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CLASSIC ROCK
About Us
Classic 70s & 80s Rock (1983 - 1985)
JIMMY rogers
lead vocals
EDDY eades
lead guitar
ROSS crotinger
rhythm guitar
RANDY brown
bass guitar & bvs
STEVE howard
drums & bvs
We named our High School band after one of our favorite Rock Groups - The Baby's - and a song off of their Title Track Album entitled "Head First." It captured the essence of a guy winning the girl of his dreams - while having a double-meaning of diving in head first to achieve a commitment.
GEAR
Head First always differentiated the sound of our group by mic'ing everything.
We had a 12-channel powered mixer board and 100-ft audio snake which allowed us to mic all of the lead and back-up vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass guitar via a direct box and drums and cymbals.
Mr Eades - Owner of The East End Tavern Funded Our PA System
What many may not know, is Eddy's father - John Eades - owned The East End Tavern in Monticello, IL in the 1980s. Mr. Eades struck a deal with Head First to play gigs at the East End Tavern and around the local Midwest area to earn money to pay back the sound system. We started playing there and in Champaign at Mabel's, The Thunderbird, Chico's and some other venues, as well as in Bloomington-Normal at Illinois State University, Mosey's, The Galery, Scotty's and other bar venues in the surrounding area.
CV Lloyd Audio - Champaign, IL (1980s)
Jimmy, Eddy, Ross, Steve & I went over to CV Lloyd Audio in Champaign and bought a Yamaha system with $1,500 Mr Eades lent us. We spec'd out a 12-channel Yamaha powered mixer, 2 Yamaha PA Speakers, a 100-ft audio snake and 12 shure microphones and stands. It provided us an opportunity to travel around the area and play gigs with a great PA system!
Mr Brown - Buys International TravelAll to Haul PA Eqpt, Drums & Amps
To help us, Randy's father - John Brown - purchased an International Travel-All to haul the equipment around the Midwest to gigs. We had a system that perfectly fit every piece of equipment in the cargo area!
Pete McPheatters - Owner East End Tavern
In 1989, Mr. Eades sold The East End Tavern in Monticello, to Pete McPheatters (pictured) who still owns it today.
Interestingly, Pete watched Head First play in the 80's. When we had the idea to play a tribute to Eddy & Jimmy at The East End 40 years later in 2023 - Pete without hesitation offered us use of our original studio (pictured below) in the basement of the East End where it all started. We spent alot of practice sessions here 40 years ago! We called it East End Productions!
To say the least, this was emotional while at the same time an awesome feeling to be practicing for the Tribute gig in this studio.
Head First Studio - East End Productions
GEAR for the East End Tavern Event
For our September gig, we'll be using probably one of the best sound systems you've ever seen or heard in a local bar.
We will basically be setting up a concert system in venue!
Here's a little summary of our equipment for the Sept 2023 TRIBUTE gig! 11,000 WATTS of power! Earplugs highly recommended!
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