July 4, 2005
Everyones’ been busting their bums for this gig for weeks, so I'm glad I was able to to pull it off on Monday night (Happy Birthday America!), it was roughly 7pm, and hotter than Texas asphalt.
I got there and saw everyone running around in the heat, eager to get on with the show later, and it was great to see Rick again at The Bottom's Up Saloon (over off of IH35 & Starlight Terrace).
Rick, who is the original vocalist of "Legs Diamond", is also quite the gentleman, kisses ladie's hands, which is always cool.
Rick’s sound-check with The Killing Floor was going on outside and he was looking all around like a live-wire - the man is full of energy.
When I saw Rick, he remembered this interview I'd mentioned, and said, “Ya ready?”. Yep, let’s go inside. My legal pad with questions and answers were in my bag, and I didn't need them. We rambled a good 20 minutes, and I thank him for his time.
Rick is a ham in the nicest of ways! Charismatic, witty, energetic AND a Scotsman to boot. He told me, in between my hacking couch, sweat and laughter, that yes, he can drink and play golf :)
I wasn’t aware that Rick is actually a So. Caliornia boy, and has only recently relocated to San Antonio about 2 years ago.
(Legs Diamond, to me, has been so SA-focused. I guess because I’ve seen them at Las Hermana Alegre when Fiesta still allowed the event.)
Rick was about 20 when he visited the popular S.I.R. studio equipment rental center near L.A., and about to post the obligatory “Vocalist Available” notice, when Michael Prince walked in. Prince was looking for a band who needed keyboards. Rick said for a moment he put his notice for the board down and looked away, shy and embarrassed, imagine that!
Instead, the two exchanges ideas and hit it off... This is basically where most of Rick’s career began and the band's line up was officially complete in 1974.
With the track 'Rat Race' on a 1976 sampler album released by the Los Angeles based radio station K-West, they were soon under contract with Mercury Records.
The band's self-titled album debuted, and they went on to tour with bands like KISS, REO SPEEDWAGON, MONTROSE, STYX, MOXY, TED NUGENT, REX and ANGEL amongst others before entering into production for their second album, 'A Diamond Is A Hard Rock', later in the year.
I wondered when I was talking to Rick, (while thinking of the hundreds of bands I see, many of them relatives or close friends who struggle like the devil), how did it happen for him? Did he do anything special? Breakin' on through to the other side.
The mid to late 70’s music scene was robust, and Rick was right in the middle of it, L.A., Hollywood and a huge industry surrounding him.
The scene was ripe with both metal and the approaching 80's music, booking managers and VIP'S were showing up at different band rehearsals and gigs unannounced, basically scouting musicians.
Rick introduced himself to the VP of Mercury one night in L.A. and the way he did THAT was special - just grab a holster, have a band name that's named after a mobster, and a fake gun!
The poor dude from Mercury was sitting at a show, checking it out, when Rick, jumped out from behind a sofa, pointed a fake pistol at the man, pulled the trigger and laughed at him. The V.P. of Mercury held his hands in the air, also laughed and said, "I'll have a contract ready to view tomorrow!"
The name comes from Jack "Legs" Diamond. Jack Diamond was a buddy, (a harmless henchman) of Al Capone’s, Rick even mentioned a movie he liked, “The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond”. “Legs” became his nickname as he was also a ballroom dancer, along with a pretty smart thief. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rise_and_fall_of_legs_diamond/
I also wanted to ask him if there were any ‘new’ bands he just went ape-shit over, and oh yeah, he said Nickelback and MUDVAYNE! Wooo, his teenage son and I laughed and high-fived that one!
Rick’s vocal (and over all) influences include Robert Plant, he’s a huge Zeppelin fan, and Rod Stewart.
His favorite song ever is "Over the Hills and Far Away", by Led Zeppelin.
Well, we wrapped it up soon. As most know, the original LA line-up of Legs Diamond did dis-band in 1987.
Rick has been playing practicing and playing steadily with The Killing Floor for a couple of months now, and The Bottom's Up Saloon is his main-stay at the moment. Come check him out if you can!
He’s also got solo projects in the works.
He couldn’t say enough about his inspirations and attributed MUCH success to San Antonio and especially Joe Anthony.
A few hours later we all got a screaming, banging treat with some tunes like The Immigrant Song, Out on Bail (that was my fave), Stage Fright, Underworld King, Rok Doktor and Highway Star.
When asked if he had any words of advice for musicians? "If you’re going to do this, do it all the way, or don't bother."