Community Corner

Meet Chuck Black, Drummer of the Sound Shore's 'Grateful Dead'

One part of a series of Q&A's with The Stella Blues Band, a Grateful Dead cover band that plays around the Sound Shore area.

On a quiet Wednesday night in Port Chester dozens of Deadheads milled around the front of Garcia’s bar and music venue anxious for the show to start. It was not during the nine-night Furthur run that brought thousands of hippies from across the country to The Capitol Theatre.

On this Wednesday night, the fans were there to see the Stella Blues Band, a group of seven local men who are dedicated to recreating the experience of being at a Grateful Dead show.

Each musician became “hooked” on Dead music as teenagers, most from going to their first live show. Decades later and they are grateful for the opportunity to be creating live shows of their own at Westchester and Connecticut area venues.

Find out what's happening in Port Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 By day the band members are working in finance, on CNBC or in music therapy, but on show nights, the collective group is dedicated to the poetic lyrics, the chance to improve, the thrill of performing live and the passionate fan base. 

The group was founded in 2009 with five original members and has grown into seven today.

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The band consists of Bill Bonacci, a New Rochelle resident who sings and plays lead guitar; Steve Liesman, a Pelham resident who sings and plays rhythm guitar; Greg Solomon, a Greenwich resident who plays bass; Ken Aigen, a Hastings redisnt who plays keyboards; Marc Loponte, a Rye resident who sings; Chuck Black, a Rye resident on the drums and JP Geoghegan, a Stamford, Ct. resident, also on the drums.

During their recent residency at Garcia’s the group attracted hundreds of music lovers and true Deadheads who knew the lyrics as well as the band did. They have about a 100-song repertoire and strive to avoid repeat songs. During their last night at Garcia’s the fans picked the songs.

Patch stopped in early on their final night at Garcia’s to ask the band members a few questions about their time at the venue, what attracted them to Grateful Dead music; and how they balance family, work and shows. We also made them each pick their favorite Dead song.

This is the third in a series of Q&As with each band member.

Name: Charles Black

Instrument: Drummer

Occupation: Owner of a tree and plant health care company in Rye, started by his father in 1951

How has your residency been at Garcia’s?

It was such fun to play at Garcias. A great new venue and reminded me of my old days of playing the Dead at the Fore-n-Aft in White Plains from 1984 to 1996.

What do you like about Dead music?

I like the jam band flow of the Dead and the improvisational openess of their music.

How did you get into The Grateful Dead?

In high school my friends had a Dead band, which led to my first Dead concert.

 What is your favorite song to play?

Hard to pick just one song... Terrapin.

 What does your family think about the band?

My family supports all my bands. They come and watch me all the time.

How do you balance personal and professional life with the band?

The band averages one night per week with rehearsals and gigs. It is not hard to handle for the passion I have to drum.

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Stella Blue’s Band upcoming shows:

Saturday, June 29, Stella Blue’s Bar, New Haven, Ct., 9 p.m., $5

Saturday, July 20, Uncle Henry’s, Harrison, NY, 9 p.m. $5

Friday, August 2, Monster B’s, Stamford, Ct., 9 p.m., $5

Thursday, Sept. 12, Sullivan Hall, NY,NY, 9 p.m., $10 in advance, $12 at the door

Check them out at Facebook.com/stellabluesband and stellabluesband.net 

 

 


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