Jerry McGeorge interview about The Shadows of Knight and H.P. Lovecraft

Interview:

1. It's a real honor to talk with you. I would like to ask you first what can you tell me about some early influences, when you were just a little kid?

I was probably very typical of the time, Elvis and all the early rock pioneers were favorites. As for guitar, I was pretty eclectic, I liked Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Charlie Byrd and a number of other guys, like JAmes Burton & Scotty Moore.

2. You first band was called The Blackstones if I'm correct. Were you in any other bands before that perhaps? Any recordings?

I was in a band from Munster, Indiana for about a year called "The Mystics". We never recorded, which is probably a blessing!

3. Can you share experience you had with The Blackstones. Did you released something?

The Blackstones were quite good considering our experience level and ages, all 18 & 19. We recorded a bit and had some local releases. Most of our material was written by Jeff Boyan, later of Saturday's Children & HP Lovecraft

4. Later you were in a legendary band called The Shadows of Knight and you recorded two albums. Would you like to share a story about this band?

There are so many stories about the Shadows I wouldn't know where to start. I do hope to write a book about it all some day. It was a very good band that just got burned out by too much time on the road and a lot of bad luck.

5. At what point and how did you joined H.P. Lovecraft?

I joined HPL in mid-'67 after getting an offer to join them. The Shadows were simply falling apart at that time and it looked like a good time for me to change direction.

6. You recorded with them their first album and I would like to ask you what can you remember from recording and producing this amazing LP?

We went into the studio about a week or two after I joined. The tunes were very well worked out and I just tried to stay out of the way as much as possible. It was recorded at Universal Studios in Chicago and all things considered came off rather well. I've forgotten the artist's name (the credits are on the sleeve).
Do you perhaps know something about the cover artwork?

The photographer was a friend of our producer, George Badonsky. I should have left the white shoes at home.

7. Where did you play all? Do you have any interesting stories to share with me?

We played around Chicago until November '67, then went to California to play two gigs at the Fillmore. In between those two gigs we played a week at a club in LA. The Fillmore gigs were the best I experienced while with the band and the reviews were excellent. Unfortunately, like with all bands of that era, the road took its toll and we were never again quite that good. Lots of friction between members, etc.

8. What happened next? I know you went studied jazz guitar...

I was fired in April '68, replaced by Jeff Boyan. Frankly, I'd suggested they hire him the previous summer, before they made an offer to me. He was just a perfect fit in my mind, but there was resistance for a lot of dubious reasons. In reality, George Edwards just didn't want that level of talent crowding him. I went home in quite bad physical and mental condition and decided to rehab. At that point I decided to throw myself into guitar study, putting the bass aside. I spent the next several years studying music & guitar, playing with a little blues band, jamming a lot. I attended Berklee School of Music in '69 but couldn't continue there for financial reasons. I got married, moved to the Southwest and played in a country rock band called "Moonshine" for a couple years with two great musicians, the late Kenny Trantham on steel guitar, and a wonderful singer named Bucky Allred. I moved on from there and eventually got a music degree from North Texas State University in 1978, but by then had decided to call music a career and pursue other interests. My hearing had deteriorated quite a bit and I was tired of the typical musician's scuffle just to make a living. I got into the auto industry in '78 and retired early in 2000.

9. What are you doing these days?

These days I enjoy working on my two Jeeps, photography and just sort of hanging out. I still play guitar every day but don't play out any longer.

10. I would like to thank you for this interview. It really means a lot to me for having you on my magazine. Would you like to add something?

Thanks for your kind comments, Klemen and all the best to you!