November Issue 

Hello once again Z'nuffers! 

For this issue we have put together updated bios on three of the members of the band and Johnny Monaco's are all up from last months issue on the site. There are pictures that were taken at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania that are up on the site as well under "band info" for all to see. Also an op-ed piece I wrote about the music business after a movie that I recently saw that inspired me to put my opinion into words about the music business… 

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RICKY PARENT: 

Ricky Parent was born on September 5 in Passaic, New Jersey.  His childhood years he lived in New Jersey & New York. 

He was about 5 years old when realized his love for the drums.  He heard a marching band playing down the street while he was playing football and the next thing he knew he was following the drum sound.   He banged on pots and pans until he started drum lessons, mainly learning from records, radio and drum clinics.  His first kit was a Mickey Mouse drum set that he quickly destroyed.  He later got a real Del Ray (covered in black contact paper), with  cymbals and snare.  

Enuff Z' Nuff band member since 1993. 

Marital Status:  Single Height:  5'9" Weight:  135  lbs Eyes:  Brown 

Other bands prior to Enuff Z'Nuff:  Recorded with Steve Thompson in Switzerland.   War & Peace with Jeff Pilson from Dokken and Tommy Hendrickson.  Sass Jordan, Alice Cooper, Tod Howarth from Frehley's Comet and recorded with Vince Neil.  Ricky was living in California when he heard that Vikki Fox was leaving the band.   The band Ricky was playing in (War & Peace) had just broken up.  He was playing with Paul Gilbert in a fun jam band around Los Angeles.   Paul knew Chip and gave Ricky his number.  He flew to Chicago and has been in the band ever since.  

Major influences:  "My main influence is probably John Bonham, but I've gone through a bunch of phases from jazz – Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, etc.  Progressive Rock – Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips to Ringo to Ansley Dunbar, etc…pretty much listened with an open mind soaking up what I admired and working it into my own."  

Bands that were major influences:  Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith 

Drummers that were major influences:  John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Bill Ward, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, Simon Phillips, Terry Bozzio 

Ricky has to be seen live to appreciate the power of his drumming.  Donnie said that he has to play on 10 because of how hard he plays.  

Ricky is amazing on that stage.   He has this amazing way of becoming "part" of the music, and playing his heart out.    He has a glowing smile, and has a way of making each person think that he is playing just for them.  He is truly gifted, and his love for the music shines through.   

Donnie Vie: 

Co-founder of Enuff Z'Nuff 

Bandmember since 1984 

Birthday: March 29 Status: single 

Contributions:  Writer, producer, mixing, sound effects, vocals, guitar, keyboards, slide guitar, harmonica, percussion 

Other projects: 

1994- "Walter Ego" album, Sy Klopps Blues Band- guitar, backing vocals, producer 1996- "Bring Me The Head of Eternity" album, Twigs- guitar 

2001- "Fire Woman- A Cult Tribute" album; song: "She Sells Sanctuary"- vocals, backing vocals 

Song-writing credits-(other than EZN): 

"Girl Crazy" for Paul Gilbert ("Flying Dog") 

"She Gets Down" and "We're All Alright" for Nelson ("Imaginator") 

"Wheels" for The Tuesdays ("Tuesdays") 

"Faith Love & Hope" and "Amazing Grace" for James Young ("Raised By Wolves") 

If you wanted to hear the self-proclaimed "life story" of Donnie Vie, he himself would tell you to just plug in the song "The Beast" from "Ten" and listen very carefully. 

Angst, blame, peace, pain, guilt, regret, love, and anger have followed this innately prolific singer/songwriter/multi-musician like a mocking shadow throughout his 2-plus decade roller coaster ride through the world of music. Never one to be complacent in his opinions and feelings, Donnie has been revered and admired by his fans, and shocked- even frightened perhaps- by some of his counter-parts, predecessors, and peers for his straight-forward, sometimes painfully honest, "in-your-face", no-BS attitude. Refreshing to most, in a world(and business) that sometimes contains way too many cardboard cut-outs and "yes men". 

Donnie grew up in Blue Island IL, an industrial suburb on the south end of Chicago. Assuming that music took a hold of the very young Donnie, he was given his first musical instrument at the age of 3, by his grandfather. Thus the seed was planted for what inevitably lay ahead... 

A copy of The Beatles' "Please Please Me" album obviously sparked a particular interest and admiration in a young man who would ultimately be hailed as "the most Lennon-esque sounding voice, this side of Julian". 

Stating that the first 'show' he played was a charity concert for cancer, his talents would not go unnoticed or overlooked. A pre-teen-aged Donnie appeared vocally on the album "Burglar" by blues musician Freddie King in 1974. 

Donnie lent his talents to a Beatles cover band as a teen, and it wasn't long after graduation that he and a man named Chip Z'Nuff fell into a simultaneous path.... 

Donnie the `man' and Donnie the `performer' are never far removed from one another. On stage, he exudes the effervescent energy and vibe that will grab you around the neck and pull you in close for a ride that is either sheer power rock and roll, or chill-inducing ballad. His comedic wit, and gift for tossing out spontaneous one-liners also follow through as you talk to Donnie offstage. If you can keep up with him, you'll hear some classic anecdotes and profound (if not sarcastic) words of wisdom along the way…. 

Chip Z'Nuff: 

Co-founder of Enuff Z'Nuff Band member since 1984 Birthday: September 10 

Status: married (2nd marriage); one daughter 

Contributions: Writer, producer, mixing, engineering; bass, vocals, guitars 

Other projects: 

1994- "Walter Ego" album, Sy Klopps Blues Band- bass guitar, 12-string bass, backing vocals, producer 

1995- "Ticket to Hell" album, Junebug- producer; also song-writing credits on 8 of the album's 10 tracks 

1996- "Bring Me The Head of Eternity" album, Twigs- bass 

2001- "Fire Woman-A Tribute to The Cult" album, song: "She Sells Sanctuary"- bass, guitar, backing vocals 

Song-writing credits (other than EZN): "She Gets Down" and "We're All Alright" for Nelson ("Imaginator") "Faith, Love & Hope" and "Amazing Grace" for James Young ("Raised By Wolves") 

Glue. Fortitude in constant action. An unfailing leader with the patience to accept, connect, and deliver the 'goods' of perseverance. 

This is Chip Z'Nuff, respected musician and man, friend to all fans, and captain of the 'vessel' which is Enuff Z'Nuff. Always the businessman and too often the martyr, Chip stands firm in his vision and unfailing belief that the band's long-over-due break is just around the corner. 

Chip grew up in the Chicago suburb of Blue Island. A close-knit family and "your average childhood" set in place the values and beliefs that are still obviously firmly in place today. 

He attended Catholic schools and played baseball, the latter of which earned him a degree of attention for his skill as a pitcher. Chip was offered scholarships and a shot at a minor league ball career, however music was pulling him in another direction. 

Baseball just wasn't going to be enuff. His dad bought him a bass guitar at a flea market, and there was no turning away. Honing his skill and playing in bands along the way, Chip invariably began to realize that his musical talents were deeper-rooted than first imagined. After meeting Donnie through a mutual acquaintance, an instant creative and brotherly bond was formed, which began the magic that is Enuff Z'Nuff.  

Chip on stage has been described as stoic, laid-back, cool, and funky. He is seldom seen without shades or one of his many eclectic hats, which by now are expected  `trademark Z'Nuff' attire. With a comforting smile and characteristic `bounce' to the beat, his undeniable leadership qualities pop out from time to time and assure those in the audience that "big brother" is here, and it's all good… 

Off stage, Chip is the epitome of gentleman, always gracious and available to friends and fans alike. No matter who you are, he has the time for you. In fact, spend any amount of time with him and you'll most definitely walk away feeling like a `brother' or `sister'… 

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So You Want To Be A Rock Star? 

I recently saw the movie "Rock Star" which is based on a true story about Rob Halford and Judas Priest. Being a semi-professional musician for over 20 years I could relate to a lot of the things that surrounded "metal/ hair bands" of the 80's and early 90's in this movie. 

The decade was one of excitement, "fun music", free love, excess, greed and egotism both on the part of the bands and management. While I did not achieve the stature that major label bands did I still saw mirror images of what the road was like with all the trimmings. The stage was great and the rest of it was pretty boring and not glamorous at all! There was rampant drug use and women everywhere. This might have seemed fun at the time but became an absolute nightmare both physically and in personal relationships. Why do I bring this up in this issue? Because it made me realize why only a select few bands from that era have "real" relevance to this day and have survived the onslaught of pop, rap and bubble gum music. 

There were many bands that attained some amount of success during this period and are trying to recapture that magic even now. We see them in our local clubs drawing hundreds of people instead of thousands. And instead of selling million's of albums if you sell fifty to one hundred thousand copies it's considered a big accomplishment. The music business has been a cyclical one that tends to come full circle by most standards in a 20-year period. But… as I watched what to me was a fun period in my life I had also realized why I got out of it and that realistically music would probably never go back to those days again. 

New bands dress as anyone on the street would and the ones that don't are about image for teens and lip-synching. The lyrics have gotten more personal or dark in some cases with bands of an alternative/ heavy nature and shallow in others when it comes to the biggest selling acts which we all know of. Musically the "solo" is almost non- existent and given way to tuning down the instruments and a more rhythm orientated style of playing. Leaving many of us who have played in our rooms for hours each day copying the toughest licks yawning at the thought of what is deemed acceptable these days. 

While the face of 80's rock has taken on a metamorphosis in the 21st century there are many bands that have their music deeply rooted in the bands that thrived during the time the movie I saw takes place. Sure… the make-up is gone and the clothes have changed but the song remains the same essentially. The biggest difference is in the age gap. Concert attendees and record companies want to see bands that are near the age of the audience members. This is one BIG difference that did not exist then. If your music was good then your age was not an issue as much. Some say they don't want to watch musicians that are nearing the age of their fathers. I don't buy that. The radio stations, big money record companies and MTV's of the world are dictating what we hear! When the younger generation hears bands we love they like them and often wonder why they are not getting airplay? And why… because of the cigar smoking big wigs that decide what gets played and what doesn't.  For many of us this means a HUGE grass roots undertaking on our part to get the message out and see the musical climate change. Bottom line! 

For those of us who still enjoy bands that have seen their hay day's come and go we can at least remember this for now. We have NOT abandoned our principals in favor of the flavor of the month and can hold our heads high. Continue to wear out our favorite recordings and be thankful for bands that have persevered during these lean times like Enuff Z'nuff. Continue to support these bands and count our blessings. With a little help from their friends their time will come again… 

Chris Capozza 

Next month we hope to have 15 questions with Chip Z'nuff for the December issue. Because of a crossed phone line at his office it was unable to be conducted in time for this issue. Sorry about that folks but it was out of my control! I did however have a nice conversation with Chip's dad and for those of you in the Chicago area Chip has produced a song for his wife Michelle that was featured on "Breakfast w/ the Beatles". It's been getting a lot of airplay and I hear Michelle has quite a singing voice! Check it out if you can. Chip's dad is a great guy and I see where his son gets it from!  J 

Till next month the staff wishes you a safe Thanksgiving for those American subscribers and Remembrance Day to our UK and Canadian friends. And well wishes to all of our other European friends and others around the world as well! Chris, Bill, Traci and Mike Special thanks to Sue Rikli for her contributions in the bio section! 

Chris, Traci & Michael 

The EZN Express  

www.eznexpress.com

 "To improve, be prepared to be called stupid and foolish"…