- A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE RETRO ROCKETTS -
The Retro Rocketts are a 4 piece harmonizing rock band based in the San Diego area playing all of your 'Retro' favorites from the Beatles, Eagles, Beach Boys, Moody Blues and much, much more. There were 2 full time members, Don Swanson (band founder and leader), guitar and lead vocals and Dr. Marty Bastuba, drums and percussion. A bass player/singer and lead guitar/singer were hired when available to complete the 4 piece band.
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Don Swanson was in his first band, "The Maltese Mates" at age 14 and continued to play guitar and sing over the years. It was the spring of 2005 when he started to put together a duet. That duet lead into a trio which lead into 4 members which lead into 5, then 6, then 7 members that became The Retro Rocketts. A lot has changed over the past 10 years. There has been various groupings of male and female musicians and vocalists in Retro Rocketts 1, 2, 3 and 4. The current band is the 4th rendition of performers but the type of music and the passion in which the shows are performed has not changed since day one.
Don has had a lifelong love affair with rocketry and the space program and the fact that the band performs 'retro' songs, the name The Retro Rocketts seemed perfect for the band. The two Ts in Rocketts was in tribute to the famous Rocketts female dance group because at the time, The Retro Rocketts (1) had three
(sometimes 4) female back up singers/dancers.
Don has always loved the Beatles and for years Produced and Promoted some of the most successful Beatlemania theatrical shows in San Diego history. Designing the best props and stage equipment, hiring the best Beatles tribute talent from all corners of the United States, hiring the best sound people with the best equipment and placing the events in old, historic live theaters, the shows were an extremely popular Holiday Season attraction. The performances included songs from throughout the Beatles' journey. He also produced and created other music tribute shows.
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We also offer an additional entertainment option for smaller, more intimate events and parties. 'Retro Harmony' can be booked as a duet/trio act and the show is essentially an 'unplugged' version of the Retro Rocketts full show, featuring 2/3 performers. http://www.RetroHarmony.com.
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What our Clients say. . .
"USO San Diego loves The Retro Rocketts! Don and the band are always prepared, professional and provide an outstanding performance. We look forward to booking them annually for the Opening Dinner at the Marine Corps Trials as they’re festive, fun and everyone loves to hear them play. They put on a phenomenal show every single time they play. From communication, to booking to performance, you’ll love working with The Retro Rocketts, too!"
Sonya McGough, Marketing and Communications Director
USO San Diego
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"The RetroRocketts have played at Oceanside, California's weekly Sunset Market street festival numerous times. A rockin' group that kept all of the festival patrons happy, tapping their toes and singing to the tunes. A definite hit for all ages. We will always ask them back."
Cathy Nykiel, Event Manager, City of Oceanside (Sunset Market)
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"The Retro Rocketts set list is like a trip down memory lane. I kept saying to myself "Wow, most other bands don't even attempt these songs!" They are truly professional entertainers and if you haven't already been to one of their shows you don't know what you're missing!"
Bob and Janet, loyal fans of the show
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"You guys sounded really good! Very nice harmonies…. and your playlist was really great - perfect actually."
Sue Dusharme, Programs Director - Cruisin' Grand Manager, Downtown Business Association of Escondido
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"I thought you were great" Everyone loved you guys!"
Jill Powell, Annual Seasonal Kickoff Event, Coronado Yacht Club
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The Retro Rocketts Band Members
Donny 'Rocket' Swanson - Band Founder, Lead Vocals and Guitar
Donny 'Rocket' Swanson - Band Founder, Lead Vocals and Guitar
Don has been singing and playing guitar since he was 11 years old.
He took three years of guitar and piano lessons between the age of 9 and 13. He is a descendant of the composer 'Bach', which is his middle name. He is a collector of guitars and has several vintage rare Guild guitars including a red, Guild Starfire 4 custom made for him that he plays at shows. He also plays on occasion a stunning Gretsch White Falcon. Don arranges and keys most of the songs the Retro Rocketts play. He plays a vintage Yamaha acoustic electric guitar on many of the songs at shows. Don owns all the gear used to put on the Retro Rocketts shows. Don also writes songs and two of the ones he's most known for are 'Encinitas 101', a song he wrote and recorded in tribute to his favorite town, Encinitas, California and 'Ocean Blue', a song he wrote about his respect for our Oceans of the world. 'Ocean Blue' can be seen/heard on YouTube.
Please visit our Media Page and click on the link there.
He took three years of guitar and piano lessons between the age of 9 and 13. He is a descendant of the composer 'Bach', which is his middle name. He is a collector of guitars and has several vintage rare Guild guitars including a red, Guild Starfire 4 custom made for him that he plays at shows. He also plays on occasion a stunning Gretsch White Falcon. Don arranges and keys most of the songs the Retro Rocketts play. He plays a vintage Yamaha acoustic electric guitar on many of the songs at shows. Don owns all the gear used to put on the Retro Rocketts shows. Don also writes songs and two of the ones he's most known for are 'Encinitas 101', a song he wrote and recorded in tribute to his favorite town, Encinitas, California and 'Ocean Blue', a song he wrote about his respect for our Oceans of the world. 'Ocean Blue' can be seen/heard on YouTube.
Please visit our Media Page and click on the link there.
Marty 'Doc' Bastuba - Drummer and Percussionist
Marty is one of San Diego's most gifted and renowned surgeons and is the Founder/Director of the Fertility Center of California. He is a tireless doctor and his work helps many people achieve the dream of having a family when natural, biological means fail. Marty has been a drummer most of his life and has played in various bands over the years and it was completely by chance that he and Don found each other at a meeting unrelated to music. While talking, music came up and at the time, Don was looking for a new Retro Rocketts drummer and Marty had just left another band. The Retro Rocketts music is very complicated and complex and the drumming work is just as important to the music as all vocals and guitar parts. Marty plays a beautiful, vintage TAMA multi-piece drum set with vintage cymbals. His awesome percussion techniques on songs like 'Nights In White Satin'
Gerry Walker - Vocals and Bass Guitar when available
Gerry has played guitar for as long as Don has played and he has been playing music for the past 35 years in many bands. Not only can he play guitar, he is one of California's best known Pedal Steel guitar players and has won multiple San Diego Music Association awards and one California Music Association award for his Steel Guitar playing. Gerry has performed on many recordings and is a 'hired gun' studio musician throughout Southern California. His other love is playing bass guitar which he has done for years. Playing complicated bass parts in The Retro Rocketts songs while singing harmonies has been a nice addition to the band's sound. He is not full time in any band but prefers to play for whomever calls first.
Ken Gill - Lead Guitar and Vocals when available
Ken Gill has been playing music professionally since he was 14. He spent years touring and recording before settling in to playing more closer to home. Ken can play guitar, drums, percussion, native American flute, bass guitar, mandolin, lap steel and also sings. He plays a Gretsch 5120 rockabilly semi hollow body guitar and a Fender Telecaster guitar through a vintage Fender Vibrolux Reverb Amplifier at our shows. Ken's lead guitar parts and overall guitar mastery brings all of the Retro Rocketts songs to life when he's available to perform with us. Ken has lived in San Diego since 1983 when he moved to California from Flagstaff, AZ.
Marc Angel - Lead Guitar and Vocals when available
Marc has been a member of the Retro Rocketts for 8 years. He has been a talented, dedicated and valued full time band member and his addition to the band back in the earlier days helped craft what we became today. Like with so many other bands and musical groups, people seem to just end up going in different directions and that is what happened with Marc and the band. He will forever be respected and appreciated and Marc's guitar work and vocals can be heard on The Retro Rocketts only studio recorded CD. Marc will remain someone we will call upon when needed. He is a classically trained professional guitarist and the owner of several collector guitars including a Les Paul from the 1950s and a vintage Gibson Country Gentleman. Marc performed a classical guitar solo show on the same evening, at the same USO Gala Annual event that the Retro Rocketts performed at later in the evening. Marc donates his time to play guitar music for Church functions, city holiday outings and more. Marc has taken his classically trained background and has become a very talented lead guitarist.
More Photos of The Retro Rocketts
