The Looker Story

In mid 1983 vocalist David Kurtz (The Next, David Kurtz Band) and guitarist Ricky Triolo (Medieval Steel) joined White Kid Leather members David Wade, Billy Maharrey, Tony Maharrey and Mike Hutchison to form the original line up of Looker. The writing styles of Kurtz, Wade, Triolo and Maharrey made a great match combining, Rock, Pop and Folk with hard driving guitars, keyboards, big harmony's and a rock steady rhythm section made for a sound that was unforgettable and all LOOKERS.

Looker was different then most Memphis bands because they played ALL original music. This made it hard to get some of the best club gigs so Looker started playing headline shows at Club Television and The New Daisy. After about 6 months of this the name and the sound was getting around Memphis and club gigs started to roll in, (Stage Stop, Silky"s, Night Moves and Flanagan's to name a few) Clubs were full and Looker was on it's way.

In late 1984 looker teamed up with Jack Holder and Don Smith and went into Sounds Unreel Studio to record demo tracks to shop. These sessions were great. Turning out the songs Believe, Same Old Lines, I Got To Know, Your Still Here, Waiting for Nighttime and Look in You Eyes. Though these tracks were never for sale they received great revues in the Memphis Star and Commercial Appeal as well as some airplay on Rock 103. With a catchy intro and guitar solo Believe became Lookers signature song at the time and was entered in the Strohs Superstar Talent Search.

Looker was chosen as one of 4 finalist in the national contest but chose to change songs to (Same Old Lines) because Bon Jovi's Runaway was released and it sounded like Believe. This was unfortunate because many felt Believe was a shoe in.

1985 things exploded. With the publicity of the contest and club dates filling the books, Looker started to be asked to play some of the areas biggest shows. Memphis In May BBQ contest, 4th of July on the river, Memphis State Pep Rallies on Beale St., Music Fest and Mud Island. Looker was also asked to open for Creed and Cobra two of Memphis top bands as well as Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet, Black Oak Arkansas and Rare Earth. We were also proud to share the stage with other Memphis bands, Ransom, Juggler, Medeval Steel and Xavion to name a few.

In 1986 Looker wanted to get their music heard outside the Memphis area and booked dates from Texas to Atlanta. After a trip to Club Rockers in Houston, Looker returned home and started to get back into the studio. A few members decided to leave at this time and those sessions never happened.

1986 David Kurtz decided to focus on his solo project. Looker needed to find a front man. Vocalist Jeff Adams (Turning Point, Kings Trio) was invited in to sing "Look in You Eyes" and Clay Plunk (Juggler) sang "Emotion" ( a song that had become a fan favorite) in an attempt to revamp the line up. This never happened and Looker was put on hold.

However in 1987 LOOKER was asked to open for Ted Nugent. Clay Plunk was asked to sing and Troy Upchurch played bass in what turned out to be a GREAT line up.(see pics). Alot of buzz was starting about this line up but Clay was starting a band call Reance with his sister (Stacie Michelle)(see Stacie on tour with Kid Rock my space) and choose not to join LOOKER as the front man.

After that founding members David Wade, Tony Maharrey and Billy Maharrey asked Vocalist Todd Poole (T&A, Roxy Blue), Guitarist Lee Miller (Foreplay) and bassist Troy Upchurch (Pegasus) to join them and form the 2nd line up of Looker.

This line up was much different, cover songs hit the set list and a big stage show with all the bells and whistles was added. Stage Stop became our home and Looker played for packed house after packed house. With great guitar work and strong backing vocals Lookers sound was huge and very commercial. But after a year with no luck getting signed and members looking in different directions Looker finely called it quits in late 1988.

Members of Looker today

David Kurtz--(Vocals) went on to form The David Kurtz Band and still plays and records in Memphis and New Mexico where he now lives. He has a very successful business. His new music is great. You can hear David as well as see where he is playing at www.davidakurtz.com or David's My Space.

David Wade--(Keyboards/Vocals) went on to play country with The R.T.Scott Band, Steve Ingle Band and signed an artist development deal with Highland House Productions. David plays with many band as a pick up player. He is now a Firefighter in Jackson TN.

Billy Maharrey--(Guitar/Vocals) Graduated from Memphis State in Recording Engineering and owns his on advertising business in Mississippi. Billy still plays in the studio and writes many of the jingles heard on Memphis radio and TV today.

Tony Maharrey--(Drums) went on to play country with R.T.Scott Band and Steve Ingle Band and today plays with White Noise Theory. To see where Tony is playing check out the White Noise Theory My Space. Tony has become one of the hottest drummers in the Mid-South.

Mike Hutchison--(Bass) lives in Ohio and plays bass in church as well as with different bands. See Mikes Memphis Music web page at http://com5.runboard/bmemphismusic Great site. Also check out Mikes My Space for info on Looker and White Kid Leather.

Ricky Triolo--(Guitar/Vocals)Works for a major jewelery firm in Arkansas. Ricky also still plays and was a founding member of Medieval Steel.

Lee Miller--(Guitar/Vocals) is the band director at Wooddale High School in Memphis. Lee plays in many bands in Memphis as a pick up player and does regular studio work in Memphis. Wooddale has become one of the top bands in Memphis under the direction of Lee.

Todd Poole--(Vocals) Went on to form Roxy Blue and signed a deal with Geffen, He also played drums for Silvia. He now plays with Stiff Kitty in Memphis. Todd also has recorded many jingles as well as backing vocals for many bands. See where Todd is playing at the Stiff Kitty My Space.

Troy Upchurch--(Bass) We lost contact with Troy. If anyone knows anything new please contact me so we can post what Troy has been up to.

Many other people had a hand in LOOKER, Greg Presler--Sound and Lights, Tommy Brown --lights/sound, Joey Payne--Guitar Tech and Stage Mgr., Donnie Kincade and Freinds--Stage Crew. Most of all the Fans and The MONGO'S GANG. I can't name you all but to all who helped on our little journey. <> Thanx.

All of the members of Looker thank you for you comments and your thoughts and remember," Believe in the Magic when two can be as one" God Bless

**Check back Music and pictures will be added shortly**

************JOEY PAYNE AND BEN SHUMATE***************
We love and miss you both, our two biggest fans have been called away. But we will remember you always. Love LOOKER and the Mongo's Gang.

My thoughts:

I am so happy that this story is finally being told ...not so much just because it was a big part of my life ..but because I had no record that this ever happened for the last ten years .

Everything I had was lost in a fire.

For me this story isn't so much about the music ...to me it is about a few friends fresh out of high school that said "WTF".

If there is a degree of pride invovled ,it is that the band did a number of benifits...not just with Looker, but even dating back to the White Kid Leather days .

There isn;t a time that I don't look back on those days and just crack a huge smile . I knew that I was enjoying something that I may never be able to enjoy again .

Yes there were ups and downs ...Among the ups for me was having 6,000 people sing happy birthday to me ...just because we happened to be playing at a Memphis state Pep rally at the time .

You know that is the type thing you just never forget

The only thing that sort of bothers me about the current Set up with the Looker site on Myspace is that there are still a number of questions that I still have myself ...and I was there !

For example I have no idea how it came about that we were showing up at our gigs in Molly hactetts tour bus ... come to think of it I might not want to know !

I guess that the most important thing to say is this ... I am so moved that ANYONE even has pictures from these events that happened 25 years ago ... I am just really moved by that .

I guess that the only thing that moves me a little more is the map on the Looker site that has people from several states and as far away as Canada and London that have signed the map with notes about missing the times ...

For those people I just want to say thank you ...and that I do too ..

Michael