Kim A Zonneville - My Life in The Wings

A Life in The Wings

My Sixty Year Love Affair with Rock and Roll:

A Memoir

David Spero

With

K. Adrian Zonneville

Copyright 2022 D. Spero/K. Adrian Zonneville

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9781734433234

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to those who live the dream, create the beauty and the thunder, to those who spend their lives as musical gypsies, moving from town to town to play, sing and perform. Who have accepted this as their life, their love, their mission. And to those who make it possible by hauling the equipment, setting up and tearing down, driving through the night for the next show. To those who chase the gigs, get the paperwork in order, make sure the rooms are ready when the band arrives, the food is hot, everything is in order so the musicians can bring their best to the stage. To all who come to listen, who support, who hang on every word, every note,

these stories are yours.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

From the heart of David Spero

First and foremost, I want to thank my wife, Ellen. She is the real rock of our family.

Thanks for not complaining about my many travels that started as a hug in the driveway. But the trips you came onwe saw the world! Im not even sure how many countries we have seen. And, of course, almost all of North America! You have been there for me at every turn. Giving me love, hope, confidence, drive, and spirit.

So, you, my dear, get the first dedication.

To my son Adam. My hero! You had the coolest job ever! Thanks for letting me live MY dream through you. Im so proud of what you have accomplished and who you have become. (Hi Linda) Sorry about the limo pickups at school, it was more convenient!

Harry, Bear and Sheri. Thanks for answering my calls! It made it so much more fun for me to share it with you!

Ahhh, and Charlie or Kim or whoever you are. You believed in this project more than I did. When you called to say that it was finished, my stomach dropped. We have had so many laughs and tears while getting this story together, Im really going to miss that. Thanks for pushing me when needed and letting go when I had to get away from it.

Michael Stanley. what can I say? You were my first! You took a chance on a local disc jockey to take you to fame and fortune. We accomplished more than I ever imagined. And you opened doors for me that I cant thank you enough for. My client, my friend, my mentor, oh my God, I miss you.

To my parents, Herman, and Joy Spero. Who had a better childhood than us Spero kids?

Whose Mom would drive from Cleveland to Pittsburgh because they had a comic book we wanted. Ours did! Whose Dad brought home every record that came out, sometimes months before the release? Again, ours did! My Mom was always my biggest supporter. She had every news clip or picture of me and some famous person.

My Dad was my teacher. He showed me how to treat artists and how to make it through the sinkholes of our business. He knew nothing just happened. He told me I would never get what I deserved, only what I could negotiate! Expert advice. My first thought after they had both passed was, who's going to be proud of us now?

It didnt take long to find out our parents taught us to watch out for each other. And we always will!

And finally, in no particular order, to Michael Stanley Band, Joe Walsh, Mark Farner, Jesse Colin Young, David Gordon, Connie Young, Albert Hammond, Patty Smyth, Don Felder, Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), Ian Hunter, Nelson, Survivor, Glenn Frey, Dickey Betts, John Fogerty, Julie Fogerty, Hearty Har, Richie Furay, Loaded, Ted Neeley, Paul McCartney, Jimmy and Jill Fox, The Funk Brothers, Tommy Rich, Kenny Loggins, Petula Clark, Eric Carmen, Graham Nash, Chuck Levell, Toots and the Maytals, Harry Nilsson, Al Kooper, Allman Betts Band, Dave Mason, Toots and The Maytals, Ringo, Bad Company, Paul Rodgers, Cynthia Rodgers, Billy Bob Thornton, Simon Kirke, Mike McVay, Jeffery Stephenson, Jules Belkin, Derek Trucks, Styx, Mudcat Grant, Alex Beven, Bob Ragan, Jim Felber, Alecia Lyman, Henry Diltz, Janet Makoska, Ken Koslen, Alan Rogan, Jack Caine, Erica Brett, Josh Solomon, Jim Marshall, Peter Price, Walt Masky, Mikey Silas, Guy Snowdon, Al Jardine, Simon Kirke, Pat Donovan, Billy Preston, Stephen Stills, Lisa Vinciquerra, Scott Hamilton, Irving Azoff, Polly Novak-Balzer and Dennis, Woody Harrelson, Jackson Browne, Ace Young, Styx, Felix Cavalierie, Nate Jones, Guy Snowden, Vanilla Ice, Father Guido Sarducci, JD Souther, Jon Anderson, Lori and Kevin Pellini, January Jane, GE Smith, Josh and Erika Solomon, LeRoy Bell, Zak Starkey, Duane Betts, Steve Schenck, Pete Townshend, Rueben Williams, John Loeffler, Jon Bova, Ann Henningsen, Leo Lavoro, Madden Edwards, Terry Stewart, Jack's Deli, David Crosby, Rob Weil, Michael Jensen, Marc Cohn, Bill Szymczyk, David Knopfler, Donna Betts, Buffalo Springfield, Devon Allman, Steve Schenck, Gary Belz, The Empty Pockets and every musician and crew member that Ive had the opportunity to witness your amazing talents first hand! Thank you and Im honored to have worked with you!

David Spero

May 5, 2022

Just a word from K. Adrian Zonneville; as always to the love of my life, my Mumford, to my kids, Katie, and Adrienne, to my loves Greta and Harper for letting me walk you every day so we can discuss the newest book! Thank you for letting me live my dream!

A Life in The Wings is Edited by Barbara Norris, Eighth Grade School Marm

Tech Support-Tom 'Bob' Misuraca

Photos courtesy of the David Spero Collection

Dateline New York
3/15/2010
Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies

Graham Nash Speech on the Hollies induction;
"I'd like to thank everybody at the Hall of Fame,
specifically Jann Wenner, Seymour Stein, and Robbie Robertson,
and I'd also like to thank David Spero and Little Steven"

Wait! Who's David Spero?

Introduction to David

Yes, David Spero. For those who just paused for several seconds and, again, said, "who?", please, don't feel uninformed. When it comes to the music business, the names you know, buy their records, go to their concerts so you can sing their songs back to them, the folks you love, are the music. The ones who take care of the details to allow the freedom for those select few to create, play rock and roll star, and tour the world, the names you are not usually familiar with, are the business. If you would like to become educated as to why, then have a conversation with David Spero. It is a stroll through rock and roll history, both music and business.