GERALD READ

A native of Fall River, Massachusetts, Jerry Read is a respected singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Since starting his career in rock music in the late 1970s, Jerry Read has played hundreds of shows across New England, and through his determination, has evolved into an iconic rock and roll musician. Those who hear his band play will enjoy his warmth, engaging personality, distinctive style, and great rock and roll music. Why is that? Jerry Read writes songs that come from the gift of love.
Perhaps you hadn't heard Jerry Read's music, and you missed seeing his first two bands - Legend, and then, The Shivers. Well, it's a fact that thousands of rock music fans have come to their shows. Legend and The Shivers enjoyed the company of loyal music fans that believed in, and supported both bands.
"In the first band, Legend," Read tells us, "featuring Kevin Ferias, Bob Rivers, Eddie Pisano, and Brian Casey, we discovered fully, what growing up was all about. The friendship and determination of that group," continues Read, "are still important values to me. The way that Legend played my first original songs; the energy we felt together on stage, is something I'll always remember and cherish. I wanted to feel as close as The Beatles felt when they were together" says Read.
Jerry has always worked with musicians that enjoyed developing original songs. The second band he founded -The Shivers, in 1981, along with Eddie Pisano, Mike Dubois, Chris Suchmann, and Craig Howell - often received compliments about their songwriting abilities, and the same had been true about Legend. With Jerry passionately committed to the band, The Shivers toured nightclubs and colleges in the Northeast, non-stop for five years. Writing, recording and learning songs together, and then driving to the show, was always their priority. The band went through changes, but continued to be awarded top honors, opening many times for John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band, and a Providence, Rhode Island band called The Schemers. As the musically creative 80's came to a breathtaking peak, Read, encouraged by friends, auditioned for an original, already established Providence, RI band, formed by Gary Alarie, Rick Davy, and Larry Gallagher, and they provided a new, spiritual, uplifting, lighthearted, and solid foundation for Read, something that he really needed. Because of their unselfishness and understanding contribution, Jerry got another chance to write, record, and perform new music, and things were looking up again.
With Jerry singing lead, and playing guitar, in early 1990, The Shivers were re-born, now with these newcomers from the Providence area, and veteran band members, all joining together, and composing undeniably memorable rock songs that did get played on the radio, while the group toured to new audiences with a sense of professionalism, determination and showmanship that was admired by many people. The band also worked for a time with multi-platinum producer Phil Greene at Rhode Island's Normandy Sound. The Shivers team of the 90's, including Gary Alarie, Rick Davy, Fred Broadly, Graig Silva, Ian Rondeau, and founding members Chris Suchmann, and Ed Pisano, were regarded, as one of area's best rock bands.
With the encouragement of many people that have shared his love of music, and, related to his interest in creating rock music that brings a sense of unity, Jerry has worked hard to prove himself, as a songwriter, singer, guitarist, and performer. He's stood the test of time, again and again. He has survived and overcome many obstacles, in the tough world of rock entertainment.
Recently working with several Berklee College of Music Alumnus, including drummer Chris DeRosa, who has also played drums for Debra Harry among others, Jerry Read is again writing and recording songs with a top-notch roster of musicians from New York and Boston. "I was also very, very happy to work with songwriter-singer-guitarist Craig Howell more recently", says Jerry. "We both have written and played songs that speak of the promise of good things tomorrow, and music that brings attention to the profound importance of love", says Jerry. "I am deeply grateful to so many people, for all of the help they have given to me"... "I want to thank every one of you, for loving me, for having faith in me, and I want you all to know how much I love you, and, that I will never forget you." Few songwriters and rock musicians have given as much of their heart and soul to rock music as Jerry Read has. He has spent nearly 50 years catching the eyes of thousands of fans with his unique style, and refined performances. Since losing his mother to cancer in 2017, Jerry has been in prayer, but has returned to the music setting. He now intends to continue to play shows and branch out by appearing to a national audience in other parts of the country.