Kathi Goldmark and Stephen King.
Many band mainstays are well-known, including, among others, the following:
Dave Barry: Lead guitar, vocals
Matt Groening: Critics Chorus
Stephen King: Rhythm guitar, vocals
Tabitha King: Tour photographer
Ridley Pearson: Bass guitar, vocals
Amy Tan: Remainderette
For a complete band list, visit the RBR website linked at bottom.
Photo courtesy of Cars.com
King riffing like a pro.
King and the whip-wielding Amy Tan.
Ridley Pearson hangs out in back.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Mack
King jams with Dave Barry.
Photos courtesy of Rock Bottom Remainders unless otherwise noted.
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The Rock Bottom Remainders (hereafter known as
RBR) is a band of unusual characters, including Stephen King (guitarist on the left in the picture above). According to Dave Barry, the band "plays music as well as Metallica writes novels."
The idea for the band started in 1992 with Kathi Goldmark, a semi-pro musician with a day job in book publicity. She envisioned a rock group of writers to "burst upon the world at the 1992 American Booksellers Association convention in Anaheim." And so they did.
After deciding on a set list, practicing with a rehearsal tape (by Ridley Pearson), and three days of intense work under Al Kooper, RBR stole the show on the stage at the Cowboy Boogie club. A video was made of the night's performance which can now be purchased via "Don't Quit You Day Job" Records Group. RBR played the Bottom Line in Septmeber 1992 to celebrate its release. The movie features several songs, including Sea of Love, Louie Louie, Bye Bye Love, and Ripple.
Stephen King suggested the band get back together
to play at the 1993 ABA convention in Miami and the other members thought it was a good idea. But that wasn't all. King also suggested a five-city tour in 1993 with the end performance being the ABA convention. Again the members agreed and 3 Chords and an Attitude Tour visited the cities of Providence, Northampton, Cambridge, Washington, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Nashville, and Miami. When the tour was through, each band member contributed a chapter to the book, Mid-Life Confidential: The Rock Bottom Remainders Tour America with Three Chords and an Attitude.
A relatively new release is the RBR CD titled Stranger Than Fiction featuring Stephen King, Amy Tan, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Roy Blount, Jr., Dave Marsh, Matt Groening, Kathi Goldmark, and several others.
The Stranger Than Fiction double CD is available from "Don't Quit Your Day Job" Records, who also offer T-shirts in two designs, just for RBR groupies, as well as and the 1992 RBR movie. Just contact the company at the website, address, or phone and fax below.
"Don't Quit Your Day Job" Link
"Don't Quit Your Day Job" Records
P.O. Box 27901-120
San Francisco, CA 94127
Phone: (415) 284-6363
Fax: (415) 664-0517
The official RBR website has more great pictures and information. I would definitely suggest a visit. They're linked at the bottom (the FAQ section is very funny). Also, if you're interested in what type of music Mr. King enjoys, visit the Music page.
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