By Chris Spiewak
Time travel is nothing new; people have been fantasizing about it since the H.G. Wells novella “The Time Machine” was published in 1895. All music fans have memories of their favorite show or their favorite songs from years ago. The 1960s through the 1990s was the most influential period in rock music history; would it not be fantastic to be transported back in time to relive that era?
Unfortunately – as of this writing – there is no way to actually transport humans to another time. We are lucky, however, to have a music group in our area that lets any fan relive those great times. The Great Rock and Roll Time Machine is just that, a collection of superb musicians presenting the rock tunes of our youth and allowing a cool trip down memory lane.
The Great Rock and Roll Time Machine is the brainchild of Lakewood native Davey Lister. Lister is a lifelong musician whose father and cousins introduced him to music early on. He recalls picking up a small guitar and playing along to the classic Wings song “Band on The Run” when he was just 2 years old. Attending his first KISS concert at age 4 cemented his love for music, and at age 13 he took his first guitar lessons with Dave Sabo at Garden State Music in Toms River. When Sabo wasn’t available, Lister was taught by either Rachel Bolan or Scotti Hill. Coincidentally, Sabo, Bolan and Hill got together during this period to form the legendary rock group Skid Row. Watching his friends become rock stars motivated the young Lister to pursue a music career.
He relocated to California for a short time in the mid-2000s after auditioning for and being accepted into the well-known rock group Pretty Boy Floyd. Learning what he could about the business side of the industry from his band mates and managers would prove to be invaluable to Lister, who returned home to New Jersey when his services were no longer required on the West Coast. He searched for ideas and decided that a tribute show to his heroes of years past was in order. The Great Rock and Roll Time Machine is much more than a band. This is an ever-evolving “project” with a carefully choreographed light and video show. “The musicians are just part of the experience,” Lister said. Dressed in period-authentic garb, the group delivers a real concert experience, bringing the audience back to the heyday of rock ‘n roll. A radio DJ’s voice can be heard from time to time during the show (ala Wolfman Jack) delivering cultural snippets of the era and vintage television commercials are presented on the large video screen during intermission.
Courtesy Jeff Crespi
After the halftime wardrobe change from the ‘70s era to the ‘80s era, the stage erupts once again. You wanted spandex and big hair? You got it, as the group delivers favorites from Journey, Van Halen, Heart, Boston and Twisted Sister to name just a few.
Seasoned veteran Lister provides lead and rhythm guitar and vocals, and his very talented wife Sarah adds backing vocals. Sarah also heads up the marketing and management for the group, making the Listers a powerful one-two punch on and off stage. Lead guitarist and vocalist Jimmy Franklin, of Lincroft Music Academy and Holiday Express, can shred with the best of them, and longtime bassist and session player Chris Brown delivers the low end for the rhythm section. Drummer Brian Morelli is a monster behind the kit and also a DJ and music director for WKMK radio, Thunder 106.3. Vocalist Rich Kelly is a natural front man behind the mic and also incredibly versatile, sitting in on drums and keyboards when needed. And last, but certainly not least, singing beside Sarah Lister is the amazing bundle of energy that is Laura Catalina Johnson. She is the quintessential rock vocalist, strutting and jumping about the stage with moves that would make even Mick Jagger or Gwen Stefani jealous.
Please visit the group at rnrtimemachine.com for further info and to purchase tickets for their big show at The House of Independents in Asbury Park April 6, where tie-dyed shirts and bell bottom jeans are welcomed and encouraged. And please don’t worry about becoming a time traveler; the band promises to deliver every fan back to the present safely, albeit with a huge smile on your face.
Chris Spiewak is a 40-year veteran of the Shore music scene.
