Had some crazy times with Terry; too many for this post.
One I will always remember, meeting with him late nights in Zion - or Waukeegan - he was playing with a trio at a bowling ailey. I am talking way back before his road days with Buddy Rich or the short stint with Mel Torme, and all so many other great bands and performers.
This was maybe 1964, I would go to meet him, enjoy the gig, help him brekdown; we'd have a late couple of drinks and head back to Kenosha. Many a night on the road between there and home in the deep fog of early winter - about this time of year. We'd be riding with the door open, Terry looking down through the crack in the open drivers door and me on the passenger side, searching for the white lines on the road. That was excellerating.
There were times I wasn't certian if it was the heavy fog along the road or that in our heads; fortuanely we made it home.
Terry McNeil: the greatest percussionest that ever walked the planet.
Karen JohnsonWhat a good person he was, with a huge talent. I remember how we tried to play music together one summer a year or two after high school with a little local rock/folk rock group, but he was so much better and more sophisticated than anyone else on the planet and our stuff was just so primitive, all we could do was laugh. Last time I saw Terry was at our 20th Bradford reunion. We had a drink and he talked about life on the road and the toll it was taking on his health, and his decision to stop touring. Wherever he is now, I bet he's still laying down a beautiful beat.
Leonard Iaquinta
Who else recalls his fantastic solos at LJHS?
Larry Sommers
I certainly do! Terry was the drummer par excellence.
Lucille Turco (Baker)
Terry had more energy than anyone. He was extraordinarily talented and a good friend.
Edward Evans
Terry was a good friend of mine. We played in the band together and had a blast. A good guy gone too soon.
Picture provided by Mike Bjorn.
Brion McDermott
Terry was a great guy, always smiling and enjoying life and yes, he could really play those drums.
God Bless Him
Brion McDermott
Nicholas Angotti
Had some crazy times with Terry; too many for this post.
One I will always remember, meeting with him late nights in Zion - or Waukeegan - he was playing with a trio at a bowling ailey. I am talking way back before his road days with Buddy Rich or the short stint with Mel Torme, and all so many other great bands and performers.
This was maybe 1964, I would go to meet him, enjoy the gig, help him brekdown; we'd have a late couple of drinks and head back to Kenosha. Many a night on the road between there and home in the deep fog of early winter - about this time of year. We'd be riding with the door open, Terry looking down through the crack in the open drivers door and me on the passenger side, searching for the white lines on the road. That was excellerating.
There were times I wasn't certian if it was the heavy fog along the road or that in our heads; fortuanely we made it home.
Terry McNeil: the greatest percussionest that ever walked the planet.
I miss you my friend, Nick
Karen Johnson
Karen JohnsonWhat a good person he was, with a huge talent. I remember how we tried to play music together one summer a year or two after high school with a little local rock/folk rock group, but he was so much better and more sophisticated than anyone else on the planet and our stuff was just so primitive, all we could do was laugh. Last time I saw Terry was at our 20th Bradford reunion. We had a drink and he talked about life on the road and the toll it was taking on his health, and his decision to stop touring. Wherever he is now, I bet he's still laying down a beautiful beat.
Paul Whiteside
Remember Terry and his LJHS solos well he was the best.
Allen Olson
I remember him as one drummer to another, he was the one that suggested that
I stick to playing football and leave the band to the talented ones. Love ya and hope that God has a place in his band for you.
Allen
Norma Moore (Sloan)
Terry was in my Home Room at Bradford, and Whenever he got a gig in High School, I would go hear him play. Loved the guy. What a sweetheart!