I am not a professional writer just a fan who enjoys music & would like to share my thoughts w/ you.
So if you see any typos or ill grammer I apologize. I do try to do research and will quote where I received my information.
Mostly these are my thoughts & reviews on the following artist.


Bill Chinnock
November 12, 1947 – March 7, 2007

Bill Chinnock

I first came across Bill Chinnock during my summer years spent up Maine. I remember one summer my sister handed me "Badlands" album to listen too saying he plays a lot up Maine. I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Springteen & Chinnock. It was later on I found out Bill’s history as being a Jersey boy.

As time went on I was able to pick up a number of his vinyls at Nuggets Record Shop in Boston. A little at a time I collected, Blues, Badlands, Dimestore Heroes, Rock & Roll Cowboys and Learning To Survive In The Modern Age.

Then CDs came out even though I neglected to buy any for the first couple of years. I just didn’t enjoy all that art work being shrunk down to a 4x4 but I succumb to modern technology, "Learning To Survive In The Modern Age."

Through all this time I really couldn’t find any information on Bill other than his albums. All I know is that I enjoyed his music of course some better than others but he always seemed honest in his style. I never had the opportunity to see him in concert but I like to feel that he was what he sung. He was the blues man, the outlaw, the dimestore hero, the rock & roll cowboy who is now livin’ in the Promised Land.

Bill never got the praise he deserved until The Emmy Award in '87 and he struggled at times producing hits you would think would be heard on the radio. He did have his loyal following through all the clubs from Maine down to hometown Jersey. I think Bill just took it in stride and excepted it just like those famous blues singers who never got their dues.

I am including his bio written by his website billchinnock.com
and www.bmaent.com
I believe they are better in suppling his history more so than myself.

From http://www.billchinnock.com
and www.bmaent.com/ billchinnock.htm.

First discovered by the legendary producer John Hammond, Sr. (who once dubbed him "the real essence of American music"), Bill's roots are in the blues as well as roots rock. He has toured with Albert King, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, Willie Dixon, James Cotton, John Lee Hooker and many others fashioning his unique style of blues and roots music. He is a soulful singer, lyrical slide & electric guitarist, electrifying harmonica player and a consummate songwriter professing a style best described as "American Music",.... drawing on influences as strong and diverse as the country itself.

Roots-rock-blues guitarist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter Bill Chinnock was one of the early founders of the Asbury Park, New Jersey music scene. His earliest bands had some impressive members, including Danny Federici, Garry Tallent, Vini Lopez, and David Sancious, among others; when Chinnock moved to Maine, his former bandmates became the foundation for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

Chinnock issued his debut Blues in 1975, followed in 1976 by Alive at the Loft. Badlands appeared two years later; after 1980's Dime Store Heroes, he remained silent until the release of 1985's Rock 'n' Roll Cowboys.

Bill then released in 1987 " Learning To Survive In The Modern Age" followed by " Thunder In The Valley" on Atlantic. Chinnock resurfaced in 1992 with Out on the Borderline; issued on his own label, East Point Records, it included keyboardist Chalmer Davis of Little Richard's band, as well as Doobie Brothers' drummer Michael Hossack, who also co-wrote the song "Take This Heart of Mine."

Chinnock received an Emmy Award in 1987 for Musical Direction and Composition for his song "Somewhere in the Night." He received an Emmy nomination the following year as well, and in the early '90s, he recorded a duet with New York-based soul singer Roberta Flack that was used as a theme song for the soap opera, Guiding Light. ~ Richard Skelly, All Music Guide

NEW CD-2003! Bill has just released a brand new CD titled " Livin In The Promised Land " on East Coast Records with longtime band mates Tony Smith on drums, John Kumnick on bass and Harry King on Keyboards.


The following was taken from boston.com in March 2007:


Bill Chinnock
November 12, 1947
March 7, 2007

photo scan from back cover of
" Learning To Survive In The Modern Age" 1987

Singer-songwriter Bill Chinnock dies at 59 in Maine
March 8, 2007

YARMOUTH, Maine --Musician Bill Chinnock, a founding member of what became Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died Wednesday at his home, police said. He was 59.

Chinnock, a blues and roots rock stylist, had been suffering from Lyme disease and police said they were called to his East Main Street home by his live-in caregiver. Lt. Dean Perry would not comment on the cause of death but said "it is not of a suspicious nature."
Chinnock's manager, Paul Pappas, told WCSH-TV, Portland, that the guitarist, keyboardist and singer-songwriter committed suicide.
"He fought a hard battle with his disease," said Chinnock's sister, Caroline Payne of Yarmouth.

A Newark, N.J., native, Chinnock was a key figure in the Asbury Park, N.J., music scene that propelled Springsteen to stardom.
Chinnock moved to Maine in the 1970s. He made 13 albums and in 1987 won an Emmy for his song, "Somewhere in the Night." A duet he later recorded with Roberta Flack became a theme song for the soap opera "Guiding Light."

His albums include "Blues," "Badlands," "Alive at the Loft," "Dime Store Heroes," "Livin' in the Promised Land" and "Out on the Borderline."

In addition to performing at venues in Maine and around the country, Chinnock wrote music for films and television.
Chinnock had been living in Yarmouth for at least eight or nine years, Perry said.


There is a tribute page at http://www.backstreets.com/ go to BTX menu under Loose Ends.
March 08, 2007 is the first thread of the post. The subject is: Bill Chinnock Tribute Thread
That includes many stories about Bill left by his friends and fans.


Any corrections or responses on Bill Chinnock send to evenspot@yahoo.com title subject “Bill Chinnock”.

 

 
 

Cry With Me/Little Boy Sad (single) Kamasutra
I never heard this single but did a search & found a Bill Chinnock Tribute Thread
at backstreets.com from a musician who played w/ Bill posted about “Cry With Me” that reads…

“…an old 45 record, Cry With Me, which Bill composed and also sang lead vocal on. The record also featured Danny Federici on keyboard, Larry Lerner on Drums, Jim Meltzer on back up vocals, and myself on bass. The B side of Cry With Me, was called Little Boy Sad, also a Chinnock original, with the same line up of musicians, but with Jim Meltzer singing the lead vocals.

 


1975 - Paramount label

1. Sweet Love
2. Wake Up Baby
3. In The Morning
4. I've Got A Feelin' For You
5. So Many Dreams Have Been Wasted
6. Travelin' Man
7. Backstreet Boogie
8. Love Stay Away
9. She's A Dream
10. You're My Woman

 

Blues
As it was wriiten in his bio Bill toured with Albert King, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, Willie Dixon, James Cotton, John Lee Hooker to name a few. This album you can hear the influences and the soulful vocals. If you didn't see the album cover you would think it was some old blues man. This is one of my favorite Chinnock albums w/ his vocals, guitar work and harmonica.
This debut album produced and all songs wriiten by Bill Chinnock.
“Wake Up Baby” reminds me of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
I seem to like Bill’s more mournful numbers like “I’ve Got A Feelin’ For You”, “Love Stay Away”,
“She’s A Dream” and my favorite “So Many Dreams Have Been Wasted” that he will reprise
in “Dime Store Heroes” album.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, bottleneck guitar, blues harp (harmonica)
John Haskell: keyboards
Gene Bragdon: bass
Junior Beaulieu: drums
Jill Diamond, John Haskell, Junior Beaulieu: backgound vocals

 

Unreleased - Paramount label

Tracks unknown

(Unreleased) Road Master
I was first informed of this album by Susan Chinnock. Further research provided me w/ The Devil Music Dot Com a website written by REV. KEITH A. GORDON who is a music journalist and more. Very interesting site that is going into my bookmarker.

If I may take a section of what Keith Gordon writes about Road Master...

Signed by Paramount Records, the label released his debut album Blues in 1974, but shelved his sophomore effort, Road Master, which was produced by Tom Dowd at the legendary Bell Sound Studios in Los Angeles. To the best of my knowledge, the album has never been released.

Keith Gordon's site gives more detail at
http://www.thatdevilmusic.com/labels/Billy%20Chinnock.html

Now that I heard Tom Dowd was invovled I bet this was one amazing album. Tom produced many artists and I'm sure if you go through your collection you will find a Tom Dowd production.

 


1976 - North Country label

1. Walk on the Water
2. Bar-Room Jungle
3. Saturday Night
4. Big George Walker
5. Outlaw

 

Alive At The Loft
On-line I read nothing but rave reviews about this EP.
I never had the oppurunity to hear it but hopefully the Billchinnock site will be offering it very soon
maybe along w/ Road Master.

By looking at the track list I see the last song "Outlaw" is what to appear in his next album "Badlands".


1978 - Atlantic
Tracks:
1. Outlaw
2. Badlands
3. Another Man Gone Down
4. Lion In The Park
5. Something For Everybody
6. Is That What Love Is
7. Crazy Ol' Rock N' Rroll Man
8 Prisoner

 

Badlands
If any album from Bill considered a hit I would have to say "Badlands" was the most successful album. This is where Bill started to create his style w/ the Asbury Park sound. It is very similar to Springsteen and The E Street Band. Although in ’78 Springteen came out w/ “Darkness On The Edge of Town” a bleak brooding look at small town life.

Chinnock was looking at life in the big city, New York City to be exact. By the photo on the album it shows Bill on the front cover w/ the NYC cityscape behind him and the Twin Towers on the back.

Bill starts out in “Outlaw” w/ intro city sounds of a man asking for a match then $5 then ends up robbing the man.

“City streets have lost their mercy,
bandits hiding everywhere,
warrior children guard every street corner,
make it so hard to live…”

“Badlands” coincidentally Bruce has a track of the same name a whole different song. But it’s clear to see both men from Jersey thinking the same way.

“In the broken wings of a twisted Harley,
on an angry twisted day,
I’ll make my stand and die like a man,
The hard way…”

Bill also talks about relationships well mostly relationships gone as he brings out his blues style.
“Another Man Gone Down” is an excellent number and “Is That What Love Is” Bill sings in a drunken style state that actually makes you feel his troubles.

“...I'm gonna drink a little more of my breakfast,
then I'm goin' back to bed
I didn't mean to get this drunk but you understand the way it is
sometimes it's easier to stay in bed, than hurt this bad and live..."

- Is That What Love Is


Bill’s guitar work is excellent as well as his harmonica playing just oozes out the cityscape noises.

It’s interesting to note a young Irene Cara sings backup vocals.

I always thought that “Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.” was Springteen’s best lyrically. I would say Bill’s “Badlands” is his best. Another thing I notice is Bill reoccurring lyrics of “bandits” and “leather jackets” that he uses in a number of songs throughout his career. Just an interesting footnote.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, electric and slide guitar, harp
Vladimir Sevcenko: bass
Harry King: keyboards
Ron Lapointe: drums
Vini Lopez: drums on "Another Man Gone Dwon","Crazy Ol' Rock N' Roll Man"
Sam Hall: Tenor Sax Solo on "Something For Everyone", "Prisoner"
Steve Fazio: Tenor Sax on "Lion In The Park"

Horns: Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Barry rogers, Frank Vaccaro,
George Young on "Crazy Ol' Rock N' Roll Man"
Background Vocals: Michele Fields, Annie Sutton, Irene Cara, Merle Miller, Jane Simms, Heidi Metzger

 

1980 - Atlantic-North Country-Rounder

1. Dime Store Heroes
2. The Streets Of Paradise
3. Queen Of The Lower East Side
4. I Will Love You
5. Ironbound
6. Baptized ON 47th Street
7. Desperate Men
8. So Many Dreams Have Been Wasted
9. You Are The One (I'm Dreamin Of)
10. Baby, Look What They've Done To Me

 

Dime Store Heroes
This could be a sequel to “Badlands”. “Dime Store Heroes” is another excellent album.
This seemed to have more horns than previous which has that Asbury Park sound to it.
Bill plays w/ a wide range of musicians on this album. Alto Sax player David Sanborn appears on a number of songs.

I couldn’t help but think Bill’s struggle in the music industry seeing so many other artist making it & him overlooked the public eye. Bill’s intro of “Dime Store Heroes” I wonder if this is what he feels.

"Been a lot of things in my life I’ve been good I’ve been bad
Made a lot of promises that I never should have
Been a fighter, a hustler, a dime store hero livin’ on the land…"


“The Streets of Paradise”, “Queen of The Lower East Side”, “Baptized On 47th Street” and “Ironbound” could of came from the “Badlands” album.
“Ironbound” is very similar to “Outlaw” w/ an intro of man yelling “stop that kid, stop that kid…” as he was just robbed.

Bill reprises “So Many Dreams Have Been Wasted” from his debut album. I like both versions. This one has a string arrangements which is just as good as the debut album.

The closing song “Baby Look What They’ve Done To Me” close w/ the intro of “Dime Store Heroes”.
Just an excellent album.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, guitars, harmonica, synthesizer
Gene Melendreras, Andy Newmark, Richard Dishman: drums
Charles Saimese, will Lee, Buffalo Gelber, Tony Levin: bass
David Sanborn, Ric Cunningham: alto sax
Sam Hill, Bob Malach: tenor sax
Harry King: piano, fender rhodes, organ, synthesizer
Roger Landry: trombone
Howie Wyeth: organ
Devonsquare: background vocals
(this is just some of the many musicians on this album)

 

1985 - SONY/Epic

1. Love Is Blind
2. Restless Hearts
3. Baby, I'm A Man
4. Somebody's Gonna Break My Heart
5. Men On The Line
6. She's A Bandit
7. Down At The Bank
8. Livin' On The Edge Of Heartbreak
9. Just Can't Help Who You Love
10. Rock & Roll Cowboy

Rock & Roll Cowboys
It’s not the 80’s unless there’s a synthesizer and Bill adds one to this album. Not as gritty as the previous albums talking about city life this one sees Bill moving down to Tennessee. I just say this because the album Bill is clean shaven sporting a suit coat w/ a guitar slung around him. It looks like some embroidery on his pant legs. Then on the back cover you have the old 50’s car w/ the Tennessee plate. Also Bill is now known as Billy on his album.

“Down At The Bank” is a humorist song which fits in the theme of this album.

Aint no use in a hanging around
Watch this old farm get tore on down
Don’t pester me woman I didn’t leave a thing
You kept your dishes and your diamond ring
Mr bank man that was my home
told me not to worry about that tiny little loan…

Most of the songs are about relationships “Love Is Blind”, “Somebody’s Gonna Break My Heart”, “Livin’ On The Edge of Heartbreak” to name a few.

I would consider this Bill’s “Tunnel Of Love” Bruce produced 2 years later.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, guitar, synthesizer, harmonica
Chalmers Davis, Steve Maceylea: keyboards
Roger Cox, Lonnie Wilson, Milton Sledge, Max Weinberg: drums
Steve Hill, John Kay, Gene Boccia, Mike Chapman: bass
Jim Campagnola, Billy Puett: sax
Harold Bradley: guitar
Bruce Geiger, Paul Franklin: Pedal Steel
Robbie Hay Jacobs: fiddle
Mary Fielder, Steve Hill, ,Kim Morrison, Evonne Hodges, Tina Welsh, Ellen Dockery: background vocals

 

1986 - SONY/Epic

1. Take No Prisoners
2. Like A Hurricane
3. Young Hearts On Fire
4. Desperate Men
5. Just A Matter Of Time
6. Last Summer
7. Somewhere In The NIght
8. Pretty Little Wild One
9. Another No Win Situation
10. the boys On The Avenue
11. Since You've Been Gone

Learning To Survive In The Modern Age
Staying with the “Billy” moniker this album I related too the most. I think around this time I was out of work. Going from interview to interview sending out resumes just struggling for someone to give me a chance.
“ Take No Prisoners” said it best

“The Bandits don’t wear leather jackets,
and they don’t live out on the streets
they build their hideouts out of steel and glass
and surround themselves with concrete
and they know how to make appointments
and they know how to make you wait
they put you on hold ‘til your heart gets cold
knowing just when you will break…”

“Desperate Men” is remixed from his “Dime Store Hero” album w/ some alternative lyrics and music breaks. I would have to say I enjoyed the original version from “Dime Store Hero”. Bill has more of that whiskey soaked vocals as this version is too slick.

I like the closing song “Since You’ve Been Gone” it could have been a great song for Bob Segar.

“Somewhere In The Night” became a hit for Bill and I believe this was the only song made into a video.
You can view it on youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8K6gH1ULM&feature=related
On youtube.com someone commented this was the theme song in ’87 for Seach For Tommorrrow.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, guitars, Linn 9000 drums, synthesizer, Kurzwell 250
Chalmer Davis: piano, synthesizer
Roger Cox: drums
Charlie Anderson: bass
Bobby Malach & Joe McGlohon: sax
Harold Bradley: acoustic guitar
Vicki Hampton, Evonne Hodges, Joy Jackson: background vocals

 

1990 - Atlantic

1. Hot Night In A Small Town
2. Call Me Lonely
3. Crazy 'Bout You
4. Great American Band
5. Lonesome Highway 80 Blues
6. Just Another Falling Star
7. Different Shade Of Blue
8. When You Love Somebody
9. Midnight Blue
10. Thunder In The Valley

Thunder In The Valley ( Billy & The Suns)
Now I just found out about this album when I was putting together this tribute to Bill. I was lucky enough to search the internet and found it for under $10. This CD reminds me a bit of “Rock & Roll Cowboys” album. Also Bill listed as Billy And The American Suns. Bill is joined w/ 2 artists Steve Hill and Craig Krampf. Steve Hill became a solo country performer. Craig Krampf sounded familiar and sure enough I found him on an Alice Cooper album. Craig is pretty much a studio musician who played w/ a number of artists.
“Crazy ‘Bout You” reminds me of a Mike Mc Donald song. Most of the songs are laid back w/ that country rock sound maybe a bit Bob Segar as well. “Thunder In The Valley” is about the farmers losing their lands this sort of reminds me a bit like “ Take No Prisoners” and “Down At The Bank”.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthaxe, programming
Craig Krampf: drums
Steve Hill: bass
Rex Stemn:guitar
Clayton Ivy: piano

1992 - East Coast Records/ Strawberries

1. Africa
2. Out On The Borderline
3. One Heart, One World
4. Take This Heart Of Mine
5. Lay Down Your Love
6. This Is Love
7. In The Arms Of Strangers
8. Waves On The Water
9. Tornado Seasons

 

Out On The Borderline
Billy goes back to Bill on his records and the sound seems to leave the country rock style. Bill gets a bit more high tech w/ keyboards, programming. It sort of reminds me of Mike McDonald more so than Springsteen. I find this one of the hardest CDs to enjoy. I think it’s so techno w/ the keyboards and programming I miss the harmonica and guitar work.

Plus his vocals are not as bluesy except for the last song “Tornado Season” which is the best track out of the CD. There are a few more I do like such as “Africa”, and “Out On The Borderline”.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, guitar, keyboards, slide and programming
Mike Hossach (song 4): drums & programming
Roger Cox (song 9): drums
Mike Brignadello (song 9): bass
Chalmers Davis (song 9) keyboards
Harry King (song 6) keyboards & programming
Callie Cardimine (song 1): background vocals
 

Hold On To Love (single) Duet with Roberta Flack & Bill Chinnock
I never heard this song w/ lyrics. I did a search on line & only came up w/ the instrumental theme song from The Guiding Light which to me all those soap operas have the same drone sound.
Maybe w/ Roberta & Bill singing it sounded a lot better

 

2003 - East Coast Records
:
1. Livin in the Promised Land
2. When You Love Somebody
3. Kings Of The Highway
4. Mystery Train
5. How Great The Fire
6. Still Dreamin Of You
7. Standin In My Father's Shoes
8. Blues Fallin Down Like Rain
9. Runnin Scared, Runnin Fast & Runnin Mean
10. Motherless Child

Livin In The Promised Land
When asked in the Radar Report at
http://www.ascap.com/playback/2004/june/radar-chinnock.html

What inspired your new songs on Livin’ in the Promised Land?
Bill replied “We wanted to do something which was a kind of celebration of American roots music,
but sort of a modern synthesis of all these styles I grew up listening to.”

Bill does go back to the roots w/ a bit of his blues as well as Dime Store Heroes style.

“Kings Of The Highway” is one amazing song I often thinking if Bill knew this will be his last recording.

“…I will ride w/ the kings of the highway
burning out in the rhythm of the road...”

“Mystery Train” Bill comes back whaling his blues harp w/ a knee slapping tune.
“Blues Fallin Down Like Rain” another great blues number.

“Still Dreamin Of You” is one great lost love song that Bill can only write.
Bill closes w/ a popular cover song “Motherless Child”.

Unfortunately this is the last recording of Bill Chinnock. Although he leaves us w/ amazing material we can enjoy and be thankful for the music he left us.

Band:
Bill Chinnock: vocals, guitar
Tony "Thunder" Smith: drums, vocal
John Kumnick: bass guitar
Harry King: Piano
Andrew Pelletier: drums
John Chinncok: acoustic guitar
Dylan Kumnick: drums

 
 

Katrina “No Christmas in New Orleans” Help (single)
I believe in 2005, they put out this video to promote help for the victims of Katrina.
Bill covers Phil Ochs 1964 song “No Christmas in Kentucky” but changes it to fit
New Orleans. I don't know if this was on any compilation CD or just a promo.

You can see the video on youtube.com.
Bill isn’t in the video just a slideshow of drawings kids created.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxhZghgle4Y

The musicians played on this song are
Bill Chinnock vocals, guitar
Tony "Thunder" Smith - drums, vocal
John Kumnick bass guitar

 
 

When I created this site I wanted a section to spotlight artists I enjoy that deserve the recognition. I am amazed by the feedback I get not only by fans but musicians who are in the band I have spotlighted.

It gives me a feeling of great accomplishment and a job well done. I would like to leave you w/ an email by
John Kumnick who is not only the bass player of Bill Chinnock but good friend.

Hi,
I'm a friend of Bill Chinnock and his family and also played bass
with him for many years. I was reading your page about Bill Chinnock
and I wanted to let you know that his website, www.billchinnock.com,
is back in operation. We lost the domain name a few months ago and
now have it back and are going to try to revamp the site a bit so
that it features Bill's music and creativity more. We also hope to
release a live record and possibly a DVD in the near future. We will
be selling his CDs again shortly.
I'm also very moved by the effort and attention that you put into
your writing about Bill and his music. Bill's wife Terry noticed it
too. I hope that you can find the time to let people know that the
website is operational again. Thanks very much for your enthusiasm
and attention to detail.

Sincerely,
John Kumnick

I do have Bill Chinnock's website www.billchinnock.com at "Other Links" page but you can get to it here.
 
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