In the world of local music here in Chattanooga, being 27 years old is pretty darn old if you are a band. Consider this: In 1985, when the Beaters were starting up, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 1530. The average cost of a new car was $9,005.00. A gallon of gasoline was $1.09, but was probably about $0.99 here in the Scenic City. Gold was about $300 per ounce.
In 1985 the first “.com” name is issued to Symbolics.
com. The Teflon Don, John Gotti, ordered the hit on mob boss Paul Castellano in 1985. (Gotti has been dead for ten years and was sentenced to prison 20 years ago) Microsoft released Windows 1.0. Here’s a good one – Compact Discs are introduced to American consumers for the first time in 1985.
The big films of the year when the Beaters began were Back To The Future, The Color Purple, Cocoon, and Rocky IV. TV’s Married With Children had not started yet, and neither had Matlock. The Cosby Show and Growing Pains were just starting up.
A few of the number one songs in 1985 were Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”, Phil Collins had two with “Sussidio” and “One More Night”, Huey Lewis released “Power Of Love”, Star ship did “We Built This City”, and the biggie – “We Are The World” hit number 1 on the charts.
See, if you put it in perspective, The Beaters have been around a long, long time. That’s cool. Their line-up is as follows – on Bass guitar, with a big smile always, is one of the best around -David Turner. Drums are handled by Terryl Greene, a guy I compare to Ringo Starr from the Beatles. I don’t think Ringo ever got credit for being a great drummer, but he really was. (Or “is” a great drummer, I should say) Terryl is the same way – solid as a rock, but not often enough listed along with Chattanooga’s drummer superstars. The Beaters have two keyboardists – Ranse Whitworth and Rick Lane. Both are excellent and have decades of experience. It takes fine guitar masters to be as good as the Beaters, and they have some of the best, with Randy Clark, Randy Johnston, and David Brown.
The facts are simple – The Beaters combine years of excellence with years of experience and are true pros at their craft. While they don’t play out in public much, they are a staple for weddings and parties throughout the area. Because of their experience and abilities, I would wager that a bride could probably ask for any song ever done that was worth hearing and the Beaters would be able to fulfill her wish.
Wait just a second, Bob – you said they don’t play out in public “much”. Yes, I did. However, this is your chance to go see them play, on their 27th birthday, this Friday night at Rhythm & Brews. Are tickets just $20? No. Are they just $15? No. Are they $10? No. They are just $7 to see them on Friday at Rhythm & Brews. If you are planning a party or a wedding, you owe it to yourself to go see them. If you just like good music, from Motown to Classic Rock to Disco, then go see them.
The Beaters were inducted into the Chattanooga Music Hall Of Fame in January, 2012.
For more fun, local music info, try http://www.chattanoogaentertainers.com , or http://chattanooganightscope.com. They both have great local music info and schedules. For local info on Country music, try Jim Boles’ site at http://chattacountry.ning.com .
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or www.facebook.com/davrik2000