Phil Bepko

PHIL BEPKO

Homer released an album called Grown in U.S.A. in 1970. Bandmembers by that time were Phil Bepko (vocals), Frank Coy (vocals), Galen Niles (lead guitar), Howard Gloor (lead, steel guitar), Gene Coleman (drums), and Chet Himes (bass). The music ranged from psychedelia to progressive rock, with instruments that included a Mellotron. Christopher Cross – who had several hits in the early 1980’s including “Sailing” and got the Grammy in 1980 for Best New Artist – also had some involvement with the album. (Christopher Cross was born on May 3, 1951, same as me!).

(September 2011)

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Gary Crapster then left the band and was replaced on drums by Gene Coleman; Phil Bepko also joined as a second lead vocalist. By this point, “album rock” was looming large on the FM radio band, and Homer recognized that the old days of the 45 single were on their way out. Chet Himes and Chris Geppert set up a small recording studio in the back of Himes’ parents’ house and began working on the Homer LP. Chris Geppert later changed his name and gained considerable fame as Christopher Cross. The album was recorded in a little less than a year; most of the work was done at Himes’ studio, but some of the recording was done at other professional recording studios in Texas.

Phil Bepko came up with an ambitious rock opera called Hieronymus, but he would leave the band along with Gene Coleman; Don Evans and Van Wilks, respectively, took their places before Homer took this new music on the road. Galen Niles recalls: “Man, [Homer] was a smokin’ band then – the fact was, the only reason we had a vocalist was to take up some space between the guitar solos.”

(April 2014)