Looker

Looker started out as White Kid Leather (81-83)

In mid 1983 vocalist David Kurtz (The Next, David Kurtz Band) and guitarist Ricky Triolo (Medevil Steel) joined White Kid Leather members David Wade, Billy Maharrey, Tony Maharrey and Mike Hutchison to form the original line up of Looker.

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 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 went into Sounds Unreel Studio to record demo tracks to shop. These sessions were great. Turning out 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 Strolls 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. BBQ contest on the river, 4th of July on the river, Memphis State Pep Rally 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.

In late 1985 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.

1985 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.

1986 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. Stage Stop became our home and we played for packed house after packed house. After a year and a half with no luck getting signed Looker finely called it quits.

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.

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. He is now a Firemen in Jackson TN.

Billy Maharrey Graduated from Memphis State in Recording Engineering and owns his on advertising business in Mississippi.

Tony Maharrey went on to play with R.T.Scott Band and Steve Ingle Band and today playes with White Noise Theory

Mike Hutchison lives in Ohio and plays bass in church as well as with different bands.

Ricky Triolo owns his own jewelery repair shop in Arkansas.

Lee Miller is the band director at Woodale High School in Memphis.

Todd Poole went on to form Roxy Blue and played drums for Silvia. He know plays with Stiff Kitty.

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"