Dear Frank,

I've loved your music the first time I heard it (late 70's) and was fortunate enough to see you perform at a club in Baltimore called Coast to Coast.
I, like I'm sure many people, believe you to be one of the finest guitarists ever.
Anyway, something unusual brings me to your web site today. Although I haven't listen to your albums or for that any of the old vinyl I have, for many years, I have always had the melody for "Try for Freedom" in my head. I would hum it, out loud or to myself, when I found myself in nervous situations. For instance, I wrecked on a motorcycle when I was 19 and never got back on until I was 43. I was scared but wanted to work through it. As I was on the road, I would be humming that song.
I ordered the cd from a place out west, not for that song, as a matter of fact, I'm not sure if I even remembered it was one of your songs. Requiem for a Sinner was actually my favorite.
Over the past few years, I have been attempting to walk a more spiritual path. Yesterday,as I was listening to the track, I actually took time to study the words. Although I haven't been able to understand them all, I was blown away by the message instilled in that song. Is it a coincidence that this song had stuck with me for so many years and has had such a calming affect on me? I don't think so. I don't believe in coincidence.
I just wanted to say Thank You !!!!!!

Hello Frank
I am listening your new album ...and WOW....i am amaze, you are better than when i was a kid, i worked whit Paul Levesque as A&R, i was honnour to work with someone who knows you and respect you that much, you're still the best guitare player in quebec, and one of the most talented composer i ever heard.
I met your friend Phillippe and i was glad to see that your still alive and creative....continu, i want to see tou LIVE,
Best wish(sorry for my english)
Sylvain Charlebois

Pittsburgh awaits the triumphant return of Frank Marino.
We are fired up and looking forward to seeing one of rocks good guys.

Yo > I am one of those guitarists that most say why aren't I famous. I have been playing since 1963 and am 55 now. These days I listen to Frank Marino and mahogany Rush, Leslie West, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter and other Guitar related bands. I find great satisfaction in learning licks and riffs to build on my style of playing. My practice Guitar is a Gibson Dobro strung so I can bend em. I find the best way of learning Mr. Marinos licks is to just listen... this takes little effort to learn it in my mind so I know what to do, and then takes many weeks to perfect what I need to lay down on the fretboard. Sunny

What not to like bout this group. Keep on groovin and keep 18 down!

frank ill be watching for you if you come to texas, i missed you in mcallen, texas in 1982,( deep deep south texas-hello down over here) but ill try very hard to see you live before i leave this earth. Ive been a fan of yours since 1976. god bless you , hope u come to texas.

Hey Frank,
This is an odd question that is twofold. Do you remember playing at Cortland High School in 1975, it was crazy, I remember the principle said "Never again!" it was great..and 2nd what ever happened to Phil A.? your drummer then. He gave us lessons that day.
You are still the best man..thanks for making music that stirs my soul...
John

THANK YOU ALL, FRANK & THE BAND!!!!!!

Sorry this is so long, but due to PC problems it hasn't been possible to post it earlier, I thought I'd better get it in before it gets too stale.

Well, what a start to a tour,

Started at The Mean Fiddler, after approximately 2hrs of sound checks Frank & the Band started off with Voodoo Chile, they then went on to, Red House, He's Calling, The Answer, Midnight Highway, Poppy, excert of She's Not There on to Crossroads, Stories Of A Hero, Strange Universe (the longest version I have ever heard, maybe Ode To Creation was slipped in as with the "Real Live" Album, though how you slip in a 10:07min track, only Frank knows!), Frank & the band then went into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Frank then did his solo accompanied by Dave on drums, finishing his solo he then went for a smoke off stage while Dave carried on with a drum solo, with the band all back on stage, we then got IV (the Emperor), leaving Frank to finish with Guit-War or maybe Electric Reflections of War (which to me, seems a longer version of Guit-War).

Not being content with 3 hours of playing, Frank & Avi (Pete & Dave may have come out after I had left) then went on to "Meet and Greet" anyone who had time to stay and talk, I got about 10 mins with him, but as anyone would know, after 22 years that is not long enough, unfortunately I had to leave early to catch a last train, thinking, "that's O.K. as I am seeing him tomorrow at Southampton tomorrow I'll get in the other questions (wrong!).

Yes, Frank did play with his teeth and Avi did a solo on the electric violin [not using his teeth though (lol)] , which was excellent.

So for his first night in U.K. Frank, & the band gave at least 6 hours of his/their time for us.

Southampton, I didn't write down the tracks, thinking it'll be the same as last night (wrong), the first 2 numbers were the same, the next number was different, which totally threw me, so I decided to get into the music, and talking to Steve Stanley, one of the promoters, was told that Frank doesn't do a fixed set anymore, he plays what he feels like playing on the night, which is O.K. by me.

Once again Frank mingled with the Franksters afterwards, but tonight, all the band came down together, yet again feeling more of a friend than a fan, I let the other Franksters get in first, I'm not really interested in getting Frannk to sign everything I have by him, I'd be there all night, but it ended up with me & him getting 5 more minutes after everyone else had left, I nearly got to meet his wife & kids, but they just couldn't spare any more time as they had a long drive to where they were staying.

Any of you Franksters out there that went to any gig, except The Mean Fiddler, and jotted down or can remember what tracks Frank played, let me know.

The Intrepid Fox in Wardour Street was O.K. I personally didn't see these guys with make up that was mentioned (maybe it's changed since juggernaut1 last visited), and will recommend it for future Frankster meetings if he plays near there in future.

Frank, thank you from the U.K. fans, you said before I left Southampton, "You call, and we'll be there", well, we've been calling (or hoping) for 20 odd years, and this year it happened, but I'm sure that just as it was for us, it was for you, too short, though I must say, that the 3hr sets are excellent and definitely not short.

Most Franksters that e-mailed me, asked me, to ask you to play Ain't Dead Yet and insisted in the whole number not just an excerpt, and although you didn't play it at the 2 gigs I went to, I think the other numbers made up for it, and I didn't get time at The mean Fiddler, owing to Mac & Saran bringing you that instrument, we tried to get in with them but Steve Stanley said it was too crowded in the "dressing room" (which I actually agreed with) so we went out, and then it was too late as it was time for you to hit the stage.

I hope the Ladstock T-shirt, car stickers & lighters were O.K., I know that Avi was still using the lighter at Southampton as he showed it to me there.

I AM GETTING YOUR WIFE, KIDS & THE REST OF THE BAND, LADSTOCK II T-SHIRTS AS PROMISED, PLEASE E-MAIL ME AN ADDRESS TO SEND THEM TO!

I also hope that the blast from the past newsletters, etc. have worked their way into your collection of memorabilia, I still have other things like the postcards sent out, that I will scan & send you.

Steve (Cornwallsteve).

Nice to hear your music again Frank, After all these years I am 45 and can remember how HOT " Child of the Novelty"I was in my teens !!! You Rule on the Guitar Frank!!!! And it looks like you have not missed a Lick after all these years! Where have you and the band been "Hangin Out" at all this time? Also, Frank, Why won't you hit Chicago or the North Suburbs at Least We still think your'e the BOMB!!! Here in Illinois U>S>A>

Im approaching 20 years clean and sober and wish you the best with your sobriety and life in general. Always loved your music and am glad that it is accesible again. Whats the deal with the nice cars on one of your albums? Did you race? Peace Brother, Mark out

I've been into the music of Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush since 1975 and
I hope the records and tours never stop. Play it loud and play it proud.
See you in Schaumburg,Illinois and Oct. 14th

yalls prescence is needed here in texas....soon would be nice. REMEMBER THE ARMADILLO !!!!!!!

Ever since I purchased Power of Rock and Roll (I was sold by the album cover - I know Frank doesn't like it) as a sophomore in high school in 1982, I have been a huge fan. I had never heard music like that before. I mean Go Strange, Ain't Dead Yet, Runnin Wild - serious talent. I then began a fervent search for the out of print records; luckily finding them all at record swaps. I love them all - and still do after all these years. This music is timeless in that it is as good today as it was then. Stories of a Hero means more to me in these times than it ever did. Now a little story...

Another big fan, my long lost friend, Pete Franklin, tattooed much of the Mahogany Rush album cover art (more than five of them) on his body. We, with other friends, waited for two days outside a small theater, the Colony Ballroom, in Chicago in 1986 just to be close to the greatness that is Frank Marino. As it turned out, Frank, Vince and the band were very gracious to us and we were allowed to help with equipment load in, parking and were charged with finding Frank some local Italian food. For helping, we punky kids were saved seats in the front row!! Frank and the band then performed one of the best rock shows ever, in my view - except a few other FM & MH shows around Chicagoland around the same time.

I just learned about the new record. I'll be buying it on this site right away! I have called all my old buddies in Chicagoland about the upcoming shows. They are all excited and likely will be at Chicago City Limits in Schaumburg in mid October. Please consider performing in the Rocky Mountain region at some point. There is a rather large contingent of fans out here who would be ecstatic to see/hear you in person.

Frank, please know that there are those of us who listen to your music a whole lot more than you may think. Thank you for reentering the music scene after your self imposed hiatus. We truly appreciate your contributions to music as an artform.

Edwin

I was listening to XM Radio when a live set of Mahogany Rush started and I realized it has been 20 years since I listened to him. I forgot just how "blazing" Frank Marino was on guitar. I was a young soldier in the Army in 1979 when I first heard his music and I was hooked. Strangely, I forgot all about him. Thanks to Deep Tracks on XM Radio, I am a fan once again. I found a old LP of Tales of the Unexpected in my collection and spun it up. Loved it. Went out and picked up the "Double Live" CD and knew then that Frank is probably the most underrated rock guitarist in history. I would love to see him live sometime. Now I'm a middle aged rocker and still get into the veteran artists. Keep on Rockin,Frank.

Ed LoCoco

Hi Frank Marino. Was introduced to your music a looong time ago; I still love the two albums I have of yours, but had no idea what happened to you .... And here I am: Displaced from my home of 7 yrs - New Orleans - due to hurricane Katrina; now I'm hanging with friends in N.Y. and what do I see? FRANK MARINO listed as playing at BB King's in NYC !!! Very happy to see u are still around. And I'll definitely try to make it to the gig on Oct. 24 2005.
Hope to be able to go back to N'Awlins, maybe via Austin, and hopefully you will make your presence known there too!
Love & Peace,
Kristina

Hey Frank,
You and Pat Traveres have been my favorite slingers since the early 70,s when I was in my early 20,s Im now 51. Ive only seen you once, I cant wait to try and get to your show in Allentown, Pa in Oct. Your new cd Real Live is just fantastic !! Im suprised your Guitars dont spontaniously combust into flames everytime you touch them, you are the man.

Roch Burns
Hatboro,Pa

Good luck on your 2005 tour see you at Chgo. City limits Im in the Backup band that ev.. and im proud and thrilled to be there!

Hi! All you people with good taste of rock`n roll music. We really need to get this maestro back here in Finland(it´s a small scandinavian country here in europe at your knowledge). I´ve enjoyed listening Frank´s music since early 80´s,thanks to my big brother who introduced me Frank´s musical productions.Unfortunately Frank hasn´t visited here since then and I missed that live performance in Helsinki in early 80´s.
There are loads of Frank Marino fans here in Finland just waiting for an opportunity to be present at Frank´s gig - it would be definitely sold out!!
So Frank if you´re reading these messages,give it a go!!! Come over to this crazy land of snow and reindeers. - strange dreams-

Frank,

30 years ago me and my partner tate was heading home , a 3 hr. ride. About half way home, we are jammin to wmms, and we hear today at this little amusement park, close to where we were, Frank Marino and Magogny Rush. We both loved Frank, we were there. Outside by this cool lake a 3 peice band gave us the true meaning of " Rockin down the highway".!!! Now I am not beleiving in 3 more short weeks i am going to get to rock out twice in a four day span. See you in Cleve and see you in the Burgh. ROCK ON MY BROTHER!

SPUR

that was the first F.M. album i ever heard.