J.P. Michaels Melrose Angel History

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As J P was entering night collage, he took a break from bands to concentrate on his studies. Besides, his current band was sort of a part time gig. He received a phone call from a guitarist named George Filippides who was attending University of Conn. with J P's friend and drummer, Nick Salerni. He had heard through the "grapevine" that J P was somewhat available. Actually George was told by Nick. Nick and George had played together in a band called Money. So George informed J P that his band Accelerate was in dire need of a keyboard player. They had pending shows throughout Connecticut and New York. So they made arrangements to meet at their rehearsal studio......in Cranston RI. ! That's only a 2 1/2 hr drive from where J P lived!!! J P said "he'll show up with his boards" and they took it from there.

J P knew that George was a very good guitar player and if he was in this band they had to be good. As J P arrived at the rehearsal studio in Cranston, he was greeted by everyone in the band including Ricks parents. J P had never experienced such hospitality and a willingness to help with lugging his heavy equipment. "These guys must really want me bad" he thought. J P was right. Rick told him he had one week to learn 40 songs. They had a show the following week at Citylights, a prominent night spot in downtown Hartford. These guys didn't even hear J P play up to this point. J P set up his gear and proceeded to play some solo stuff. After hearing him "wank" on his keyboards for about a minute, they all went outside and J P asked them if "he should go with them". George just said keep doing what you're doing. They came back in about a minute later with some other guy. He listened to J P play for another minute and stopped in to introduced himself. It was their manager Joseph Moretti. Apparently the guys in the band voted J P in already, but he had to put his "stamp" of approval on it. which he did.

J P was in and Accelerate proceeded to play all of the main venues in the Tri-State area. The name Accelerate was replaced by Melrose Angel. Rick Levin made the point to George that he was the only original member of Accelerate, and they sounded entirely different now. Rick came up with the name and it was agreed by all to go out as Melrose Angel from that point on. The originals of Melrose Angel where as unique as it's members. They all came from different musical backgrounds, and it just made the sound that much more distinctive. Most of the lyrics where the poetic styling of Rick Levin, while the music was all thought of by the remaining members. The group was also receptive to play some of J P's solo material which fit their sound.

J P left Melrose Angel shortly after a year with them. The music scene had changed to a more guitar oriented sound. J P found himself dragging not only a keyboard set-up to gigs, but a guitar rig as well. Trying to balance all of that musical responsibility with collage and a day job was just way too much to bear. They parted ways as friends. Melrose Angel was comprised of a great group of musicians and freinds.