This just in…
A week from tonight Kanza Hall in south Overland Park resurrects a Kansas City icon….
Donnie Miller was a pillar of the local rock scene in the 1980s. His band, Donnie & The Rock, played the infamous One Block West so often, they were known as the house band. Rock 98.9 superstarJohnny Dare was his roadie back then.
Others of you may remember him with Leotus and The Unknowns, but between the two bands Donnie toured the United States for 15 years often doing 270 dates a year. In 1985, Donnie and The Rock did the entire summer tour opening for The Kinks.
In 1987, Donnie signed with Columbia (Sony). His album, “One of The Boys” even had Cindy Lauper and Tommy Shaw on some of the tracks.
In 1992 Donnie severed a tendon in his left hand and it ended his career.
A few years later, he picked up a guitar again and began playing the blues. Donnie says, “It didn’t just save my career, it saved my life.”
In 2001, he founded the National Blues Network. It reaches 30,000 people a week and has changed how people look at the blues.
Donnie has lived in Nashville for the last 15 years and last year, he was nominated for a NIMA (Nashville Industry Music Award).
Kanza Hall is located at 119th & Metcalf. The Thursday night show starts at 7pm. Advance tickets are only $5 at www.KansasCityMusic.com or $7.50 at the door. One lucky advance ticket holder will win an autographed Fender that night.
If you have memories of the ‘80s, this is shaping up to be a good reunion.
“If you have memories of the ‘80s, this is shaping up to be a good reunion. ”
Gawd I am old.
I went every weekend to One Block West in the 60’s cause if you were 18, or had an ID, you could drink beer. Then I had to go into the service, when I came back, I was legal in Wesport. I went there with once with St. Thomas, after the Last Supper. Sheesh…
Anyone remember “Koya’s Kastle” (sp?)?
Wow, the two crappy predilections of this blog all together in one post. Reminiscing about KC from decades ago coupled with pimping nightclubs at 119th and Metcalf. Where is the Tommy Morrison article for the trifecta?
No need…
Your comment will more than suffice
Interesting story, thanks!
Do you know what caused the severed tendon? What did he do prior to his return to guitar? Can he play pretty well again or is it a struggle now?