Gregg Bartley, 61, Marysville
On Saturday, the 1970s rock band Firefall plays at the Historic Everett Theatre. Gregg Bartley will be there cheering on his brother, not carrying his guitars like he used to.
His older brother, Jock, is a guitarist and founding member of Firefall, whose hits include “You Are The Woman,” “Strange Way” and “Just Remember I Love You.”
Jock chose music. Gregg chose airplanes.
After getting a degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University in 1981, Gregg moved to Washington to work for Boeing. Since 2000, he has worked for the Federal Aviation Administration.
He and his wife, Teresa, have a daughter, Eva, a student at University of Washington at Bothell.
Talk about Firefall during its heyday.
Firefall was one of those “superstar” bands that was assembled with members from a lot of other well-known bands. Rick Roberts had been with The Flying Burrito Brothers, Mark Andes was with Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne. Michael Clarke was the original drummer for the Byrds, and Jock had been with a Colorado band called Zephyr and then toured with Gram Parson and the Fallen Angels with Emmy Lou Harris. So, the band started out with a pretty good chance of success, given its pedigree.
Firefall’s first album, “Firefall,” came out in 1976. The band toured regularly with bands like The Marshall Tucker Band, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys and Kenny Loggins.
The first time I saw Firefall play, they were the second act of a triple bill that included the Dixie Dregs and Marshall Tucker. We sat backstage. My mom was pretty much in shock the whole time.
What was your role with the band?
One time, I think I sold T-shirts and CDs after the show while the band signed autographs.
On several occasions, I helped unload equipment and carried Jock’s numerous guitars around. Everyone at the venue just assumed that I was “with the band” which then enabled me to get backstage and have a chance to raid some of the leftover “band goodies” like sandwiches and drinks. Depending on the place, some of the band fare is actually quite amazing. I’ve gotten to talk to some rather famous musicians that way.
The drummer for the Marshall Tucker band came up to me once at a concert and started talking to me because he thought I was actually my brother. I corrected him, of course. I was amazed he made that mistake, as I am so much better looking than Jock. And taller.
What’s it like having a brother who’s a rock star?
Well, when Firefall started doing well on the radio and TV, it was pretty cool. I took a lot of pride in being related to someone famous, probably too much. It took me some time to realize that name-dropping has a tendency to turn people off rather than impress them. After a while, I stopped.
It is pretty fun to hang around the band, maybe go out to the party afterwards, and see a concert from an entirely different perspective.
What reaction do you get when you tell people?
A lot of people these days do not know who Firefall is, as the ’70s are ancient history to everyone not of “a certain age.” I get a lot of blank stares from folks who weren’t heavily into ’70s and ‘80s rock music. When I mention some of their hits, they go, “Oh, yeah … I sort of remember that.” It’s kind of anticlimactic. Or else I get pure disbelief.
Do you play a musical instrument?
I suppose that really depends on your definition of “play.” My daughter, Eva, plays piano really well. She kind of inspired me to pick up the flute again, after I had dropped it sometime during my college years.
I have a problem with finding opportunities to practice, as our dog, Nina, starts howling every time she hears me play. I have to kick her out of the room because I can’t stop laughing. Everyone is a critic.
What is your proudest moment?
I suppose that putting myself through college without any help or support from anyone. I sometimes shudder to think where I might have been now if I hadn’t done that, as I spent several years after high school doing things like painting houses, burying telephone cable and working in a textile factory. It wasn’t easy and I dropped out once for a year, so I am also proud that I made the decision to go back and stay with it.
What are three things in your fridge?
I know there is some orange juice in there, as I bought it last week. Jelly, three kinds. The apricot one is very nice. And … a light bulb?
What do you like best about living in Snohomish County?
Snohomish County has a lot of attractions so that you don’t really need to go to Seattle. Beautiful scenery, mountains, water, lots of available activities. There’s shopping and the local Y for my wife. That’s important.
— Andrea Brown, Herald Writer
The Chat is a weekly casual conversation with ordinary questions put to local extraordinary people. Do you know someone we should get to know better? Send suggestions to abrown@heraldnet.com or call 425-339-3443.
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