Back in the summer of 1976 and just out of high school  , I was just another long haired kid in spandex pants and a black leather jacket that headed out to the clubs on Long Island to listen to the bar bands and of course meet girls. It was an amazing time for the club scene. The drinking age was still 18 years old and as you might imagine the rock clubs were packed every weekend!  Long Island, New York was a hot bed of talent and for an aspiring musician like my self, watching those bands up close proved to be a valuable way to learn the rock n roll ropes ! Popular groups such as “the Good Rats”, “Crystal Ship” and “Rat Race Choir” drew thousands of rock fans to the clubs. Two of the most popular and most celebrated bands of that era were “Zebra” who with the talented Randy Jackson on lead guitar and vocals performed the best of Led Zep as well as their killer original tunes.  Also the outrageous and schocking “Twisted Sister’ was a main stay on the club circuit in those days. Front man Dee Snyder electrified the crowds with his wild  antics which included breaking ‘DISCO’ records on stage! “Twisted” was a heavy metal machine belting out the best of AC/DC ,  Judias Priest and their own ‘fist in the air’ rock anthems.  Who would have thought back then that I would one day , not only provide these groups with their music gear but also develop close personal friendships with them as well!

I first met JJ French (founding member and guitarist for Twisted Sister) where else but on music row. It was during my first year of working on famous west 48th street when I recognized JJ with out his stage makeup.  I could not believe my eyes.  Here I was a member of the “Twisted Sister” fan club S.M.F. (sick mother fucker)  and  JJ  himself was right there in front of me!  He was just browsing around the store looking at the guitars on the wall.  After introductions I managed to let JJ know I was planning to see the band that weekend at their gig in Staten Island. “Well then, I’ll see ya there”, JJ replied in a matter of fact tone as he left the store. That saturday night I made sure I got to the club early to get a good spot near the front of the stage. (on JJ’s side of course)  Finally the lights started to dim and then all at once I feel a tap on my shoulder. It was JJ right behind me. He was heading up to the stage and gave me the ‘thumbs up’ sign as he passed me by.

As years passed on, JJ & I formed a very close friend ship. We found we had many common interests besides the music business and of course he knew he could always count on me for all of  ‘Twisted Sister’s’ equipment needs.  One afternoon during a Twisted Sister’s sound check for their big concert that night at Radio City music hall.  I received a frantic call from JJ, “Stevie, Leslie West was trying out Eddie’s amp and just  blew it up !”  (Eddie Ojeada is the other guitarist in Twisted Sister)   JJ continued on,  “Leslie plugged in and turned the volume knob to 10 , strummed a chord and the amp started smoking!”  A moment or two later I found my self  rolling a hand truck down west 48th street loaded with two ‘100 watt MARSHALL AMP’ heads. I turned left to 6th avenue and in to Radio City music hall to deliver the amps!

Later that night at the sold out show, I remember watching TS kick some serious ass on stage! The crowd was going wild and   I thought to my self, “Steve comes through again!” JJ even had a nic’name for me, “POPE of 48th Street!” Because I make miracles happen!

JJ and Mark ‘the animal” Mendoza (the bassist) have been a constant source of inspiration and support to me over the years.  During the mid 80’s while TS was huge in the tri state area, I in turn was just starting out with my hard rock band ‘’Dagger”. JJ & Mark even came to a couple of my gigs. (In a few of the smaller LI clubs)   Then one day it happed, JJ called me and announced, “Guess what Pope, Dagger is opening for Twisted Sister upstate New York in a couple of weeks!” “Wooooo really JJ?”,  I asked as my jaw  was dropping to the ground. “Yep  ,its all arranged”, he said. “Dagger will even get its own dressing room at the gig, how do you like that?”, he concluded.

“We are there!”, I yelled not being able to contain my excitement.  The big night arrived. Dagger did a very good job opening for the headliners , the one and only Twisted Sister.  There I was a few years ago just another kid in the crowd with my ‘fist in the air’ and now I am sharing the stage with one of my favorite rock bands!   Only in America!

During my set JJ & Mark even stood just off the stage (on my side) to  watch and lend their support! I will never forget that, you see it was not their usual custom to be seen before their performances.  Oh about JJ’s promise of a dressing room for ‘Dagger’?  That was indeed kept, even if it was the walk-in refrigerator that is used to keep the beer chilled!   (I didn’t mind freezing my ass off before my set in the cutoff shirt I wore on stage that night, one bit!)

Twisted” Gig-