Andy writes, "Hey guys - I hope you can answer this for me. Was Gary (Fountaine) the original bass player from back in the early 90’s?”
Great question! Read on to discover the untold history of Nu Shooz's bass players, from the band's beginning to their last performance in 2017. Head into the time machine with tales of funky gigs, band shake-ups, and unforgettable music. This piece pays special tribute to Gary Fountaine, the band's longest-serving bassist, who brought joy to every performance.
Farewell to our longtime bass player and friend, Gary Fountaine. September 15, 1957 to December 28,2023
We lost a good friend recently. Our beloved Bass Player Gary Fountaine died of cancer on Dec 28, 2023, at the age of 66.
There are certain players and singers who put out 110% every night, whether there’s five people in the audience or 50,000. THEY LEAVE IT ALL ON THE STAGE. Gary was one of those people. Joy emanated from his corner of the stage, whatever band he played with. He was so happy to be there. He loved his instrument. He loved the music and the audience. It was never fake.
Everybody knows the real thing when they see it, and Gary Fountaine was the real thing.
Read moreJohn's Musical Journey: A Conversation on the Nothing Shocking Podcast
John just popped on the 'Nothing Shocking Podcast' with Eric and Geoff, a pair of rock n roll enthusiasts from Chicago. They cover everything from punk to metal and...well, they even caught the NuShooz wave! Our trip down memory lane wasn't just a blast, it shook up some fresh nu tales. Who knew nostalgia could be this entertaining?
Read moreFAN QUESTIONS!
Greetings, music aficionados! John here. KJ, one of our fans, was curious about how I go about writing songs. I thought it was high time I shared my creative process with you all. From inspirations to the unique assembly line method I fondly call 'the Bone Pile,'’ I'll be revealing how the magic happens. Ready to take a tour of the songwriting landscape of Nu Shooz? Let's dive in!
Read moreThe Portland Music Mural Project
We’ve been honored by our hometown of Portland, Oregon. The Portland Mural Project was unveiled in September, a painting by the Pander Bros. of Dark Horse Comics fame. The mural includes thirty-three bands and performers who’ve left their mark on The Rose City and the World.
Read moreMeeting Paul Reubens
John recounts a chance encounter with Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-Wee Herman. Smith takes us back to the '87 Grammy Awards after-party where he met Reubens when he made eye contact with the man smoking next to him. Sadly, Paul Reubens passed away today at the age of 70.
Read more9 Songs That Made Me Want To Get Into Music
On Valerie’s podcast, every guest talks about a moment in their life that inspired them to make a life in music. For me, it was all about the music. These nine songs, ranging from soul to Latin to early New Orleans soul, convinced me to switch from pathology to music. And they’ve kept me playing for fifty years.
Read moreFred Ingram And The Genius of Album Art
The 12x12 vinyl album cover is a thing of the past, but Fred Ingram's airbrushed artwork for NU SHOOZ's first two albums still stands out.
Read moreR.I.P. Tina Turner
We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tina Turner. As a band, we played a couple of shows with her in the early 1980s and witnessed her incredible stage presence and powerhouse voice firsthand. Despite her smaller stature offstage, she commanded the stage like no other. Here are a few memories of our time with her. Rest in peace, Tina.
Read moreCarlos And Should I Say Yes en Español
One of our favorite songs we recorded during our years at Atlantic was 'Should I Say Yes.'
We were so pleased with the result that we decided to record a version in Spanish. Here's the story of that record and the remarkable man who helped us with the translation, Carlos Camus. It's a little snapshot of the vibrant music scene in Portland, Oregon, in the 1980s.
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