Howard Reitzes

Howard Reitzes was brought up on classical piano but found a true passion for playing when he discovered the Blues. After trying his hand at the guitar, Howard fell in love with keyboards when he saved up and purchased a Vox Super Continental Keyboard. At 15, he put together his first Blues band with a colorful cast of band-mates, but because of age requirements on bars, Howard and his band bought a beer bar in order to be able to have a place to perform. Howard credits working in music retail at Barney Kessel's Guitar World as one of the biggest influences on his playing as he got to sell and hang out with the likes of the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. He even worked at the very first Guitar Center in Hollywood. Howard later went on to play with the Kingsmen, Electric Flag, Blues Image and Iron Butterfly and then upon leaving Iron Butterfly he capitalized on his experience in retail and as a touring musician and started Harrd Road, a service in which Howard works as a broker to meet the needs of touring bands and Churches.