(From Tom Troskey)
Hello classmates,
Back in 2012 and 2013 when a group of guys from the class of ’63 were preparing various things for the 50th class reunion. One of the tasks was putting together the memory book that contained many old photos and memorabilia. Included in this terrific book (thank goodness for Len Mitsch and Joe M. McGrath who volunteered to put the book together) was the section showing short bios of classmates and what they had been doing the past 50 years. All who read the book sure enjoyed this section and found out much about their classmates after they left Cretin.
Following is a story on one of our classmates that began about 50+ years ago but has a most interesting twist happening today.
Boz (Bob) Metzdorf in the 50 year memory book mentioned among other things his life as a musician, songwriter and film maker.
I questioned Boz about his music business. Here is some of the things Boz told me about.
In 1965 he and Cretin Classmates Steve Keys and Dan DeLisi had a band called the Missing Lynks.
Click on image to enlarge
Missing Lynks – Steve Keys, Bruce Rokenbock, Dan DeLisi, Boz Metzdorf
In 1971 Boz and Steve living in Colorado started another group called Freeland. Boz and Steve still have Freeland and are working on their third album.
The album covers of the first two Freeland albums; Headin Back on vinyl and Almost Home on CDare included here.
Click on image to enlarge
In 1978 Boz recorded an album of original songs on vinyl with Steve Keys on guitar and the album title is Signs of Seasons. Remember that title! That album cover is also included here.
click on image to enlarge
Remember I said an interesting twist.
Here is Boz explaining the interesting Twist.
Classmates,
Recently I received some news from out of the blue that was an unexpected surprise. I have worked as a musician, songwriter, film maker since graduating from Cretin. In 1978 I recorded an album of original songs titled Signs Of Seasons on vinyl. Nothing much happened with it because there was little or no promotion. Fast forward to 2020. (I am attaching a short message that my daughter, Kara, put on Facebook that explains what happened). This album also featured another classmate and life-long friend, Steve Keys on guitar, bass and harmonica. Steve and I have played in several bands starting in 1965 with the Missing Lynks. This band also included another classmate, Dan DeLisi on bass and vocals. (RSVP- miss you J Dan) In 1971 Steve and I started the band Freeland, that in 1972 recorded another vinyl LP, Freeland, Headin’ Back. We lived in the Colorado Mountains, Freeland Gulch, with no running water or electricity where we played in the local clubs of the mountain towns. In 1977 we regrouped back in St Paul with the band, Bizzy Wiggins. We gigged in the cities and around the mid-west and had been playing my originals, so by the time we went in the studio the songs had been well rehearsed. That’s the band that recorded Signs Of Seasons at Sullivan Sound on W 7th St.
I have since recorded a dozen more albums on CD, the latest was Dove Tales in 2018. Currently I am working remotely, due to Covid, with Freeland, (whose members are scattered across the country) recording our third album. In 2006 we got together again to record a second album on CD titled Almost Home.
Take care,
Boz Metzdorf
Here is the message from Bob’s daughter Kara that he referenced.
Just want to tell you about some surprising news regarding my dad, Boz. A short while ago a vinyl record collector discovered his first solo album, Signs Of Seasons, (recorded in 1978) at a used vintage record store. “He wrote a very positive review of the album on a music blog and I first started to get requests from the west coast and then, surprisingly from most of Europe, Scandinavia and Australia.“ Soon he was signed by Anthology Recordings of New York who released the song Sails Across The Sea in 2019 on a vintage collection of artists called Sad About The Times.
Anthology Recordings is going to release the entire album of the 11 individual songs on Signs Of Seasons for streaming on October 29. (Kara wrote this prior to the release)
“It’s truly amazing after 43 years that this would happen. Back then if you weren’t signed to a major record label, you probably wouldn’t be heard. I’m gratified that the music has stood the test of time and can still be enjoyed.” Dad is currently working remotely with his old bandmates from Freeland on a third Freeland album. It will be released in 2022, fifty years after they recorded Freeland, Headin’ Back, in 1972. He has done the art and design for both albums.
Now here is where you can purchase and in some cases hear Boz’s music.
Just type in Anthology Recordings, click on music, Signs of Seasons or go to any of the platforms listed below.
Promotion is on Anthology Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and on the website Anthology Recordings.
Album is available—streaming
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon
iTunes
Bandcamp
Tidal
Deezer
CD’s of album soon available at birdseyeviewproductions.net
Here is the link to an interview with some songs interspersed that I did with Anssi from Finland, who has a radio show called Cosmic Turtle. (The first song is not mine)