British Guitarist’s Passion For Blues Keeps Savoy Brown Alive And Touring

Some people give their lives to another person - a spouse or partner.

Kim Simmonds has given his life to music.

With a voice steeped in a British accent, the 49-year-old founding member of Savoy Brown talks about music - especially the blues - as though it were a spouse, one who stood by him through the tough times and the good times. One he could turn to when the chips were down and celebrate with when life was good.

“This is the dream I had when I was 13,” says Simmonds, whose rock and working-man blues spans three decades. “This is it; this is me. I’ve found something I can commit my life to and it’s a good feeling. It isn’t a bed of roses … but this is what I love doing.”

The legendary British blues guitarist will bring his passion for music - and his band - to the Fort Spokane Brewery Tuesday.

Born in Wales in 1947, Simmonds grew up listening to his older brother’s records and was 13 when he decided to pursue the life of a musician.

“I was sort of embarrassed to say I was going to learn guitar because that wasn’t something that anybody in my family was inclined to do,” he says. So he surreptitiously ordered a guitar from a magazine.

“When I got it, it was a box full of parts and I had to put it together all by myself. It was a big shock.”

Fortunately, Simmonds found directions for the guitar and a calling in the blues. He was 18 when he and a friend named John O’Leary started the Savoy Brown Blues Band - although neither was named Savoy Brown.

“We couldn’t call it the Kim Simmonds or John O’Leary band because - come on - who were we? We needed some kind of a cool sounding name so we just thought: Savoy Brown,” he says.

Although all the band members except Simmonds have changed over the years, the name stuck.

The band first came to the U.S. in 1968 when “everything was rock and roll,” Simmonds says. Because the group was white and played the blues with a lot of energy and volume, Savoy Brown soon became known as a rock ‘n’ roll band, too.

“The reality is, the blues guitar the English guys like myself were playing in fact became standard rock and roll guitar playing,” Simmonds says. “When we started out playing blues guitar nobody was playing like that. But within three or four years every pop record had a blues sounding guitar.”

Now considered one of the best guitarists from the ‘60s golden era of British Blues, this hardworking artist has produced 24 albums since the first in 1967 and is soon to release his 25th. “Solitaire,” due out in June, will be a solo album that features Simmonds on guitar, slide guitar, piano and harmonica.

Simmonds says his music hasn’t changed all that much over the years - something he’s proud of.

“I think it’s a challenge not to change,” he says. “As a musician, what started me off in music is what I’ve always tried to hold on to. I can always go back to that fountain of inspiration. I can say hey, you know, I got into this because I had a passion for it.”

See the passion in person at The Fort Spokane Brewery. Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 ($11 for Blues Society Members.) , The day the music died

Spokane’s music scene just took a big hit.

But who’s at fault depends on whom you ask.

The Northern Corner closed its doors two weeks ago - cancelling a month’s worth of live music - after its cabaret license expired.

A cabaret license is required for all establishments with live music and dancing. It must be renewed every year with the Spokane Police Department.

Police officials and some neighboring businesses say the bar was not a good neighbor, playing its music too loud and causing parking problems and disturbances in the neighborhood.

“You’d see syringes, rubbers, underwear all over the place back here (in the alley),” says Mike True, owner of the neighboring business True Restoration. “I can’t say I’m sorry to see them go.”

But Marc Mancuso, owner of the Northern Corner, says he installed $1,500 worth of insulation trying to cut down the noise. He said he tries to keep an eye on patrons as much as possible but can’t control everything that happens beyond his four walls.

He believes the police department unfairly targeted his business because they don’t like the kind of youth-oriented music he brings to the bar. “We pretty much got bullied out of business for the simple fact the city doesn’t like that scene,” he says.

Mancuso said he intends to fight to get his cabaret license back. Bob Grandinetti, of the police department’s special problems unit, says they’ll give it back to Mancuso - if he takes care of the noise and parking problems.

No matter who’s at fault, one thing is undeniable: The Spokane music scene is going to suffer as a result.

Our local flock of aspiring musicians need as many places as possible to hone their talents. And the rest of us need places like the Northen Corner to broaden our weekend entertainment options.

So, let’s hope the Northern Corner and the city can get things straightened out.

And stay tuned for more details.

Romeo, Romeo

And now, for some good news.

Romeo’s Cafe, a nice bistro at 221 S. Wall, has begun offering a steady diet of music - along with their regular food - on the weekends.

Arnie Carruthers, Spokane’s legendary jazz pianist, will play with bassist Noel Waters tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. Cover is $1.

An acoustic duo known as Case Closed will play Saturday night. The band features Lyle Morse, of Spokane, singing and playing rhythm guitar and harmonica. Doug Porter, of Coeur d’Alene, plays lead guitar.

Morse describes their music as “a creative mix of blues and folk with jazz influences.”

Show starts at 6 p.m. No cover.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NIGHTWATCH PICKS Best bets at area clubs: THURSDAY: Jazz piano enthusiasts should catch the Lynn Arriale Trio Thursday at 8 p.m. at Hobart’s Jazz Lounge at Cavanaugh’s on Fourth. Arriale was the winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition.

Winda Benedetti is the Spokesman-Review’s music writer. She can be reached by calling (509) 459-5089 or by e-mail at windab@spokesman.com. Music information can be faxed to (509) 459-5098 or mailed to 999 W. Riverside, Spokane, 99201.