JULY 7 & JULY 8: Drummer Tim "Roland Rock" Bonow will join the jam in Crescent City and Brooking

A lifelong drummer, Tim Bonow, also known as Roland Rock will be joining the jam as host drummer July 7 at Port O'Pints Brewing in Crescent City California and July 8 Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings, Oregon. All blues fans and blues musicians in the region are encouraged to take part in this community food drive. Come join, or listen to an all-star lineup.

Roland Rock grew up listening to Duane Eddy, Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran and the rhythm and blues styles of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, as well as BB, Albert, and Freddie King. Then, living in Nigeria, he became acquainted with the percussive Afro Pop Highlife music of Eddie Okunta, King Sunny Ade and Tony Allen. He returned to the United States via England where he first heard the Yardbirds, the Who, Georgie Fame (with Mitch Mitchell on drums) and Graham Bond (who had Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker on bass and drums).

Roland Rock today in Crescent City, CA.

In the US, listening trends were shifting from Surf music to the “British Invasion” followed by Psychedelic and Blues Rock music. At that time, Roland Rock met and hung out with Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, and Frank Zappa, all of whom greatly contributed to his musical awareness.

Roland Rock started out playing drums and then learned to sing and play guitar. He has performed in Africa, Europe, and all over the United States, independently and opening for such acts as: Big Frank and the Clear Tones, The Sunrays, Albert Collins, The Mothers of Invention, Steppenwolf, the Mentors, Buddy Miles and the Electric Flag, Sly and the Family Stone's equipment (LOL: Sly, characteristically, didn't show up for the gig!), Santana, the Jefferson Airplane, and many others.

Interview with Tim "Roland Rock" Bonow on a blues television program in Seattle.