Greg The Bear Morris | Rockin' Chair

════════════════ Rockin' Chair (1996 - 1997) ════════════════

ROCKIN' CHAIR STARTED it's life known as Old Mose Rockin' Chair named after a character in the John Wayne movie The Searchers. 'Old Mose' Harper was played by Hank Worden and one of his lines was "All I want is a rockin' chair by the fire". Tony was asked by a family friend if he knew of a band that could play at her wedding. So this band was put together just for this one off gig. He came up with the name, he certainly has a gift of picking interesting band names.

Line-Up One

Old Mose Rockin’ Chair
Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Andrew Schwartz – Keyboards/Vocals
John Cowper – Guitar
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

John Cowper was a friend of Peter's and when he suggested him I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. John was the guitarist for a band called Tommy & The Dipsticks and they use to support Johnny Dole & The Scabs back in my Punk Rock days. It was great to catch up with John and reminisce about those times. He's a very solid player and a good singer.

The gig went so well we decided to continue with this band. Unfortunately John couldn't spare the time, so a friend of Tony's came on board and we changed the name to Rockin' Chair.

Line-Up Two

Rockin' Chair
Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Andrew Schwartz – Keyboards/Vocals
Joe Zapia – Guitar
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Joe Zapia didn't work out and left after only one gig. Tony then asked the guitarist from one of his earlier one off bands to see if he was interested, which he was, so we had another line-up.

Line-Up Three

Rockin' Chair
Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Andrew Schwartz – Keyboards/Vocals
Jason Kelly – Guitar
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Jason Kelly was from a gig back in The Fringe days around 1982 that I helped out with. For that gig we were known as The Re-Elected Ronald Regans. As you can see Tony has a knack of coming up with great names for bands. Another one we did was called The Gaddafi Ducks!!

We must have thought this line up was going to be OK as we actually made a bio for the band (see left).

I guess we must have been very optimistic or it was just wishful thinking but Jason didn't last too long either.

He was replaced by the guitarist from one of Tony's earlier bands called Cats & Dogs.

Line-Up Four

Rockin' Chair
Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Andrew Schwartz – Keyboards/Vocals
Andrew Birch – Guitar
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Andrew Birch joining Rockin' Chair gave the band a well needed lift. Andrew is one of those few gifted guitarists I've had the pleasure to have worked with over the years, a great player and a really nice guy.

Well, over the next month or so it's time to implode again. Tony gets an offer to join another band, which he takes. Peter called John Cowper to see where he's at and he now has the time and joins, he also takes over on Lead Vocals.

Line-Up Five

Rockin' Chair
John Cowper – Guitar/Lead Vocals
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Andrew Schwartz – Keyboards/Vocals
Andrew Birch – Guitar
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

About a month later Andrew Birch is offered a job overseas in Seattle which he accepts and leaves. We decided to continue without Andrew Birch however, soon after this Andrew Schwartz decides it's not working for him and he leaves.

The three remaining members figured, we're still a band and we will continue as a three piece.

Line-Up Six

Rockin' Chair
John Cowper – Guitar/Lead Vocals
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

During all this upheaval I'm wondering if Leo, who still isn't doing anything after his short stint with The Pretty Boys, might be interested in giving it another go. The songs are a bit different with this band and maybe a little more in keeping with what Leo likes, maybe? So I gave him the spiel, it will be fun and you never know if you don't give it a go, so he gave in and joined.

Line-Up Seven

Rockin' Chair
Leo (Chainsaw) Battiato - Lead Vocals
John Cowper – Guitar/Lead Vocals
Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

We rehearse and it's sounding pretty damn good, but unfortunately it's really not for Leo, so he pulls out. It's decided Rockin' Chair's day's are numbered and it's career has finally come to an end.

I'm still working with Mark doing the PA & Lighting so a couple of years go by before my next band.

Peter and I get together with Mark and it's an Average Wedding Band.