"Talent Talks" with Mark Eddie: Playing with Gene Simmons and Robby Krieger

Nov. 11, 2010

Posted By - Emma Venezie

Source Credits - Mark Eddie, talent network, inc.

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This is "Talent Talks," a live conversation between the artist and David Sedelmeier that covers everything from being an entertainer to unique and interesting shows they've done. "Talent Talks" is a real insight from behind the curtain, and today we're talking to rock comic Mark Eddie.

David Sedelmeier, owner of talent network, inc.

Rock comic Mark Eddie

You recently performed at the Pat Tillman Foundation event…

The big event for the Pat Tillman Foundation Annual Golf Tournament/Rock Concert is put on by two of my really great friends: Scotty Medlock, a PGA commissioned artist, he's phenomenal, you can check him out on http://www.scottmedlock.com/, and then my good friend, founding member of The Doors, Mr. Robby Krieger, legendary guitarist and Rock And Rock Hall of Fame member, and Gene Simmons.

This was the third year you've done it, right?

Yes, this was the third annual. The first year was very small; it was kind of intimate; they were just getting a feel for it. I was actually the MC, the auctioneer, and everything for that year. And last year, the second annual, I performed a full 20 minute set upfront, and I introduced The Doors. This year, doing that spot was Gary Mule Deer, who is a legendary musical comedian.

He's good, he's been around a long time.

50 years! 50 years in comedy. He's 71-years-old and proud of it. And he's touring like crazy; he had his busiest year ever last year: he toured with Vince Gill and the Zac Brown Band.

What was it like to meet Gene Simmons, who I hear is one of your childhood idols?

Gene Simmons, oh my god. I walk right into the green room and then I'm sitting there with Gene Simmons, his beautiful wife, Shannon Tweed, his son Nick, and just a couple of their friends, and we're all sitting around there chatting, watching the final game of the World Series together. Lee Terbosic is in there doing magic for him. He's shopping Lee around the room.

Wasn't he a key component as to why you got involved in music?

Of course! I used to dress up like KISS. I used to put the makeup on; I was part of the KISS army.

Did you tell him that?

I did, I told him. He said, "then, this is probably kind of a good time for you." I said, "Absolutely! Are you kidding me? I'm sitting here with one of my idols!" He said, "No, I put my pants on just like you do."

Is Gene still a good musician? Is he just as good as he used to be?

Incredible. He picked up that bass guitar, and you could just feel it. He was playing licks like you wouldn't believe. He sat in on a couple of songs, Doors' songs. His son is a remarkable singer; he did a couple of classic Doors' songs, and they did an incredible version of "Roadhouse Blues" together.

Lee Terbosic, Robby Krieger, and Mark Eddie at Pat Tillman Foundation event.

What songs did you do?

Well, at rehearsal on Sunday night, they're teaching Robbie "Rock & Roll All Nite." So, Robby Krieger, a rock legend is up there, learning a song, and he's just so overwhelmed by everything because he's in charge of the whole golf tournament, too. And Robbie looks at me and goes "do you know this song?" And I'm like, "Bobby, are you kidding me? I'm a huge KISS fan; I know this song." He goes, "Then you just play it; I'll just give you my guitar," and he never lets anyone play his guitar. So he takes his guitar and says, "you play the song; I want you to play it with him." So, I did "Rock & Roll All Nite."

What's your favorite KISS song?

That's probably my favorite KISS song: "Rock & Roll all Nite." And there's "Black Diamond." There are some other really good ones too: "Hard Luck Woman," and "Beth" is a classic ballad. I love everything.

That's a pretty big credential to be onstage with two guys that you idolize: The Doors and KISS all at one moment..

Surreal, absolutely surreal. The whole day. I looked at Cindy in the morning before I left the house and I'm like, I'm going to CBS Radford; I'm going to be on the set all day today, playing a detective on CSI: NY. And then I'm heading over to Moorpark Country Club where I'm going to jam onstage with Gene Simmons and Robby Krieger. That's the kind of day you want to hold onto forever.

Did Gene Simmons live up to what you thought he'd be?

Yes. Everything and more. He was so nice, so kind. I thought, this guy has had to have met a billion fans in his lifetime and probably been in this situation hundreds of times, where you're at a charity event and you're getting approached by anybody and everybody, but he was so gracious, so kind, and so nice. And Robby, as always, is probably one of the kindest men on the planet. He's just so laidback and easygoing. And that's how Gene was.

Now that you've played with Gene Simmons, who is next on your list to play with?

I would say Bob Dylan, and he was supposed to show up this year, and couldn't, and last year he was supposed to show up, and also couldn't. There were very good reasons as to why he wasn't able to show up; it just happened to be bad timing. They used a quote from a Dylan song in the program and the backdrop for the night: "I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom."

Would you impersonate him?

I would definitely do him for him!

It's even more impressive for you because you're actually performing with them.

Yeah, share the stage, play some songs. I'm on cloud nine; I still haven't come down.

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