Adrenalin "David Larson" Tribute-"Gimme Gimme Good Lovin"

Adrenalin's David Larson...Requiem
His name was David Larson but affectionately known to his band mates as Damone'. He was gonna be an 80's rock star.

With movie star, curly hair good looks and a voice from heaven, David had an engaging boyish freedom and innocence that camouflaged his closely held demons. This was the kid who jumped off the back of a truck one summer day, with mic in pocket, and declared to a prospective band mate he was "ready to rock".

David died 30 years ago this year by his own hand at the moment his star was beginning to rise. He fronted a 6 man rock band from Detroit called Adrenalin, who packed as mean a musical punch as the times called for. They were young, possessed gail force energy, and had the writing skills to match.

It seemed like "January 1980" was a given destination for these troubadours whose only hemisphere of life's experience was the late 60's and 70's.

Upon the local release of "Gimme Good Lovin", A&R people from LA and New York were taking notice at a fevered pace. This band was on its way to the dream.

The story of Adrenalin is not the story of David Larson. For his dream ended on that day of Feb 16, 1980. A Hollywood producer flew in for three days of rehearsal and a get to know. This band was 'gonna make it' and Mr. Producer was merely doing his job. No one could have foreseen the ungodly pressure that must have been David's as expectations seemed to grow by the minute for what might be the 'next thing out of Detroit'.

David appeared fine at what was to be his last rehearsal. We all said goodnight and went home finally locating that hard to find feeling that bright lights were just ahead. The following night would find the band playing to an eager young crowd and a curious Hollywood producer who wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

David did not show up that night for the show......... and we all knew something was seriously amiss. The exhilaration from a local hit record and curious industry watchers quickly turned to panic and fear.

Our Lead singer was missing.

Maybe he was sorting things out. Life was changing by the hour it seemed and just maybe......oh please let it be, that he needed some space.

A silent, peaceful but ominous snowfall followed for the next 48 hours. No word from police, friends, or relatives. Our lead singer was still missing.

One evening, during that anguishing personal trial, I received a phone call.............to a breathy silence. My caller wouldn't speak. I called out to him, half knowing....feeling......that it WAS David. Finally.... he was this close......and yet so very far away. For that 60 seconds or so, the silence told me he was seeking, in his own way, to find a place, a balanced
somewhere......between return and retreat. To our utter sadness, retreat prevailed.

David was found dead by asphyxiation in a car, 24 hours later. The devastation that followed was unbearable. And it truly was the end of the innocence for a group of guys from Detroit who would now find their way without him.

In fFebruary 2010 we celebrate, the 30th anniversary of his parting, his wonderful voice and music, his contagious, infectious vitality, and his enduring spirit. We will always think about who and what David was..............and what might have been.
R.I.P. Damone'
jimmy risk
Former manager
Adrenalin

Category:

Music

Tags:

• rock
• detroit
• david larson
• adrenalin
• brian pastoria
• mark pastoria
• mike romeo
• jimmy romeo
• mike haggerty
• bruce schafer
• glen young

[rojierman]

Hi, there. I'd like to get the lyrics of this song. Where can I find it? Thanks.

[bpastoria]

GIMME, GIMME GOOD LOVIN' Crazy Elephant From Atlanta, Georgia to the Gulf Stream water To California I'm gonna spend my life both night and day Chorus Say gimme, gimme good lovin' every night Hey you know it's alright child Gimme, gimme good lovin' make it alright Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha To the girls in Frisco to the girls in Detroit City To the girls in Texican you gotta understand That baby I'm your man Chorus

[shattered36]

This brings back some great memories, thanks for posting.

[skidubida]

Thank you Brian for this. I was very young when I met you guys and became friends with Michelle and Pam. Have you stayed in touch with them over the years?

the band was fun to hang out with for a 19 year old girl just dying for something exciting to happen. Take care, Kathleen

[aarongoure12]

I too worked at The Great One t-shirt shop at Eastland and had the biggest crush on David. My dad's friend was their manager so I went to as many of their concerts as I could get into at age 16-17- Notre Dame dances, Balduck, Eastland Mall etc. It was so sad the night we found out what happened. Really thought they were going all the way.

[dyoung0684]

I used to work with David at The Great One t-shirt shop at Eastland Mall in the late 70's. We were the only two male employees at the time, and when the girls came in to see him (why not, he WAS the lead singer of Adrenalin), he always included me in on their conversations as his equal - that was one example of how nice and unaffected David was... Still miss him!

[dob2626]

In 2006 I received a CD from Pat, Mike's brother. Since then it's my daily companion when driving my car for work.

Best regards from Germany! Detlef

[shelibeli40]

I was 12 yrs. old in 1980 and never knew who David Larson was until much later. I became a fan when Joey was on board. Thank you for posting this. It's a very touching tribute to a great performer I wish I had been able to see.

[deanokat]

Great tribute. RIP, David.