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The Neverlys on stage at Geezer Stock 2022 with Larry Panash, Mark Ansa, Michael Tyrol, Jim Booth and Pat McZulley from left.
One October evening, in Bob Copeland’s backyard in Heights, the courtyard was cluttered with instruments, and musicians mingled on the lawn with their friends and family as they waited for the show to begin.
About 70 people attended Geezer Stock 2022, a reunion of local musicians who have known each other for the past 50 years.
“It all started in February 1964. Seriously. When the Beatles were on, 72 million Americans tuned in to The Ed Sullivan show, and about 30 million of them were young preteen boys,” with Bob Copeland in 2006 Mike Taelour, who co-founded Geezer Stock with David Holsinger, said.
“From Fontana,” Copeland said, “everywhere.” “Within a month after that incident, there was a tsunami of pawnshop guitars and drums and everyone was playing in the garage,” Taelour said.
And that’s exactly how a group of about 20 boys at Fontana High School in the 1960s met through music and their dreams of music.
“It’s like Liverpool in Southern California. A lot of great bands were born, and a lot of stars came from Fontana,” Taelour said.
They mentioned Sammy Hagar and Jimmy Fields.
Nearly 50 years later, 20 musicians from Fontana High School are nearly intact.
In the 1980s, the group attended a summer party at Rialto.
“You have to have music. You have to have crazy funny people, food and wine,” Taelour said. Nothing has changed since then. While normal work and family life dominates, the main thread of playing music runs through the decades.
“Hi everyone! Welcome to Geezer Stock 2022,” Taelour said. “It’s kind of like a COVID superspreader event, isn’t it?” Copeland added with a laugh. “You have to keep the tradition alive.”
Holsinger, Copeland and Taelour started the night with a song by John Prine.
“Get my brain into a hurricane. Blind can have my eyes. Deaf can take both my ears. If they don’t mind the size,” Holzinger sings.
Back in 2006, Holzinger hosted the first Geezer Stock at his home in Redlands. His sister has hosted the event in Cali Mesa since then, and they recently gathered at Copeland’s home in the Heights. This year marks the first return since 2019 due to the pandemic.
At Geezer Stock, several musicians took turns taking the stage, followed by Taelour’s Redlands band “The Neverlys”. They played the Beach Boys, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, as well as a song of their own, “Cypress Avenue,” which was inspired by the Redlands.
Afterwards, “Miracle” from Redlands’ Ray and Peggy Zeigler took the stage, a young member of the group. They played Van Morrison, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and more.
“We drove to Phoenix for a show this week,” Ray said, describing what musicians were willing to do to follow their passion. “And at least gasoline is cheap,” he joked.
The last people on stage were Mike Taelour’s brother Richard Taelor and his son Ted. They came to Geezer Stock from Bend, Oregon. “It’s been so much fun to be here. It’s been amazing,” Richard said.
They play old rock and blues songs.
“Richard Taelour and Chet Smith sign a recording contract with Clive Davis [with] Arista Records,” Holzinger said. Both were there that night.
In Fontana, the musicians tried to make it bigger. Holzinger himself once took a seven-year sabbatical to concentrate on his band, “The Toe Jam Band.” “They’re very eclectic [music]. Great musicians, interesting material,” added Mike Taelour. “We’re open for Stephen Stiles, John Sebastian, motels,” Holzinger said. “They ran really well, ” Copeland said.
“Kansas City baby, here I come,” Richard Taelour sang, ending the night with a song that goes on and on. Musical cues may end at night, but not for musicians. How long will Geezer Stock last? Until they’re underground, Copeland said. “As long as our friends show up,” Holzinger added.
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