| Q: |
What happened to The Bugaloos? There was a movie, and multiple albums
planned ... why'd they stop?
|
| A: |
Apparently, the ratings system used to measure the popularity of children's
television programs was not highly accurate. The Bugaloos were actually far
more popular than most of the reports indicated. As a result, the Bugaloos
got cancelled, while sacks and sacks of fan mail continued to pour in. By
the time the popularity was realized, it was too late.
|
| Q: |
What did you do after The Bugaloos was over?
|
| A: |
The Bugaloos had returned to London for the Christmas holidays, and waited
for the call to return to the states. When that didn't happen, I started
playing with a band called "The Washington Flyers" on Pye Records. We
had a single out called "Another Saturday Morning", and we sounded a bit
like Paul McCartney and the Wings.
Wayne started working on a morning TV show called "Mr. Pipin", Caroline did
plays on the West End Theatre District; John started playing in a different band,
whose name escapes me for the moment.
After returning to the states, I worked for a while in the Krofft factory,
making models and puppets. Today I'm still building models, puppets and
animatronic costumed characters for various theme parks around the world.
I worked as Costume Consultant and Character Designer for "The Magic of MGM",
an Ice Capades production that featured a pre-gold medal Tara Lipinsky. This
was broadcast on The Family Channel, about two years ago.
|
| Q: |
Have you done other musical work besides "The Bugaloos"? We were told you
once played with Jimi Hendrix.
|
| A: |
Prior to the Bugaloos, I was in a band called "Little Free Rock" along with
my friend Peter Illingworth. I never actually played with Jimi Hendrix,
though we did play on the same bill as him, as well as with the band "Yes".
|
| Q: |
Do you still keep in touch with any of the other Bugaloos?
|
| A: |
Yes, I still speak with Little John about once a month, and talk to
Wayne and Caroline every now and then.
|
| Q: |
What's your favorite Bugaloos episode?
|
| A: |
The one where we got to play old Bugaloos ("Lady, You Don't Look Eighty", Episode #7).
|
| Q: |
What's your favorite Bugaloos song?
|
| A: |
I rather liked the theme song, actually.
|
| Q: |
What's your favorite Bugaloos memory?
|
| A: |
There are actually many. During the Bugaloos auditions, it was down to just
three of us for the role of I.Q. Myself, Phil Collins, and John Reed (who
ultimately became Elton John's Manager). Phil Collins' mother was our agent
at the time. [Note: An expanded version of this story is included in
David Martindale's Book.]
I enjoyed touring the states. There was one time when we were out in Chicago
and our official photographer, Mario Casilla was also a Playboy photographer,
so we got to stay in the Playboy Penthouse.
Also, during the run of the show, Davy Jones from the Monkees would come by to
visit the house from time to time, along with his wife and kids.
|
| Q: |
Did you get to keep anything from the Bugaloos?
|
| A: |
I have the guitar strap somewhere. I also have various stuff like the lunchbox,
board game, etc. I saw a Bugaloos viewmaster at a factory once, but perhaps it
was just a prototype. (Anyone seen one of these?)
|
| Q: |
What are you working on now?
|
| A: |
I'm working on a motion picture called "Mates", which is about a talking Koala
Bear and his two mates, a young girl and boy. It's a 90's version of the Wizards
of Ozstralia. This will be distributed by Porchlight Dist., and might feature
Elton John's band.
|
| Q: |
Do you have a fanmail address?
|
| A: |
For the moment any letters for John can be sent through the website, in
Email.
|
