Name? Billy Sullivan
Birthday? November 15, 1962
How did you end up in your current band? I have been with Gary Lewis for 20 years. I am now the longest working Playboy
band member in the history of the band (besides Gary himself, of course!). I started as the drummer, but the majority of my
tenure with him was on guitar. I am mainly a guitar player, but I am also a frustrated drummer like most guitarists are!! I left Gary
briefly at the end of 2004 to do the Raspberries reunion. During the Raspberries tour of 2005, Gary Lewis (with his new lineup of
Playboys) was on one of the shows the Raspberries were on in Denver. He e-mailed me and asked if I would like to play drums
for him on that show being that I was there anyways. Once the Raspberries tour ended, I've been drumming for him ever since.
When I'm off the road, I perform here in Cleveland with my single act.
What instruments do you play? I play guitar, bass, drums and a little keyboards and harmonica.
Talk about your gear, favorite instruments, why you like or use certain things. I'm a big supporter of Line 6 musical gear.
Line 6 is a ground breaking company for guitarists that's been around for ten years. They've invented "digital modeling." They
make guitar amps and recording devices that digitally model a whole collection of classic tube amplifiers. They now have a
digital modeling electric guitar called the "Variax.” Same concept, one guitar digitally models a whole collection of classic
electric guitars! I own three of them and I own two of their guitar amps called the "Vetta." I also own the "Podxt Live" and have
some of their guitar software in my recording studio. I'm a big fan!!! I also own my trusty "Taylor" acoustic guitar, my
"Rickenbacker" 12 string guitar and Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul I've owned since 1976 and a bunch of other gear as
well.
When was your first gig, and were you paid for it? The very first time I've ever performed in public,,,,,,, let's see,,,,,,,, my
brother's band was playing at the "Trophy Room" at the Brookgate Bowling Lanes in Brook Park. This was in 1966. He put me
on his lap and I played "Little Black Egg" on the drums. I couldn't reach the bass drum pedal but I was able to keep the drum
beat going. That was my first time ever on stage. The first band I was in played a battle of the bands in Brook Park in 1975.
That was our first gig. We didn't get paid. We lost because my amp was too loud!!!
Favorite local artist? The Raspberries
Favorite venue to play? In Cleveland.... The House of Blues, Blossom Music Center, The Mad Cactus in Strongsville. The
House of Blues in LA is really nice, so is B.B Kings in New York.
Who would you like to perform with? Any living remaining Beatle
What were your first three albums ever owned? Wow,,, most of the Beatle records were my older brothers and sisters. They
were hand me downs. I did buy "Abbey Road" when I got money for my birthday or something.
Five CDs you can’t live without? The Thorns, Rockpile Seconds of Pleasure, Brian Wilson Imagination, The Smithereens
Green Thoughts, Rolling Stones Exile On Mainstreet
Most embarrassing thing in your CD collection? The Bethlehem Pop Festival
Favorite movie? Trading Places
Favorite television show? Criminal Minds
Who are your heroes? John, Paul, George & Ringo
What’s in your CD player right now? Green Thoughts by The Smithereens
What do you do in your day job? Back up 60's & 70's rock stars or sing crazy catchy jingles like the "IX Amusement Park."
Music is my day job.
What do you like to do in your spare time? When I'm off the road, I like to spend time with my wife and family.
Most unusual request while playing out? "Can you play Britney Spears????"
Most tiresome request while playing out? "Can you play Britney Spears????"
If you went to hell, what song would be played over and over? "Can you play Britney Spears????" "Can you play Britney
Spears????" AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is your advice to up-and-coming musicians? Be open-minded when it comes to music. Go back and study to figure out
why artists like the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Ray Charles were great. Listen to those performances and REALLY STUDY!!!! It's
all about groove & feel!!! That's not happening in today's music. If you decide to make this a career, have a backup plan,,,,,
finish high school and go to college, get a degree in something!!! I left high school at the end of my sophomore year. I had a
shot at a career in music at that time and it worked out for me. But today,,,,, it's tough to be starting out in the music business
and to make steady money in the clubs.
Describe yourself in three words: impatient, easy going, happy.
| Welcome to Spotlight! ....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show! 2/3/07 Vol. X |
Bands you are currently in? I am the current
touring drummer for Gary Lewis & the Playboys
and I am one of the side musicians for The
Raspberries. I also perform around Cleveland
with my acoustic single act.
touring drummer for Gary Lewis & the Playboys
and I am one of the side musicians for The
Raspberries. I also perform around Cleveland
with my acoustic single act.
Other bands you have been in? The other bands I
have been in were Paul Pope Band, Lazer from
Youngstown, Club Wow with Jimmy Zero from the
Dead Boys, Moonlight Drive, Billy Sullivan Band,
Beau Coup, Spina-Sullivan, Spina-Sullivan-Hudak,
The Covergirls with Debi Lewin, Jennifer Lee & Rich
Spina, and Outta Dodge. I was also in this fun little
band in the mid-80's called The Slut Puppies. I also
played drums with The Rock Shop whenever Don
Krueger needed a sub. I played one gig with Jonah
Koslen and Breathless in 1998. That's all the
Cleveland bands that I can think of. During my
tenure with Gary, I've also worked with many classic
rock and pop artists ranging from Eric Carmen,
Leslie Gore, Ian Hunter, Mitch Ryder, Peter Noone,
Mark Lindsay, etc.
have been in were Paul Pope Band, Lazer from
Youngstown, Club Wow with Jimmy Zero from the
Dead Boys, Moonlight Drive, Billy Sullivan Band,
Beau Coup, Spina-Sullivan, Spina-Sullivan-Hudak,
The Covergirls with Debi Lewin, Jennifer Lee & Rich
Spina, and Outta Dodge. I was also in this fun little
band in the mid-80's called The Slut Puppies. I also
played drums with The Rock Shop whenever Don
Krueger needed a sub. I played one gig with Jonah
Koslen and Breathless in 1998. That's all the
Cleveland bands that I can think of. During my
tenure with Gary, I've also worked with many classic
rock and pop artists ranging from Eric Carmen,
Leslie Gore, Ian Hunter, Mitch Ryder, Peter Noone,
Mark Lindsay, etc.
Why did you choose this instrument? Because
they're rock ‘n roll instruments!!! I wasn't interested in
playing trumpet of anything like that. I'm not knocking
horn players!! I have respect for any musician!!
they're rock ‘n roll instruments!!! I wasn't interested in
playing trumpet of anything like that. I'm not knocking
horn players!! I have respect for any musician!!
Age you started playing? My oldest brother was a drummer in a
band in the 60's. I started messing around with his drums when
I was 4 years old. My mother was also a musician but never
pursued it professionally. She taught me my first chords on the
guitar. I guess I was around 10.
band in the 60's. I started messing around with his drums when
I was 4 years old. My mother was also a musician but never
pursued it professionally. She taught me my first chords on the
guitar. I guess I was around 10.
What is your
favorite piece of
music to perform
and why? I really
don't have any
favorites.
favorite piece of
music to perform
and why? I really
don't have any
favorites.
Influences?
The Beatles,
Badfinger,
Cheap Trick,
Marshall
Crenshaw,
Dave Edmunds
The Beatles,
Badfinger,
Cheap Trick,
Marshall
Crenshaw,
Dave Edmunds
Your last meal on earth? My mother-in-law's swiss steak
Do you collect anything? I used to collect guitars. I've sold
most of them, except for the ones I use.
Book that everyone should read? Beatles Recording
Sessions
Do you collect anything? I used to collect guitars. I've sold
most of them, except for the ones I use.
Book that everyone should read? Beatles Recording
Sessions
Relate a funny or outrageous story from
a gig. I have a ton of outrageous
stories,, too outrageous to mention!!!!
Maybe someday if I ever decide to write a
book. It would be funny!!!
a gig. I have a ton of outrageous
stories,, too outrageous to mention!!!!
Maybe someday if I ever decide to write a
book. It would be funny!!!