The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame 2023 inductions were made last month and Charlotte’s own Fetchin Bones were one of the N.C. music legends honored this year. Back in the ’80s, this band was a force of nature, opening for acts such as R.E.M., the B-52s and the Red Hot Chili Peppers — not that they didn’t have a strong following of their own. I always considered their sound kind of country-punk with a bit of funk. The band, led by vocalist Hope Nicholls, is well-deserving of the recognition.
Reading about this reminded me of a time when I was in high school in 1987, when Fetchin Bones was in its heyday. My high school buddy had an incredible cherry-red 1962 Buick Electra 225. We drove that thing everywhere — in fact, we took our dates to our prom in it. As I recall, when it broke down for the umpteenth time, he didn’t have the bread to pay for repairs, so he had to put it up for sale. The first takers were the band. My friend was (and still is) a music connoisseur, and was well aware of Fetchin Bones’ notoriety. Having them as the buyer was an added value to the price they paid for the car. They painted it purple, and rumor had it the car became their touring vehicle for some time. Every time we cranked up their hit “Stray” at a bonfire at the end of a cul-de-sac in a soon-to-be developed neighborhood on a Friday night, we told the story to anyone who would listen. Good times.
