Welcome to the Website of Ian Garrott
Musical History 1973-1985
Ian Garrott
Band leader, lead guitarist and lead singer for The New Beginning, Ian started his musical pursuits in 1973 as a bass guitarist and lead singer in his native south Florida hometown of Sarasota.
After grooving on the likes of The Beatles, The Allman Brothers, Genesis and Yes in the 70's Ian moved into the his modern rock phase in the 1980's forming and fronting the band Élan in 1981.
Playing and lead singing tunes from such bands as Flock of Seagulls, Men at Work, The Clash and others as well as writing performing many alternative originals in the late 80's Ian decided to move out of the modern rock sound and head back to his roots from the old south.
In 1989 Ian formed Johnny and the Tailgaters with legendary front man Johnny DeVino. The Tailgaters formed a rocking fifties and sixties rhythm and blues review playing songs by Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cream, Bill Haley and the Comets and other fifties and sixties icons .
Johnny DeVino a hardcore club player had the band playing just about any place available in the San Francisco bay area, but as time went on Johnny's drug, alcohol, marriage and mistress problems plagued the band's performances and after a number of no shows and arrests by Johnny, as well as threats to Johnny and the band by disgruntled clubs owners and fans, Ian decided it was time to leave the band.
After the experiences with Johnny and the Tailgaters Ian took time off from the stress of the Tailgaters and in 1996 made his greatest decision ever, that was to give his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. At that point God resurrected Ian's musical gifts and placed him in the care of Church on the Rock in Morgan Hill California and for the next four years Ian would be the faithful bass player in the worship team at COTR.
But the winds of change would come again and in the spring of 2004 after a four year rest from musical activity Ian moved on to Calvary Chapel in San Jose California and formed The New Beginning as an outreach band to reach the lost of the community with music inspired by the Lord Jesus Christ. "I hope to reach as many people as possible for the Lord and especially I hope that we can find and reach Johnny DeVino and bring the Lord into his life, God knows he needs it, if he's still alive".
If you would like more information about the band or want to contact Ian Garrott, take a look at other pages on this web site and click on the contact us link of this page to personally send an email to Ian.
A Photographic History of Ian Garrott in Music
Ian's high school graduation photo, June 1975
This photo was taken just after I was released from high school. To me high school and all of school for that matter seemed like prison, but at that time in my life I really didn't know whether I was coming or going so I have to excuse myself and have to chalk it up as bonehead stupidity.
I don't even remember the name of this band but it was short lived anyway.
Band photo 1976
Ian and the Band 1976
I bought that white Fender Jazz bass brand new in 1976. these days Fender is reissuing this same bass as vintage. In 1976 Fender was struggling to stay competitive in the market and generally there products during this period left much to be desired. I eventually had allot of work done on that "vintage" bass to get it to sound great, which it eventually did.
After getting handle on playing bass I quickly gravitated to singing as singers always seemed to be needed. This photo taken in 1976, somewhere, not quite sure where this was taken other than I know it was in Santa Clara California.
Élan and the rock of the 80's, it was a fun time. hearing the music from that period still brings back good memories of that decade. a much needed breath of fresh air compared to the 70's to me which were filled with many sorrows.
Ian with the band Élan 1984
Ian 1985
I got into a white make-up face paint thing for a while, very weird, still not sure why I did it, I guess for the effect, oh well we all make mistakes.
I use to chase them off the dance floor with this one.
At the Chi Chi Club on Broadway in San Francisco 1985
Keystone Palo Alto, 1985
Lights, camera, action. I always loved the big stage at the Keystone.
More History and photos to come as I scan them and upload them to the site, stay tuned.....