Donny Simmons

Simmons was the guitarist of Yankee Rose, a popular rock band in the 70s and 80s.[3] Yankee Rose frequently performed at many of the popular clubs in Los Angeles and Hollywood, sharing the stage many notable acts, such as, Movies and Aunti-Up at Hong Kong Cafe,[6] Dolphins,[7] Popsicles,[7] Axis[8] and Smile,[8] and Gilbert Gram[9] at the Troubadour, Erin's All Stars,[10] The Blitz Bros,[10] the Penny's,[11] the Rabble,[11] Wynield,[12] and Obryan,[13] at the Starwood, and Bluebeard at the Whisky a Go Go.[14]

Aside from Simmons, Yankee Rose's other notable members are singer Michael Adams, who is currently performing as 'Mick Adams' in the popular Rolling Stones tribute band 'Mick Adams and the Stones',[15] and drummer Abe Perez[16][17][18] who recorded and played with notable Blues guitarist Jay Gordon.[19]

Donny Simmons (left), with Eddie Van Halen (center) of Van Halen and Steve Hall (right) of Stormer.

Stormer was one of the many popular acts that contributed to the music scene of the Sunset Strip, sharing the stage with London,[1] and Stratus,[2] as well as opening up for Van Halen at the Pasadena Civic and the Golden West.[13]

On November 19, 1976, Stormer played a sold-out show with Van Halen and Smile at the Pasadena Civic to a crowd of 3,500 people. At this concert, Marshall Berle was in attendance, who later became Van Halen's manager.[13]

In 2008, when Simmon's former Stormer bandmate, Tim Gaines, was asked if the Stormer demos will be remastered and made public, Gaines replied, "I doubt if anyone can find the Masters. We are talking of having a Stormer reunion in the near future. We may decide to record it."[20]

In 2007, Simmons produced an album of music titled, Donny Simmons & Mutts Gone Nuts. Most of the songs were co-written by Chris Carroll, from the band The Str8jackets.[5]