Where Are You?

Fifth Angel--FOUND!
Guitar frenzy power act

Recently I wrote an article for our Rusted Metal #23 column on Seattle band Fifth Angel. The band released a real gem in 1986 with their debut self-title, which I chose to spotlight on Maximum Metal. Since then many have emailed me asking about the wherabouts of the group.

As many know legendary axe-man James Byrd was involved with the group's recording but left soon after to be replaced by Kendell Bechtel. The group released one record after that called "Time Will Tell" for mainstream label CBS Records. I'm not sure what happened after that but the band simply disappeared. Obviously they didn't get the critical acclaim or fan respect that they should have, and I find that alarming considering how many bands "made it" that shouldn't have.

Anyhoo, we are left with another mystery. Where Are You Fifth Angel? By that statement I mean WHERE ARE YOU Kendell Bechtel, Ed Archer, Ted Pilot, Ken Mary, and John Macko? After the disappearance of metal in the early 90s, Fifth Angel simply faded away. James Byrd is still in the metal community but the other members have vanished.

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Update: Within a week of putting this up, we got this response in our email: After our recent probe into the disappearance of Fifth Angel, a fan emailed us with the information that he had regarding the band's whereabouts. According to Tim's email the band eventually broke up after drummer Ken Mary's departure. Vocalist Ted Pilot went to school and became a dentist, taking over his father's practice. James Byrd was rumored to have been forced out of the band due to some underhanded moves by Pilot and others. The other members whereabouts are unfortunately still unknown.

Ex-FIFTH ANGEL drummer Ken Mary website: http://www.sonicphish.com/

Thanks to Benjamin Niebla II & jaxxmetal

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Update 2:

Ted Pilot lives in Seattle where he has his own practice as an endodentist (root canal specialist), I don’t believe he is active in music anymore and is still un married. Ed Archer also is in Seattle and works a regional manager for a technical company, he’s married and has a family, although he is not musically active either he still enjoys playing guitar and his son is taking up drums. Kendall is still in Seattle also, but I’m not sure if he’s doing music? The last I heard was he and James were doing some stuff together, but I’m not sure. Lastly, I moved to Florida about 4 years ago and don’t play much anymore, I own my own small computer consulting company and have a family.

I spoke to Ted about a year ago but haven’t seen him in about 4 years. I did see Ed last year while on a visit to Seattle, but haven’t seen or spoken to Kendal in about 5 years. Ken lives in phoenix but I haven’t spoken to him in years as well. After the band broke up the members did basically scatter to the winds, unfortunate but true. Sorry there isn’t more exciting news about the members, but that’s reality. It still amazes me there is still public interest in the band, it would be great to do a few shows for old time sakes, but I don’t ever see that happening.

Sincerely,

John Macko

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