Jim Roos - Zipper

Born and raised in Portland, OR, Jim Roos joined forces with the late/great Fred Cole, and Greg Shadoan to form one of the most original and talented groups to come out of the scene in the early to mid 70’s. It was absolutely privilege to speak with Roos about his early days first getting into playing music, his obsession with Sabbath and Deep Purple and forming a band that would go down in history as one of the greats. Enjoy!

When and where were you born? Are you originally from Portland?

I was born in Portland, OR on May 17th, 1954.

When did you first begin playing music and how did you initially become interested in playing the instruments you had chosen?

Someone was going door to door selling accordion lessons. My parents asked if I wanted to take lessons, and I said ‘sure’. I finished the course, but I wasn’t really interested. I took some drum lessons at school, but that didn’t last either. I had a friend down the street that played guitar. He showed me a few chords and songs like Gloria, House of the Rising Sun, and a few other riffs. I really enjoyed it, and annoyed my friend, always wanting to play his guitar. I started pestering my parents about getting me one; They thought it was just a fad and bought me a toy. I quickly wore it out but managed to convince them I was serious. They didn’t have much money, but my grandmother came to the rescue. On my 11th birthday, she gave me my first guitar. It was a $30 Knox guitar, and I loved it.

What was growing up like for you? Do you have any siblings that played music as well? What did you do for fun before playing in bands?

I was into nerdy stuff, comic books and science fiction. While I liked playing guitar it was just for fun but didn’t think about playing with others. At the time I was the only family member that played, but my brother Dan eventually got in on the fun. I recall reading pop/rock magazines. I really liked Paul Revere and the Raiders. They were from Portland, and I liked their music. I thought they were cool and wanted to be like them. It occurred to me playing guitar in a band might me a means to that end. At some point, I started playing in a band with some neighbor kids. I played rhythm guitar and had some fun with it.

Who were some of your influences in those early days? What was your first concert, or show and where would you go to see bands perform?

I could spend hours strumming chords I learned from the sheet music and was proud to be able to play most shapes. Then I met Greg Shadoan. He picked up a guitar and just destroyed me.  He was doing these string bends, Hendrix riffs, and all kinds of lead guitar stuff that I’d never seen before.  I wanted to play like that, so I really hit the woodshed and started studying. Bass was always Greg’s thing, so it was inevitable that he and I play together.  Greg had a tremendous influence on my playing. I really like Black Sabbath. I thought they were the best thing ever. I thought Tony Iommi was awesome. They came to town, and I had to see them. It was one of the first concerts I’d been to. Edgar Winter opened and stole the show. Edgar was/is so awesome. Rick Derringer blew my mind. I started listening, really listening to lots of different rock guitarists. I really loved, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Steve Howe (Yes), Santana, John Mcloughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple). Blackmore was my favorite. I did my best to learn his technique; Blackmore was probably my biggest influence at that time. 

What was the local music scene like back in those days? Did you participate in any bands prior to Zipper? If so, what were they and would you mind giving a brief summary on what those groups were as well as what those experiences were like?

 I’d played with lots of garage bands back in the day, but I don’t remember anything specific. I jammed a lot with Greg. Fred owned a music store called Captain Whizeagles. I’d hang out there and met lots of musicians in the area.

What led to the decision to form Zipper?

I think Zipper was Fred’s idea. I know Greg was playing with him, and some other folks prior to my joining.

What was the overall vision you guys had in mind for the group when starting out?

I can only speak for myself.  Zipper was pretty much the band I wanted to be in.  It was a dream come true.  Fred, Greg and Lorry were awesome to work with.

How did you guys all initially meet and what were your first impressions of each other?

Greg and I had been friends for some time. While I don’t recall the first time I met Lorry, I’d seen him playing around, and I think we’d jammed together. I loved Lorry’s drumming and always wanted to work with him and Greg. Fred was the component that made it work. Greg contacted me about Zipper and introduced me to Fred. We went to Fred’s music shop and met.  Fred liked me right off.  I don’t think I even played.  He was all about ‘chemistry’. Soon Lorry came on board. I was elated. Greg and Lorry were my favorite local players, and I was excited to work with them. And Fred was the ‘real deal’.

 Did you play covers of some of your favorite groups at the time, or did you jump into writing your own music? What commonalities did you guys share between one another?

We started out playing covers and some of Fred’s tunes. Covers were Stones, Led Zeppelin and a few others. I ‘think’ we did Let It Freeze, and a couple more of Fred’s originals.

What was the band’s process for writing?

When Fred wrote the songs, he and I would get together, and he’d show me the chords and I’d work out my guitar part.  If my recollection is correct, Greg and I would get together, and act our parts together. Lorry was amazing, He would get things right off and we’d polish things up at rehearsal. Greg and I collaborated on the music for ‘Bullets’, Rollin’ and Tumblin’ and ‘Behind The Door’. For those songs, I’d get with Fred, play the song on an acoustic guitar, and he’d work out the lyrics.   Then we’d go to rehearsal and hammer out the rest.

Where would you guys rehearse?

We’d rehearse in Fred’s basement in a house on Belmont Street in Portland. Eventually Fred moved to a place on 39th, and we practiced there a few times.

What was that first practice like as well as the first live performance? Where was it held?

I’m afraid I don’t remember.  I do know that I thought the first rehearsal was great. I loved the way Greg and Lorry played.  They were brilliant. And Fred was a rock star.

How did you guys come up with the name Zipper in the first place?

I think this was Fred’s idea. 

What was the late Lorry Erck like?

I loved Lorry’s drumming and it was a pleasure to work with him.  He learned things very quickly, and always came up with great parts.

The record was released on the late and great Fred Cole’s label, Whizeagle Records. How did financing and all the logistics work out as far as releasing, recording, etc.?

I believe we used money from our gigs to pay for the studio time.  We were on the cheap, so we booked studio time after midnight at Recording Associates in Portland. 

What was the process of recording that record and where did it take place? How long was that particular process from start to finish and was this the first time you guys had ever been in a studio setting before?

We recorded a few songs before we started work on the album, but my first recording experience was working with Zipper. I think it took us two weeks to do the album, but my recollection is fuzzy. I think I took us two weeks to do the album, but my recollection is fuzzy.

After the record was released did you guys get on the road? What were Zipper gigs like? Are there any memories that you are still fond of from those times? What eventually happened to the band? Was there ever any talk of recording, or releasing anymore music after that first record?

At one point we started working on another record, but it was never completed.

What was your next move after Zipper? What other bands, or artistic adventures did you pursue as the 80s rolled around? JIm you played lead and rhythm in Some Band towards the end of the 70’s, correct?  

Yes. I played in a bunch of club/cover bands, both in Portland and on the road. We played throughout the Northwest and Canada. 

How did the deal with Way Back Records come about in the early 90’s for the reissue of the lone Zipper? Did you guys have a reunion and get together for shows again?

Fred and I got together a to write some new songs.  We got things started; Sadly, Fred past before we could finish.

What have you guys been up to in recent years? Any music, or creative projects you may be participating in?

I’ve played in a few cover bands since.  They were lots of fun.  A few years ago, I did some lead guitar work for Billy Dimes’ Lullaby for Francesca. I have a little home studio where I’d fool around with song ideas, and still practice. I love playing the guitar.

Are there any outside interests, or pursuits you may have acquired over the years outside of music?

I’ve been working as a software engineer for the last 30 years or so. It’s been enjoyable and challenging work. My coworkers are brilliant.

Is there anything you would like to further share with the readers?

It was wonderful working with Zipper.  Great people, and great musicians. 

Dakota Brown

Dakota Brown