Thursday, July 19, 2018

Bob Yeazel - Before Beast and Sugarloaf

 Hey all!

Anyone familiar with Colorado music history knows the name Bob Yeazel, the former member of two Colorado power groups - Beast and Sugarloaf. Sadly, we lost Bob, in 2016.

Sugarloaf Spaceship Earth LP
Bob Yeazel, far right

So, I'm digging in a local thrift store, when I spot this gospel LP, from the Hope Tabernacle, of Denver, Melodies of Hope - Gospel Music in Rhythm. The front cover shows a pastor by the name of Chester Yeazel, along with Glenn Yeazel and Laverne Yeazel. Now, since this surname is not "Smith" or "Jones," my brain immediately wondered, "Are they related to the rock guitarist of the same name?"


A quick trip to Bob's still up-and-running website confirms, "I started playing guitar, at the age of 14. My father, Glenn Yeazel was a Pentecostal preacher. I was raised around gospel music, since the womb. I started playing in the church band..."

Well, how about that?

Bob is not credited on this fantastic, old-fashioned, country-gospel album, which unfortunately doesn't show a date. His mother and father, Laverne and Glenn Yeazel show up on several cuts, including the duet, "Every Hour, Every Day."



Hope Tabernacle was located at 5250 W. 1st Ave, in Lakewood, home now to the New Life Center Church. Other credits show Brenda Bailie, Violet McPherson, C. DeVon McPherson, Lester McPherson,  O'Audean McPherson, Melva Mossman, Ray Nettour, Gladys Nettour, Lloyd Peterson, Gloria Quimby, Naomi Sterling, Yvonne Talmage, and Jess Van Horne.

 

One has to wonder what may have happened, had Bob decided to stick with the church music. His website notes, " I joined my first band at the age of 15, and started playing professionally, no longer playing in the church. This alienated my family pretty bad." 







 

1 comment:

  1. Wow I must live in a cave it's 2022 and I just seen this about Bob we were good friends in the 90's when he had his glass shop. Just a couple of weeks ago I listened to his tape Bob Yeazel 2DMax sure brought out some old memories
    Raymond Ellis

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