Bob Mehr
bobmehr.bsky.social
Bob Mehr
@bobmehr.bsky.social
New York Times bestselling author, 'Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements.' 2X Grammy winner (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Dead Man's Pop). Reissue producer. Words for NYT, MOJO, Gannett.
Skibbe actually plays an important role in the band's early history...he took Paul to the Longhorn for the first time and also helped get him his janitor job at Marsden Maintenance, which is how Paul earned the money to buy the Gibson 330 pictured on the cover of Sorry Ma.
May 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Skibbe was unaware they'd changed the name of the band from the Impediments. Hence the billing in the ad for the 5/30/80 show. Which - famously - the band got kicked out of before they could play as a three piece (Tommy was absent having injured his arm falling out of a tree)
May 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM
-In early May Westerberg drops off the demo - with Replacements written on it - at Oarfolk for Jesperson, who flips and wants to see them play live.
-Westy asks Steve Skibbe of the Dads to help them get a show in town asap, & he puts them on the bill at another sober venue, the Ba-Ta-Clan, however
May 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM
I believe correct chronology is:

-April 1980 - Impediments first gig on the farm with the Dads
-Mid-April - Impediments play Team House in St. Paul - get kicked out for drinking and are threatened by the venue booker
-Late April/early May - 1st gig as Replacements at Paradise Ballroom
May 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM