My musical influences back then were: The Byrds, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc. Influences now range from The Allman Brothers, Dave Matthews Band, Gov't Mule, Stone Temple Pilots, Albert Collins, Setvie Ray Vaughn, Petty and on and on. BUT...no funk, no punk and no elevator junk!
During the late 60's and into the early 70's I had the opportunity to play in several bands and also had the chance at one time to back up the band The Dell's at a gig in Greensburg and Pittsburgh, PA.
I gave up playing full time in 1972 due to my career which lasted until I retired in 1998. After retiring I wanted to get serious about playing in a band again. After two years of rehearsing I was extremely fortunate to land a spot with the REPEAT OFFENDERS band (classic rock) out of Cheswick, PA who I still play for today. That band is comprised of Rich Miller on guitar, Dave Maxwell on guitar, Greg Costanzo on drums and Justin Burgh on vocals. I've also had the opportunity to play for the Brattleboro Blues Band, 7 Roads and Rattlesnake (all have been blues/classic rock bands) over the past few years but unfortunately all of these bands have gone their seperate ways.
I am a Marshall / Ampeg / Fender & Rickenbacker freak of nature and as long as the moons are lined up and whatever feels right for the gig...I'll use any combination of the above guitars and amps.
And I must confess that I have no formal musical training on guitar, can't read a lick of music but usually pick up on the song(s) eventually after I get bitched at enough.