The Wes Houston Band Press Release

A History of Rock and Roll on Long Island

The Wes Houston Band

Wes Houston has been creating vintage American music for more than three decades. His style has been described as a combination of blues and folk, and you don't have to listen too closely to hear influences of rock, country, jazz and even gospel stirring in his songs. These are all uniquely American musics and that's no surprise to the many long-time Houston listeners, because Wes' songs have always reflected the heart and soul of American real-life. Wes doesn't concern himself with fads or fleeting trends, but finds his inspiration in the day-to-day striving of real people making their way, hands-on, through life. The circumstances of that struggle are enduring and timeless.

Starting out with a guitar slung over his shoulder (he later learned it played better in front), Wes played Resurrection City in the '60's with Rev. F.D. Kirkpatrick. Into tradition roots music, the soundtrack for the changing social consciousness of America in the '60's, he injected his unique view of things contained in his own songs. Along the way, Wes' recordings were included in the legendary "Broadsides" anthology albums, the same records that included Pete Seeger and introduced Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Eric Andersen and other seminal denizens of Greenwich Village.

But it wasn't long before Wes landed back in his native Queens Village, New York neighborhood and took up residence in the local joints, with plenty of friends and gypsies to spice up a troubadour s life. His preference for surrounding himself with great musicians led to a succession of notable bands, and Wes' All-Star Space Band was Long Island's premier home-grown musical circus during the '70's Golden Era of Long Island music (over 300 clubs with live music at one time!). That band racked up a slew of notable milestones including being the first band ever to play NY's legendary "CBGB's" and the very last band to play at NY's also legendary "Max's Kansas City." Their single "Wandering" became a turntable hit in college towns all over the Northeast.

Today, The Wes Houston Band is as rock solid as ever. Playing engagements from Performing Arts Series to local pubs, traveling with five musicians, Wes with his guitar, two-decade sidekick George Christ with his bandolero of harmonicas, long-time rythm section Ray Forgione on drums and Demos Manolis on bass, and keyboard wiz Fred Piscop. The band carries its own lighting effects with the decade-veteran King of Wing as operator.

Of this combination The Music Exchange said recently, "The Wes Houston Band is a genuine piece of Americana right in our own backyard."

Wes Houston, his music and his fans will be there to enjoy as long as there are folks who are working for a living and care about music that makes them feel like someone's there with them in their struggle for a place in life.

Click Here for Wes Houston's discography Click Here To return to the Index