|
|
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
|
DOUG LUBAHN
|
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
|
Doug backstage at a
21st Century Doors concert May 2004.
Photo Courtesy Of Pat Devanny.
|
||||||||||||
|
What were your earliest musical influences?
My father would play classical music ALL DAY on Saturdays and Sundays piped through the entire house. It probably drove everyone else crazy, but I didn't mind it. I was studying French horn at the time, and he would put on "Ride of the Valkyrie" and other French horn classics just for me.
My earliest bass influences were the blues singers and bands. It didn't take me long to figure out that stuff. I had finally convinced my parents to buy me my first electric bass and small amp and my neighbors and friends never saw me again. I was completely hooked and played non-stop in any spare time I had.
I also was a big fan of singers like Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett etc. I wasn't a big fan of the pop music at that time because it was too candy cane and too easy to play. Then along came The Beach Boys and The Beatles. Now THIS was something I could sink my teeth into. And then The Dave Clark Five With their Power Rock! The bass players in those bands shaped my style. I learned Every Song and could play along note for note in my sleep! I started a couple garage bands and drove my parents’ nuts! But I knew I had found what I wanted to do. Then the most popular band at my high school (The Carpetbaggers) asked me to join. I HAD ARRIVED! Later on I was crushed when they fired me.
Years later I went back for a reunion after having done Clear Light and The Doors, and those same guys were so awe struck all they could do was ask me for my autograph! Ha Ha.
How did you get to hook up with the Brain Train?
I went to Cantors Delicatessen late one night and met Bob Seal and Dallas with a sign on their shirts saying, "we need a bass player".
What sort of material was the Brain Train performing then?
I think in those early days we would just jam and if we liked it, we'd turn it into a song.
What venues were you performing at in those early days?
Local bars in Manhattan Beach and other beach towns close by. Then we started playing a lot at The Sea Witch in Hollywood. We were always welcome pretty much anytime. We probably played a few more small Hollywood clubs, Pandora's Box, etc.
You played at the Easter Sunday Love In at Griffith Park, what was that like?
The first Love In ever. What a rush. It was us, The Grateful Dead and I believe Sopwith Camel. And The Dead had only one drummer. The next time I saw them, they had TWO. Wonder where they got the idea!
How was playing in a rhythm section with two drummers?
This was incredible. I would stand between the two drum sets. It was like being completely INSIDE the music. Incomparable!
How did the appearance in The President’s Analyst come about?
Once again, we cross paths with 'The Dead'. Apparently, some talent scout for the movie studio had been going to see every act in town and it came down to Clear Light or The Dead. For some unknown reason, he was 'dead' set on us!
Barry McGuire sings the lead vocal on “She’s Ready To Be Free” in the movie, how did you feel about that?
As far as Barry singing lead, we could'nt give a crap. We just stayed in our trailer and got high. And got paid to do it. Limos, catered meals, Charcoal grilled steaks, prime rib,...you get the picture.
Did Clear Light make any TV appearances to promote the 45?
Yes. We did The Pat Boone Show. yuk yuk.
Where were the shots for the album cover taken?
On the grounds of the Clear Light house. It was quite a place. The address was 5215 Franklin Avenue near the Griffith Park Observatory. If anyone lives in LA, I'd be curious if it's still there.
After Robbie Robison left the group, is it true that all his contributions to the album were overdubbed by Ralph Schuckett’s keyboards?
I'm not sure about that, as he was listed on the album, but I do think that some were replaced. Ralph would probably know better than I.
Robbie didn't leave the group completely though, he still found a way to contribute?
Yes, Robbie did design a "light Guitar" when we asked him to step aside as rhythm guitarist. He had minimal knowledge of the fine points of guitar and couldn't keep up...(someone else that had trouble keeping up was John Lennon,).... but we still wanted him on stage with us. He WAS a founding member. So he came up with the idea for the light guitar...he fashioned something out of wood that resembled a guitar, but on the neck it had myriad buttons instead of strings. By pushing different combinations of buttons, he could control lighting that was behind and above the band. Colors, flashing patterns,..etc. It made him happy to still be able to contribute...and he was such a gentleman about stepping away from the guitar, but still staying up front on stage with us....he wanted the best for the band. And people did enjoy watching him...he was a character! He looked so 'pirate' scary, but was actually a very soft and mellow person, living for the excitement of the stage. He was in his glory. We all miss him.
Paul Rothchild had a bit of a reputation as a control freak, was he a difficult producer to work with?
Difficult? OH YEAH!!! He was a total control freak, Although half the time we didn't even realize we were being controlled. Except for Bob Seal. He saw through Paul from the first day. Thus the explanation why Bob eventually left (read: was kicked out of) the band. It was completely Paul’s idea and he began auditioning guitar players before even WE knew what was coming!
Do you remember Doug Hastings ever auditioning for Clear Light?
Yes I believe I do. He didn't seem too thrilled about the idea.
How much was Clear Light Paul Rothchild's pet project?
Pet Project?!! Maybe for awhile, but soon The Doors were getting all the attention.
How long did it take to record the album?
I really don't know. I was busy doing The Doors as well as Clear Light at the time. It's a bit of a blur, but very exciting nonetheless.
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
| page created with Easy Designer |