Flame and The Heaters was a five-piece rock band that was together from approx 1980-83. They were the house band at The After Burner bottle club from 1980-81, and also performed at Franco's Lounge, Franco's All-Nite Affair, Franco's At Navarre, Jere's Lounge, and Machinegun Kelly's. Although they performed mostly '70's rock, they also added some '60's & 80's hits, bluegrass, movie themes, and had an original tune titled "I Don't Like To Sleep Alone". Their original lineup included singer/guitarist Fritz Severin, lead guitarist Vic Valmus, bassist Doug Merritt, drummer Ken Darnell, and keyboardist Mac McCraney. After approximately one year, McCraney left the band and was replaced by Mark Steinziek, who had previously spent some time as their sound engineer. Valmus was next to leave, and join Atlanta-based band The Heat. Soon afterward, Severin took a solo gig playing piano at Flounder's. McCraney, Valmus, Merritt, and Darnell reunited for the first annual Pensacola Musicians Memorial concert on May 24, 2010, at Paradise Bar and Grill on Pensacola Beach, and all five original members reunited again at the 2011 Pensacola Musicians Memorial show on May 23, 2011 at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola.
Here are links to the band's videos from the 2011 Pensacola Musicians Memorial show:
Part 1 includes "Open Invitation", "Take Me To The River" and the first part of "Comfortably Numb": http://youtu.be/kzd-Ndtwcck
Part 2 includes the conclusion of "Comfortably Numb" and the band's original "I No Like To Sleep Alone": http://youtu.be/dgzBd0Vlnuc
This is the complete performance of "Comfortably Numb" and includes an interview with Severin and Darnell: http://youtu.be/jqt_T5nWRiw
The full band is currently scheduled to perform at the 2012 3rd Annual Pensacola Musicians Memorial Show, to be held at Seville Quarter on 28 May 2012. Check the Pensacola Musicans Memorial Remembrance and Tribute page on Facebook for more updates!