Timothy Critchley was born and raised in Douglas (Cochise County) Arizona. Moved to Tucson, Arizona @ 11 years old, the same year he picked up a guitar and learned his first 3 chords, taught to him by his oldest brother Bill.
Timothy's First Band : The Breakers
The “BREAKERS“ was Timothy’s first band the members were James Staples, Michael Stearns, Mike (Las Vegas) Parrott, Jim Jewell and Tim Critchley. These pages will continue to chronicle his life and times.
Graduating Class 1968
About the time this picture was taken Timothy headed to California for the first time. Fullerton, California just down the street from Disney Land, and oh what a time it was. So began many trips, for many reasons, between Laguna Beach and Tucson. Life and music was good and everywhere.
For the next few years Timothy ran the roads of California and Arizona and across the Mexican Border. Writing, and playing music, of and about the times. A short stint in the U.S. Army, where he almost went into a Hepaticoma as a result of a dirty needle from Heroine abuse left Timothy with an uncommon view of the world around us. But a view that must be written and sung about.
One song that has lasted through the years is the popular “Genius Plan” which when written was about the senseless loss of young life reaching for recognition and peace.
40+ years later there seems to be some discrepancy in individual recollection of the events of the day, and to that Timothy says “It’s your movie”. I’ve got nothin to hide I’ve done some things I’m not too proud of but, nothin I’m ashamed of. A new song title on Timothy’s soon to be released next thing ,”Once More Round The Block,” “I ain’t gonna pump up the tires if I don’t get to ride the bike” pretty much sums it up.
At 19 to 20 years of age running up down and around the left coast and inland to New Mexico and back through Arizona was great training and experience for a life as a solo performer, singer,songwriter wide eyed dreamer. I’ve always felt when you stop dreaming, you stop living so I dream for those who have none. I’ve noticed lately a serious lack of passion and inspiration in the world and that’s a sad situation in my opinion and I’ve got plenty of those just ask anyone who truly knows me.
I was going to write stories about the drugs the road and backstage antics, lifestyle pitfalls and the like but I’ll leave that in my book. I don’t feel like I have the permission of friends, family, and acquaintances
While recording the upcoming CD “Once More Round The Block” I’ve found myself reminiscing about, “Back In The Day” and discovered the Southwest United States is really a cool place to run. I guess the opportunity to see for miles and watch more sky than any other place I’ve been makes a person feel like they can breathe and stretch out or color outside the lines which I’m prone to do. Creativity needs inspiration and room to evolve.
I just want to say thank you for today. You made your sister, Margo, so happy and she has been missing her family for a long time. She cried when she had to say goodbye today and I know you two could have talked for days and spent time dusting off old memories. Priceless. She is precious to me and to you as well. Stay in touch with her as I feel you will. She really enjoyed your time today, for that I thank you.
Her friend and yours,
Colene
4-23-11
Howdy amigo – I too grew up in Douglas, AZ (DHS-69) and after over 40 years being away from there, my wife and I have just competed construction of a Rammed Earth casita on our little ranchito back down in Cochise County. Go figure….
My travels last year took me thru MO, so I wish I had seen your FaceBook before as I could have dropped by to introduce myself.
I heard your guitar here on your web site and like it alot! Sounds like a cross between Wes Montgomery and music from the bars in Agua Prieta.
Don’t know how my music might dovetail with your, but who knows? Regardless, check it out on my website http://www.CherryCows.com
And here is the test for you David….where do you think I got the name CherryCows? Being from AZ, you should be able to figure that out.
Kind regards, amigo….kieta Pronounced: KEY-eh-tah
Howdy amigo – I too grew up in Douglas, AZ (DHS-69) and after over 40 years being away from there, my wife and I have just competed construction of a Rammed Earth casita on our little ranchito back down in Cochise County. Go figure….
My travels last year took me thru MO, so I wish I had seen your FaceBook before as I could have dropped by to introduce myself.
I heard your guitar here on your web site and like it alot! Sounds like a cross between Wes Montgomery and music from the bars in Agua Prieta.
Don’t know how my music might dovetail with your, but who knows? Regardless, check it out on my website http://www.CherryCows.com
And here is the test for you David….where do you think I got the name CherryCows? Being from AZ, you should be able to figure that out.
Kind regards, amigo….kieta Pronounced: KEY-eh-tah
I typed David….meant Timothy….opps!
Hello Timothy,
I grew up on Douglas as well, left at 19, went to California and now am back in Tucson. It has been interesting reading about you and listening to your music. It would be fun for all of us Douglas folks to meet up at some point.
Best of luck and wishes to you.
Linda
Hi Tim
I am happy to say that I had the honor of sharing some of your “early Southwest running days” with you as your drummer. We had some mighty good times. The Breakers – my first band ever – the first time we played music together in your backyard home in Tucson it was magic…… I can still smell the Honeysuckles!
We played all day, later , you invited Jim Staples over to join in, then Mike Stearns…wow…The Breakers were born. I’ll never forget those days…ever…
Always the Breakers drummer, Michael Parrott
You are now and have been since that day the best.
Thanks for being my friend and THE DRUMMER MICHAEL PARROTT
You are now and have been since that day the best.
Thanks for being my friend and THE DRUMMER MICHAEL PARROTT
To all ‘n’ sundry (sun-dry?)- Received a good dose of the vibes from all of you & I’m diggin’ it to the max. I hitchhiked to Frisco (I know-that term’s politically incorrect-tuff-;-D) in ’67 & basically lived under a tree in Golden Gate Park for the next coupla yearz. (It was a very special tree-the branches came down & formed a tent!) Took a lotta pure acid, read “The Joyous Cosmology” by Alan Watts, “Lord Of The Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkein and Zap Comic Books during the days. My nights were filled with adventures galore, especially at Fillmore West with Big Brother & the Holding Co. (Janis was a savage, funky, Psychedelic Soul Sister!), and Quicksilver Messenger Service-John Cippolina was THE Guitar Shaman on the mountaintop with his buckskin jacket, shoulder length hair, & wah-wah pedal! It all deteriorated fairly quickly (2 yrs.+-), with the speed, the weekend hippies & the Angels, but it was Nirvana while it lastd. I carry that original Vibe of Wonder and Fun and Celebration with me always and share it with the world on my radio show “MYSTERY JUKEBOX” every Saturday 2-5pm at http://www.kxci.org. (Or KXCI 91.3fm in Tucson.) Timothy I’d love a copy of yer CD when it’s out. Peace. ONELOVE. God Bless R. Crumb, Otis Redding, Billie Holiday, Rin Tin Tin… and YOU. Dave Kidd Squidd Squires
Exactly! My friend and with all of those Truthful words and remembrances goes
Sunday, Griffith Park, Greatfull Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Friends , Freedom , Ozley. I’ll send you a box of my CDs. KS
Thank you
im even more impressed seeing this site. youve done alot of work very professioinal anxious to hear you streaming live keep me in touch
So.. readin tha comments postd here makes me giggle a bit as I’m a product of this man! I was so used to band practice growing up.. i would fall asleep nex to tha amp blarin his music in my face… have always loved it.. n when this world makes me feel out of sync.. i cannot tell y’all how wonderful it is to be able to simply close my eyes n revert to those days as well with his music=) Somethings in life jus cannot be replaced or duplicated…. My Da is jus 1 in trillion. Xoxo