Ladies and Gentlemen – Brian Van Winkle

April 13th, 2021 by Max Allan Collins

Those of you who are nice enough to stop by here from time to time, because of interest in my fiction writing, may also know my other creative interest has always been music, specifically rock ‘n’ roll. I’ve been a rock fan since early childhood, after seeing Elvis on Ed Sullivan, and my enthusiasm for Bobby Darin is well-known by, well, those who know me. The Beatles infected my generation and I was no exception – an interest in vocal and instrumental music in junior high and high school led me into playing in “local pop combos.” In 1965, the first of those, briefly, was the Barons (Barrens was more like it), but the Daybreakers arrived in mid-1966 and made a certain mark.

How big a mark? Well, in 1967 our one national single, on Atlantic subsidiary Dial, “Psychedlic Siren,” charted regionally and over the years became a cult favorite among garage band enthusiasts. A footnote about this will follow.

But first I need to say that in over fifty years of rock and roll, playing in a surprisingly small number of bands (really, only three – the Daybreakers, Crusin’, and Seduction of the Innocent) I performed with some remarkable musicians, who were always able performers and a few were incredible ones; but every single one became my close friend and road-warrior comrade and touched my life in a profound way. It’s the closest thing to what soldiers in foxholes experience, and I say that without embarrassment though I know it’s an exaggeration. But perhaps less of one than you might think.

There are stories I could tell, but not right now.

The sad truth of it is, over fifty years – particularly among rock musicians – there are a lot of ways to die. Terry Beckey, a great bass player and fine singer with the Daybreakers, was murdered in his motel room. Guitarist Paul Thomas died of sleep apnea. Cancer got Daybreakers/Crusin’ bassist Chuck Bunn and Seduction drummer Miguel Ferrer. Guitarist Larry Barrett was a suicide. I can’t say for sure, but an early member of the Daybreakers appears to have died, as they used to say, of drink. Singer/guitarist Bruce Peters died due to over-medication (by his doctors, not himself).

About a week ago we lost Brian Van Winkle.

After Chuck Bunn’s passing in 2011, our then-guitarist Jim Van Winkle asked us to give his brother Brian a try. Jim is one of the best guitarists the band has ever known – and that is saying something, when the list includes Bruce Peters, Rob Gal, Paul Thomas and Bill Anson. It took about half-way through one song to know Brian was right for the band, and a shorter time than that to realize he was sweet and fun and just a pleasure to be around. Not everybody in a band has those attributes. Bands tend to break up after a few years, but Crusin’ began in 1974 with little to no bad blood when someone left the group.

I wish I could convey what a joy Brian was to be around. He was sunny and funny, but he carried some heavy baggage. His brother Jim was such an outstanding player that Brian had to feel he was performing in that shadow. But Brian was a military veteran who had seen combat and who suffered periodically – and seriously – from PTSD. He shared his experiences with me, and had me read some journal entries about those traumatic experiences. His writing blew me away, and I told him so. I encouraged him to write a book. If pretenders like me could get away with it, the real deal like Brian should really tell his story.

About mid-way through 2018, Brian was having difficulty feeling comfortable in crowds and stepped away from the band. Our current, very talented guitarist Bill Anson suggested his son, Scott, who is our current and also very gifted bassist. We have always been something of a family affair. DeWayne Hopkins was our drummer for many years and when he left (to run successfully for mayor, among other things) his son Jaimie ably took over the drum kit.

We did not perform in 2020 and haven’t had our first rehearsal yet this year, but intend to perform this summer and early fall. We had looked forward to Brian sitting in with us, and lending his uniquely warm presence. I will get a little crude here, so forgive me. He could give and take shit as well as anyone in the history of the band.

And that is saying something.

He was in the hospital for several harrowing weeks, and was diagnosed with Covid but other factors were at work. When I last spoke with him, not that long ago, he was feeling fine and felt and looked fit. Finding out, a few weeks later, that he was in intensive care came as a shock.

One last thing about Brian – he was a sensitive soul. He cared deeply about others and had a deep spiritual side that not everyone might have guessed, since he had a fun, sometimes silly, sometimes raunchy sense of humor. Now and then, as a writer, I encounter a person whose complexity would challenge me to recreate on the page – and I am failing to this wonderful guy justice here. Nor does this brief write-up, but check it out anyway and bask in Brian’s smile for a few moments.

https://www.trimblefuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Brian-M-Van-Winkle?obId=20667290

Here is our performance at the 2018 induction concert, when Brian and the rest of the band (Steve Kundel on drums, Bill Anson on vocals and guitar, myself on vocals and keys, with founding Daybreakers member Denny Maxwell guesting on a few numbers) were inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. You can hear Brian’s excellent bass playing clearly and enjoy his loose, easy stage presence…and is it my imagination or can you see just what a sweet, nice guy he was?

By way of the promised footnote…when I was checking YouTube to find the above recording of our 2018 performance, I ran across a number of other performances by the Daybreakers at our 2008 induction as well as any number of other Iowa Hall of Fame performances at various induction concerts over the years. Most of these videos have scored perhaps a couple of hundred viewers; the Daybreakers clips are mostly between 400 and 700 views – very respectable.

And then there’s “Psychedelic Siren.” Which, as some of you may know, has been covered quite a bit by other bands with names like the Tellers, the X-Ray Harpoons, and the Outta Place, and the original record has been anthologized numerous times, in particular Sundazed’s Garage Beat ‘66. Some of these cover versions are in live performance by various bands on YouTube, and rack up decent numbers – the Tellers an impressive thousand views.

The Daybreakers performing in 2008 at the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is right here, right now, for your enjoyment – with the great Chuck Bunn on bass, and the four surviving original members – Mike Bridges, guitar, Buddy Busch, drums, myself on keys/lead vocal, and guitarist Denny Maxwell on siren.

We have 3800 views.

Rack a few more up for us, would you?

M.A.C.

6 Responses to “Ladies and Gentlemen – Brian Van Winkle”

  1. Brian’s wife says he was not diagnosed with Covid — though I’d heard that somewhere (no excuse for passing that inaccurate info along). He was diagnosed with pneumonia and a-fib. A-fib is something I have had to deal with myself. Some people live with it easily, but when it kicks in with me, I am impacted severely. It’s sadly ironic that my last contact with Brian, perhaps a couple weeks before his first hospitalization, had him telling me he felt great and felt fit.

  2. Rob Fiedler says:

    Alan,

    Sorry to hear of Brian’s death I grew up, well some would question being grown up, with you guys, The Night People, and Lefty and the Spinners. Age is catching up with us all. Paul Elshoff one of Lefty’s original members died last night after almost 30 days in ICU.

    AH, sweet bird of youth

  3. stephen borer says:

    A fine tribute to your partner & friend.

  4. Dan Collins says:

    Thanks Max for a great tribute. To give and take a shit is something we should all aspire to.

  5. James D Bohling says:

    Worked with Brian for a number of years. Great guy, and always had a smile and a joke. God Speed sir!

  6. Carl Sondrol says:

    I’m so sorry for your loss. What a nice write-up.