And so our Story Begins.....
On a frigid New Years Eve show in 1976 when two local Cincinnati bands where scheduled to perform together.
All seemed like just another Happy New Year's show with the slight exception that only ONE member from each band had showed up! So just who where these two prompt and punctual professionals you ask ? Well non other than founding members Gregg St.Charles and Joey Von Richter who then scrambled to collect enough pocket change to make a few calls to find some other musicians to help cover the night.
Well, what went down on that special night was nothing short of a belated Christmas Miracle, for on that magical night was forged the beginning of a band that would come and go for the next 33 years........
Midnight Special then went on to tour nationally becoming one of America's Premier Rock N Roll shows, opening for countless National headliners, Fairs, Theaters, Festivals, Theme Parks and Bar Mitzvah's........
Midnight Special also enjoyed regional success on Polygraph Records with the release of
"Eye to Eye" and "Dixie Normous" ( a Southern Rock Anthem ironically banned in the south ??).
Speaking of Southern Rock..... Midnight Special was also the 1st. band in documented history to have "FREEBIRD" screamed out at a concert event.......this live music ritual has since continued on through the last four decades and continues to be practiced today at any given concert event no matter how unlikely it is that it will be played.......but remember "We" heard it first!
So after years of endless touring and recording the band called it quits in 1983 to pursue various solo projects, Capitol ventures and extensive tours of some of the best Re-hab clinics in the world.
Now marks the 30 year Anniversary of one of America's All Time Great Rock N Roll shows performing a collection of classic 70s rock from the list of Greatest Songs of All Time in true 70s fashion.
Midnight Special still has ALL of there original Vintage instruments and stage equipment from there last tour "Endowed & Proud! 82" making this a very authentic trip back to 70s Rock n Roll with Classic Experience...........Midnight Special.......
That's Our Story and We're Sticking to it!
So Who The Hell Are These Guys Anyway...........?
Kurt Dobkins : Kurt Dobkins aka. KD, : Lead Vocals, Lead, Bass & Rhythm Tambourine, Rhythm Guitar,
Kurt is the baby of the band having joined as an original member at the age of 16 then in 1979 while the band was on route to a show out of the country, Kurt... while trying to smuggle domestic beer out of the country ,was held and detained, afterwards lost and confused, Kurt was not seen or heard from untill 2007 when he out of nowhere just "showed up" for a gig...well.... as luck would have it, we needed a new singer so we went retro and performed the same show from 1979 and returned Kurt to his rightfull spot in front.
Kurt's hobbies include: endless rest stop breaks, competive sleeping, rearranging hotel furniture and napping during normal business hours, adopting every dog in the neighborhood and seeing if he can stick his finger in his ear far enough to see it come out of the other side.
Kurts musical influences include: Steve Perry, Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio and Dee Snider.
Gregg St.Charles aka...Gregory St.Gregory: Bass Guitar, Vocals, Moog Synthesizer Bass pedals, Creative Genius and Spiritual Leader.
Gregg was voted BEST HAIR in 1982 by GIG Magazine.......After extensive DNA testing it was determined that Gregg was indeed the founding father of the band......uh and countless others (paternity suites pending) You may also remember seeing Gregg on the hit tv show "The Bachelor" until producers received a telephone call from Gregg's "WIFE" ( DOH!! )........Look for Gregg on this seasons tv show...."Cheaters"
His past credits include tours with Head East (A&M records) and SlyFox (Capitol records) Gregg was awarded two Gold records and also owned and operated one of the largest booking agencies in the country "Long Distance Concerts" from 1984-2000.
Gregg is also a Huge Si-Fi geek although you'd never know it from a guy that looks this cool.
Joey Von Richter: Lead Guitar, Double Neck Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals & Noise.
Guitar virtuoso and the bands Co-founder, Joey & Gregg have been best friends for over 35 years.
Joey never one to throw "Anything" away and an avid collector of everything and anything...has resulted in a vintage guitar collection of several 100 that would make even Fred Sanford proud!
His collection of fine automobiles is not to shabby either. Joey's past credits include tours with Head East and founder of the 80s sensation Richter Scale. Joey was also elected as Used Car Weeklies.... "Man Of The Year" 3 years running!
Joey's hobbies include: flea market shopping, realestate and starting huge projects he can't finish seconds before needing to leave for a show...look for Joe on an upcoming episode of Hoarders!
Jeff Koehke : AKA: Jeffery K. JEFF "O" K, Jeffro, Beef:
Drums, Percusions, Gong and any other inanimate objects he can bang on that will make lots of loud noise. Jeff adds a power and drive that the band has been longing for.
Jeff was also a member of the progressive rock national recording act Starcastle who had international success with "Lady of the Lake".
Jeffs also a Si-Fi geek as well as an avid Cartoon fanatic and can often be heard reciting dialog and catch phrases from The Flintones, Sponge Bob and virtually any and every cartoon ever made.
Jeffs influences are: John Bonham, Niel Pert, Carl Palmer and the guy who played drums in the band that did Kung Foo Fighting.
David K. Geoffries aka...Dave Kern, Kernie, Lu #3,
: Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, Synthesizers, Magic, Organ, Science Officer, Tech Geek, Auditor (yeah...he's watching you , better save your reciepts)
Daves hobbies include: counting stuff, listening to music he does'nt like and collecting rare instraments that he doesn't ever intend to play.
And personally visiting each and every Super Wal-mart on the globe!
His musical influences include: Kieth Emerson, Rik Wakeman, Elton John and Liberachey.....(musically only) Daves by far the biggest kid of the band and has every game system ever created.
he still plays his original "pong" video game while on long road trips.
