Steve Wilcox

Band Story

Since the age of 11 I have been banging around with music and getting paid for it. Over the years I have put together or been a member of many bands. In 1965 at the age of 17 I joined the United States Navy to see the world & Viet Nam , during that time I was asked by the Captain of the U.S.S. Canberra to keep the tradition alive buy being a member of the ships Rock & Roll band The Kangsmen as guitar player and lead vocal. 1971 I lived in Pomona , Upland , Chino and Ontario California (got there just in time for the Big Earthquake) I jammed with many bands up and down the coast. I did it so much I got to be a regular at the Palomino Club. The band there had me take over for the singer , guitar player , bass player and the drummer so that they could have a little extra break time to mess around with the ladies ,if you know what I mean ! They had a pedal-steel Player that got pissed because I didn't know how to play his instrument. I came back to Kansas City Mo. in 1972 and got married to the greatest woman I have ever met. Did a single act under the name Gene Stevens for Ralf Gains at his Colony Steak House , The Red Door & Nantucket's Cove. In 1974 I was asked to be a full member of the band The Fireballs (Sugar Shack - Bottle of Wine) and had the honor of singing their song Sugar Shack until 1978 when they disbanded and went back to Raton New Mexico. For two and a half years I was a recording engineer for Liberty recording studio in Kansas City Missouri. Shortly there after I put together a band called ZIPPER that lasted until 1993 when we disbanded. From there I joined many other bands,but they never had the full staying power of the band Zipper. Then one day in the late 1990's the dam broke and I had to go into the V.A. Hospital here in Kansas City Missouri for a number of operations and it was not until 2003 that I was able to get back out and play. Little did I know then that in 2008 I would have to have two more operations before I would be totally back on my feet again. I think you can officially call me the six million dollar plus man.The V.A.Doctors have taken great care of me and they are keeping a close eye on their investment ! The songs that you are listening to were recorded by the band that I mentioned , Zipper. The members were Louie Cina - Lead guitar /keyboards / vocal on the songs-Midnight Rider & Love In The Afternoon-, Glen Lamb - Bass guitar / vocal on the song-Life Downtown-, Gene Wenger, Mark Ziva, Mark Fiore, Cheeseburger Bob, and Dale Zee (Muddbone Willie) all played the drum's for us over the years. Louie Cina and I wore out a lot of drummers. OH Yea!!! I was part of Zipper also. My job in the songs you are listening to is Rhythm /and 2nd lead guitar /doing the vocals on-Lady Mistress-Do It Again-Mr.Twister-and wrote all six songs.Hope you enjoy.Thanks!Steve Wilcox