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Bob Tangrea loved music from as far back as he can
remember. He grew up in Philadelphia and listened to
the hits of 50's radio like songs by the Everly
Brothers, Bo Diddley, Ike & Tina Turner, Dion & the
Belmonts and others. In the early 60's he loved the
sounds of Jackie Wilson and other R&B artists, but then
came the Hootenanny craze. His older brother Joe had
some friends, who had older brothers in college, and the
word was that the "hip" music was folk music. Joe
bought a guitar from Sears mail order and Bob (who
arrived home earlier from school than Joe) would
practice as much as he could before Joe got home.
Seeing how Bob was progressing rapidly on the guitar,
Joe purchased a banjo from Sears and this was the start
of the Tanner Brothers.
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They started learning songs by
The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Pete Seeger and
others. Becoming more interested in the origin of the
folk music they were playing, the brothers pursued Old
Timey and Bluegrass music. Bob, looking for more
musical challenge, bought a mandolin and quickly
mastered it. About a year later he bought a fiddle and
realized he was in for more of a challenge. After many
screechy nights, practicing in the basement ( a request
from his Mom, Margaret, who was trying to relax after
working all day, and Joe who was usually studying) Bob
was able to play a few tunes.
Joe heard that a local country music band, Curly
Herdman and the West Virginia Boys, was looking to
replace their banjo player and Joe called to audition.
He got the job but wouldn't take it unless Curly hired
Bob as well. Curly agreed on one condition, the boys
would have to split the pay. Bob and Joe were no
fools and always drove a hard bargain, so they
took it. They made about $12 each per gig. Joe
and Bob were featured on Curly's Sunday morning
radio show on WNAR AM from Norristown, PA.
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After 2 years as West Virginia Boys, the Tanner
boys wanted to start their own band. They formed
the Tanner Brothers Bluegrass Band along with Ken
Jacobs on guitar and Ron Greenstein on upright
bass. Before long they became very popular in
Philadedlphia and the surrounding areas. They
were booked as the opening act, at The Main
Point in Bryn Mawr, PA, whenever Jerry Jeff
Walker (with David Bromberg) or Doc Watson came to
town. They also played at the 1968 Philadelphia Folk
Festival at which Joe won 1st prize in the 5
string banjo contest.
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As all good things usually
come to an end, Joe, Ron and Ken graduated
college and went out into the world to pursue real
jobs. Bob knew his calling and continued to make
music his full time ambition. He started writing and
singing his own songs at local coffee houses and clubs.
It was at one of these clubs, Hecate's Circle, (owned
by Danny Starobin of the popular Philly blues band
Sweet Stavin' Chain) he first met Frank Stallone.
Bob and Frank hit it off and did a couple of
numbers together. After that they played a few
tunes together. They said "We should form a band
someday...", but Frank wasn't ready to give up his
solo career just yet.
Bob took a job playing mandolin and fiddle with former
Greenbriar Boy, John Herald who, sadly, passed away in
July of 2005.
Please visit the John Herald Memorial Site.
They toured and played at many
prestigious jobs, including representing the
folk music of the United States at the World Expo in
Montreal, Canada in 1970 and 1971. They were also
were performing regulars at the celebrity hangout
"Max's Kansas City" in NYC.
Not being completely satisfied being a backup musician,
Bob was ready to form his own band. Ironically at this
time, while in between gigs with John Herald, he
received a call from Frank Stallone who was now ready to
do the same. They got together to write and rehearse
with Jody Giambelluca (Sweet Nothin') on bass guitar,
and Mickey Brook (American Dream) on drums. This was
the birth of Valentine. They continued rehearsing in a
tiny pump house on River Road outside of Lambertville,
NJ (near New Hope, PA). After signing a management deal
with Robin Garb and Bill Ring of Ascension Artist
Management, and playing numerous local clubs to pay
their dues, they landed a recording contract with RCA Records.
While working on the album, Franks lesser known brother
Sylvester, was writing a screenplay for a motion picture
named "Rocky". He wrote a part for street corner
singers, singing on a Philly corner around a burning
trash can. Guess what? They got the part. They showed
up at 8 PM in the middle of winter, in the Kensington
section of Philly, under the EL. They ended up shooting
the scene singing "Take You Back", around 2AM the next
morning, in sub zero temperatures. Little did they
know at that time, that it would become an Academy Award
winner.
They finished the album and started touring to promote
it. They did such TV shows as Midnight Special, Don
Kirschner's Rock Concert, Mike Douglas, Dinah Shore and
Jim Nabors...Shazam! Frank's song "Take You Back",
"Street corner song from Rocky", was released as the
first single and received promising national airplay.
Two of Bob's songs, "So Sad to Break Up" and "Send Your
Love" received substantial national airplay on the
syndicated 'MAGIC' stations. Sadly, due to waning
support from RCA Records and other reasons,
Valentine broke up.
Bob then pursued a solo career as a singer, musician and
a songwriter and did well in the Philadelphia area,
playing at local clubs and getting many rave reviews.
However, he missed the camaraderie of a band. While
recording a demo at a local studio, he met singers Al
Snyder and James Carter . Their voices blended
beautifully and thus was the birth of Tres Hombres.
With Al on guitar, James on bass and Bob on guitar,
mandolin and fiddle, they quickly became one of the
areas most sought after acts performing their own
material as well as covers. There was often "Standing
room only" at the clubs where they performed, especially
when they sang "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" and when Bob
played his infamous version of "Orange Blossom Special".
After establishing contacts with publishing
companies in Los Angeles as a writer, and with the
prompting of old friend Frank Stallone, Bob and his
wife Marilee decided it was time for a change. Leaving
the Hombres and a lot of sad friends and family, they
moved to Los Angeles in 1983. It was quite an
adventure driving cross country for the first time.
Not having a permanent place to live or jobs waiting
for them in LA added to the sense of adventure. Bob
got work almost immediately working in cover bands by
night and meeting with publishers by day, however he and
his wife were disillusioned by the 'different' values in
LA. Having an interest in electronics, Bob attended LA
City College for Electronics Engineering and decided
this could be the stability needed to supplement his
musical career and also provide steady income so he and
Marilee could start a family. Even though they had
some good times and met some good people, they were
both homesick for the east coast and moved back after
nearly two years in LA.
After returning home Bob completed his electronics
program and got a steady job. He and Marilee bought a
house and had a beautiful baby girl, Noelle, who you can
hear on Bob's Music page. Presently, Bob works in the
computer field and plays and writes music and
occasionally performs at local clubs...FOR FUN!
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