitar player and vocalist is well know in the

area.

We spoke for a couple of minutes both complimenting each others

reputation. He drove a big old station wagon and I could see it parked close

to the club thru the window. I could also see his son standing on the front

seat. This action was common in those days but almost illegal now. As we

talked I looked at his car and it started moving backwards. It was parked on a

small hill just steep enough to have the car to roll. I didn't even think but

something told me to run out to his car. His son had pulled the gear shift out

of park.(this can't happen today because of all the safety features) I half

jumped into the car thru the window and pulled the shiftier back into park.

His son was a little shook up but as soon as Tom came out he settled down.

Needles to say Tom was so great full he offered to pay me for the deed. I

refused and told him I am just glad his son was safe. This little incident

cemented our friendship from that moment on. After that our notes got longer

and we even talked about doing a gig together. I was very happy to have one

of my pears become such a good friend.

A couple of more weeks went by then I noticed he didn't show for a gig he

had before me. Later I found out that he was killed in a car wreck. This really

effected me as I had never been in that situation before. My grief was

undeniable and I even contemplated giving up playing. Then one night in a

dream Tom spoke to me and told me to carry on the Johnny Rocket tradition.

The next day I went and bought clothes like Tom would where and tried to

emulate his moves (or the ones I could see on the only photo I had of him.)

I started calling myself Johnny Rocket ( in remembrance of Tom) and to this

day I believe Tom was with me at every gig. Johnny Rocket has come and

gone in both of our lives but I continued his memorial until 1994 when I

reached Gatlinburg. I played at a bar called The Talk Of The Town. My

picture (looking like Tom) was on the marque for a couple of years until I got

to play in some other bands in the area. Bob Steward Band at the Edge-water

Hotel, then got hired by the singing sheriff (from ghost town Maggie Valley)

to play up the mountain at Ober. He left me the gig and I called my self Terry

Town the bands name was Town and Country. I found and old review of this

act and will share it with you. Then I got hired at the Heidelberg German

restaurant in Gatlenburg. Funny because I grew up in Pennsylvania and knew

all of those polka songs by heart. Great gig working for Hal Rhodes.

It seems like I have to share these memories with others before I forget them

myself. At 74 I am slowly losing touch with them. I hope you enjoyed this

little excerpt about me and my music. Some where in Heaven Tom is jammin

with the angels looking and sounding the same and looking forward to seeing

all of his friends again. Be seeing you soon Tom I'm about on my way.

God Bless and pray you will share this to keep the memory of Tom and

Johnny Rocket alive.