Max Creek was founded in the spring of 1971 by Dave Reed and John Rider, students at
Hartt College of Music in
Hartford, Connecticut. Reed, a
trumpet instructor, met Rider through teaching, discovering their shared interest in
American folk music and original
songwriting. In the fall of 1971, Rider joined Reed at Hartt College of Music. Both musicians were proficient in various instruments, including trumpet,
guitar, and
bass guitar. After starting their semester, Reed and Rider began rehearsing in the basement of Rider's fraternity house in Hartford. In early 1972, Bob Gosselin, a high school friend of Reed, joined as a
drummer, completing the trio. Initially focusing on
folk,
singer-songwriter, and
country rock genres, they later adopted the name "Max Creek," inspired by a location in
Virginia associated with Rider's relatives. In 1972 the band relocated to a rehearsal space in
Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. In late spring 1972, Dave Reed invited his 15-year-old music student,
Scott Murawski, to join them during a rehearsal, introducing an
electric guitar element to their sound. Murawski's initial involvement with the band ended abruptly when he was banned from a Hartford club for being underage. Despite this setback, Max Creek continued performing in the Hartford area. In 1973, founder Dave Reed fell ill with appendicitis, leading to Mark Mercier temporarily joining on
keyboards. At this time the band was covering songs that the
Grateful Dead had also been covering, without knowing it. Due to the similarities in their musical approach, the band became influenced by bands like the
Grateful Dead, such as
The Allman Brothers Band, and
The Band. Once the band gained momentum by performing at venues frequently, their sound evolved to incorporate more improvisation and electrified sound. Their musical direction was significantly influenced by attending "
Summer Jam" at
Watkins Glen, New York, in the summer of 1973. The
psychedelic music experienced there heavily shaped Max Creek's sound and style, resembling that of the
San Francisco Bay scene. Scott Murawski rejoined as
lead guitarist, while Reed shifted to
rhythm guitar before eventually leaving the band to pursue solo ventures in
bluegrass,
country rock, and
acoustic ragtime music. Keyboardist Mark Mercier remained a permanent member throughout these transitions. Max Creek's early history saw significant developments in personnel and musical direction. In 1976, the band welcomed Amy "Barefoot" Fazzano as lead
vocalist, discovered by
keyboardist Mark Mercier during her employment at a venue frequented by the band. Fazzano's addition infused Max Creek with new energy, inspiring the group to expand their repertoire with original compositions and covers featuring her distinct vocal style. The following year in 1977 the band released its first
album, self-titled "Max Creek". During this period, Max Creek frequented venues affiliated with the
University of Hartford and various smaller
Hartford-area locations, steadily building their local following. In 1979, the band underwent a pivotal transformation with the addition of
drummer and
percussionist Rob Fried, enhancing their sonic landscape with a dual-drummer setup reminiscent of iconic bands like the
Grateful Dead and
the Allman Brothers Band. This lineup change marked a turning point in Max Creek's musical evolution, propelling their popularity throughout the early 1980s, particularly during the winter months when touring acts like the
Grateful Dead were on hiatus. By 1983, Amy Fazzano departed from the band to prioritize her family life but would sit-in during performances often, while Bob Gosselin also stepped down in 1985 to focus on personal and professional commitments. Greg DeGuglielmo then replaced Gosselin as
drummer and
vocalist, contributing to Max Creek's evolving sound throughout the late 1980s and into 1991. In the late 1980s, Max Creek achieved peak popularity, maintaining a rigorous schedule of more than 250 performances annually. However, in the early 1990s, they chose to significantly reduce their touring schedule to focus on their families. The band faced a significant setback due to the departure of
sound engineer John Archer and what was dubbed by band members as his "Crystal Clear"
sound system, known colloquially as "Quack Sound", in the early 1990s. This led to a decision for Max Creek to stop touring at a time when the
jam band scene was gaining momentum. The band influenced a new generation of touring musicians.
Mike Gordon once sent his father to record a Max Creek show with his gear while he was in college in the early 1980s before forming
Phish. Gordon then annotated and transcribed a guitar solo of Scott Murawski's from the live recording and presented it to Murawski.
Guster drummer Brian Rosenworcel was an outspoken fan growing up. Max Creek notably put on an annual music festival at Indian Lookout Country Club in upstate
New York, dubbed "Camp Creek", and was one of the longest running festivals on the East Coast when it took a hiatus in 2008. Camp Creek was held in
Maine in 2011, and returned to Indian Lookout Country Club in 2014. After another hiatus, Camp Creek was held in 2019 at Odetah Camping Resort in
Bozrah, Connecticut. Max Creek fosters a close-knit community among their fans, known as "Creek Freaks". Their concerts are likened to family gatherings, with a palpable energy and profound sense of connection between the band and audience. Max Creek's lasting impact and loyal fan base have cemented their status as a regional musical phenomenon. Their music serves as a soundtrack to their fans' most cherished memories. Through their music, Max Creek has forged an enduring bond with their audience. As of 2026, Max Creek is still actively playing shows, celebrating their 40th anniversary in
Costa Rica with
Bill Kreutzmann of the
Grateful Dead in a series of shows dubbed "Jungle Jam 2011" and their 50th anniversary at Rosedale Farm in
Simsbury, Connecticut in the Summer of 2021. Max Creek,
Virginia is a small village nestled in the
Appalachian Mountains within the Southwestern region of
Virginia, near Pulaski, VA. ==Music==