Topper

A History of Rock and Roll on Long Island

Topper

After several experiments as The No Name Band, Liberty DeVito, Howard Emerson, Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer formed Topper. Plainview's Howard Emerson, finger-picker and slide specialist, saw the potential, "I first met Russell when I was fifteen. He was always an excellent songwriter, perhaps the best I've ever heard. Period. The End. By far, one of the most clever and original writers...on a par, without a doubt, with Randy Newman. Very wry, even cynical sometimes, he just sees the world through a particular set of glasses. It agrees with me entirely." After flirting with several producers, including Buddy Buie, of Classics IV fame, Russell Javors opted not to record his music with studio musicians. "The only way I wanted to present my music was with my band. There were relationships that had been built between us and that was integral to my music. This was crucial. I had very definite views on that and I was not willing to compromise." Howard Emerson regrets the lack of release. "Topper made lots of tapes mostly down in a studio in Merrick. And basically, Topper was Russell's band. We were Russell's band from the beginning. Again, I maintain that Russell is one of the best songwriters. His abilities have never been touched at all. Never."

When Billy Joel returned to Long Island as the successful "Piano Man", he needed a top-notch group to reproduce his hits. Adding saxophonist, Richie Cannata, Topper was transformed into The Billy Joel Band. The "Topper sound" can best be heard on Billy Joel's album "Turnstiles" (Columbia 33848, 1976). After this recording, Howard Emerson departed, was replaced by Dave Brown, and the band took off in a different direction.

With this band, Billy toured and recorded for over 15 years. Russell Javors pointed out one highlight, "The Russian tour was fascinating. You know real rock 'n' roll only exists when it is a response to repression. Russia was just opening up at that time and the musicians we met there were hungry for any input we could provide." It is unfortunate that the original compositions of Russell Javors were never performed nor recorded by this ensemble. Several of his songs have found their way to wax, though, and recently, Phoebe Snow and Steven Tyler recorded his beauty, "Gone With The Wind." Today, Russell is working on a Les Paul tribute album with help from Joe Walsh, Slash and other heavy weight disciples. Howard Emerson, still regarded as one of the premiere slide and fingerpicking artists in the country, performs regularly around the east coast. In 1995, his slide can be heard on Al Kooper's 2 CD set, "Soul Of A Man: Live at The Bottom Line."

On August 24, 1995, Doug Stegmeyer, "The Sargeant Of The Billy Joel Band," committed suicide in his home. A steady and reliable person, it surprised everyone who knew him. While his career was in remission, he seemed to maintain a busy schedule recording and producing.

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Click Here for Howard Emerson's discography Click Here for Russell Javor's discography Click Here for Doug Stegmeyer's discography Click here to return to the Index