Blog
May 7, 2012
In 1971, Milwaukee welcomed Mr. Vinton Medbury and his van from California. Uncle Vinty was his stage name and his Dodge van was named the Creampuff! Vinty was a unique performer. He was a musician, a magician, and a clown for all of us grownup kids.
For many years, Uncle Vinty was a one man show living out of his van, traveling all over Wisconsin. He would go back to California now and then but during the 1970's Milwaukee was his home. For a few of those years, he lived with me in Milwaukee and then in Pewaukee, but the Creampuff was really his home. The Creampuff was missing a shower you see, so he needed a break once and a while and he was always welcomed in my home. Besides, Vinty being fun, he was also a great plumber so he was handy to have around.
I believe it was around 1977 when Uncle Vinty, with some help from Micheal Morgan, Peter Barnes, his brother Ted, and a few others, formed "The Movies". It was a big band for Vinty and he was the band leader. Some success was achieved when they made a TV show but Vinty actually never left his one man show. He continued to tour the United States and then moved back to California.
Uncle Vinty is on the great stage in Heaven these days. He died, I think it was in 1994. I miss the old boy, especially last weekend when I needed to call a plumber to fix a faucet.
Enjoy the attached photos of Uncle Vinty and a few of the band "The Movies".
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Please visit me on Facebook or Twitter @ richzimmermann.com
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
April 30, 2012
My blog today is about a Champ Car/Indy Car driver like no other. Without Alex Zanardi, we would not have a race car driver celebrating a victory with the race car spinning around in circles making donuts on the pavement! This seems like a victory dance that has been going on forever but Alex started this in 1996 after a victory. It is similar to Dan Gurney's victory champagne celebration that is now a tradition after nearly every race worldwide.
Alex has raced in Formula 1, Champ Car, F3000, the World Touring Cars and now is headed to the 2012 Summer Paralympics doing handbiking since he lost his legs in a tragic accident in Germany racing Champ Cars/Indy Cars in 2001. He demonstrates amazing determination in whatever he sets out to do. In my race room,man cave here at home, I have race helmet visors that I have collected and have traded photographs for through the years. My Alex Zanardi visor is one of my biggest treasures. Just looking at it gives me inspiration.
I heard last week that he may be racing next year in the Rolex 24 hour race at Daytona with his former Chip Ganassi teammates and friends- Jimmy Vasser, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Juan Pablo Montoya. How awesome is that and I am sure he will be very competitive. Alex has a main sponsor in Barilla pasta, which in this house is the only pasta we eat! We are having some tonight with some homemade meatballs if I ever get done here!
Attached are a few photographs of Alex.
Enjoy these images on my new website and please keep checking it for more photos and stories.
Go have some Barilla pasta tonight and celebrate Alex with some good wine and pasta!
Please visit me on Facebook or Twitter @ richzimmermann.com
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
April 23, 2012
This week's blog is about Al Kooper, a musician who has worn many hats. Without him we would not have the French horn on the Rolling Stones Let It Bleed album. We also probably would not have the bands Blood, Sweat and Tears and Lynrd Skynrd since he basically created them. I heard some BST the other day and it made me realize what Al Kooper has done.
The photos posted are from Milwaukee's club Humpin Hannas that were taken on December 29, 1972. Al and his band that night were amazing, and check out that nice leather outfit and the white jacket he wore! In those days it seemed every band lugged around the Hammond B 3 organ. That heavy organ had the best sound and you knew what it was as soon as they started playing it.
He is still playing and I would love to see him again. Think he still has those boots or shoes? I want a pair for going out!
Enjoy these images on my new website and please keep checking it for more photos and stories.
Please visit me on Facebook or Twitter @ richzimmermann.com
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
