A small tribute, including a small tribute

There's probably no one left but Rocket and I who remembers that, long before I started this blog, I was a contributor to an older version of Hear Rock City.  Rocket, the founder of that fine blog, was generous enough to include me in his thing, and kind enough to wish me well when I decided to do this  on my own.

These days Hear Rock City is an equal partnership between Rocket, and a generous, knowledgeable, enthusiastic fellow named Smoker.  In fact, Smoker is so good and so prolific, that Rocket was able to take some time away from the interweb without having to worry that his blog would suffer in any way.

Now, however, Rocket has returned.  And, as much as I appreciate Smoker's fine work, that is a reason to celebrate.

So here's a gift for you, Rocket, that I I know you won't mind mind sharing: a band I doubt you've heard of, but I know you'll like.

Back in the late 70's and early 80's, Alecstar were huge in central New York (think Rochester over to Utica and down to Binghamton) and pretty much nowhere else.  Other than a brief stint opening for Journey, they pretty much remained local heroes.  Shame, that, because they were very good.

Here's a copy of their out-of-print first album.  "Give Me the Time" and "No Cash" got all the airplay on 95X and WOUR back then, but the rest of the album is also worth hearing.  If you dig this, please consider visiting their website and buying their in-print album, Full Circle.  It has re-recorded versions of some of these songs and a bunch of other good stuff.  The DVD of assorted live appearances is pretty hot, too.

Alecstar - Alecstar (1980)
Give Me the Time
Take It While You Can
Man Behind the Wheel
Hide Your Love
Can't Stop the Need
You're So Good
No Cash
Babysitter
I Can't Take This Anymore
Will You Believe?