As is probably common knowledge by now, HIGH NOON have officially broken up as of the end of 1997. Exchanging information with Sean, Shaun and Kevin themselves, as well as Leslie Mencher and people who spoke to the boys recently, I have reason to believe that the break-up is of a temporary nature. There is NO reason to believe the split occurred due to personal differences, as the three of them are still very close friends. I for one hope and anticipate, that HIGH NOON will re-unite soon, even if it is only for single performances ( perhaps at festivals ), or perhaps for a new studio album, for which the HIGH NOON freaks have been willing to kill for quite some time .....
SHAUN YOUNG Shaun is from Denver,
Colorado, where he played lead guitar, wrote songs, and sang for The
Shifters. Shaun's strong, driving rhythm on the acoustic
guitar provides a rock solid foundation for the energized sounds
of HIGH NOON. In addition to being a songwriter, Shaun is
gifted with a powerful singing style that comes straight from the
heart. Shaun currently lives in Austin, Texas. One of his
band-projects is called SHAUN YOUNG AND HIS TEXAS TRIO.
The rhythm section of his band is made up by 'The Horton
Brothers'. He also plays drums for the HORTON BROTHERS
on their records / gigs.
Currently, Shaun is working a lot with his band, the JIVE
BOMBERS.
Sean is from Washington, D.C., where he played in several bands, produced an outdoor summer music series, and wrote songs. Since moving to Austin, he has played lead guitar for Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Chaparral. In addition to being a songwriter, Sean plays the electric guitar with a unique finger picking style, that has earned him a name among the great guitarists of texas. Sean currently lives in Maine and has a son named Travis and a daughter named Hannah Lee. Sean's new band is a western swing styled band and the lineup includes Sean's wife Les on string bass. Currently, Sean is dividing his time between playing music ( he is currently on tour with Wayne 'The Train' Hancock and will be on Wayne's new CD, which will be recorded shortly ) and, of course primarily, raising his children.
KEVIN SMITH Kevin is from Denver, Colorado, where he played bass for The Shifters. Since moving to Austin and playing his relentless slap-style on upright bass, Kevin has become a famous bass player nation-wide. Kevin's mastery of this legendary style provides the energetic beat that keeps the crowd on the dance floor. You have to see and hear him to believe it ... the revival of a lost American art. Kevin currently lives in Austin. Kevin spent parts of the last years touring with Ronnie Dawson and the ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS. Currently, he is working with 8 1/2 SOUVENIERS.
Eero is very famous in Finland. His career started in the early sixties with his brother Jussi. The band was called Eero, Jussi & The Boys. They did cover versions of Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman", a version of The Rolling Stones' "Walking The Dog", Chuck Berry's "Route 66" and several Beatles covers.
In the late 60's Eero left the Boys and his first solo hit was a Finnish version of Lenne Broberg's "Mälarökyrka". It's a real classic 60's record in Finland. In the seventies Eero played in various Blues & Progressive Rock bands and Jussi moved towards 50's Rock And Roll & Country. He even recorded with Charlie Feathers in the mid-70's, a reissue of that single was released on a Swedish Rock & Country label with incorrect artist credit ( credited to Jussi Raitanen, not Raittinen).
In the late 70's Eero came back to play with the Boys. Both brothers have their solo careers but they still play as the Boys. It's the oldest rock band in Finland and there have been nearly 40 members so far. Jussi has always been one of the Boys.
Eero has two solo albums from the recent years and the one featuring HIGH NOON is "Mies Matkallaan" from 1992. It's a great CD ( there is a CD-single too, but I don't have it ... ) and I really like the tracks he made with HIGH NOON. The reason why the boys played with Eero is probably Janne Haavisto, who had produced their first album and 'Stranger Things'.
Janne is a brother of Olli Haavisto, who is a one time member of the Boys and one of the greatest lap steel and dobro players in Finland. Janne is the drummer of the best surf band in the world, Laika & The Cosmonauts and a great producer, he produced Eero's album too.
A very special thanks to the one and only Tapio Vaisanen from Finland for this invaluable information. Check out his FIN-A-BILLY PAGE and subscribe to the Rockin' Records- and Rockabilly Mailing Lists !
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