SyZyGy

I had a rock group in high school. We called ourselves SyZyGy (pronounced C-Z-G….it’s a word, look it up). We were not your average garage band, we had the first synthesizers ever on the market, bass, guitars, drums, horns (trombones and trumpets), a manager/booking agent, and me – the singer/EmCee. Imagine, if you will, a high school version of the group Chicago.

Our first gig was a benefit concert – raising money to put indoor restrooms in a rural community center. My mother made me a gold metallic jumpsuit with a huge Elvis collar. She didn’t bother lining it so I itched like a flea bitten dog. But I wore it proudly to set-up and rehearsal. It was there that we discovered we needed more duct tape (you can never have too much duct tape). I volunteered to drive my Plymouth Fury III (baby blue with an “ah-ooo-gah” horn AND fender skirts) into town to get some. Now mind you, this was a town of about 1200 people in rural Mississippi – circa 1975. I walked into the local hardware store wearing a shiny gold jumpsuit and platform shoes. People have been killed for less….fortunately, I lived to perform another day.

We won our state FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) talent competition and were awarded a performance at the national convention in Washington, DC. Just as we arrived at The Washington Hilton an emerald green limousine drove up. On the doors of the limousine was a picture of David Bowie and the title, “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” After inquiring we discovered that this was the name of his new movie and that he was in town for a premiere. So being the star-struck future rockers that we were, we began plotting ways to meet the rock legend himself. We found out that one entire floor of the hotel was nothing but suites, and everyone knows that a celeb never checks into a hotel using his name. One of our guys suggested that maybe Bowie checked in using his real name – David Jones (he changed it to differentiate himself from Davy Jones of The Monkees). Armed with all that knowledge, I began calling each suite directly – asking for David Jones. Eventually a lady answered and said that he wasn’t in but that he would be glad to return my call. A few hours later, after we had pretty much given up on our escapade, the phone rang – we all froze – I answered the phone and this very British voice said, “Hello, this is David Jones…er, uhm…Bowie – did someone call for me?” I freaked. I never considered what I would actually SAY if I spoke to him. So I stuttered and stammered and just told him that our band was in town for a “gig” and saw that he was staying in our hotel and thought that, maybe, we could just say hello and have a brief visit…or whatever…” He was very gracious and said that he would love to but the hour was late and he had a full day ahead. I apologized, all over myself, for taking up his time and thanked him for calling.

To be honest, I only knew his one song, “Fame,” and I always thought he was beyond bizarre – so I was relieved that I didn’t have to actually meet him. But it was fun talking with him – now how many people can say they’ve done that! I haven't seen the SyZyGy gang in years. Tommy Greer (keyboards) moved to Nashville and worked at Word Records as a writer and staff producer. He married Leigh Benson (daughter of Bob & Peggy Benson/The Benson Company) and worked on projects for artists like Sandi Patty and Andy Williams and wrote songs for Cindy Morgan, First Call and many others.

Stan Thorn (guitarist) found fame as a member of the Country super group Shenandoah (ironically he played keys with them). Based on my first original composition, "Grave of Love" (we actually performed it) - I'm sure the other guys would not have imagined I'd be making a living writing songs. I'm so glad I'm not 17 anymore!