George Aloysius Gelish II (named after his Paternal Grandfather) was born in Brooklyn and currently lives on Long Island with Terri Haas, his spouse of over a quarter-century.They have one grown daughter, Stephanie. Although most people wouldn't believe it, George is a graduate of La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, NY.  George began showing an aptitude for writing and satire in grade school, drawing and publishing his own "underground paper" that pilloried the St. Pius teachers. In high school at La Salle he began writing seriously; contributing to the newsaper and yearbook. After La Salle, George landed at C.W. Post College, where he eventually graduated with a B.A. in English Literature.  By then his other great love - Rock & Roll - had eclipsed writing as his main pursuit.

A stint at Good Times, a local Long Island music paper, allowed George to combine his two great passions.  Rediscovering his love of writing, he set out to become a Journalist. This led him to pursue his education at New York University, where he got his M.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Over the years George has contributed articles to music publications like The Island Ear, Creem and New York Rocker.  His writing has also appeared in more mainstream publications like TV Guide and Cat Fancy. Later, George switched gears and became a Technical Writer, producing technical documentation primarily for Software companies.

George currently earns his paycheck as a Website Administrator for Estee Lauder but remains an avid songwriter. "I'm still a serious wannabe," he quips. "A lot of people talk about ‘quitting their day job,’ but I like my day job!  For all except a lucky few, being a ‘working musician’ means having to teach bratty kids and play lame gigs to pay the rent.  So how is that better than working a day job and keeping the music for yourself?”

George the musician is mostly self-taught, although he's studied with Ron Smith, Chuck Alder and Lester Saldinger. "I started playing at age 14 and have continued for… well, a long time, OK?"  He has played with numerous musical outfits in and around Long Island.  A versatile musician, George has logged time in Country, Folk, Jazz Fusion, Rock, and Wedding ensembles.  He has also performed with more "legit" groups like the Huntington Choral Society and the Huntington Men's Chorus.  George describes his voice as "A cross between Steve Winwood and Paul Carrack with a Brooklyn Accent."  There is ample opportunity to hear George's singing and playing on this site. 

George credits Eric Clapton's blistering wah-wah guitar solo at the end of "White Room" as his first inspiration to play. He originally set out to be a guitarist but was defeated by the open position "F" chord, so he gave up. Then, he recalls, "I heard about this instrument called the 'Bass Guitar,' which didn't require playing chords. I can play them now but in the final analysis I think I gravitated to the right instrument. People are always telling me how they can never find bass players, although I've never had that problem."

George's early musical influences included the great "Classic Rock" bassists like Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, and Geezer Butler.  Later, he discovered fusion and became fascinated with the playing of bassists like Alphonso Johnson, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke.  "My goal in life -literally - used to be to play like Stanley," he recalls.  "I just wanted to blow everybody away and show them how great I was.  It took me a long time to realize that you have to put aside your ego and do what's best for the song.”

These days, George favors a more sparse style of playing modeled after the great Stax/Volt session man, Donald “Duck” Dunn. George credits his wife Terri with curing him of the tendency to overplay on bass. Terri is a longtime Jazz vocalist and Choral Music teacher who is herself a formidable creaive force. "She has this great, disdainful expression for guys who need to show off their killer chops on every song at the expense of the whole. She calls it, 'Having to show everyone how big your dick is.'”  George also cites Terri as his single greatest musical influence.  "Oh man, she's merciless," he says, rolling his eyes.  "If I'm off-key she'll be all over me.  Believe me, it keeps me humble to know I am only the second-best musician in my own household."

George confesses that when he records, "George the Producer and George the Songwriter tend to keep a pretty tight rein on George the Bassist.  Actually, bass is the instrument I usually spend the least amount time with because it's my best one and I can do what needs to be done quickly.  When I play guitar and keyboard parts I tend to struggle through a lot of takes because I'm not as good."  He says he started playing additional instruments "out of necessity" to create his home recordings, which comprise many of the tracks here.

As for future plans, George has high aspirations. "I grew up listening to all the great classic rock albums and I want to create something on that level; something that will stand the test of time.  When I pray I ask for the ability and the opportunity to do something truly worthy.  Maybe it's egotistical to think I can, but I do."

Last updated 8/29/11