This page is dedicated to my friend Bruce “Zam” Zamchek, who sang lead and played a mean blues harp for Rotgut. Unfortunately, Zam is no longer with us, but it was a pleasure to have known him and to share the stage with such a talented human being. Another notable alumnus of this band was Henry Weck who would later go on to fame and fortune as “H-bomb” Weck – the drummer for Brownsville Station (remember “Smokin’ In The Boys Room”?).
A short-lived band, Rotgut only played a handful of gigs. But among those few performances, we got the opportunity to open for the Allman Brothers Band at “The Park” outdoor concert venue in North Baltimore, OH (summer of 1971). This was shortly before Duane Allman’s motorcycle accident and about a year before bassist Berry Oakley met the same demise – so this was the original ABB lineup. At an impromptu jam in the dressing room before the show, the Allmans were so impressed with Zam that they invited him to play the first two songs of their set! Rock on, Zam, rock on!
- Bruce “Zam” Zamchek – vocals, blues harp
- Rob Althauser – guitar
- Steve Bynac – bass, violin
- Henry Weck – drums
- Michael Loomis, guitar
