hiː dʒˈɔɪnd ɐ lˈoʊkəl bˈænd æt ðɪ ˈeɪdʒ ʌv ˈeɪtiːn ænd spˈɛnt ɐ fjˈuː jˈɪɹz tˈʊɹɹɪŋ tˈɛksəs, ðˈɛn bɪɡˈæn wˈɜːkɪŋ æz ɐ mˈɛmbɚɹ ʌv ɹˈɛzᵻdənt bˈændz ɪn nˈuːmɚɹəs nˈaɪtklʌbz.
He joined a local band at the age of 18 and spent a few years touring Texas, then began working as a member of resident bands in numerous nightclubs.