Johnny & the Distractions
Click on image to
purchase CD or listen to samples. Visit the Distractions
page at PacificNorthwestBands.com Visit the Jon Koonce webpage. Johnny and the
Distractions were one of the premier
bands to ever come out of Portland. The stories are
legendary of all the sweaty clubs they played in the city including Sak’s
Front Avenue, Euphoria, Last Hurrah….the list goes on. The band delivered
every week, usually 4 days a week. The word got out and fans were lining up
sold old clubs to get in. Led by vocalist
Jon Koonce along with Bill Feldmann (guitar) Greg Perry (keyboards), LaRue
Todd (bass) and Kip Richardson (drums) had the chemistry, the chops and the
songs. They worked up a crowd as if they were the best band in the world. The
word went even farther after they self released their own record…yes record.
The years were 1978 to 1984 and the vinyl record was still in its heyday.
A&M Records signed the band to a record deal soon after. The end results
was “Let It Rock”. Guitarist Mark Spangler now was in the band also. The
record release party for the album was held at the Paramount Theater (now the
Arlene Snitzter Auditorium) to a sold out audience of almost 3000. “Let It Rock”
started getting AOR radio play and an opening slot on a national tour for the
J. Geils Band during their “Freeze Frame’ Tour. The tour even stopped off at
the Memorial Coliseum on it’s way to Seattle and Canada. They put their
hearts and souls into it and won over new fans at every stop. They say all
things have to come to an end. The end for this band came when A&M
Records decided that they just needed Johnny, did not need the Distractions.
The year was 1984. Yes, there was a Johnny & the Distractions band in the
late 80’s and into the 90’s and it was real good however, it could not
capture all the heart and soul of that original band. That band created the
legacy that lives on in the minds of all who ever saw that band. Roadhouse
rock that's a cut above the rest. Johnny & The Distractions had two
independent releases as well as a release for A&M.; Vocalist Johnny
Koonce also recorded a solo album for A&M.; "My Desire-The Best Songs
& More" is a ten song re-recorded greatest hits package of this
rockin' outfit including the AOR hit Octane Twilight. It also includes two
new tracks not found on any of his previous recordings. This one's for the
fans and for anyone who had a great time in the rock clubs of the '70s. Johnny and the
Distractions “ My Desire”
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