Gil Estelle was still together, when I ran an ad in the local paper for a roommate. Robert answered the ad and it wasn’t for a few weeks that we even knew we were both musicians.

I had mentioned that I was going to the studio to practice, (with Gil Estelle) and we started talking about music.

Not long after he was wanting to record some of his music, but he wanted to record in a larger, (24 track) studio. So Robert’s friend Duane flew out, (from Albany NY) and I hooked them up with “Redondo Pacific Studios”, (Lee Gennis).  

Later Gil Estelle went their separate ways and basically through osmosis, Merlin was formed with Robert, Duane, my always there through thick & thin bass player, Dennis, and me. Later we added Steve Sunshine to do some vocals.  

In between all of that we completely remodeled W.E. Studios (Formerly Meyer Lane Studio) and added an 8-track RTR, a Teac 80-8. We hit the big time!!!    

I remember Robert and I met some woman from Capital Records, (don’t remember how) and she wanted us to record some tunes with a guy named Nooney Rickets, we did, I think one or two tunes with him and our songs… Again not sure what ever came of it?  

Eventually Merlin went their separate ways. I had reached out to Robert a few times, but have never heard back from him…

Mike Bartlett

Merlin was born when Gil Estelle broke up. Mike Bartlett and I needed to get in to another band cuz we were going thru “band withdrawals”!   I don’t remember doing any live performances. Mainly we just worked in the studio trying to perfect original material.  

Dennis Hageman

 Band Members

Dennis Hageman – Bass, vocals

Mike Bartlett – Drums

Robert Grant – Keyboards, vocals

Duane – Lead Guitar

Merlin

Robert Grant