Love the funky doctor but sadly this was the time in his life when he was pretty heavy into drugs. He still could play and he still was a helluva performer but he looks messed up. I'm thankful that he, Emilio and the rest of the guys got clean because I probably wouldn't be able to see them play live in a couple months.
Lead singer is Ellis Hall. Ellis is still kicking and sounds better than ever. Saw him in October 2010 in Erie, PA. Actually met him after the gig and he was a very personable guy.
You can ask Doc Kupka your own questions directly. Send an email and they might get published on Strokeland Records' site in the "Ask Doc" feature. Strokeland Records is Doc's own record label for personal and friend's projects. See the site for details.
The Funky Doctor told me personally - "I started with a Brillhart mouthpiece and after a few years, switched to a Berg Larsen 120/1 with a 2-1/2 reed. ... I moved to a 120/1 and a 2 reed, and then a 130/1 mouthpiece with a 1-1/2 reed. So, what works for me is a wide-lay mouthpiece and a thin reed, which provides me flexibility. I always used a metal mouthpiece because I liked the edge that it got. The reeds I use are Rico Plasticover, which work better for me than the regular reeds. "
"According to his bio on the Bump City site, the "Doc" plays a Yamaha YBS-62 baritone saxophone, Berg Larsen 130 facing metal mouthpiece, and Rico Plasticover 1.5 strength reeds."
@SaxyDan54 1.5???? that doesnt make sence! how? thats so soft! i play a 3 and im a junior in high school....BTW hes my idol. i dont care for yamahas to much i prefer selmer. nice mouthpeice tho but the reed no...i use plasticover as well. no way
Not sure what to tell ya, badgirl, but that;s what the 'official' info was. I'm kinda suprprised he wasn't play a Selmer myself, but he's the pro, not me!
@SaxyDan54 Thats interesting to me... its impossible for me to play on taht soft a reed. and yet he plays so loud? and awsome? just kinda sets me back. but i still do not think tahts accurate
It's quite possible that it IS accurate. In fact, I would wager it is. He probably dabbles in 1.5/2 Plasticovers, which play a little hard (add ~.25). But with a .130 tip opening on a Berg Larsen Metal with a "0" Baffle (Which oddly enough is the LARGEST baffle) that reed is plenty tough enough. A "3" wouldn't even make a sound on that set-up!
Well, maybe he just has the lung capacity to pump the groove on thru! I know, back in the day, I could put about 3 times the sound thru a horn than others could.
@SaxyDan54 yah i can to. well i like to think so and being female u get alot mroe looks :) which i personally love! haha I absolutely luv my bari. if i could id do everything with it!
Yes, a bari player can be a stand-out part of any group, if such is the intent. THe size of the horn, the sound and the character and looks of the player all contribute. And yes, it is fun to get that attention... you badgirl.
EVERYTHING? (hmmmmmmmmmmm.......................) Stop teasing an old man !
Great Post!! I been seeing these guy for forty years now and they are just getting better and better. Great to see Richard Elliot. First time I saw them was at the College of San Mateo in '68 and the ticket was a buck and a half!! Can't tell you how many times I have seen TOP. Doc we love ya!
I met Doc in the Haight-Ashbury in the early 70's. We were both skinny sticks. I'm standing next to him in this picture and we look like two pencils. Doc looked like a newly sharpened pencil and me, at only 5'7" looked like one of those short used pencils that kids are about to throw away.
Also just saw the band in San Diego in August and the opener was the same (We Came to Play), which is followed here by "And You Know It," one of my favorites but not currently in the live rotation. In their 40th year with 4 original members, the band is better than ever. If you've never seen them live it is a "must do!"
i love the heck out of Doc, seen him play 3 times recently and in a clinic in portland this month he talked about his past, that he almost killed himself with drugs, and with that in mind, it's kind of sad to watch this vid because, charisma aside, he looks really messed up in this video. Really glad he straightened his life out tho... incidentally i asked him what the secret to the "shimmy" is and he said "it's all in the shoulders..." Long live the funky doctor!
I just got the DVD of this concert and it's absolutely incredible. The whole band is amazing and I have watched it heaps of times in the 4 days I have had it. I highly recommend buying it from Amazon
Love the funky doctor but sadly this was the time in his life when he was pretty heavy into drugs. He still could play and he still was a helluva performer but he looks messed up. I'm thankful that he, Emilio and the rest of the guys got clean because I probably wouldn't be able to see them play live in a couple months.
radioman312 2 weeks ago
THAT is one funky doctor. THE doctor of funk.
indiana1977 1 month ago
Lead singer is Ellis Hall. Ellis is still kicking and sounds better than ever. Saw him in October 2010 in Erie, PA. Actually met him after the gig and he was a very personable guy.
jimmythec1960 7 months ago
I think the singer is a Stevie Wonder Fan... great voice...very good ! ;)
SD7268 9 months ago
Who is the lead singer? He sounds like Stevie Wonder!
Laurens0712 9 months ago
Doc Kupka - baddest bari sound on the planet!!!!!
zorkner 1 year ago
What microphone is being used?
jazzinaz 1 year ago
You can ask Doc Kupka your own questions directly. Send an email and they might get published on Strokeland Records' site in the "Ask Doc" feature. Strokeland Records is Doc's own record label for personal and friend's projects. See the site for details.
strokelandrecords 1 year ago
The Funky Doctor told me personally - "I started with a Brillhart mouthpiece and after a few years, switched to a Berg Larsen 120/1 with a 2-1/2 reed. ... I moved to a 120/1 and a 2 reed, and then a 130/1 mouthpiece with a 1-1/2 reed. So, what works for me is a wide-lay mouthpiece and a thin reed, which provides me flexibility. I always used a metal mouthpiece because I liked the edge that it got. The reeds I use are Rico Plasticover, which work better for me than the regular reeds. "
strokelandrecords 1 year ago
And You Know It (a snippet of it starts at 2:50 on here) is one of their best songs in live shows, but they haven't been playing it much lately.
towerofpowerfan 1 year ago
I'm looking for a Doc saxophone solo, anyone know where to look?
georgen106 2 years ago
Comment removed
Perryvision 2 years ago
Doc Kupka is da shit
stantonnick234 2 years ago
wow.
can you say cocaine?!??!
werstest 2 years ago
whats doc play on? is that a yamaha 62 and a meyer mp? kinda what it looks like
pilgram45 2 years ago
As per Wikipedia:
"According to his bio on the Bump City site, the "Doc" plays a Yamaha YBS-62 baritone saxophone, Berg Larsen 130 facing metal mouthpiece, and Rico Plasticover 1.5 strength reeds."
SaxyDan54 2 years ago
@SaxyDan54 1.5???? that doesnt make sence! how? thats so soft! i play a 3 and im a junior in high school....BTW hes my idol. i dont care for yamahas to much i prefer selmer. nice mouthpeice tho but the reed no...i use plasticover as well. no way
badgirl94player 1 year ago
@badgirl94player
Not sure what to tell ya, badgirl, but that;s what the 'official' info was. I'm kinda suprprised he wasn't play a Selmer myself, but he's the pro, not me!
Regards,
S
SaxyDan54 1 year ago
@SaxyDan54 Thats interesting to me... its impossible for me to play on taht soft a reed. and yet he plays so loud? and awsome? just kinda sets me back. but i still do not think tahts accurate
badgirl94player 1 year ago
@badgirl94player
It's quite possible that it IS accurate. In fact, I would wager it is. He probably dabbles in 1.5/2 Plasticovers, which play a little hard (add ~.25). But with a .130 tip opening on a Berg Larsen Metal with a "0" Baffle (Which oddly enough is the LARGEST baffle) that reed is plenty tough enough. A "3" wouldn't even make a sound on that set-up!
alirzb 1 year ago
@alirzb AHHH yes that makes a lot more sence!! thank you:)
badgirl94player 1 year ago
@alirzb
Thanks for the technical backup, alizrb.
He may be playin a Yamaha now, but back then, I bet he's playin a Selmer Mark VI.
SaxyDan54 1 year ago
@badgirl94player ,
Well, maybe he just has the lung capacity to pump the groove on thru! I know, back in the day, I could put about 3 times the sound thru a horn than others could.
Thanks for the feedback, badgirl.
SaxyDan54 1 year ago
@SaxyDan54 yah i can to. well i like to think so and being female u get alot mroe looks :) which i personally love! haha I absolutely luv my bari. if i could id do everything with it!
And you are quite welcome
badgirl94player 1 year ago
@badgirl94player
Yes, a bari player can be a stand-out part of any group, if such is the intent. THe size of the horn, the sound and the character and looks of the player all contribute. And yes, it is fun to get that attention... you badgirl.
EVERYTHING? (hmmmmmmmmmmm.......................) Stop teasing an old man !
On the other hand, DON'T! :)
SaxyDan54 1 year ago
@SaxyDan54 yes this is true.....the heartbeat of the band.
YES everything! haha and no i would dare try
badgirl94player 1 year ago
Great Post!! I been seeing these guy for forty years now and they are just getting better and better. Great to see Richard Elliot. First time I saw them was at the College of San Mateo in '68 and the ticket was a buck and a half!! Can't tell you how many times I have seen TOP. Doc we love ya!
claryscat 3 years ago
I met Doc in the Haight-Ashbury in the early 70's. We were both skinny sticks. I'm standing next to him in this picture and we look like two pencils. Doc looked like a newly sharpened pencil and me, at only 5'7" looked like one of those short used pencils that kids are about to throw away.
luisamarte2000 3 years ago
i wish i was there...
ABCmeltdown 3 years ago
love that Funky Doc never speaks for himself...
He plays...
ramsuz 3 years ago
Also just saw the band in San Diego in August and the opener was the same (We Came to Play), which is followed here by "And You Know It," one of my favorites but not currently in the live rotation. In their 40th year with 4 original members, the band is better than ever. If you've never seen them live it is a "must do!"
towerofpowerfan 3 years ago
i love the heck out of Doc, seen him play 3 times recently and in a clinic in portland this month he talked about his past, that he almost killed himself with drugs, and with that in mind, it's kind of sad to watch this vid because, charisma aside, he looks really messed up in this video. Really glad he straightened his life out tho... incidentally i asked him what the secret to the "shimmy" is and he said "it's all in the shoulders..." Long live the funky doctor!
jazzfolkrocker 3 years ago 2
I just got the DVD of this concert and it's absolutely incredible. The whole band is amazing and I have watched it heaps of times in the 4 days I have had it. I highly recommend buying it from Amazon
madhorn 3 years ago
Wow a solo from the funky doctor, excellent! :)
MrBilde 3 years ago
Wich of the vocalist is this? Very stylish stevie wonder-sound alike.
rallmons 4 years ago
Ellis Hall
minacciosa 4 years ago
@rallmons This is Emillio Castillo singing.
jazzinaz 1 year ago
@jazzinaz That's not Emillio Castillo..
rallmons 1 year ago