The Drummer Find His Way Back To The Village (People)

[needlefingers]

Here is an interesting story about the drummer for the Village Peoples' band and how he hooked back up to the best times of his life. Please click on the link to see the pictures. (Click on the photo were it says "Photo 1 of 2" to see both photos.)

CapeCodTimes.com - Cape drummer reunites with former disco bandmates


By K.C. MYERS
kcmyers@capecodonline.com
July 26, 2008

MASHPEE — Many times as he sat on a huge stage before a sea of fans, Gregory Baker asked himself, "Am I really doing this, a little ghetto kid from Philadelphia?"

Then the construction worker would walk out of a porta-potty, the Native American would come out of his teepee, the Army guy would drive up in a Jeep, the leather man would crack his whip, and the cop would drive on stage on a motorcycle. The Village People concert would begin.

Baker, a Mashpee resident since 1989, was the original drummer for Bittersweet, the band that backed the Village People on tours in 1979 and 1980, when the band was riding the success of its three biggest hits, "Macho Man," "YMCA" and "In the Navy."

Baker left the touring life, not by choice. The disco era abruptly died and Can't Stop Productions, which owned the Village People trademark, let everyone go. Baker moved with his wife, Norene, to the Cape, where's he's lived a quiet life with his three dogs and worked as a construction worker and a ship's mate on Steamship Authority vessels.

For the past five years, he's worked for the state mosquito control program, and he still plays gigs with the Dave Richardson Band on weekends.

In case there's any doubt about his past glory, there are gold and platinum records framed in his living room.

Baker's past and present lives converged last night, when he met up with the Village People, who were doing a show at the Barnstable County Fair, virtually next to his house. The original members still with the band — "Native American" Felipe Rose, "Soldier" Alex Briley, and "Construction Worker" David Hodo — went over old times with him, posed for photos and planned to get together later at their hotel, Baker said.

"This is a great day," Baker said after informal reunion. "I feel like I've died and gone to heaven."

Baker was 22 when a friend, a keyboard player who grew up with him in Philadelphia, called to say he might be able to get a gig playing drums with a band touring small clubs in the underground gay scene.

In 1978, Baker took the train to New York City and auditioned before Jacques Morali, producer and composer for the Village People. He got the job.

Shortly after he joined the band, the Village People released "Macho Man." Baker found his life speed up like a glittering disco ball.

"It was huge," Baker said in his modest Mashpee living room. "Nothing prepared me for how big it was. It was overwhelming."

Baker traveled the United States as well as Japan, Brazil, Australia and Canada with the Village People.

"Suddenly, I had a valet, a drum tech. We were jumping on international flights. It was hard to take it all in," Baker said.

For the record, Baker didn't wear a costume. The Village People were created by Morali, who was inspired after watching Felipe Rose's fabulous dancing in his Native American head dress at several gay clubs in New York City. Morali found lead singer and songwriter Victor Willis on Broadway. Willis brought Alex Briley to the band. Willis was later replaced by Ray Simpson as the cop.

Morali held auditions for more band members, and the Village People were born, according to the Village People Web site.

The musicians sat behind the scenes, letting the colorful stars do their thing. But the Villagers were friendly with band members, Baker said.

"Felipe was such a warm person and Victor would give you the shirt off his back," Baker said. "It was the best time of my life."

[kdavid13]

Thanks for the link...

Love to read those reports from the golden years.
:icon_razz:

[Disco Funk]

I didn't recognize his name, and thought he must have come later, but now I see that he's the live drummer for the band. The studio drummer was Russell Dabney. He had that distinctive, 'sloppy' hi-hat play that you hear throughout all of the Morali/Belolo projects from '77 onward.

Disco Funk

[A2Mark57]

Thanks for that update, needlefingers!

[needlefingers]

Your welcome to everybody! Always happy to provide any updates I can find.:icon_razz:

[Cory Ander]

I also LOVE to read these stories from people who were active in creating the music from disco's golden period and I sure would like to hear and read more. I'd sure like to ask Henri Belolo some choice questions about Jacques Morali because I read an unbelievable story about him from a former member of the Village People. And I'll bet we all have countless questions we'd like to ask Giorgio Moroder.

[needlefingers]

And I'll bet we all have countless questions we'd like to ask Giorgio Moroder.

The Giorgio Moroder Party

[Cdnbob]

That was one weird video. Not sure how you're suppose to take it. :icon_eek:

[SandraDee]

Kids today are so weird.

[needlefingers]

I think their admiration for Moroder is genuine.

Their video making is more a reflection of what they find funny today.

We may not get it because we are....dare I say it.....older. My mother never got Benny Hill.

And we looked at Giorgio through a different lens. And time.

But I do admit, that I liked the video.