Stories

Tim would always be telling me ‘more smoke!’

I first met Tim probably back in 1985 as we were preparing for the gig that both our bands were getting ready to play at Smithtown High School East. His band was Discovery and mine was Dealer. I remember going to his house and watching him play and sing the song 'Lay it On The Line' by Triumph. I remember thinking, 'Wow,this guy is really good'. Back in those days there wasn't all these YouTube videos of people teaching you how to play songs, you had to figure it out yourself. He not only learned that and other complex songs by Rush, and Skynrd but he played them the right way. Tim had what we called a 'Golden Ear' for music which is a rare gift. Over the next 30 years I got to see Tim play many shows and let me tell you, he never failed to deliver the goods live. I helped out Talkbox at many gigs and worked the smoke machine for them. Tim would always be telling me 'more smoke'!! I remember one gig where Talkbox opened for Ted Poley of Danger Danger and when they looked in before they were about to come on the entire venue was smoked out! They just shook their heads. Tim had a backstage pass with a somewhat fictional record company 'Electric Records' on it. He used this pass to get into so many shows for free it was unbelievable. Even the Rolling Stones at Madison Square Garden! I'm sure he won't need it but if he had to he would use it to get backstage in Heaven. Besides being a great musician and a real rock star Tim was a great guy. I put up this site so that he and his music won't be forgotten. I will keep adding to the site as I find new photos and music. If you have anything you would like to contribute please e-mail me at jimg@g6tech.com ~ Jim Gregory

Here is a great Tim story that Scott Hoelldobler (AKA "Hoey") emailed me:

I would like to share a short story with you about Tim. About 15 years ago, we went to see Ray Charles and BB King with a few other guests such as Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker at Jones Beach Theatre. The two of us meandered our way up to the front row during Ray Charles' set. Ray was having problems with his electric organ. The sound was breaking up and his crew were scrambling all around the stage attempting to correct the issue. You could tell Ray was getting upset. However, it was fixed after a few minutes, and the sound was awesome. In between the next song Tim yells out, "Come on Ray!!" Ray Charles replied, "Settle down, this aint no Rock and Roll Show!! The first 15 rows or so bursted out with laughter. I said to him "Ha, Ray Charles told you to shut up." we laughed about that for the rest of the night. A few years later when Ray Charles past away, I called Tim and we laughed our asses off as we recalled the concert and what Ray Charles had said to him. I sure do miss my friend Tim!!! - Scott Hoelldobler

Dealer and Discovery - Live at Smithtown High School East 1985

The poster below (by Dane Carasiti) is from the concert 30 plus years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. Below I have video from that very show that luckily Tim was able to make a copy of and send to me many years after the show. Rock on T-Bone!I

Website by g6:tech

Website by g6:tech

Stories

Tim would always be telling me ‘more smoke!’ I first met Tim probably back in 1985 as we were preparing for the gig that both our bands were getting ready to play at Smithtown High School East. His band was Discovery and mine was Dealer. I remember going to his house and watching him play and sing the song 'Lay it On The Line' by Triumph. I remember thinking, 'Wow,this guy is really good'. Back in those days there wasn't all these YouTube videos of people teaching you how to play songs, you had to figure it out yourself. He not only learned that and other complex songs by Rush, and Skynrd but he played them the right way. Tim had what we called a 'Golden Ear' for music which is a rare gift. Over the next 30 years I got to see Tim play many shows and let me tell you, he never failed to deliver the goods live. I helped out Talkbox at many gigs and worked the smoke machine for them. Tim would always be telling me 'more smoke'!! I remember one gig where Talkbox opened for Ted Poley of Danger Danger and when they looked in before they were about to come on the entire venue was smoked out! They just shook their heads. Tim had a backstage pass with a somewhat fictional record company 'Electric Records' on it. He used this pass to get into so many shows for free it was unbelievable. Even the Rolling Stones at Madison Square Garden! I'm sure he won't need it but if he had to he would use it to get backstage in Heaven. Besides being a great musician and a real rock star Tim was a great guy. I put up this site so that he and his music won't be forgotten. I will keep adding to the site as I find new photos and music. If you have anything you would like to contribute please e-mail me at jimg@g6tech.com ~ Jim Gregory

Here is a great Tim story that Scott Hoelldobler (AKA

"Hoey") emailed me:

Dealer and Discovery - Live at Smithtown High School

East 1985

This site is dedicated to the memory of Tim Tiarks