Welcome Disco fans. This evening we have famed Disco percussionist & drummer - Mickey Sevilla, from the 70s Disco-Jazz group, Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band. Their song Che Che La Femme was the #1 dance hit in 1976. Mickey, who also performed with the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Ashford & Simpson, Odyssey, and Yambu chats with Disco Nights Author Stephen A Welles on a Saturday Night.
Presents
Mickey Sevilla
from
Doctors Buzzards Original Savannah Band
Mickey Sevilla
from
Doctors Buzzards Original Savannah Band
MIckey Sevilla 2017
Contact
Connect
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© 2018-2023 Disco Hall of Fame
All rights reserved
© 2018-2023 Disco Hall of Fame
All rights reserved
Steve Welles 2017
Mickey goes through his memorabilia on a Saturday evening as the two men drink a glass of wine, have a few laughs and share stories of the Disco years...
SW: Hello Disco Fans, we have Mickey Sevilla with us from the great 70s Disco group Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band who's song Cherchez La Femme hit # 1 on the 1976 U.S. Dance Charts. In addition to playing with Doctor Buzzard, Mickey also wrote the drum beat and rhythm section for the classic Native New Yorker by Odyssey which was also a top dance hit. He did the same thing for the dance version of Sunny by Yambu. In both songs Mickey said he was never given proper credit because of his affiliations with the Dr. Buzzard Band.
Since his band days Mickey has been performing with legends in every genre and has been helping students from 8 to 72-years-of-age learn how to play the congas and drums which Mickey feels is now his life calling.
MS: Identifying the rhythm and beats of a song and how it separates from the music, then rolls back into the melody is what I'm teaching nowadays. To appreciate and understand the rhythms of a song is essential for a greater understanding of music..
SW: Nice.. Disco has been forgotten in the general publics eye until the recent deaths of two Disco greats, The Queen of Disco, Donna Summer and Bee Gee great Robin Gibbs (R.I.P. To both). How do you think the passing of these Legends affects the Disco generation as a whole?
MS: It's a wake up call to the good music that is often forgotten. I'm glad we're doing this interview to help people understand or remember a time in our history that was very special to many of us...
SW: Me too Mickey. The groups first album Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band hit # 21 in 1976 on the album charts and the Cherchez La Femme single from that album hit # 1 on the 1976 U.S. Dance Charts, which is even more impressive. You mentioned that this album was originally written for a movie which didn't work out? Can you tell us a little about that and how the group was discovered by RCA and how your first album sky-rocketed up the charts?
MS: The intention was that the album was supposed to be part of a story line that Stony Browder the bands leader and his brother August Darnell (Kid Creole) were working on. However the album took off so fast that making more music became the priority. Initially the group was discovered through an audition with Tommy Mottola who was an agent with Chapel Music. The Album got discovered in Baltimore by a Radio Station in 1976. Tommy Mottola was also a talent agent for RCA records and negotiated our signing with RCA records. It shot up on the charts because it had been placed in the POP bin and not the R&B bin at the groups very strong insistence which put the album on AM stations across the country and the rest is history.
SW: "Native New Yorker" is a song written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell and was a 1977 hit single for the dance band Odyssey. In the U.S., the song went to # 3 on the disco charts, # 6 on the soul charts, # 5 in the UK charts and # 21 on the BillBoard Hit 100. All impressive. You indicated that you wrote the drum beat and rhythm for the song to help speed it up for dancing, can you tell us a little about your part in writing this song which is one of my all time favorites?
MS: Steve It was pure inspiration that after being asked for four hours to play the drum track along with the music track I was finally asked "is there a problem?" (This was the first time I had gone into a studio and not recorded the first track as a final track). I told Sandy Linzer yes, there was a problem and that the song was not a ballad. It was a dance song. Sandy's response was "well make it a dance song." The rest is history. (Credit was never given because Stony, Dr. Buzzard's band leader told Sandy that he didn't want my name appearing on the album because of my affiliations with the Dr. Buzzard Original Savannah Band). Up till this second when you asked me this question I have not divulged this information to anyone.
SW: Thanks for sharing that Mickey.. I read somewhere that you were a student teacher in the Manhattan School of Music before you became a Dr. Buzzard band member. That must have been taking some chance to leave school like that as a student teaching in the music department.. Do you want to talk about that a little?
MS: At the time I was also playing in (7) seven different bands. My class mate Buddy Williams who is currently a world famous drummer said there was a fellow called Stony who was looking for a drummer. Buddy was too busy to make it so he asked me to call Stony and do the gig. The first rehearsal in 1974 was on West 72nd Street in a small apartment in Manhattan. Afterwards Stony and I locked in immediately and I knew I was there to stay. I want to say something important about me to our fans. Despite what others have claimed, "I have been the only drummer for Doctor Buzzards Original Savannah Band because there were drummers before that but they never recorded with the band. From 1974 on I did the recording on all the hits and the gigs that you now see and hear on YouTube and radio."
SW: Interesting, stuff Mickey.. Last year marks the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever album and Movie (1977) which finally brought Disco from underground and into the mainstream. Any comments on this as a musician of that era?
MS: Yes that movie was instrumental to Disco's rise. But for me personally, my renewed excitement is coming from reading your book Disco Nights which puts into perspective the immense enjoyment we all had in that period. And because of the synchronicity of the songs as your traveling through your book, it has given me a greater insight to the role I played after all these years. This is an extreme honor for me because its so difficult to gage what you've done until somebody gives you the visuals to put your contributions into perspective.
SW: Thank you Mickey, it is an honor for me to hear you say that about Disco Nights. I'm really humbled. So, Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a swing-induced-disco-band which was formed in the Bronx, NY, how did you guys pick that name?
MS: The group was to be named after Stony's and his brother August Darnell Browder's Father. It was to honor him because of the sacrifices he made in making both of the brother's musical dreams come true.
SW: Cool Stuff... In the hit song "SunShower" there are kids singing in the chorus throughout the song, They sang great. I always wondered who the kids were, how many were there?
MS: The kids were Producer Sandy Linzer's two amazing children.
SW: Nowadays your a conga and drum teacher to young kids and adults, in libraries, schools etc. which you mentioned is very rewarding for you personally. How did you get into this and what else are you doing nowadays?
MS: After my Dr. Buzzard Band days, I started at Boys Harbor (Premier Latin-American School in Spanish Harlem) as a conga teacher. I was able to perform with Olan Tunji (Who brought African Music to the Masses). I also performed with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillepsie and Ashford & Simpson. I now teach students between the ages of 8 and 72 years old on a private level and also in a group setting. This has helped me to understand my gifts and how I can make a greater difference to many, no matter what the age is, which is very rewarding for me personally.
SW: I admire that Mickey, trying to help others... How about the other band members did you guys get along for the most part?
MS: Thanks Steve.. I had two sisters and no brothers. I felt that when Stony and I were in the room and doing gigs together as musicians It made me feel like I had found not only a musician brother but a real brother...
SW: Well said Mickey. If there's one message you'd like to send out to Dr. Buzzard fans and Disco Fans alike to keep the torch going for Disco, what would it be?
MS: First I want to say to ALL OUR FANS World-Wide, A Big Thank You! Second the importance of living and doing the best you can do in life is what Disco Music meant to me then and now. Revisiting Disco after 40 years through this interview and reading Steve's book brings a renewed level of enjoyment.
SW: Thanks again Mickey. Any final thoughts or story you'd like to share about Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band or you?
MS: I would very much enjoy hearing about where you were, what you were doing and how this music made a difference to you. So write a short connect email to Steve in the contact area. Subject: (Mickey - Dr. Buzzard.) Steve will forward to me and we'll connect. One important thing I'd like to say is that the rhythm of disco made me realize I could dance. One of my greatest moments was dancing with Cory Daye the lead singer of the band. I remember feeling the crowd's reaction and hearing the excitement of the crowd as they applauded for us...
SW: Sounds Nice. Any final comments to your fans Mickey?
MS: "Don't forget our musical roots from the 70s and what it means to us because whether you realize it or not there's Disco music and beats in everything we listen to today. We both agree Steve, Disco is a part of our musical culture and history."
SW: Thank You Mickey, it's been my honor and pleasure to do this interview with you, who played in one of my favorite early disco dance bands. I can still see it now, as if it were yesterday. All of us teens are still dancing the Hustle in neon lit basement parties with posters on the wall in the 70s Bronx to Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band...
MS: "Steve, Thank You. I enjoyed spending time with you and rehashing through all the memorabilia and memories. As I mentioned, I love your passion. Keep on carrying the Disco torch, others will follow."
"Thank You Mick. Thank you Disco Fans, for hanging out with us on a Saturday evening."
Disco Hall of Fame - Keeping the memories alive!"
SW: Hello Disco Fans, we have Mickey Sevilla with us from the great 70s Disco group Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band who's song Cherchez La Femme hit # 1 on the 1976 U.S. Dance Charts. In addition to playing with Doctor Buzzard, Mickey also wrote the drum beat and rhythm section for the classic Native New Yorker by Odyssey which was also a top dance hit. He did the same thing for the dance version of Sunny by Yambu. In both songs Mickey said he was never given proper credit because of his affiliations with the Dr. Buzzard Band.
Since his band days Mickey has been performing with legends in every genre and has been helping students from 8 to 72-years-of-age learn how to play the congas and drums which Mickey feels is now his life calling.
MS: Identifying the rhythm and beats of a song and how it separates from the music, then rolls back into the melody is what I'm teaching nowadays. To appreciate and understand the rhythms of a song is essential for a greater understanding of music..
SW: Nice.. Disco has been forgotten in the general publics eye until the recent deaths of two Disco greats, The Queen of Disco, Donna Summer and Bee Gee great Robin Gibbs (R.I.P. To both). How do you think the passing of these Legends affects the Disco generation as a whole?
MS: It's a wake up call to the good music that is often forgotten. I'm glad we're doing this interview to help people understand or remember a time in our history that was very special to many of us...
SW: Me too Mickey. The groups first album Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band hit # 21 in 1976 on the album charts and the Cherchez La Femme single from that album hit # 1 on the 1976 U.S. Dance Charts, which is even more impressive. You mentioned that this album was originally written for a movie which didn't work out? Can you tell us a little about that and how the group was discovered by RCA and how your first album sky-rocketed up the charts?
MS: The intention was that the album was supposed to be part of a story line that Stony Browder the bands leader and his brother August Darnell (Kid Creole) were working on. However the album took off so fast that making more music became the priority. Initially the group was discovered through an audition with Tommy Mottola who was an agent with Chapel Music. The Album got discovered in Baltimore by a Radio Station in 1976. Tommy Mottola was also a talent agent for RCA records and negotiated our signing with RCA records. It shot up on the charts because it had been placed in the POP bin and not the R&B bin at the groups very strong insistence which put the album on AM stations across the country and the rest is history.
SW: "Native New Yorker" is a song written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell and was a 1977 hit single for the dance band Odyssey. In the U.S., the song went to # 3 on the disco charts, # 6 on the soul charts, # 5 in the UK charts and # 21 on the BillBoard Hit 100. All impressive. You indicated that you wrote the drum beat and rhythm for the song to help speed it up for dancing, can you tell us a little about your part in writing this song which is one of my all time favorites?
MS: Steve It was pure inspiration that after being asked for four hours to play the drum track along with the music track I was finally asked "is there a problem?" (This was the first time I had gone into a studio and not recorded the first track as a final track). I told Sandy Linzer yes, there was a problem and that the song was not a ballad. It was a dance song. Sandy's response was "well make it a dance song." The rest is history. (Credit was never given because Stony, Dr. Buzzard's band leader told Sandy that he didn't want my name appearing on the album because of my affiliations with the Dr. Buzzard Original Savannah Band). Up till this second when you asked me this question I have not divulged this information to anyone.
SW: Thanks for sharing that Mickey.. I read somewhere that you were a student teacher in the Manhattan School of Music before you became a Dr. Buzzard band member. That must have been taking some chance to leave school like that as a student teaching in the music department.. Do you want to talk about that a little?
MS: At the time I was also playing in (7) seven different bands. My class mate Buddy Williams who is currently a world famous drummer said there was a fellow called Stony who was looking for a drummer. Buddy was too busy to make it so he asked me to call Stony and do the gig. The first rehearsal in 1974 was on West 72nd Street in a small apartment in Manhattan. Afterwards Stony and I locked in immediately and I knew I was there to stay. I want to say something important about me to our fans. Despite what others have claimed, "I have been the only drummer for Doctor Buzzards Original Savannah Band because there were drummers before that but they never recorded with the band. From 1974 on I did the recording on all the hits and the gigs that you now see and hear on YouTube and radio."
SW: Interesting, stuff Mickey.. Last year marks the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever album and Movie (1977) which finally brought Disco from underground and into the mainstream. Any comments on this as a musician of that era?
MS: Yes that movie was instrumental to Disco's rise. But for me personally, my renewed excitement is coming from reading your book Disco Nights which puts into perspective the immense enjoyment we all had in that period. And because of the synchronicity of the songs as your traveling through your book, it has given me a greater insight to the role I played after all these years. This is an extreme honor for me because its so difficult to gage what you've done until somebody gives you the visuals to put your contributions into perspective.
SW: Thank you Mickey, it is an honor for me to hear you say that about Disco Nights. I'm really humbled. So, Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a swing-induced-disco-band which was formed in the Bronx, NY, how did you guys pick that name?
MS: The group was to be named after Stony's and his brother August Darnell Browder's Father. It was to honor him because of the sacrifices he made in making both of the brother's musical dreams come true.
SW: Cool Stuff... In the hit song "SunShower" there are kids singing in the chorus throughout the song, They sang great. I always wondered who the kids were, how many were there?
MS: The kids were Producer Sandy Linzer's two amazing children.
SW: Nowadays your a conga and drum teacher to young kids and adults, in libraries, schools etc. which you mentioned is very rewarding for you personally. How did you get into this and what else are you doing nowadays?
MS: After my Dr. Buzzard Band days, I started at Boys Harbor (Premier Latin-American School in Spanish Harlem) as a conga teacher. I was able to perform with Olan Tunji (Who brought African Music to the Masses). I also performed with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillepsie and Ashford & Simpson. I now teach students between the ages of 8 and 72 years old on a private level and also in a group setting. This has helped me to understand my gifts and how I can make a greater difference to many, no matter what the age is, which is very rewarding for me personally.
SW: I admire that Mickey, trying to help others... How about the other band members did you guys get along for the most part?
MS: Thanks Steve.. I had two sisters and no brothers. I felt that when Stony and I were in the room and doing gigs together as musicians It made me feel like I had found not only a musician brother but a real brother...
SW: Well said Mickey. If there's one message you'd like to send out to Dr. Buzzard fans and Disco Fans alike to keep the torch going for Disco, what would it be?
MS: First I want to say to ALL OUR FANS World-Wide, A Big Thank You! Second the importance of living and doing the best you can do in life is what Disco Music meant to me then and now. Revisiting Disco after 40 years through this interview and reading Steve's book brings a renewed level of enjoyment.
SW: Thanks again Mickey. Any final thoughts or story you'd like to share about Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band or you?
MS: I would very much enjoy hearing about where you were, what you were doing and how this music made a difference to you. So write a short connect email to Steve in the contact area. Subject: (Mickey - Dr. Buzzard.) Steve will forward to me and we'll connect. One important thing I'd like to say is that the rhythm of disco made me realize I could dance. One of my greatest moments was dancing with Cory Daye the lead singer of the band. I remember feeling the crowd's reaction and hearing the excitement of the crowd as they applauded for us...
SW: Sounds Nice. Any final comments to your fans Mickey?
MS: "Don't forget our musical roots from the 70s and what it means to us because whether you realize it or not there's Disco music and beats in everything we listen to today. We both agree Steve, Disco is a part of our musical culture and history."
SW: Thank You Mickey, it's been my honor and pleasure to do this interview with you, who played in one of my favorite early disco dance bands. I can still see it now, as if it were yesterday. All of us teens are still dancing the Hustle in neon lit basement parties with posters on the wall in the 70s Bronx to Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band...
MS: "Steve, Thank You. I enjoyed spending time with you and rehashing through all the memorabilia and memories. As I mentioned, I love your passion. Keep on carrying the Disco torch, others will follow."
"Thank You Mick. Thank you Disco Fans, for hanging out with us on a Saturday evening."
Disco Hall of Fame - Keeping the memories alive!"