User:Gaberingo

Born in Treviso, Italy in 1946, Gabriel studied classical music from age 9 to 21. At age 21, he won a scholarship to Kent State University and majored in Music Composition. In the ear training class at Kent State U., Gabriel met the drummer James Fox of the James Gang (featuring Joe Walsh). James heard Gabriel play "Mercy, Mercy Mercy" on the class’ electric piano, an instrumental made popular by the Cannonball Adderley band, featuring Joe Zawinul on keyboards (who Gabriel met years later).

James advised Gabriel that he should try pop music because of his feel for it. In 1971, Gabriel auditioned for and became the band leader and keyboardist for singer Fabian Forte. Gabriel traveled with Fabian for a year until Fabian developed Mononucleosis while on tour and had to stop performing for a few months.

While Fabian was recuperating, Gabriel met producer Bob Crewe ("Music To Watch Girls Go By") and through Bob, re-arranged two Sherman Bros. songs for Petula Clark. Getting antsy waiting for Fabian to recover and not being on the road, Gabriel went to Chicago to visit his parents. While waiting there, he joined a band and performed in several Chicago clubs. He also joined forces with Connie Lynn (who Gabriel later named Chi Coltrane, who wrote and recorded "Thunder And Lighting") and formed a duo, performing in several Chicago clubs with her.

Tired of local bands after having had a taste of the road, Gabriel moved back to California in 1973, where he managed to contact Lew Futterman, who at the time was producing Ted Nugent's new album "Call Of The Wild". Gabriel sent a tape to Lew and was flown to Michigan, where a limo picked him up at the airport and drove him to Ted Nugent's ranch in Hanover. There, Gabriel auditioned in Ted's barn (converted into a studio), and the magic happened. Ted offered Gabriel the part of keyboardist. After recording the "Call Of The Wild" album in upstate N.Y., Gabriel toured with Ted for nearly a year, when Ted had to get off the road because of a bleeding ulcer. Gabriel also co-wrote "Rot Gut" on the album, along with Ted and other musicians. Gabriel was the last keyboardist for Ted Nugent, and the only keyboardist to play a woodwind (flute on “Rot Gut”) on any of Ted's albums

While waiting for Ted to recover, Ted’s producer Lew Futterman (who also managed the British group If), called Gabriel and asked him if he was interested in joining the band If for their upcoming album. Gabriel was flown to London, where he auditioned for and got the part of keyboardist with If. Gabriel recorded two alums, "Tea Break Over, Back On Your 'eads" and "Not Just Another Bunch Of Pretty Faces" in 1974 and 1975 for Capitol/EMI records. With If not able to produce any hits, Gabriel quit the band and returned to Chicago in 1975.

In Chicago, Gabriel formed a 5-piece rock band named Chameleon. They opened for Quicksilver Messenger Service ("Fresh Air") at the Chicago Auditorium. Gabriel was also a song writer and his band was selected as one of 12 bands to win a spot on Chicago's 1978 WKQX Hometown Album, out of hundreds of bands who sent their songs in.

Gabriel later that year moved to New Jersey to be close to New York City, where he formed another 5-piece band playing all his original songs. However, he felt the band lacked the talent to go to the top and gave up the idea and moved to California in 1979. There, he performed for 15 years as a duo (with Gabriel on keyboards and vocals, and a singing drummer), as well as formed another 5-piece band called TXR. Clancy Grass of the Hondell's "Little Honda" fame, was their manager. The band performed in many of the L.A. rock clubs, including Gazzari's, Whiskey A Go Go, and more.

Clancy arranged for an audition at Wally Heider studio in Hollywood, for a representative of Elektra/Asylum records. The band did a live audition (which was recorded) and hoped for a contract. However, there were internal problems in the band which later prevented this. Frustrated, Gabriel gave up the idea and returned to performing as a duo. In 1994, Gabriel moved to Las Vegas, where he is still performing as a single on keyboards, guitar and vocals. He has performed for seven years in the major Strip casinos including the MGM Grand, Tropicana, Mirage and more.

Currently, Gabriel is writing music again, as well as working on his second screenplay...