Men We Love – Rock out with Gary Lennox
June 18, 2009 by Jessica Warnock
Filed under A & E
Gary Lennox of Dog House Music
Gary Lennox is a man full of rockin’ stories.
And not just from his bass-playing days at places like the CBGB’s in New York City.
In 2004, Lennox, 54 of Erie started a rock and roll summer camp at Dog Fish Music, a studio he opened in Lafayette after he and his band received a $1,000 noise ordinance while practicing. Now his best stories are about the next generation of rockers Lennox is helping to create.
For example, how about last summer when teenage rock bands from the camp performed a concert at the Children’s Hospital? One patient had clung to a small piece of cotton since she was admitted into the hospital. She let go of the cotton for the first time when Lennox handed her an inflatable air guitar. Dog Fish will have another concert at the Children’s hospital this summer.
Or how about the story of the Italian immigrant who came to the camp without knowing any English? With music as a universal language, the boy’s band ended up writing fantastic original music only a week later.
Lennox started the rock camp after he noticed a couple of girls playing with guitars outside of a studio where their dads were rehearsing. He taught them “Wild Thing” by the Troggs. As the girls’ faces lighted up while they learned how to rock, the idea for the camp was born.
In the weeklong camp, kids must come up with a band name, logo, banner, fliers, as well write three original songs. The campers learn about sound editing, lights and other aspects of creating a show. At the end of the week, the bands perform at the Boulder Outlook Hotel.
“Before they go on, I like to tell them MTV is in the audience,” Lennox laughs. “We like to keep everything fun.”
The kids also learn life skills, like teamwork and responsibility. Even the kids who aren’t destined to be guitar gods are treated like rock stars who are invaluable to the band.
“To be able to help the kids is what it’s all about,” Lennox says. “As much as we inspire them, we listen to them. If you listen you can learn a lot from the kids.”
A musician and giver? We wanted to know more about this man who is bringing peace and music to Boulder’s youth. So we asked him five questions about life and music and then we asked his fellow-rocker girlfriend, Lindsay Polack, of Erie,the same question.
Take a look.
1. If you could trade lives with one person who would it be?
Gary: John Lennon. He’s my idol. Pretty much I try to emulate how he was in life and music, spreading peace and love. He was just all around a great guy.
Lindsay: He’d probably say John Lennon. But his all time favorite band is the Ramones, so I secretly think he would like to be the bass player for the Ramones.
2. What inspires you?
Gary: Probably being able to spread love through music and getting the kids to see that, too.
Lindsay: I think music is the biggest inspiration for him, but he really likes to help people and bring music to them. That’s why he’s no longer a touring musician. He wants to help the music in others.
3. What do you think is the best feeling in the world?
Gary: The best feeling in the world is helping people to believe in themselves, and their hearts and capabilities, and to nurture it and bring it out.
Lindsay: That is a tough one. It would have to be a tie between a really great jam with your band and introducing someone new to something and watching it expand.
4. If you could eliminate one thing in the world what would it be?
Gary: War.
Lindsay: I think he would eliminate the tendency of people of judging people without knowing them.
5. What is your greatest achievement?
Gary: Doing Dog House is one of them, and I’m getting to the point of taking away the monetary stress.
Lindsay: I think his greatest achievement was that after decades of slamming he was able to open Dog House and do what he always wanted to do in life.
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