Tricks History 1986
January 10, 11, 1986 - Tricks at the Party Station in Paw Paw
January 17, 18, 1986 - Tricks at the Party Station in Paw Paw
January 24, 25, 1986 - Tricks at the Party Station in Paw Paw
But, the Party Station closes soon after this, leaving Tricks with only 2 bars to play at.
February 20, 21, 22, 1986 - Tricks at the Royal Knight in Hilliards
February 27, 28, March 1, 1986 - Tricks at the Royal Knight in Hilliards
Bill Roelofs and Ann Erwood come to see Tricks at the Royal Knight, scouting for a singing guitarist for their band Science Project. (Bill is Rick's longtime drummer friend who played with Rick in Blackwood and Patchwork, back in our teen years.)
March 27, 1986 - Marillion at Devos Hall
The last time we'll see Fish with Marillion, a great progressive rock band.
April 18, 19, 1986 - Tricks at the Party Station in Paw Paw
April 25, 26, 1986 - Tricks at the Party Station in Paw Paw
April, 1986 - Rick leaves Tricks and joins Science Project
Bill Roelofs calls Rick and tells Rick that they need a "guitarist who can sing" for their band Science Project. Ann was engaged to the lead singer, called off the engagement, and so Science Project is losing their lead singer. The guitar player and the light man are good friends of the lead singer, so they are also leaving the band. Science Project needs a guitarist who can sing and a light man. Rick tells Bill, "I'm already in a band". Bill says, "well, Science Project will only be playing about once every other month, so maybe you can fit us in between your Tricks gigs". Sounds good to Rick. Tricks is only playing gigs at the Royal Knight and the Family Tavern. There already was a failed attempt by Rick, Steve, and Krys to form a new "Fine Line" band as a fill-in for those weekends when Tricks was idle. So, Rick tells Bill, "okay, I'll talk to the Tricks boys about it". Rick decides that this is too important of a decision to make over the phone, so,... over the next few days, he visits Steve, Tom, and Dale - in that order.
Rick lays out the plan to Steve, "I want to join Bill's band and Tricks will have priority if there are any scheduling conflicts. Sciece Project will only be playing about one weekend every other month or so". How 'bout it, Steve? Steve says, "I don't think it will work, but do what you have to do". Next, Rick visits Tom. It's as if Steve had already called and talked to Tom. Tom's answer matched Steve's answer verbatim: "I don't think it will work, but do what you have to do". Hmmm. Next stop, Dale's house. Yeah, Dale was ready, but his answer was the opposite of Steve and Tom: "hell no, what are you f**king crazy"? Rick answers, "thanks, that helps me make up my mind". Rick tells Steve, Tom, and Dale that he will play out the gigs we have scheduled for the next month, and that will the end of Rick's involvement with Tricks.
May 3, 1986 - Rick & Krys Wedding gig
Rick and Krys sing at Jerry & Marty's wedding ceremony.
May 1, 2, 3, 1986 - Tricks at the Royal Knight in Hilliards
May 8, 9, 10, 1986 - Tricks at the Royal Knight in Hilliards
May 15, 16, 17, 1986 - Tricks at the Royal Knight in Hilliards
May 31, 1986 - Rick & Krys Wedding gig
Rick and Krys sing at Cindy & Rob's wedding ceremony.
June 18, 19, 20, 21 1986 - Rick's First gig with Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
After only four weeks of rehearsals, Science Project has 40 songs ready for their first gig at Bogie's. It's a 4 night gig, with a packed house each night, mostly 20-something college kids. Krys gets the job of light person, after purchasing a $2500 light show. The sound man is Larry Veley, former guitarist with The Cooties, (with Bill Romanowski and Michal VanDyke).
July 10, 1986 - GTR concert, State Theater in Detroit
Rick and Krys go with WLAV radio folks to see GTR in Detroit. Because we're with the WLAV people, we get backstage after the show, actually a buffet and drinks in the basement of the old State Theater. Rick gets to shake hands and chat briefly with 2 of his top guitar heroes, Steve Hackett of Genesis and Steve Howe of Yes.
July 23, 24, 25, 26 1986 - Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
July 26, 1986 - Rick & Krys Wedding gig
Rick and Krys sing at Ed and Kim's wedding.
August 13, 14, 15, 16 1986 - Science Project - Riverview Bar in Lowell
August 20 1986 - Steve Winwood concert at Devos Hall
August 27, 28, 29, 30 1986 - Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
September 9, 10, 11, 12, 1986 - Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
September 16, 17, 18, 19 1986 - Science Project - some big pole-barn bar in Montague
One time only for this bar. Too far to drive, big bar out in the sticks, with no people.
October 8, 9, 10, 11, 1986 - Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
October 16, 1986 - Emerson, Lake, and Powell concert in Grand Rapids
October 22, 23, 24, 25, 1986 - Science Project - Riverview Bar in Lowell
Science Project tries to change their name to "Analog", but fans and friends don't accept the change, so we go back to calling ourselves "Science Project".
November 26, 27, 28, 29, 1986 - Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
December 17, 18, 19, 20 1986 - Science Project - Riverview Bar in Lowell
On Saturday night, Rick had such bad laryngitis that he can't even do "Industrial Disease" which is mostly talking all the way through.
December 22, 23, 26, 27 1986 - Science Project - Bogie's Eastown Saloon
Odd dates for Christmas week. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
1986 - How's Tricks??
Steve and Dale and Tom do some rehearsals and search for a replacement for Rick.