A HISTORY LESSON

Pictured is the One Way band circa 1979. Recognize any of those handsome dudes? That's PowerPlay FYI keyboardist Ruben (second from right) and PowerPlay FYI alum and vocalist Mike (right).

Also pictured from left to right are "Cisco" (guitar), John (bass and lead vocals), Julian (trombone and lead vocals), Wo (sax and congas).

This is actually the second One Way. The original performed from 1972 to 1977. In 1977, Julian, Wo and Ruben formed the second which lasted until 1979. Members of the original and second later formed The Business and eventually PowerPlay FYI.


DEAR JOHN

In the youthfulness of those early years we formed lifelong bonds. We played together, sang together but mostly we dreamed together. It's with great sadness that we received news of John's passing on August 16, 2010.

John was a joker and kept us laughing all the time. He had a knack for keeping our spirits up through good times and bad. He was a talented bass player and singer. With his vocal range he could belt out the stratospheric arias made famous by Phillip Bailey in the classic Earth, Wind and Fire song, "Reasons". Yet at the same time, he could lay down those solid bass lines.


OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

Life isn't always fair and musicians often work more for the love of their craft. So it goes that we return a favor and help raise the spirits of John's family by donating of our craft at a "Celebration of Life" fund raiser to be held in his memory on September 19th, 2010, at Bobby McGee's in Chicago Ridge.

Wally (also a great bass player, One Way alum, and John's brother-in-law) along with his wife (John's sister Virge) and John's other relatives are hosting this event. PowerPlay FYI, The Business and other guest musicians will be joining in. All are invited.