My friend Richard Gonzales was always telling me about a band he was in around that palindrome year of 1961. He finally found a CD with 4 songs on it and we listened to it. It was pretty good with a raw and raunchy sound that was driven by a horn section led by Richard's tenor sax. The band was called The Gaylads, which is pretty funny in retrospect. But that story isn't as interesting as the one about their singer, Ronnie Cook, who has been in jail for 23 years doing 18 to Life for killing his girlfriend in a fit of rage. He recorded a song backed byThe Gaylads that was covered by Goth Punk band The Cramps in the 80's. Does anyone remember Goo Goo Muck? Anyway, I would tell you more but that is about all I know, and I am trying to write this on a stupid iPad. Posted in the Arts & Entertainment category.
Topics: Bakersfield, prison, rock bands, song writer