I hope you were such a fan of L.A. newcomers FIRE back in the late 80s like me. Their singer Jessie Galante was and still is active in the music business. And - as you see - she has not aged. She still looks like a young and attractive rock singer. But she is not only damned good looking, she is such a nice person who love animals as much as I do. This wide ranged vocalist still puts out fantastic rock albums - she released 5 albums, one EP and a collection throughout the years. So I was really excited to get in contact with that powerful woman.
"I exercise 5 days week. I've run many full marathons and have been physically active my entire life. I stay out of the sun, drink moderately and most of my eating habits are plant based. Genetics play a big part too! As a singer, my body is my instrument and I keep it in check!"
Starting with FIRE, your first band - hm, was it your first band? Or when and with which project did you start your musical career?
"My very first band was ACTOR from my hometown of Buffalo, N.Y. We hit the ground running very fast when we started out as our manager had one of our songs placed on the radio and we received a lot of airplay. We were also performing 6-7 nights a week. We were one of the hardest working bands in the area at the time."
FIRE seemed to have a bright looking future with all the good reviews worldwide... why have you never made an album?
"That's a very sad story, Tina, as the band was doing very well with offers to tour in Europe with a full album release. We were in such high demand that fans were buying the demo and tons of airplay worldwide. But there were a lot of problems with management and band members and other reasons I prefer not to divulge! It was a very traumatic and heartbreaking experience for me."
You did a 4 track demo 1987 - but also a one track ('Eyes Of A Child') demo 1987 - why 2 demos?
"Those were two different writing periods. 'Eyes Of A Child' was written after the four track demo was recorded."
Have you recorded more songs?
"No, but there were a lot of great songs that could have been!"
How did you get in contact with Michael Wagener as producer and how could a young band afford him?
"Our manager at the time, Ray Brown, made the connection and was able to afford him. It was one of the best recording experiences of my life. Michael Guy also co-produced the demo. I have since kept in touch with Michael Wagener."
You've been in contact with Michael Wagener since then. Would you like him producing another album of yours?
"I would love that, but unfortunately Michael has recently retired and traveling the world! I'll keep in touch with him however, you never know!"
How big was your success and where - mostly in L.A.?
"With FIRE we were a new band and because we had such a great manager and publicity team, the band spread like wild fire internationally."
Have you been on tour with FIRE? Only local shows or across the country? With which bands?
"With FIRE I performed mostly on the West Coast, with ACTOR I performed on the East Coast and parts of Canada."
Have you played solo shows, have you supported bands (which?) or have bands supported you (which)?
"Yes we have played a lot of solo shows, mostly on the West Coast. We had a lot of publicity so our shows always had great audiences. Some of the support shows we performed were with RACER X and BANG BANG at clubs like the Country Club in Reseda California and the Roxy Theater in West Hollywood. I also performed special guest appearances at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Southern California for Hear'n'Aid and another at The Country Club in Reseda California."
Did you split after that demo? When?
"Yes, we split shortly after. I can't recall the year but probably around 1993."
What happened to the other musicians after FIRE split up and do you know what they are doing now? Michael Guy - guitars (later SHARK ISLAND and HOUSE OF LORDS), Tom Rucci - bass, Doug Allen - keyboards and Jackie Ramos - drums (HERICANE ALICE, BAD MOON RISING and BANGALORE CHOIR).
"I'm not sure, I've spoken with Mike off and on. He's always writing and recording. I don't know about the other guys."
Was FIRE the first band for these musicians?
"No, they were in other bands... SHARK ISLAND for Mike and Tom. I don't know about Doug and Jackie."
Do you still play old FIRE songs in your live-set?
"Yes, I have performed 'No No Nikki' in my European tours since they are fans of FIRE."
Have you played in bands after FIRE or was it always a solo-career after it?
"After FIRE broke up, I started co-writing and working with a band in L.A. It was a good experience to develop my writing skills but after the disappointment and heartbreak with FIRE, my heart wasn't in it. It's then I decided to develop myself as a solo artist."
Which band? What was their name?
"It was called THIRD STORY BLONDE... They named it that relating to my loud voice ha ha ha!"
Have you lived in L.A. back then and today in N.Y.?
"Yes, I lived in L.A. for five years and then moved back to N.Y. to work on my solo career. The trauma from the breakup inspired a lot of my dark lyrics from my first solo debut album titled "Gesua"."
You were born in N.Y. by Sicilian parents, right?
"Yes, and they were right off the boat! I actually started singing in Italian before I sang in English! My father was a musician and my mom has a huge big voice!"
You told me you lived in Germany, Cologne for a year. When was it?
"Larry (her late husband and producer - T.E.) and I lived in Cologne, Germany for 11 months from fall of 2012 and summer of 2013. It was the best of times and the worst of times because towards the end is when Larry became ill."
What was the reason for your stay and how did you like it?
"There were many reasons, first of all Larry and I always wanted to experience living there. We had the opportunity from a friend of ours in Cologne to rent their home so we took it. Many of the musicians that I write, record and tour with live in Germany and The Netherlands so it was great to do it all in person! It's also where we wrote and recorded the last album Larry and I worked on together titled "The Show Must Go On". Larry developed and worked on his career designing and building recording studios and studio monitors. We loved living there, it was an adventure that I cherish and very close to my heart. Of course with the memories of Larry, it was the last year of his life so those memories are very strong and emotional. But we also fell in love with the amazing German culture, the hearty food, fun loving people and amazing selections of beer! One of my favorite adventures was the German markets at Christmas and my introduction to Glühwein! So in keeping with that tradition I order a case of Glühwein for Christmas!"
Have you learnt German then?
"Yikes! German is a very passionate and powerful language but it's very difficult to learn. I could understand some words and only spoke a few but I could whip through a Germany restaurant menu with no problem!"
Your late husband produced some of your albums (My condolence - I saw your video for 'Nights In White Satin' - so beautiful but full of grief...) - which albums were produced by him?
"Thank you. I miss him badly. We had a very adventurous and exciting life together. He was a gentle and kind man. His powerful legacy is his many contributions to the worldwide music and art industry. The 'Nights In White Satin' video is full of symbolism for his life and our life together. Larry co-wrote, recorded and produced all of my albums except ACTOR and FIRE."
You had some guests on your albums then - who was it exactly?
"Oh wow! I've been so fortunate to work with so many musicians around the world as guests on my albums! Some of them are Frank Ferrer (drummer for GUNS 'N ROSES), Jack Daley (bassist for Lenny Kravitz, Little Steven), Rob Bailey (guitarist for Anastacia, Jive Jones), Billy Sheehan (bassist for MR. BIG, SONS OF APOLLO), Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboardist, songwriter, singer with HARDLINE and REVOLUTION SAINTS) and more."
You have been on tour in the U.S.A., The Netherlands and Germany, right? Solo or with bands?
"When I first started out I was touring with ACTOR on the East Coast and Canada, with FIRE it was the West Coast and parts of the Mid-West. With my solo career I toured regionally, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Hungary to name a few. I'm currently working with a promoter in Europe for dates in 2022!"
Did you make music all the time in your life or did you pause?
"When I left L.A. I was so heartbroken that I did take some time off. Mostly to work on developing myself as a solo artist and improving my writing skills. The other time was after Larry passed away. My grief was so intense that it paralyzed me musically and I suffered from PTSD. But with the help of my family, friends and therapy I was able to get back to writing, recording and performing. A huge factor was believing that Larry wouldn't want me to give up on my music and get up, get out and pick up where we left off."
You did an album and an EP with the same name: "Gesua", one full length album and an EP with 3 songs in Italian language. What is the reason for that?
"That was my husband Larry's idea. He loved my real name. He thought that since I was coming out with my very first solo album that I should name it "Gesua". He also felt appropriate to title the Italian CD with my Italian birth name."
So "Gesua" is your real (Italian) name and it means in English Jessie?
"I'm not sure how the name Jessie came from Gesua. Gesua is the Italian female version of Jesus spelled Gesù. But I have 10 cousins named the same!"
Have you been raised with English and Italian languages?
"Yes, how cool is that! I'm so grateful that my parents encouraged me by simply speaking Italian around me and naturally I picked it up. It's really helped me in my travels!"
There are 2 live gigs listed for 2021 in the N.Y. area... what kinda program will you play?
"Unfortunately, the concert with Sass Jordan has been postponed (for the third time because of the pandemic). For that concert I would have been performing music from my albums and new songs. The other concert is a special performance with various guests performing originals. There is a third one, the MOB Christmas concert on
December 15, 2021, that I co-host with Billy Sheehan and Bobby Lebel. That is a three hour program that includes Christmas music with a full horn section, classic rock songs and originals. It's quite an elaborate production and we are going on our 6th year. We are in partnership with Robby Takac's (GOO GOO DOLLS) "Music Is Art" festival to help raise money to support Buffalo's music community."
Do you have a band for that or guest musicans?
"Yes, we are part of the band (with guitar, bass and vocal) that includes our drummer, second guitarist and back up singers. We do have guests that come up and sit in for a few songs."
Are concerts in N.Y. for all people or just for the vaccinated?
"It's very hard to say right now with the Delta Variant looming over us. Those that haven't been vaccinated have to wear a mask. At this writing people have to wear masks even if they are vaccinated as the numbers are climbing. The rules vary from State to State and venue to venue changing day to day. The event organizers need to work with local public officials to follow regulations of that particular area and monitor levels of the communities transmission. It's been a tough and frustrating time and so many festivals and events are already being cancelled!"
What kinda music do you listen to now?
"I listen to all types of music and lately I've been drawn to listening to cinematic music namely that of Tommee Profitt. I'm a big movie buff and like big epic dramatic sounding productions with their dynamic orchestrations and powerful instrumentation. It's very inspiring and moving."
What are your musical plans for 2021/2022, any new album?
"I have co-written an album with guitarist Bobby Lebel and bassist Billy Sheehan for a release early 2022 (Billy, Bobby and I are all from the same hometown of Buffalo, N.Y.). We are also inductees in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. As far as my solo career goes, I am co-writing and recording with various musicians from the US and Europe. In July 2021, I released a remastered version of my CD "Spitfire". I'm also working with a promoter in Europe for dates in the spring of 2022. I will
also be releasing a documentary that Larry and I filmed the last time we toured in Europe together. Thank you Tina for this in depth interview, I appreciate that you're including me in your magazine!"
www.jessiegalante.com
www.youtube.com/c/jessiegalante/videos
www.facebook.com/officialjessiegalante
Tina Ehmke
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