FRANKLIN The Band

THE JOHN FRANKLIN BAND
1977
Tom Rukus, Owen Schierenbeck, John Franklin, Rick Franklin, Denny Hansen

_{OLD FRIENDS}

Going way back to 1976, I was being managed by a small company with big dreams called Something Anything productions. I started out with them as a folk singer, and they wanted to bring me into the studio to do a demo to present to CBS records. I started to scout - looking for players that impressed me and I thought we could put together a special feel and sound that I was envisioning. Visiting bars to watch bands play and parties, two guys I was really impressed with were Denny Hansen on drums and Tom Rukas on base. We started conversations and hanging out and decided to get together to jam to see what happened.

Soon we ended up setting the equipment up and creating a rehearsal studio in an unused apartment at Denny's place. Our very close friend Owen came faithfully to every rehearsal to set up and make sure that we had the perfect mix to create the magic. We rehearsed it seems like every day in the winter of 1976 and 77. I brought in my younger brother Rick Franklin, who had just begun playing guitar. I remember the day putting a Stratocaster in his hands and said, "Here are a few chords, you got a start playing this - you'll be great!" He always was a very quick study and sure enough, it wasn't long before he became an admired player.

_{A BAND WAS BORN}

We went on to do a very tender studio demo and play many gigs for next few years. I will never forget the management company got us our 1st gig playing in an elementary school parking lot for the March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon. The band was all set up in its glory. Owen was doing the sound. We would watch a massive crowd of kids walking toward us while we played. Some stop for a quick listen. Then we would watch them walk away. Kind of trippy. We had a blast and the acid really made it special!

The John Franklin Band ended in 1978. As usual, the band evolved into different incarnations and finally in 1979 Linda join the band that became Coast to Coast. Life went on and for various reasons members changed, and we all ended up going our separate ways by 1980.

_{FORGIVENESS IS THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED FLOWERS}

Fast forward 35 years Denny Hansen gives me a call and talks about coming up to our farm in Virginia for a visit. He brought a small drum kit with him. We spent a week together, playing old songs reminiscing, and talking about the possibilities finally, putting together a record. I made a very serious effort and search out a producer to put all the details together. Brent Moyer a great Nashville player and producer who I had worked with 10 years before took on the task. He brought on great Nashville players and even booked The Parlor studio and digs for us to stay in while we recorded the record on Music Row. I created all the graphics for the album and even had the duplication company lined up. The album was ready to be made and the band ready to rock!

It wasn't "Gods will" as they say and I had to humbly and sheepishly cancel. Some very personal issues came up with one of the primary band members. Brent took the brunt of it and called every person envolved. Even got back the deposits and didn't make a dime. Indeed a good friend! I will always treasure our friendship. Brent produced another record for Lin and I "TWO HEARTS" together in 2022.

_{GRACE - UNEARNED FAVOR}

Nothing came to pass for another 13 years. When we all ended up being in Bucks County at the same time Denny was the one that would rally this together to finally make a disciplined effort. We invited Tom the original bass player to join back in, but he was still angry at me for something that happened when we were barly 20 years old. Don't know what had happened, never really was able to understand that one. So we ended up trying to work with many different bassists, nevertheless we had the main players of the band together Linda, Rick, me and Denny. After a couple of months of rehearsals, we booked a studio and recorded a rock 'n' roll album.

Denny lead the charge to name the band "FRANKLIN" so here it is with all its dreams and passion. Rick Franklin contributed two of his amazing original songs to it and his masterful guitar work. Linda yet contributed another rock version of her classic Things Ought to Change. I contributed some of my early original material and a few other songs relevant to the time we were in.

The name I would've chosen would've been "Franklin Brothers and Sister". I always loved the sound of that and thought it would make a great band name. FRANKLIN it is.
It was truly special being together during that time! "Like a sweet warm breeze on a spring day passing over your shin and blowing through your hair."
There is a special bond a band has, none like in any other relationship. Lin and I will always cherish this time in our music history. A special thanks to Denny Hansen for kindling the dream. It would have never happened if not for you.
Rock 'n' Roll will never die.