Big Nick and The Gila Monsters
Inducted in 2009
John "Big Nick" Samora has been playing in
Phoenix for the last 20 years. He is the lead
singer and harmonica player in his band, Big Nick and the
Gila Monsters. They are one of the
finest Blues bands in Arizona, and have been
together for the past 16 years.
Mike "El Rey" Lewis is the guitar player and
he is considered one of the finest players in
Phoenix, having cut his teeth with Chuck Berry
in the late '60's after starting Phoenix Area
Blues bands in their High School days with
James Mason.
A Phoenix treasure, Bass player James
"Muddy" Mason has been the cornerstone of
dozens of landmark acts in the Phoenix area
since the mid '60s.
Together since 1994, the stability of this
group has been one of it's hallmarks. Bobby
Whiteshoes, the founding drummer, passed the
sticks to Pro drummer, Ricky J. Lockhart,
after retiring in 2004. Ricky has picked up
the torch, laying down the solid grooves this
great Blues band is known for.
With 5 self produced CDs under their own
label, Monster-Tone
Records, these guys are the real
deal.
James Mason passed away in 2011 at the age
of 61.
Bobby Whiteshoes passed away in 2017.
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