Cover to Cover: The Double Axel Story Paperback – July 9, 2025

Cover to Cover: The Double Axel Story is a high-octane, full-throttle ride through more than 50 years of rock and roll in New York’s North Country. This is no ordinary band biography—it’s a backstage pass, a hometown love letter, and a front-row seat to the incredible true story of Double Axel, the region’s longest-running rock outfit and local legends since 1971.From the very first page, Cover to Cover pulses with the raw energy, camaraderie, and sheer joy that has fueled this band for decades. Set against the backdrop of small-town bars, campus parties, high school proms, and packed dance floors, the book dives deep into the roots of Double Axel’s sound, spirit, and staying power. Think soaring guitar solos, signature harmonic vocals, wild crowds, and decades of unforgettable gigs—all told with heart, humor, and a lot of soul.You’ll meet the band’s rock-solid core—Alex Vangellow, Frank Johns, and Rob Zolner—three musicians with big talent, bigger personalities, and a lifelong bond that’s weathered the storms of family life, regular day jobs, lineup changes, and the always unpredictable world of live music. They didn’t just play cover songs—they owned them, turning every show into a full-body experience. And they’ve kept at it, year after year, town after town, note after blistering note.But Double Axel’s story isn’t just about the music—it’s about the people. This book shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes: the roadies hauling amps through North Country snow, the spouses and kids cheering from the sidelines, the loyal fans who’ve danced through the decades, and the local legends who’ve played alongside them. You’ll hear about their early setlists, iconic shows, unforgettable mishaps, and the gear that gave their sound its punch.There’s rich history here, too. Step into Potsdam in the early ’70s—an era of vinyl records, jukebox dreams, and bars like Whiskey One, Cousin Dave’s and the Arlington that served as launchpads for live music and college mischief. Through vivid storytelling, the book captures a moment in time when music brought people together in ways that still echo today.Cover to Cover also explores the band’s deep roots in the community—especially their powerful connection to SUNY Potsdam and its Crane School of Music, and Clarkson University. Over the years, Double Axel became more than entertainers—they became mentors, collaborators, and cultural anchors in a region where rock and roll and academia somehow fit together perfectly.And through it all, the band evolved. There were reinventions, personal challenges, career crossroads, and major milestones. But through every twist and turn, Double Axel kept the beat alive, reminding everyone that music isn’t just sound—it’s family, memory, identity, and celebration.With a warm and personal Foreword by Wally Siebel—longtime friend, musician, and co-owner of the former Northern Music in Potsdam—this book kicks off with heart and soul and never lets go. Wally’s words frame a story that’s equal parts nostalgic and electric, down-to-earth and larger-than-life.Whether you were there from the beginning or just discovering the magic, Cover to Cover delivers a deeply human, wildly entertaining journey through a band that refuses to fade away. It’s packed with behind-the-scenes tales, laugh-out-loud moments, poignant reflections, and enough rock and roll swagger to fill a stadium.If you love stories about perseverance, passion, community, and the power of music to bring people together, this book is for you. Cover to Cover: The Double Axel Story is a celebration of sound, sweat, friendship, and the glorious noise that shaped a region—and keeps the party going, five decades strong. Read more