Zorro and the Blue Footballs was a band from late 1974 to early 1984. Over the years, the lineup changed, but the two founding co-front men remained constant: myself, Mike Mohney, and Windy Austin. Throughout the years, we were both addressed as "Zorro." But the namesake of the band was a dog. All the band members were "Blue Footballs." For a while, Windy and I also billed the horn section (Windy on Clarinet and myself on saxes) as "Featuring the Chuck Lunch Orchestra," but that became too cumbersome and soon disappeared from all playbills.
My purpose for the blog is to post some Zorro stories, comments from some old fans, music, and videos.
I recently made contact on Facebook with an old friend from Texas who recorded some early Zorro shows in Denton in 1974. I'll post a few of those tunes. I had forgotten some of that material and was glad that someone had recorded it. Much of that early music didn't survive after we developed the "show."
I've posted a couple of performance videos on my Facebook page, but the clips I want to post are too "blue" and would probably be taken down. I'm currently working on an edit of a 11-minute performance of "Kaw-Lija" at the Swingin' Door in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I hope to have that up soon.
I was an impressionable college student who used to come see you guys play. I remember driving to Little Rock to see you on the day Elvis died. In true form, you opened the show with an Elvis impersonation...all laying on the floor playing dead.
ReplyDeleteI also rode with you guys once to see the Fighting Mad movie when it first came out...I think you were performing Bleeding Heart Inn in the background?
Fun time - great music. I can't believe I haven't heard any in so long. Would love to have some live audio recordings.
Thanks for the memories.
I was rummaging around at Fayetteville's Funky Yardsale and found Rated Blue in their record section. I vaguely heard about them from my mom who saw them back in the day, so I bought it and loved it. Great music and hilarious antics.
ReplyDeleteI was such a fan of you all! I was a college student in Dallas in the late 70's and went to as many shows as I could. "Everybody eats when they come to my house". And the Tshirt: "I promise to pull out in time"! LOL I was quite the groupie!
ReplyDeleteI can say this now that I'm retired but at that 70s-80s time I was flying for the little airline in Fayetteville, Skyways. I bid my monthly schedule strictly around you guys' Friday happy hour which I seem to remember often just ran into the night show too. All is a little fuzzy from back then but I remember you and Wendy for sure and have been trying to track down an album in Austin, Texas for years. Last night I found one and gave thanks to old Zorro for same! Trying to find a cartridge on Thanksgiving so I can play it. I will be sure and get in the correct mood first. Thanks for all the good times! Nothing like it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great Post!! Thanks For Sharing. Are you looking to buy Football? It’s all available at just a click: Footballs
ReplyDelete48 HOURS IN ATOKA, Ubangi Lips.......
ReplyDeleteI became a fan in Fayettville, AR around 1976-77. A regular at the Swinging Door. Moved to Dallas the following year. Driving down Greenville Ave one Saturday afternoon saw a marquee at “Popcycle Toes Night Club”.
ReplyDelete“Tonight, Zoro and the Blue Footballs.”
I still have my autographed album.��
My crew and I caught Z&TBF at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Little Rock down on Asher Ave (the old One Eyed Jacks place) between '75 and '78. Good times were had. I specifically remember Big Balls's in Town.
ReplyDeleteI used to see you guys play at the Cain‘s Ballroom in Tulsa. Always had a good time.
ReplyDeleteI used to see Zorro and the Blue Footballs at the Swinging Door on Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR around 1975. Sill remember the Chuck Lunch Orchestra. The shows were a mixture of some really funny shit as well as some kick ass music. I still remember one really hot day walking down Dickson Street and Windy and the band were standing out in front of the Swinging Door trying to get people to come inside by yelling COLD BEER! COLD BEER! at people when they passed by. Of course we went in, had a couple of brews and watched some of their set. Still remember Mike Mahoney walking off of the stage on to the bar tables while playing his sax. Surprised he didn't bust it. But he never did.
ReplyDeleteI was also a fan of Windy Austin's previous band Rodeo who I first started following in 1970 when I first came to Fayetteville.
The most classic line ever sung, "I was doing fine until rigor mortis set in."
ReplyDeleteJames Doolin
The most classic line ever sung, "I was doing fine until rigor mortis set in."
ReplyDeleteJames Doolin
I saw you play in the Swinging Door. Our table was covered in empty longneck beer bottles. A mountain stood up from the next table and bumped our table knocking over the bottles. The mountain was Dan Hampton. Also remember your 'catch the ball like Bobby Duckworth" skit. Good times!
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