READ THIS: The late Frank Terry and I had our own country-rock (countrypolitan) ensemble -- the Morgan Crilly Band. Frank's real name was Terrence Francis Crilly and he was raised in a musical family; his cousins are songwriter and producers Paul Williams (We've Only Just Begun, Old Fashion Love Song) and Mentor Williams (Driftaway, Loving Arms).
Frank and I enjoyed writing songs together-- much of the time to his rhythmic tapping as we tossed verses around. Luckily,I've managed to track down 'the lost tapes': "Stormy Lady"
We were so 'full of ourselves' back then--but we truly had the most fun imaginable. I loved how much Frank enjoyed playing the drums-- I can still picture his 'groovin' expression' through the glass barrier drumming away as I sang reference vocals in the studio voice-booth (most times I would crack-up laughing). I recall while sitting at the console doing the final analog mix for "Stormy Lady" ,Frank asked if the drum level was to high; I interrupted the engineer and yelled, "Let--'er rip Crilly!". He was like a kid in a candy shop--playing with those knobs on the soundboard (old school). At the end of the day, we wrote and recorded purely for our own personal gratification. And damn the naysayers!
Frank passed away from colon cancer last June. Here's how TV writer/producer and major league baseball announcer Ken Levine (MASH, Frazier, Cheers, Wings...Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres) eulogized Frank on his web-site at http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/
Ken Levine wrote (June archives):
As any musician knows, the difference between a good song and a great song is the drummer. Usually in the background, often times pounding away in relative obscurity, it's the drummer who provides the backbone to the song, as well as its vitality and spark. Frank Terry was the Ringo Starr, Hal Blaine, and Gene Krupa of Boss Radio 93/KHJ. Originally a drummer himself, Frank Terry, more than any other Bossjock (even Morgan & Steele) set the template for the Boss Radio format and was its most consistent performer.
He was the guy who broke in the other Bossjocks. He was the guy who worked every shift, often going months at a time without a day off. The beat had to go on and he was the drummer. There was no more versatile performer in radio. The two biggest rock stations in America in the mid 60's could not have sounded more different. KHJ Los Angeles was ultra streamlined, WABC New York was all bells and whistles (chimes actually) -- organized chaos. Only one disc jockey ever worked both formats. Frank Terry at KHJ and later at WABC's sister station and clone in San Francisco, KSFX. You just gave him the charts and he could play.
Later Frank moved into country radio at KNEW and KSAN in the Bay Area. He could bang on washboards as well as snares.
Wherever he went, two things were certain. He made every station he ever worked for sound the very best they ever did, and he dented every console, cart machine, and music stand in the studio with his drum sticks.
Radio has lost a giant. Terrence Francis Crilly. Better known as Frank Terry. For those of us who knew and loved him, he will always remain in our heart... beating and beating and beating.
'Stormy Lady', Morgan Crilly Band
(Dennis Morgan, Frank Terry/aka TF Crilly,
Donnybrooke Music
Lead vocals - Dennis Morgan
Background vocals - Hewlit Christ Dennis Morgan
Guitars - Hewlit Christ Dennis Morgan
Piano - Hewlit Christ
Pedal/Steel guitar - Richard Hurley
Bass guitar - Grady Martin
Drums - Frank Terry aka Terrence Francis Crilly
Loading...
son of a bosch.....september, vacation, y los otros.....mama mia.......el hiho de la machina........
sturzzione 4 years ago
ya tellin' me that this is el morgan???
sturzzione 4 years ago
Damn!! You sing and play guitar too? You never cease to amaze.
Hey greatmorgnnn, "Let-'er rip!"
MadMustard 4 years ago