So you might wonder about the early days. Of course I wasn’t there so I can only tell you the things I was told. Tales passed down sometimes get changed so you can conclude what you like.
These pictures are from an early Malaker and Baransky taken in an Uncles basement that they turned into a music studio.
Anyhow, the early days started when Ed was born of course. He is the oldest of four children, two sisters and one brother. The family moved around a lot. His parents divorced when he was at a young age. He remained with his Mom who remarried the man Ed always considered his true Dad. Skipping most of that, Ed always wanted to be a Ninja when he grew up. Sweet, right! If you know Ed right now you’re laughing your ass off. He grew to be one of the clumsiest people I know knocking things and dropping things where ever he goes. (Ninja’s are notoriously known for stealth.) His best friend at the time Justin, who noticed Ed’s Kungfu magazine, and he would do some practicing. It never amounted to anything and his friend sadly moved away and that was that. Dreams die, but luckily his good friend moved back and was now into guitar. He introduced a new concept called Ozzy Osbourn to Ed and a new dream was born. He told his Mom about his new found dream and told her about Ozzy and she said she also loved his music and she let him listen to her Black Sabbath records. His love for music grew and he wanted to someday be as good as the famous Randy Rhodes.
I drew this picture of Randy Rhodes on my computer using paint for our video “The End”
Of course, Ed as you already have seen was a throw yourself into practice kind of guy. Day in day out, he would practice. I’m not sure but I believe it was on his Dad’s old guitar. His dad told him if he would save some money he’d match it and then he’d be able to get his own guitar. So plans were made and carried out. End resulted in a brand new used guitar all Ed’s. A shiny black Tanara guitar. which he has regretted having sold for a mere $100.00 in installment payments later. Lesson learned. Now he Never gets rid of a single instrument! Then he got his yellow Ibanez electric guitar which he is known for playing. And yes, still has it today!
His sister Martie and he, would make cassette tapes of sounds and music, you know kid stuff. This could be considered the beginning of his recording career. (Later he did complete an online recording course. Turns out he’s quite good at it)
He had a subscription to a music magazine and would anxiously await the next arrival. Then read it from cover to cover or more like study it. He’d learn all the songs it contained. Unlike Ninja, he had a real knack for music. (I’m still laughing about Ninja) Justin lent him his book ” Doug Marx Metal Method 1983″ about Music theory and it showed him how to write music. He absorbed music knowledge and anything related about music like a sponge becoming a well rounded artist. His music inspirations were now Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
His dad was a CB radio guy and Ed would often accompany him on jobs fixing and wiring. He’d take VCR’s and CB radios apart and recycle the parts. That increased his ability and knowledge with wiring and he was able to use it wiring guitars, mic’s, speakers and for lack of a better word, everything.
Ed’s dad was so very proud of him that he would brag to everyone that would listen about his son’s amazing musical ability. He carried The bands cassette tapes around and would share them proudly. He was doing his sharing with the local convenient store clerk who was none other than Frank Baransky! Well Frank listened to the tape and thought it was fantastic and then joined the band as it’s singer. That band was “Sweet Sacrifice” Members were Ed Malaker (guitar), Lee Weidow (guitar), John Payne (bass), Chris Kundla (drums), Ernie Turbessi (bass) and now included, Frank Baransky (vocals).
John, Lee, Ed and Hammer
So now you know the beginning of an almost life long friendship. Brothers from other mothers and dads!
A rare photo of Ed and his parents
This is Ed’s grand mother who also was a huge inspiration on his music life. She has an amazing voice, sang in a local church choir and played the organ. Weekends she would babysit and he would spend late nights watching MTV “Headbangers Ball”
Rare Christmas photo of Ed, his sisters and cousins. Not the nose picker that’s his sister Erica.
You can see Ed came from a very supportive family. His Dad managed the “Sweet Sacrifice” band. He would book them some gigs. Really look after and care for them as most of them were young in their teens. His Uncle allowed him to store his equipment and turn the basement into a music studio where he could play and record his tunes. That band was “The Pitts.” Ed and Frank felt bad because they had a friend over to record his songs and he brought beer there. They didn’t clean out his cans and his uncle was angry and disappointed in them for drinking and turning the studio into a place to party. That ended the studio. His uncle, also a musician, played drums in a band and played the bass when he was in his teens. He’s a huge supporter of Ed’s different bands and could be considered our number one fan that genuinely loves our music. His brother Joe is also a musician. He’s an awesome rapper and makes his own beats. And of course Martie was the talented keyboard player for the Steel Knives.
Frank and his Dad
Frank got his music start at a young age, maybe eight or nine. His parents brought him to a wedding reception where there happened to be a juke box. His Mom gave him some quarters to play some songs and sit and behave. He played songs and happened to know all the words. He sang and jumped around drawing a crowd to watch and listen. They enjoyed his performance and clapped and cheered. That was his first big show, where he began his singer/ entertainer career with a ladle for a mic.
I don’t have any photo’s of his family. I’m aware he is the youngest child. He has a brother and a sister. Sadly his mother passed away before I met Frank. I don’t have any photo’s of her. But I think those quarter’s and her love made her most likely the inspiration and the reason for his love of singing and of performing.
I did get the pleasure to meet Frank’s dad at a few of the shows. He was a great guy and an awesome father. Also an amazing baseball player from what I’m told, in his younger days before becoming a parent. He always let Frank be whoever he wanted to be and never pushed him to do things he didn’t want to do.
Here’s a few more pics
Check out previous posts that you may have missed for fun photo’s and good old day memories. https://nancy.32hertz.com/all-posts/