Lead Guitar and vocals John was born in 1954 in Chicago, IL. He began playing guitar in 1966, and by 1967 he joined his first garage rock band called the "James Town Massacre." After starting high school, he became a gymnast, but kept active with music by joining “Chance,” a high school cover band.
During the early seventies, he attended a community college while playing in other small bands for local pizza places, restaurants, and sports bars, enabling him to enjoy a short musical career while earning a bit of money. His big break came when he met his number one fan, Pat. They were wed in 1976 and subsequently became the parents of their two wonderful daughters, Danielle and Jessica.
Over the years, John has sold real estate, office products, and is currently employed by IBM working at AT&T. He put down his guitar for a time during their marriage until his beautiful bride, Pat convinced him to pick it up again. In 2010, the couple moved to Pingree Grove, IL, where they were fortunate to find friends with musical backgrounds living in the same neighborhood. John considers himself very lucky to again, be able to do what he loves; play music and be part of a rock band. The Vintage People are a special group, who also enjoy honoring the great music of the fifties, sixties, and seventies.
FAVORITE ARTIST: Paul Simon.
FAVORITE GROUP: The Young Rascals.
FAVORITE SONG: "Imagine" by John Lennon.
FAVORITE INSTRUMENT: Fender Stratocaster,Telecaster and Starcaster Guitars.
HOBBIES: Wood Working.
Tom
12 & 6 String Guitars and vocals Tom is a professor of audiology at Rush University. He teaches courses in acoustics, psychoacoustics, audiology, and hearing loss prevention. His main research focus is the use of hearing loops to help people hear in churches and theaters.
Long before Tom became interested in hearing, he was fascinated by the acoustics of different churches and auditoriums. After all, having lived in four states during high school and college, he had the opportunity to act and sing in many of them. While attending NIU, he frequently performed at the Newman Catholic Center as well as churches, weddings, and coffee houses.
After beginning an audiology practice and starting a family in Palatine, life became hectic and Tom’s 12-string guitar simply collected dust. After many years working long hours, he decided to sell his patient practice and go into teaching to lighten his load and gain more personal freedom. Then, after moving to Carillon, he met up with The Vintage People. His new musical family has helped him to rediscover the musical side of his youth.
FAVORITE ARTIST: Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.
FAVORITE GROUP: America
FAVORITE SONG: "Lowdown" by Hall and Oates
FAVORITE INSTRUMENT: Can't be anything but a 12 string guitar. Tom says "Although it is harder to play than a 6 string, you gotta love its deep, rich sound!". Also, a Gibson Les Paul guitar.
HOBBIES: Tom will let us know when he finds one other than Music!
Greg
Bass Guitar and vocals Sound engineer
A long time ago in a place far, far away... (well not that far, it was just Ohio!)... there lived a boy who began the long trek to the heart of the Midwest. Along the way, he stopped in Indiana for an education. It was, after all, a long time ago and these things were obligatory. While there, he gave the appearance of playing the guitar and was asked to play the bass in his first band. Fortunately talent was not required, only the ability to make noise resembling music. He qualified. This was a skill that would serve him for many years to come.
He married a wonderful woman, named Catherine, who was willing to tolerate a musician, of sorts, in the house. This is no small task. After long stints as a responsible parent and contributing member of society, it was time to set all that nonsense aside as he became a grandparent --twice over. Now here was a job totally lacking in rules, regulations and responsible behavior. Just what he and the grandchildren were looking for! Eventually this sort of lifestyle caused a synapse to fire, and an old memory of playing in a band percolated to the surface. Sooooo...he decided to form a new band with some like-minded people. Again, fortune smiled, and Catherine decide to join him playing tambourine and singing. The story continues...
FAVORITE ARTIST: John Coltrane
FAVORITE GROUP: Miles Davis Quintet that included John Coltrane, The Beatles, The Allman Brothers Band.
FAVORITE SONG: ooh...way too many to mention!
FAVORITE INSTRUMENT: own-Fender Bass Guitar and Taylor acoustic guitar; want to own-Sitar.
HOBBIES:(besides The Vintage People Band!) Music, photography, time with the grandchildren
Gary
Vocals and percussion Gary is pleased to be a member of The Vintage People Band. With the group, he is a vocalist and also plays such interesting musical instruments as the egg, cowbell, pitch pipe, and "cheese grater" (guiro). Gary played piano throughout his youth and also the oboe in junior high school and high school. As an adult, he was a key performer, as well as president, of the Palatine-based community theater group Music on Stage for ten years. More recently, he was a singer with the Schaumburg Community Singers and sang many solo numbers for the group. Perhaps his greatest musical accomplishment was writing the Maine South High School fight song, "Hail to the Hawks", in 1964 when the new school opened.
Apart from The Vintage People, Gary worked in human resources for the Federal government, as either an employee or consultant, for 42 years before his retirement in March 2012. He is married to Patricia and has two daughters and four grandchildren.
FAVORITE ARTIST: Frank Sinatra. As far as rock performers, Elvis Presley.
FAVORITE GROUP: The Beatles and The Kinks.
FAVORITE SONG: non-rock: "I Get a Kick Out of You" by Frank Sinatra. Rock Song – "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by The Temptations and "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys.
FAVORITE INSTRUMENT: piano, also played an oboe for six years. Now, contributing percussion highlights using the egg shakers, the cheese grater (quiro), conga drum, bongo drums, sleigh bells and cowbell are his responsibilities.
HOBBIES: bicycling, walking, writing, following baseball (Cubs) and football (Bears), traveling, reading, serving as the community librarian, old movies from the 1930’s to 1950’s.
Author of books "Forgotten Movie Stars of the 30's, 40's and 50's" and "Great Chicago Cub Baseball Players Since 1876". He is working on a book about science fiction movies from the late 40's, 50's and 60;s.