Axis  1977 - 1978

George Hewitt   Lead vocals/percussion

Russell West   Guitars

Curtis  Bass Guitar (original Bassist)

Coby Smith   Bass Guitar/Vocals

Michael J McGee   Drums

This was my first real rock band that played Hendrix, Sabbath, Zeppelin and Cream to name a few. We played around South Florida in clubs and parties. The first to depart was George (my best friend) being fired then Curtis for personal reasons. Coby then joined and we prosperred. Coby & I left the band after differences with Russell who would end up up dead after he accidentally shot himself in the head at a bar his father Windsor bought him in Miami around 1982 or so.

The skinny: I was introduced to a funk/R & B/ Disco band looking for a drummer by a guy named RM whom I met through the usual musicians circle. I auditioned and got the job and we pretty much worked none stop in an a black bar in Florida City, Florida. Curtis and I went to Chuck's music in Homestead and ran into Russell played there and asked him to come in and see us play. He did and joined shortly there after. Needless to say his major rock influence splinted us away for the dance band and we started Axis shortly there after. Russell's Dad Windsor was convinced by Russell no less to invest in this ill fated band and took us to Ace Music of Miami on a shopping spree. As you could imagine the kid in the candy store. I came out with a Ludwig Octoplus, Gong an entire percussion set-up... my estimate now would be around $4 grand...SWEET! Not so sweet when I left the band as I was able to take none of it with me! Collectively we may have spent around 20 grand that day.

Axis  1977 / Ace Music of Miami 1977

(L-R) Russell West, George Hewitt, Windsor West, Jimmy Rowland, Michael J McGee and Curtis

The kits to end all kits...at least I thought so at the time. The Ludwig Octoplus!

My man bassist Coby Smith at a gig we did in Fiesta Key, Florida Keys 10/77. We became pretty close after

the break up of the band but eventually he would move to California.

Good luck my friend!

Also of note a future band member of mine Guitarist Kirk Richards tried to recruit Coby while he was in Axis but Coby refused.

MJM 10/28/77 Fiesta Key

Jimmy Rowland rollin'. Jim was a great help to the band (in more ways than one) and close friend of Russells.

No one I knew had known more about Hendrix than is guy!