Earlier this year, overachieving local garage rocker Alex White was elected vice president of the Chicago chapter of the Recording Academy; more formally known as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, it’s the organization that awards the Grammys. Something else the academy does is encourage conversations between young musicians and their influences, and White has decided to take that aspect of the job into her own hands. Since 2011 she’s been in touch with her drumming idol Lee Graziano, best known from his stints in iconic Chicago garage band the American Breed (“Bend Me, Shape Me,” “Step Out of Your Mind”) and an early version of Chaka Khan-fronted funk outfit Rufus (who had a huge hit after he left with “Tell Me Something Good”). White and Graziano were introduced to one another by Graziano’s friend Steve Litos, who works with him at the United Center, and they’ve been talking on the phone for years. They’ve never met, though, and White decided an in-person get-together was finally in order.
And for good measure, here’s the trailer for the White Mystery tour movie That Was Awesome, which the band released this spring.
