I recently rediscovered some gems from my past.
Back in December 1980 as a 21 yr old, I had the good fortune to cross paths with
virtuoso Guitarist "Asim Can Gunduz" who altered my course as a drummer.
I'll start at the beginning...flash back to 1980.. me and a few friends saw a Killer Hendrix tribute band at a club called Blackbeards in Baldwin ,NY with an amazing Guitarist. Two weeks later I pull into a Shell station on Rockaway Turnpike and its the the same Guitarist pumping gas! We talked and I told him I was a drummer. I'll never forget, he sang this line to me "Southside brother is drifting through, guitar in his hand he knows just what to do" then he asked me to sing it with him and I did. After a bit he asked if I could find a Bass player and meet him at Roxie Studios that night. I called my friend Doug and told him grab your Bass I'll pick you up later!!
Meeting and getting to know him was an experience that had a profound effect on me. It only lasted a few months before family obligations forced him to move back to his native Turkey, but as musician I was never the same.
Sadly Asim passed away in 2016.
I will always remember these sessions with joy.
Rest in peace brother.
Asim Can Gunduz- Guitar
Doug Wimms-Bass
Steve Mauro-Drums
