The Bossmen Reunite
Dick Wagner & Lanny
Roenicke
This disc
contains four versions of an incredible song simply entitled Lanny’s Song. As
these two old friends reminisced, they no doubt cleared out a path of old
wounds and treacherous memories that are not so easy to forgive or forget. Yet
Wagner and Roenicke had far too much in common. Some might say they were at
their most innocent peak of creativity when the Bossmen were riding high on the
local charts and enjoying the view. Times were simpler and the music was
amazing, even if some of the riffs were derivative and Beatle-ish. From
1964-66, they were our Beatles and they topped the charts on WNEM, WTAC and
WSAM, right along side the Stones, Dave Clark 5 and the Beach Boys. But then Wagner
formed the Frost and went on to create an incredible ahead-of-its-time
supersonic band by the name of Ursa Major. He went onto massive fame with Alice
Cooper and Lou Reed combining muscular guitar with rich harmonics that dazzled
fans and critics alike. It was quite a ride!
Eventually
Wagner returned to Saginaw and resurrected his career with notable gigs @ SVSU
Stadium- The Remember The Child Concert, Callahan’s in Detroit, A Dick
Wagner/Cherry Slush reunion at Titibawassee Park and the 1999 Frost Reunion
Concert @ the Saginaw Civic Center. Through it all Wagner was a consummate
showman with a huge list of famous songs such as Only Women Bleed, Rock &
Roll, and Go To Hell. When he was in the right mood, Wagner would pull out all
those golden chestnuts @ White’s Bar and get the ravenous crowd hungry for more.
It was a moment of innocence recovered and memories preserved. I loved Wagner
for his genius guitar work, exceptional arrangements and a wicked sense of
humor.
Dick Wagner
died on July 30th, 2014 at 71 years of age.
However,
Roenicke and Wagner recorded one last song together. And it is a harrowing
epitaph about love and loss and looking into the abyss. It is a dark Nursery
Rhyme that is uncomfortable to hear; yet speaks volumes
about living near the edge of eternity and wondering how much time we all have
left. Wagner’s long time partner in Desert Dreams, Susan Michelson remembers
that Lanny wrote the song but didn’t know how to finish it. So he called Wagner
in the winter of 2013 to seek his help in completing this labor of pain and
suffering that was caused by a break up. Wagner added acoustic guitar, keyboard
and a Yamaha synthesizer. Wagner devoted two full days to the project in
Fountain Hills Arizona.
Wagner
played all the instruments, atmospheric synth, primitive piano, and muted
drums. Vocals were occasionally double tracked, sometimes to add accents and
close harmony. The lyrics are incredible, stark and filled with the never
ending pain of betrayal. Listen…
At a second hand store, was very poor
Saving for the day, for a house we
could afford
We shook hands and we agreed, someday
when we succeed
To build a house together and spend
eternity
She…devised a plan to extend power
and fame
With a man she revered, who promised
everything
He was a business man, had a
deceptive plan
Went riding in his truck, she gave
him all her trust
They built the walls and laid the
bricks, put in carpet and pretty sinks
But I just stood there helplessly as
my whole world fell apart
She sued to hold me close, so
tenderly
But she was plotting in her heart, to
tear my world apart
When I found out the news, they put
me in a room
It was just a mild case of severe
heartbreak
And my whole world fell apart
I just stood there, my whole world
fell apart
This is the last great Wagner vocal,
subdued yet painful; tortured yet elegant. Sadness washes over Roenicke’s
lyrics, it obliterates his sense of everything that gives him a glimmer of
hope; a breath of sanity hovers over the song like a dark cloud. He gazed into
the abyss and the only solace is the pain. This is a lost masterpiece, a tale
of deep sorrow with a dark lyricism and Dick Wagner’s long shadow.
Peace
Bo White
However,
Roenicke and Wagner recorded one last song together. And it is a harrowing
epitaph about love and loss and looking into the abyss. It is a dark Nursery
Rhyme that is uncomfortable to hear; yet speaks volumes
about living near the edge of eternity and wondering how much time we all have
left. Wagner’s long time partner in Desert Dreams, Susan Michelson remembers
that Lanny wrote the song but didn’t know how to finish it. So he called Wagner
in the winter of 2013 to seek his help in completing this labor of pain and
suffering that was caused by a break up. Wagner added acoustic guitar, keyboard
and a Yamaha synthesizer. Wagner devoted two full days to the project in
Fountain Hills Arizona.
Wagner
played all the instruments, atmospheric synth, primitive piano, and muted
drums. Vocals were occasionally double tracked, sometimes to add accents and
close harmony. The lyrics are incredible, stark and filled with the never
ending pain of betrayal. Listen…
At a second hand store, was very poor
Saving for the day, for a house we
could afford
We shook hands and we agreed, someday
when we succeed
To build a house together and spend
eternity
She…devised a plan to extend power
and fame
With a man she revered, who promised
everything
He was a business man, had a
deceptive plan
Went riding in his truck, she gave
him all her trust
They built the walls and laid the
bricks, put in carpet and pretty sinks
But I just stood there helplessly as
my whole world fell apart
She sued to hold me close, so
tenderly
But she was plotting in her heart, to
tear my world apart
When I found out the news, they put
me in a room
It was just a mild case of severe
heartbreak
And my whole world fell apart
I just stood there, my whole world
fell apart
This is the last great Wagner vocal,
subdued yet painful; tortured yet elegant. Sadness washes over Roenicke’s
lyrics, it obliterates his sense of everything that gives him a glimmer of
hope; a breath of sanity hovers over the song like a dark cloud. He gazed into
the abyss and the only solace is the pain. This is a lost masterpiece, a tale
of deep sorrow with a dark lyricism and Dick Wagner’s long shadow.
Peace
Bo White
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