Roger Zee Memoirs

"Life and Times of a Pandemic Musician"

Rock And Roll Vampire 6/15/20

1977-8 morphed my life! I wrote a screenplay / tunes for a supernatural Rock Opera entitled "Rock and Roll Vampire;" put together the Roger Bruce Band as a vehicle for my original material; met and bedded a real-life witch; and undertook an epic journey to California. Almost didn't make it back! Welcome to another excerpt from my memoirs, "Life and Times of a Pandemic Musician."

In "Rock and Roll Vampire," the singer/guitarist blows into NY looking to make a name for himself. He puts together a band and starts working his way through CBGB, Max's Kansas City, Copperfield's, Tramps, etc. On his journey, he hooks up with a motley cast of characters etched in blood in the title song, "Snake Woman," "Rock and Roll Tramp," and "What You Gonna Do About That?" Shopped the script and tunes about but didn't posses the drive back then to make it happen.

So I figured I'd put together a band and play those same Manhattan original clubs in the script. Bring attention to the project that way. And what a bunch of crazies did I corral, LOL! Foremost -- ringleader, advisor, and bassist Frankie Harlot from the legendary band Harlots of 42nd Street -- the theatrical-makeup group that inspired KISS!

Frankie brought along an old friend of his, Eileen, a veteran of the NY Rock scene who then oddly enough worked as an executive at Muzak, LOL! She graciously took me under her wing and costumed the band (see photo in comments section). So much fun running around the East Village, getting my hair styled at Astor Place Hair Cutters and picking out clothes at Manic Panic with Tish and Snooky.

On to the "Season of the Witch!" After rehearsal one day, the band mosied over to a local hotspot where Eileen introduced me to her good friend, Rhian, a slender, elfin, pixie who worked in real estate. We instantly feel a powerful, almost Supernatural undercurrent tying us together. She has to leave for work shortly, but gives me her number and we make plans to get together soon.

When we meet up for drinks a few nights later, she reveals her Wiccan background. If I'm interested, she would love to unveil that world to me. Next thing I know, our lips meet, we hug, and then jump a cab to her place. There Rhian begins introducing me to her powers. She explains she can levitate people. As we slowly, gently caress and undress, she asks me if I've ever heard of multiple female orgasms.

I told Rhian no, but I'm always up for learning new things. She whispers, "It's best if I show you." OMFG! I never felt like more of a man... While lying there in afterglow, I feel the air stir around me and the room shift. I look around and find myself suspended 3 feet above the bed. She smiles at me lovingly and then gracefully brings me back down into her arms. Rhian whispers she works a lot of hours and didn't usually take time to date. But she would make an exception for me...

We got together a few more times before I left on my trip to the Left Coast. She told me how much she'd miss me and asked me to please not forget her. Honestly, I didn't feel as strongly about the relationship as she did. I ended up meeting a multitude of new and exciting people over there. But that's a tale for another day.

So as I spend another gorgeous, delightful weather day in Covid-19 isolation, I dream of "Witchcraft" as I learn the bass lines to Frank Sinatra's greatest hits. Sadly, when I finally did return to NY, I did not contact Rhian -- an asshole move that I profoundly regret. My fatal lifetime flaw, never knowing when to stick and when to fold... One <3

YouTube - Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra