Beggars & Thieves
Encyclopedia
Beggars & Thieves is a band initially made up of lead vocalist Louie Merlino, guitarist Ron Mancuso, bassist Phil Soussan
, and drummer Bobby Borg. Phil Soussan and Bobby Borg left after the band’s first album and after some light touring, and they are pictured on the album sleeve/liner notes and credited as having played on it.
They released a video for the song "Beggars & Thieves" from their first album.
After that album, Beggars & Thieves went through some personnel changes. Soussan and Borg left the band, and Mancuso, Merlino and producer Barbiero decided to carry on without them. In 1991, a new three-person lineup was formed—one that consisted of Louie Merlino on lead vocals, Mancuso on both bass and guitar and newcomer Bobby Chouinard on drums. And it was also in 1991 that Beggars & Thieves left Atlantic and signed with Epic. With that new Merlino/Mancuso/Chouinard lineup plus a new keyboardist called Alan St. John and producer Jim Vallance
, the band recorded its second album—which probably would have come out in 1991 or 1992 were it did not for office politics. Unfortunately, Beggars & Thieves got caught in the corporate crossfire at Epic, which dropped the band without releasing that second album. Finding themselves without a record deal, Beggars & Thieves didn't record for any more major labels in the ‘90s. And when Nirvana
, Pearl Jam
and the grunge movement exploded commercially in 1992 and 1993, the majors lost interest in the type of pop-metal/hard rock that Beggars & Thieves specialized in. Instead of looking for the next Axl Rose
(Guns N' Roses
) or the next Vince Neil
(Mötley Crüe
), major label A&R people were looking for the next Kurt Cobain
(Nirvana) or the next Eddie Vedder
(Pearl Jam). But despite the commercial decline of pop-metal and hair bands, Beggars & Thieves kept plugging away.
In 1997, Beggars & Thieves' second album, "Look What You Create" --the one that Epic decided not to release--, was finally released independently on MTM Music (although it had limited distribution). Two years later, in 1999, again on MTM Music and again working with producer Jim Vallance, the band could release their third CD called "The Grey Album", where drummer Sammy Mangiamele replaced Bobby Chouinard, who could not finish his work on that album.
Sadly, drummer Bobby Chouinard died on March 8, 1997.
Beggars and Thieves is still performing in 2011, most notably at Vamp'd Las Vegas. Singer Louie Merlino sings for the Vegas-based band Sin City Sinners
when their usual singer Todd Kerns
is touring with Slash.
bassist Dana Strum
.
Now they are playing together again in the "SIN CITY ALLSTARS".
Louie Merlino sang backing vocals on Fiona
's Fiona
and Beyond The Pale. He also sang backing vocals on Alice Cooper's album "Trash" and worked with a lot of other musicians. You can find a list of his work on his homepage.
In recent years he has sang with the "SIN CITY ALLSTARS", a Cover-Band, also featuring Ron Mancuso and Brent Muscat, who was in Faster Pussycat before.
Currently (2010-2011) Louie can be see often singing with the Sin City Sinners, an all-star band featuring Brent Muscat
, Rob Cournoyer, Todd Kerns
, and Mike (Doc) Ellis. When Todd Kerns is touring with Slash, Louie fills in for prolonged periods of time.
Phil Soussan has also played with Ozzy Osbourne
, Ronnie James Dio
, Billy Idol
, Vince Neil
, Gilby Clarke
, and others.
Bobby Borg has also played for Left For Dead, Opinion, and Warrant
.
Phil Soussan
Phil Soussan is a bass guitarist, songwriter and producer who has gained notoriety as a member of a host of famed rock and roll bands, including some who have been fronted by such vocalists as Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Johnny Hallyday and John Waite, as well as a membership in Beggars...
, and drummer Bobby Borg. Phil Soussan and Bobby Borg left after the band’s first album and after some light touring, and they are pictured on the album sleeve/liner notes and credited as having played on it.
They released a video for the song "Beggars & Thieves" from their first album.
After that album, Beggars & Thieves went through some personnel changes. Soussan and Borg left the band, and Mancuso, Merlino and producer Barbiero decided to carry on without them. In 1991, a new three-person lineup was formed—one that consisted of Louie Merlino on lead vocals, Mancuso on both bass and guitar and newcomer Bobby Chouinard on drums. And it was also in 1991 that Beggars & Thieves left Atlantic and signed with Epic. With that new Merlino/Mancuso/Chouinard lineup plus a new keyboardist called Alan St. John and producer Jim Vallance
Jim Vallance
James Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
, the band recorded its second album—which probably would have come out in 1991 or 1992 were it did not for office politics. Unfortunately, Beggars & Thieves got caught in the corporate crossfire at Epic, which dropped the band without releasing that second album. Finding themselves without a record deal, Beggars & Thieves didn't record for any more major labels in the ‘90s. And when Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
and the grunge movement exploded commercially in 1992 and 1993, the majors lost interest in the type of pop-metal/hard rock that Beggars & Thieves specialized in. Instead of looking for the next Axl Rose
Axl Rose
W. Axl Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the lead vocalist and only remaining original member of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he enjoyed great success and recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before disappearing from the public eye for several years...
(Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
) or the next Vince Neil
Vince Neil
Vincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
(Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
), major label A&R people were looking for the next Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
(Nirvana) or the next Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
(Pearl Jam). But despite the commercial decline of pop-metal and hair bands, Beggars & Thieves kept plugging away.
In 1997, Beggars & Thieves' second album, "Look What You Create" --the one that Epic decided not to release--, was finally released independently on MTM Music (although it had limited distribution). Two years later, in 1999, again on MTM Music and again working with producer Jim Vallance, the band could release their third CD called "The Grey Album", where drummer Sammy Mangiamele replaced Bobby Chouinard, who could not finish his work on that album.
Sadly, drummer Bobby Chouinard died on March 8, 1997.
Beggars and Thieves is still performing in 2011, most notably at Vamp'd Las Vegas. Singer Louie Merlino sings for the Vegas-based band Sin City Sinners
Sin City Sinners
Sin City Sinners is a group of prominent musicians who perform self-penned originals and rock and roll covers at key venues throughout Las Vegas, Nevada...
when their usual singer Todd Kerns
Todd Kerns
Todd Kerns and grew up in Lanigan, Saskatchewan is a Canadian musician who has worked with several successful Canadian bands, most notably Age of Electric...
is touring with Slash.
Musical experience of members
Louie Merlino and Ron Mancuso had previously been in the band Modern Design with SlaughterSlaughter (band)
Slaughter is an American heavy metal band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada by lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum. The band reached stardom in 1990 with their first album, Stick It to Ya which spawned several hit singles including "Up All Night", "Spend My Life", "Mad...
bassist Dana Strum
Dana Strum
Dana Strum is the bassist of heavy metal band Slaughter. Before that, he was in Vinnie Vincent Invasion together with fellow bandmate, Mark Slaughter...
.
Now they are playing together again in the "SIN CITY ALLSTARS".
Louie Merlino sang backing vocals on Fiona
Fiona (singer)
Fiona is an American rock music singer and actress best known as the love interest in the 1987 Bob Dylan vehicle, Hearts of Fire.-Life and career:...
's Fiona
Fiona (album)
Fiona is the debut album by the singer Fiona. It was released in 1985, and was produced by Peppi Marchello. Fiona herself co-wrote two of the disc's eight tracks...
and Beyond The Pale. He also sang backing vocals on Alice Cooper's album "Trash" and worked with a lot of other musicians. You can find a list of his work on his homepage.
In recent years he has sang with the "SIN CITY ALLSTARS", a Cover-Band, also featuring Ron Mancuso and Brent Muscat, who was in Faster Pussycat before.
Currently (2010-2011) Louie can be see often singing with the Sin City Sinners, an all-star band featuring Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat
Brent Muscat is a guitarist who has played in various bands, including Faster Pussycat, Sin City Sinners, Donner Party, L.A. Guns, the Liberators, Bubble, Superficial/Sinthetics, Adler's Appetite, Sin City All Stars, and The Underground Rebels. With L.A...
, Rob Cournoyer, Todd Kerns
Todd Kerns
Todd Kerns and grew up in Lanigan, Saskatchewan is a Canadian musician who has worked with several successful Canadian bands, most notably Age of Electric...
, and Mike (Doc) Ellis. When Todd Kerns is touring with Slash, Louie fills in for prolonged periods of time.
Phil Soussan has also played with Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio
Ronald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
, Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
, Vince Neil
Vince Neil
Vincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
, Gilby Clarke
Gilby Clarke
Gilbert "Gilby" Clarke is an American guitarist and record producer best known for a 3-year tenure as the rhythm guitarist of Guns N' Roses, replacing Izzy Stradlin in 1991 during the Use Your Illusion Tour...
, and others.
Bobby Borg has also played for Left For Dead, Opinion, and Warrant
Warrant (American band)
Warrant is an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, that experienced success from 1989-1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and one of its...
.
Members
- Louie Merlino - Vocals
- Ronnie Mancuso - Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar (later years), & Backing Vocals
- Phil SoussanPhil SoussanPhil Soussan is a bass guitarist, songwriter and producer who has gained notoriety as a member of a host of famed rock and roll bands, including some who have been fronted by such vocalists as Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Johnny Hallyday and John Waite, as well as a membership in Beggars...
- Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals - Bobby Borg - Drums
- Bobby Chouinard - Drums
Discography
- Beggars & Thieves (1990)
- Look What You Create (1997)
- The Grey Album (1999)
- Stone Alone (2010)