White Summer: the Red Album
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WHITE SUMMER
White Summer has been the name of my band since 1973. I previously published Hubs entitled White Summer, White Summer II, and White Summer III that included short stories about my band with links to videos of original rock n roll music from our 5th and final album, as well as live remakes my band did of rock n roll music by Jimi Hendrix. More recently, I published the Hub My First Album of Original Rock Music, released in 1976, with links to videos of a three-song sample of the earliest original rock n roll music recorded by my band.
White Summer recorded a six-song EP in 1978 of rock n roll music with a revamped lineup and that master tape has recently been found. Someday I may do a Hub about that collection of rock n roll music by my band, after I have the tapes digitally remastered.
White Summer relocated its home base from Michigan to Florida in 1980 after the drinking age went up from 18 to 21, killing the Michigan live rock n roll music scene, which had earlier been crippled by disco and disc jockeys. Whereas in the mid-1970s my band had forty live rock n roll music clubs in which to play just in my home county, including some running live bands 5 or 6 nights per week; by 1980 there was hardly any work at all for my band there.
White Summer recorded the Red Album in 1982 featuring 12 songs we created. I have links to four videos on this page. This first song was written and sung by Danny Misch. It is called "Dream for You."
DREAM FOR YOU by WHITE SUMMER
ONE THING
White Summer was a little three-piece band at this time, with Jimmy Schrader on guitar; Danny Misch on bass and vocals; and yours truly, James Watkins, on drums and vocals. We recorded this album in the living room of our band house and released it ourselves. The next piece was written and sung by your correspondent. It's a bit bluesier and named "One Thing."
ONE THING by WHITE SUMMER
MY BAND
White Summer soon had a well-connected agent working on a deal to sign us with Warner Brothers in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, within days of a verbal commitment that they would do something with us, we had a Yoko Ono experience—a woman broke up the band. I'll spare you the details. Our third selection is an up-tempo rocker I wrote and sang titled "Shine Again."
SHINE AGAIN by WHITE SUMMER
ROCK N ROLL MUSIC
White Summer was dropped like a hot potato by Warner and the agent because at that time record companies had recently experienced a rash of groups that had disbanded before (or shortly after) their first record was released—after they had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in them to produce their material and provide professional people of all sorts to "make them over" into what company executives considered marketable. So, stability was high on the list of what Artists & Repertoire personnel were looking for. We had been together a long time and that was part of our attractiveness—until it wasn't. Our final cut is "More and More." It is a ballad written and sung by Danny Misch.
MORE AND MORE by WHITE SUMMER
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OTHER HUBS OF INTEREST
I have also published Hubs entitled Rock Music in the 1960s, Rock Music in the 1970s, and Rock Music in the 1980s.
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rosariomontenegro— Thank you! I feel much better now. Your encouragement is always uplifting. AND—you are my first reader! What do we have for the Lady Ed? Ed?
The caption on one of the pictures says, "having failed at rock and roll". There is no failure here. Your band stayed together for a long time (just from looking at the pictures). You did the thing you enjoyed, you did it together and you did it well. That is not failure. Your videos are great, you actually did good work.
Another good White Summer hub. You have enough material in these hubs to do a serious documentary.
What a awesome hub James. Great history.
Hi James,
Rock is another thing we have in common. I played guitar, bass, and keyboard (mini-Farfisa) in a band of 5. I worked my way through WVU playing in the band. Our sax man could also play the keyboard, and my counsin swapped his bass for my guitar on some songs. I really wanted to put together a band like Chicago (before Chicago existed).
Your band has very good and full sound for a 3 piece band. Rock on brother.
Great hub. Thanks for letting us get to know you better.
Duh, NOW I know who Jimmy Schrader is!
Duchess OBlunt— I dig what you're saying. We did do what we enjoyed, to be sure. It was a dichotomy, a failure and a success at the same time. :)
I can tell you it was a joyful, fun experience. Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate it.
satomko— Interesting you should mention that. Our long time sound man, Mike Herrera (or should we say Miguel), has a brother who is a minor film maker and he told me a couple years ago he would like to produce a documentary about the band.
Thanks for your visit and for leaving your words.
Vladimir Uhri— Well, sir, I thank you very much for saying so. :D
Tom Whitworth— Isn't that interesting!? I was a fan of Chicago in the Terry Kath days. And they were good after his death but a bit more poppy.
I appreciate your thoughtful compliments. We had 4 and 5 members at various times but I was always a bit partial to the trio because Jimmy stood out more on guitar and he is a special talent, especially considering he was born blind. :-)
ecoggins— Thanks! It was a labor of love to put this together. Sort of a vanity project but hey—after I'm gone I'll live on via YouTube! :)
advisor4qb— Are you serious? I had wondered since we played your club a number of times. He's a great player. If you remember him you might remember me. I was behind the drum kit and doing most of the singing. No?
You'll have to let us know when they do the documentary, notice I said "when" and not "if". Its coming. awesome
ftgfmom— Oh, I will. I need to call him and get that ball rolling while I am still living. He lives in LA so there are logistical hurdles to overcome. Thanks for the interest.
James, I am in total awe AGAIN over the song that your band did about me many many years ago. Thanks bunches for putting this together for Danny and I. I enjoyed every minute of it immensely. You are a wonderful friend of Danny's(which I have had the pleasure to meet) and he talks about you on a regular basis. Thanks again.
Cindy
Another great hub, James! As with your other band hubs, I enjoyed this one to no end.
Your high school photo (the long hair!) narrows our age difference down to about 5 years.
I just checked out your hub on Rock Music in the 1960s and discovered we have a couple of things in common so, I left a comment in that hub too.
Love these hubs that detail some of your rock days
Cynthia Murphy— Thank you for complimenting our music. And you are surely welcome. It was a joyful experience to pull out these old tapes and select images to use for these songs. As you know, I love Danny. We rode the river together, experiencing great heights of joy and the grief of deep valleys. We remain, I think, an exemplar of friendship.
Tina Irene— That's Danny Misch's high school photo. I don't have one but me mom does. But I had similar hair—only longer still. :)
Gosh, I am pleased at your comments. Thank you so much for lifting my spirits this afternoon.
ethel smith— Why, thank you very much. I am glad you do. I appreciate you for letting me hear about it. :D
Good to see you having fun not only in so serious things ;)
rcisophie— Thank you. My nickname is "Mr. Fun." :D
I appreciate you swing by and leaving word.
The woman did it! It's always the Woman's fault is always has been since Adam and Eve! Hey, you guys gotta quit eating their apples :)! And those Fat ladies gotta quit singing :)! Hopefully I can say this without too much trouble since I am both a woman and a fat lady :) an of coarse are just having fun with a few well known puns! You guys were (are) great and you must have loved what you did! I really love your Hubs. James you have a lot of creative energy and talent!
Kebennett1— Thank you for your witty words. Maybe I shouldn't have used the "fat lady" aphorism. How about: Elvis has left the building? :D
The woman can only have half the blame mathematically. :)
I did love creating and playing music. It was my identity for most of my life. It was hard to give it up but I had three children and they needed things I could not provide on my piddly musician's salary. Thank you for your kind comments. I always get a lift when you visit.
GROOVY!
cosette— Dig it? Cool.
James, all I can say is...YOU ROCK! This is both literal and figurative!
jill of alltrades— I am a rock who rocks? I think Frank Zappa once said, "Help I'm a rock!" :)
Thanks for swinging by and leaving your kind comments. I always enjoy your great photography.
Hi James, LOL! What makes you think you failed? You haven't!
quicksand— Well . . . this is when I decided to seek fame and fortune playing traditional Mexican music. But that phase only lasted one night. :D
Thank you, Brother for your uplifting comments.
Interesting I am a child of the 80s yet I do not remember this band at all.
Camping Dan— We were pretty big in Michigan and Florida mostly. We played many other states and in Mexico, too. And we have quite a bit of radio play (not with this music). But it died out quickly. If you had seen us live, you would remember. Nobody ever forgot our terrific blind guitar player.
Thanks for your comments.
CLASSIC, COOL, AWESOME AND FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!! ;
LOVE the pics 2 ; G
GPAGE— THANK YOU! Aren't you sweet! I appreciate your encouragement. I still don't have any sound on my computer so I haven't heard your music yet. I am helpless with gadgetry. I guess that's why I am a drummer. Just grab clubs and pound away—nice and simple.
These pics are obviously not our promo shots. These are the outtakes. A little inside joke for when my band mates come by (except for Jimmy Schrader, of course, who was born blind).
James -
What can I say except, I get all you good-looking guys mixed up (hee hee).
Tina Irene— To quote Elvis—"That's alright Mama"
I loved the DREAM FOR YOU song!! It has a kind of hippy sound to it! But all the songs (from your other hubs too) are great. You are very talented! Rock on! :))
Wild cherry— That is my favorite song on this album! You have good taste. We were recovering hippies. :) Nice call. I so appreciate your kind compliments. It makes a man feel good. Thanks!
What a fine band. I imagine your band made very good music, because if Warner Brother's was interested in your music it had to be excellent. God Bless You.
stars439— Thank you. Thank you very much! We did sound pretty good. :D I appreciate your kind compliments, my brother.
Jim, it was great reading and listening to your music. We still have the white alblum that the band signed. Russ and I always loved following you guys around the bar scene dancing to your music. Thanks for the memories.
Carol Schlipp! Hey! It's great to hear from you. I hope all is well. Thank you for stopping by and saying hello. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my music, and for your kind comments. You are very welcome. :-)
Beautiful music, great looking guys and gals in the YouTube videos. Brings back memories. Very enjoyable hub.
PegCole17--- Thank you ever much for the compliments. It makes me feel mighty good to have my art appreciated. Ah, we were young back then. I am so happy that you enjoyed our music. :D
rosariomontenegro 2 years ago
wow You rock boys!