Larry Wimmer.....Singer /songwriter......Guitarist.....Drummer...
A journeyman of the blues and R&B scene in the greater Midwest U.S.
Larry has shared the stage with many notable artists. Cheap Trick- Survivor- Off Broadway
Citizen- Buddy Guy- Lonnie Brooks- The Fabulous T-birds-The Dates
The Dates- Eddie Money- KoKo Taylor- The Life -The Rhythm Dogs.
Currently, Larry fronts his original music band as lead vocalist and guitarist.
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I guess it would start with my parents.Both coming from from musical families
and very musical themselves.My father and mother met,working a summer
job, at Little Bohemia.An out of the way resort in the middle of nowhere in
Wisconsin.By day,my dad was a groundskeeper and my mother was a cabin
maid.At night ,they entertained in the bar.Dad played a little keys and guitar
and sang.Mom played piano and sang as well!
My Uncle Wally played the banjo(which I have!) and clarinet and my Uncle
Ted played great boogie-woogie piano.From time to time, they would show up
at our house and there would be jam sessions.I wish I could have been old enough
to hang around the piano with them,but i'm sure I would have been a nuisance because
I know I would have been standing right in the middle of everything.
Just standing there watchin' and tappin' my foot,the whole time !
Many of my influences go back to the days when my mother rented rooms in our house.
Sometimes it would be to friends.Other times,to Navy recruits from Great Lakes Naval base.
One renter was an organist who had an old Hammond.He played a lot of
jazz records.It was the first time I ever heard the music of Jimmy Smith .
My older brothers and some of their friends were listening to old
Jackie Wilson,Isley Brothers,Little Richard and many of the
blues legends like Muddy Waters,Little Willie John and Robert Johnson. I grew up
on the Beatles and the Stones but I was listening to a lot of that music too.
Many times they would take me to the Waukegan lakefront or one of the local parks
to see bands play.I was snakebit ! Even back then,I would go up to the drummer
when they were tearing down and I would ask him if I could play his drums
a little.I didn't know how or when but I knew that I wanted to play music and be in a band.
The Wimmer boys could all sing and we all dabbled a little with guitars and
drums.Out of all us boys, I guess I was more serious about the drumming.
The drumming part was painful for my mother,because i beat holes
in her vinyl kitchen chairs with her wooden spoons.
"Thats it!",she said.................Not too long after that
we went out and got my first set of real drums.
My brother Benny and I would sing together alot.Our favorites were Righteous Brothers
and Sam & Dave duets.Benny was a good singer and he played the drums a little.
However,girls and cars became way more important,so.....My brother Gary had a penchant to play the
bass and years later, wound up doing just that.He played in some local groups
and travelled for a while in a few bands.Even working briefly with Eddie Rabbit.
As time would have it,they lost their drive but mine was really just beginning.Many of them will
never know the priceless gifts they have given me.I love them all.Since those days,I've
travelled the country.I played in cover bands and original bands. I've had many successes
and shared the stage with many music greats.Yet, none of this is more important than my bride,my family and friends.
"One of my fans recently commented on my music style.Referring to it as,and i quote "Funk-A-Billy Blues", you know?
Blue-eyed soul with a twang! I liked the comment so much that I use it,from time to time,to describe my music!
I've really come to love the New Orleans funk sound like Allen Toussaint,Jon Cleary,Neville Bros.and John Lee Sanders.
I'm a big,big fan of Bonnie Raitt,Delbert McClinton,Paul Carrack and John Hiatt.I also have a soft spot for Eric Clapton
and Robert Cray .Strong influences on me, for sure."Truth is,I never stop being influenced .When it comes right down
to it,we are all original because we are a collection of everything that we hear or that touches us.
I hope my music touches you.I certainly enjoy writing, recording and performing it.I'm not world-famous,but I'm ok
with that because I know that there is more than one definition of success.I just love what I do.
It is the one gift I can share with the world.I hope that one day,I will be given the opportunity to share it with you.
"Peaceness"............................Larry Wimmer
