Nickname: Dexter
--------------------REST IM PEACE LEE------------------------ Bio: Lee Pelton Birth Place: Greeley Colorado Started playing: Third grade, Hawaiian Steel guitar Influences, Bass: Steve Harris, Geezer Butler, John Entwistle Influences, Guitar: Randy Rhoads, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Ace Frehley
I was turned on to Randy Rhoads when I was stationed in Iwakuni Japan with the Marine Corps in 1987. At the urging of a friend I borrowed “Ozzy Rhoads Tribute”: album for a weekend. I had heard Ozzy on the radio but wasn’t a hard core fan. That weekend forever changed how I viewed the guitar and Randy Rhoads. I had never heard Randy live. I realized after listening to that album, that I had a lot more to learn, and that became my sole goal after reaching California.
I was stationed in Oceanside California for the next 2 ½ years where I found Russ Allen, an excellent guitar teacher in Oceanside. Born with freaky long fingers, he could do things that were unnatural on a guitar. I told him that I wanted to learn music theory and song structure, not just how to play something on a CD. He paid me the ultimate compliment when I left California to return to Colorado. He said, “you’re one of my favorite students I’ve had, I’m really going to miss you” Russ and I are still great friends to this day.
In 2001 I started taking piano and voice lessons. I had been told by more than one person that my vocals were ” terrifying”…( in a BAD way)! I’m working with a great vocal/piano teacher, Bev Kerns. She has shown great patience and earplugs helping me get my vocals off the ground and out of the shower.
I played with the band Knights Of Tethys for about a year. (www.knightsoftethys.com) That really helped me take my bass playing from basic 1/8 note backing notes to more Iron Maiden style bass. They’re a great band that’s keeping old style Iron Maiden/ Judas Priest metal alive in Denver. I was glad to have been able to play with these talented young men.
During a gig where Munki played before the Knights is where Pat and I met. I was impressed with Munki’s style of music. Pat and I exchanged business cards that night. We got back in touch a couple of weeks later and that’s what led me to becoming a Munki bass man.
Lee Pelton Bailey Colorado