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As a child in the 60's, Donnie Panzik experienced a crazy society trying to figure itself out. Between John F. Kennedy's assasination, the hippy movement, women's lib and a war without a purpose, Don happened upon one influence that changed his life forever. The Beatles.
The Beatles invasion on the US and the world was one of the most exciting things to happen in his life. Particularly their appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and at Shea Stadium. Don was first introduced to The Beatles at his uncle Jimmy's house. The album "Meet the Beatles" and an imported, hard to get copy of "She Loves You" sparked a sound unlike anything that has come out since. So many have tried but none have ever been able to create the level of excitement that John, Paul, George and Ringo had garnered.
While the girls all went ga ga for Paul McCartney, Don was enthralled at the vigor generated by the drummer, Ringo Starr. Little Donnie got a drum set and was now among the brave community of "musicians". His uncle Don taught him how to do a drum roll.
In the real world, the most exciting thing to happen was the birth of his lovely sister, Janet. It was a snowy, wintery day in December in 1961 that he and his Dad drove to the hospital to pick up his Mom and baby sister., little Janet Panzik. Don will never forget that experience. Janet was the most beautiful thing he had yet seen in his nearly-three-years of life. To this day (Feb 08) Don thinks warmly and affectionately toward his little sister.
Back to the music - The Beatles kept putting out incredible music on a daily basis. Donnie's Mom got a copy of Rubber Soul and Donnie got a copy of Beatles '65. He wore the both of them out, particularly as a tool to learn to play the drums. The Beatles kept changing their style and image. The new songs got even more interesting and inspiring, such as "Yesterday", "Nowhere Man" and "Yellow Submarine".
These influences inspired Donnie to "write" his first song, titled "She Looked at Me", which he penned while tapping the back dashboard in his parents' '67 Dodge Dart in Bath, New York. Little did Mom know that's what he was actually doing while "banging the car". Kids these days, hah!
June1967 saw the family move from Hammondsport, New York to Cary, North Carolina due to an IBM career move of Dad's.
Don had to say goodbye to his friends in upstate New York. The first friend Donnie made in Cary was "Boo Boo", Everett Johnson, who lived across the street from the Panziks - well, down a couple of houses. Another really good friend Don made was Robert or Robbie Webster. Born on the same day as Donnie in upstate New York and incidentally brought to the neighborhood thanks to his Dad's IBM career move. Robbie became a really good friend and later band-mate to Donnie. Coincidence? We think not.
Music was abundant and always alive in Don's world. Boo Boo introduced him to Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and the Kinks. Robbie introduced him to Deep Purple and Pink Floyd (a single called "The Gnome" and the legendary "Dark Side of the Moon"). Of course, did we mention, there were The Beatles. Other songs such as Hey Jude (wow!), Ballad of John & Yoko, Something, Come Together, on and on!
In 1968 Don's family bought a house a couple of doors up in Cary on Maple Street, where they lived for several years. It was at this house that the Panzik family bought and put in an underground swimming pool.
During this period, Don also learned to hunt, fish and raise rabbits. He soon joined the Cub Scouts which led him into Boy Scouts. Don advanced to become a Patrol Leader "The Panzik Panthers" and earned his First Class status. He earned many merit badges, learned to camp, hike, swim and lead a team. This was his first experience as a leader.
Some say that a drummer is not really a musician, but Donnie did actually begin to learn music in the 60s. It was during this time that he began to take piano lessons and the recorder at school. Back then, music was okay in schools (thank God!) Also, as a guiding influence and supporter, Dad was a guitarist, had a lovely red Rickenbacher electric guitar and a pretty Spanish 12-string guitar. Don tried often to learn to play the electric guitar, but kept giving up, due to blisters and finger pain, until...... the day he heard Dad play the Spanish 12-String! What was that beautiful sound? Don was now determined to learn. It was on the 12-string that he learned to play the guitar. His first chord was a D. His first song was "Mr. Tambourine Man" by The Byrds
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