Zigler Productions – Dallas, Texas
History Page 2
History Page 2
The second band of inspiration was the one in my opinion that really stepped it up to the large stage in the late 70’s early 80’s and would find themselves playing in front of national acts was BLACKHORSE from the Fort Worth area. They played original damn good hard rocking music loud and proud with a Texas style but much heavier. They headlined “Zoo World” sponsored by KZEW 98 FM “The Zoo” to a packed hall that night and simply kicked ass and took names. They had a stage set that looked like the real thing with a balanced professional appearance that complimented their heavy style and projected the punch most local bands of the day just couldn’t seem to figure out. They had already release their self titled LP
Blackhorse on DSDA Records an independent label and an album I still own and cherish. After seeing Blackhorse we thought, that is the way to do it! They were a Texas Trio featuring Gary James on Guitar/Vocals, John Teague on Drums/Vocals and the incredible Paul-Anthony Middleton on Bass/Vocals with all the makings of another ZZ TOP. They were a great Texas band and little do they know but a strong influence for us to take the stage as well. They would later open at the Wintergarden for ALICE COOPER on the Flush the Fashion tour.
The evening can not go without mentioning the performance of another “Zoo World” co-headliner BUGS HENDERSON and the Group who’s LP “At Last” on independent label “Armadillo Records” I purchased before leaving that night. This was the first time I ever saw Bugs but not the last, we would get to work with him in the coming years also. If you ain’t seen Bugs you ain’t from Dallas. He had the crowd on their feet clenched fisted and rocking, he blew us away.
Another South Garland Alumni and Dallas area music insider is none other than our own ANDRE’ AVELAR who was the man that always had the backstage passes to all the shows and someone we were in constant contact with or working together with his band BRIGHTON STEEL. Andre’ would later play and tour with the very successful SOLINGER. Scott (“Four on the floor, six in the balcony”) Baima's Texas Tickets then an illegal operation based out of a run down liquor store/gas station Magor #2 on Lemmon Avenue is where all the kids in the know from South Garland High School and the home of ROLLING STONES front man Mick Jagger’s wife JERRY HALL alumni North Mesquite High School all worked to get in to all the concerts as part of the unique underground lifestyle we used to gain and an all access pass to the nightlife at the time. Andre’ was a drummer and bass player involved with a hard rocking band call Brighton Steel who was the feature of Zigler Productions first two successful efforts. The first being a show in Tyler, Texas in compilation with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Tyler Junior College put on at the Mayfair Building January 22, 1983 at the fairgrounds. We found out through research for this
ANDRE AVELAR
biography that Elvis Presley played this very same venue on January 26th on his 1955 tour. The second being another very well attended and received show back in Garland, Texas to a packed house at VFW Post 5076 on March 25, 1983 It was this show that we began our associations with RPM Records, Gemini Stage Lighting, Southwest Sound, Dallas Stage Scenery. RPM Records became a good friend of Zigler Productions and would show continued support in ticket sales and promotion of our shows.
Andre’ was friends with another Dallas native TOMMY ALDRIDGE the drummer for such well known national mega groups as: BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, the PAT TRAVERS BAND, OZZY OSBORNE, WHITESNAKE, and later the Good Reverend Theodus Atrocious TED NUGENT. It was Andre’ and his knowledge of the inner workings of the music business that laid the ground work for the first trial run show at the Mayfair Building with Brighton Steel; he was also very instructional on how to network within the music community as we were fast to learn. I had worked for a local Tyler promoter on a show by show basis while attending Tyler Junior College a few semesters as a stage hand for Ace Gallop Productions on his 1982 RONNIE MILSAP and RICKY SKAGGS shows so when we were in an eleventh hour need of a drum riser for Brighton Steel I was able to secure one from Mr. Gallop with a hand shake and cash money of course. The Tyler show is where the seed was planted to later book Metallica due to the availability of good size venues at affordable prices, it helps to have those venues full of paying screaming fans we would later learn the hard way.
Our association with Dallas guitar virtuoso Jimmy Wallace another powerful local and national music talent was someone we had already worked with and would many times to come. I can honestly say he was one of the most gracious and instructive people we ever had the pleasure of being mentored by in those days. Jimmy owned a recording studio in Sunnyvale called Southwest Studios and a sound system company Southwest Sound we often rented PA equipment from for our productions. Jimmy clearly understood that this was a business and it had to be profitable in order to remain in it. I have to admit giving him and his band Lynx a hard time along with a few other Judas Priest types after a 1980 school assembly performance at South Garland High School. Jimmy had just completely blown the roof of the building with his rendition of the classic RONNIE MONTROSE – “Town without Pity” instrumental and we metal heads being more into the Ronnie Montrose part of that events offering than most of the lighter tunes were perplexed as to why they were not a heavier band. I was mistaken for this point of view at the time and would later learn a great deal from Jimmy Wallace, his business model and gained a great deal of respect for him.
Jimmy Wallace would later work with Gibson Guitars in researching followed by a re-issue of the 1959 Les Paul which Gibson named the “Jimmy Wallace Model Les Paul” rightfully reflecting the name of a man that with one in his hands could melt a room at will. I am to understand that Steve Howe of YES and Charlie Daniels of the CHARLIE DANIELS BAND would own and play the Jimmy Wallace Les Paul.
Our association with Dallas guitar virtuoso Jimmy Wallace another powerful local and national music talent was someone we had already worked with and would many times to come. I can honestly say he was one of the most gracious and instructive people we ever had the pleasure of being mentored by in those days. Jimmy owned a recording studio in Sunnyvale called Southwest Studios and a sound system company Southwest Sound we often rented PA equipment from for our productions. Jimmy clearly understood that this was a business and it had to be profitable in order to remain in it. I have to admit giving him and his band Lynx a hard time along with a few other Judas Priest types after a 1980 school assembly performance at South Garland High School. Jimmy had just completely blown the roof of the building with his rendition of the classic RONNIE MONTROSE – “Town without Pity” instrumental and we metal heads being more into the Ronnie Montrose part of that events offering than most of the lighter tunes were perplexed as to why they were not a heavier band. I was mistaken for this point of view at the time and would later learn a great deal from Jimmy Wallace, his business model and gained a great deal of respect for him.
Jimmy Wallace would later work with Gibson Guitars in researching followed by a re-issue of the 1959 Les Paul which Gibson named the “Jimmy Wallace Model Les Paul” rightfully reflecting the name of a man that with one in his hands could melt a room at will. I am to understand that Steve Howe of YES and Charlie Daniels of the CHARLIE DANIELS BAND would own and play the Jimmy Wallace Les Paul.
Gibson Jimmy Wallace Les Paul
JIMMY WALLACE
