So I'm watching a "Seinfeld" DVD, and the classic "B.O." episode is on. As the credits roll, I recognize the name of the guy that played the maitre' d. You know, the guy Jerry locked in the car until he agreed to pay half the cost of de-funkifying his car.

I knew the guy had been in a rock band, but couldn't remember which one. And no surprise - I didn't figure it out until I was going through my old albums, and pulled out an album from a band that never existed - at least, not on YouTube, iTunes or anywhere else you can listen to music. Unless, that is, you own those archaic things known as LPs.

Detective was the band, Michael Des Barres is the man.

His wife was probably more famous than he. Pamela Des Barres was a legendary groupie. She nailed anyone that was anyone in the rock world, with a career that spanned over 20 years. But I digress.

I wiki'ed Des Barres, and sure enough - he WAS in Detective, and he WAS in "Seinfeld". He's actually had quite a career as an actor, but his music career is something else.

He's the classic case of "it's not what you know, it's who you know". I guess his wife introduced him to everyone in the biz, but check this out. He took over for Robert Plant in Power Station, performing on Live Aid. He buddied up with Don Johnson, who was starring in the biggest TV show of the day, "Miami Vice". Johnson got them an appearance on the show.

Then, after Freddie Mercury died, the boys in Queen asked him to replace Freddie (he turned them down as he didn't think he was worthy).

He had a band called Chequered Past, which included Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, and Nigel Harrison of Blondie.

He wrote a few marginal hits and one big one - "Obsession", covered by Animotion in 1985.

Pretty cool, right? But you don't know the coolest thing yet.

Now, keep in mind that I am an uneducated, barbaric American. So this might be cooler to me than to you. But if you want to call Michael Des Barres by his full name, you have to say:

Lord Michael Philip Des Barres, Marquis Des Barres

How cool is that!

i remember michael des barres!

i remember his stint in power station, and i know he's acted in tons of stuff.

and of course, i remember his uber-groupie wife pamela.

it's crazy how different michael des barres looked on seinfeld. he looked like terrence stamp or something.

Anxiety said:

Thank you for replying to my post!

I swear, I am the kiss of death on this forum. LOL.

RodeoSchro said:

well, this thread IS a little stank.