Rush

I go way back with Gene and the Band

As I listened to his music from the beginning where "Little Joe's" Dad taught him to play when he grew up

Gene was older than me but somewhere our paths crossed and when I saw him in freshmen year in HS Kirkwood... We became friends

I use to haul and set up the band gear 1966 -67 onwards until 70's when he went up North.... so put me on the list of Band Members ... Most of them knew me and I am still in touch with Billy (Rusty) Parker....

Every gig from Rainy Daze .... we played and opened with Ted Nugent ... Alice Cooper and a few more big acts... Many things went on back stage ,,,lol... another book

We did Castaway Club... Biltmore... to "Secret Hide Outs" Bashes when Army wanted him for AWOL.... We did Wash U during Vietnam war protests and I witnessed the ROTC building burn... At Forest Park Pavilion the cops came to pull the plug on electricity many times.... so I bought a generator

We also did the St Louis Yippie Festival at the bottom of hill of the Pavilion ... thousands attended... I was on stage that night myself

Gene and the gang will always be in my memories... Party hard bunch of friends and great musicians....

Him and Don and Billy are among the best,,, if not THE best Rock and Roll Band in Saint Louis and if not in the states ... Hell we played with many legendary bands and people well known

I look at the many pictures on your web site..... I can tell a story for each one or write a book about the old rock days .... hmm that is why I just do my own songs today .... different style to Gene

So long story short,,,, Gene and the band Rush..... Will always be one of the best 60's rock in your face band ever around .... huge big sound for just three players in the band

RIP ... all old players

Those still alive should post something here

Jim Strecker

A GREAT, poignant photo from Joe Bohnert, Gene's gear packed up just after his death!

P.S. Two other Gene stories – not sure I mentioned this but that 345 Gene is playing in the videos was given to him by Steve Marriot, while Gene was on the road driving semis for Humble Pie (Bob Heil actually).

The second… the day Gene jammed with Ted Nugent. I was working for Ted at the time, just after turning 18. I had played with Gene for the first several month period earlier that year. Anyway, the house where I lived in Jackson MI was also where Ted and the band rehearsed. In another out-of-the-blue moment there was a knock on the door and when I opened it, I found Gene standing there. He was on his way somewhere for Bob Heil and had gotten my current address from my mom. I ran downstairs and told everyone (they were rehearsing) that “my guitar player” Gene was upstairs. I guess I had mentioned him enough that the first thought was to jam, because Ted called his wife and told her to bring over a guitar. I don’t remember hearing much of what they played because I was too chicken to go down and check it out. I don’t think it went badly but I also don’t think Gene as interested… Ted was always on the lookout for guys to sing (he went through lots of singers). Wouldn’t that have been an insane clash of egos… Gene Edlen and Ted Nugent in the same band!

If you have any info about, or photos or recordings of this band, PLEASE email me at: greg@dejawho.com

Photos courtesy Don Westerholt, Joe Bohnert, Dennis Cavanaugh, Bob Reuter, Greg Edick and Bob Shelli