ROCKING FOR A LIVING; PALMDALE GUITARIST FINDS FANS, FAME IN EUROPE.

Byline: Greg Botonis Daily News Staff Writer

Since rock 'n' roll's inception, millions of kids all over the world have dreamed of being rock stars: the screaming fans, the bright lights, the thundering music.

But for Palmdale guitarist Rick Plester, that fantasy has become reality.

After more than two months on tour in the U.S. and throughout Europe in support of his band's first album, the self-titled debut ``Black Symphony,'' Plester has returned home to begin work on his second album with even more enthusiasm for the future of his music.

``The shows were incredible,'' Plester said. ``Every one sold out almost immediately and we hit the charts even before the first show.''

In Europe, Black Symphony opened 16 shows for heavy metal band Dio and performed other dates on its own, playing in Germany, Switzerland, France and the Czech Republic. Black Symphony's album climbed the European rock music charts from No. 50 to No. 36 in less than two weeks. Fifteen music magazines, in 11 languages, wrote about the band.

The album will be released in the United States in March and a second one should be completed and released in Europe between May and September, Plester said.

Getting to this point in his career was not easy. For more than 15 years, Plester has practiced endlessly to perfect his style and obtain the ``perfect sound.''

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Plester picked up the guitar at age 16 for the first time after seeing a Ted Nugent concert on television. Within three years he was playing in his first band.

``We were the world's worst bar band,'' Plester said. ``I was laughed at and teased. I was really bad with a lot of enthusiasm. The more they laughed, the more I practiced. I started playing seven or eight hours a day, every day.''

After little more than five years, he won a Canadian ``guitar war'' competing against more than a thousand guitarists. He went on to win three times more.

``It was tough,'' said Plester. ``There were a lot of talented musicians there but I think my sound had a lot to do with winning.''

Plester has combined at least four distinct styles to make up his sound: blues rhythms, classical leads, rock 'n' roll edge and orchestrated background.

``It's a rock 'n' roll symphony,'' he said. ``The music is very symphonic with an extremely dark tone. That's how I got the name.''

Ice hockey actually brought Plester to the United States. A player for Calgary's team in the Roller Hockey International professional league, he was traded to a Sacramento team, then to Bakersfield in 1994.

The Bakersfield Oilers hockey team owner also owned an apartment complex in Palmdale, where Plester moved in. Before one Bakersfield game, Plester went out on the ice in full gear with his guitar to play the national anthem.

Plester has since given up hockey to concentrate on music.

He has worked as a studio musician on other artists' albums. Plester also wrote all the lyrics and music for ``Black Symphony'' as well as producing and mixing the album.

Performing with Plester in Europe were vocalist Mike Pierce, drummer Jeff Martin, bassist Rev Jones and keyboardist Mattias Burstrom.

Although the band will not be touring again in the U.S. until the album is released, they will return to Europe in February to continue support of the first album.

``We're just taking a break so I can continue work on the second album,'' Plester said. ``I'm going to write like crazy until Christmas and then break until the tour. If you think this album was hot, wait till you hear the next one.''

For more information on the band or how to purchase CDs and other items write to The Black Symphony International Fan Club, P.O. Box 6, Rosamond, CA 93560 or visit their Web site at www.qnet.com/(tilde)tbs.

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Photo

PHOTO (Color) Hockey brought Rick Plester to Palmdale from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but rock 'n' roll has taken him across the Atlantic Ocean.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News