For many music fans, the phrase “We are no longer in Kansas” is more relevant than ever. While the content of the music industry has transformed significantly, there is much more to what we enjoyed listening to. Fans may be adjusting their tastes and preferences to the new sounds on the airwaves, but artists are still evaluating the drastic change as the tides of music production and marketing have shifted considerably, and only those who can keep up will be left standing.
The way music is created and distributed has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Since the late 1990s, the rise of the internet has had a significant impact on how music is consumed globally. As the early 2000s arrived, the power dynamics shifted and mobile phones became more popular in terms of streaming music online. Consumers now have access to the albums that physical record stores previously failed to store.
As the decade of the 2010s arrived, social media exploded, and the floodgates were suddenly opened for both creators and listeners, who saw a plethora of possibilities for music. The fourth wall had been shattered, leaving no room for the voice behind the music to speak directly. Social media enabled a level of music promotion that was previously unheard of. As more platforms competed for people’s attention, they introduced new features to keep audiences entertained. Similarly, many musicians started exploring different styles of music. One such individual is David Arthur Sikes, who made the most out of the music industry by joining different bands.
Born in 1955 in England, U.K, David Arthur Sikes is well known for being a musician, business owner, and former vocal bassist for the band, Boston, from 1987 to 1998. Sikes was born to an English mother and an American father who later moved their family to Suisun City, California when Sikes was just a child. He went to Crescent and Crystal elementary schools, Sullivan Middle School, Sem Yeto Continuation High School, and Solano College, to uncover his burning love for music.
In order to pursue his passion, Sikes moved to Berkeley after a few years as a music student at Solano College, where he became a regular on the bay area music scene, playing with many local bands and eventually joining the band Kid Courage, where he contributed bass and backing vocals for two tracks, including “I Don’t Wanna Dance” and “I’m A Fanatic.”
Sikes joined the hard rock band “Aldo Nova” in 1982 as a bassist and background singer opening for Sammy Hagar, Cheap Trick, Hall and Oates, Rainbow, and Journey. After leaving the Los Angeles band Giuffria, for whom he played bass on the album Silk and Steel, he joined the rock band Boston as a bassist in 1987.
The following year, he performed his first show with Boston at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. He played bass, sang, and co-wrote five songs for Boston’s 1994 album Walk On, including “Surrender to Me,” “Walk On,” “Magdalene,” and “We Can Make It.” Sikes also helped with the vocal arrangements for several songs on Walk On. He also appeared on Boston’s Corporate America album and Boston’s Greatest Hits compilation from the 1990s.
From 1987 to February 1998, Sikes became a member of Boston, appearing on the Third Stage, Canada 1988, Walk On, and Living for You tours. Other recordings include Night Rangers’ Jeff Watson, the Lone Wolf album, and Innocent, which features former Aldo Nova band members Jesse Bradman, Jeff Watson, and Brad Gillis of Night Rangers.
He has also shared the stage with MC Hammer and San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito on guitar, as well as Robby Krieger of The Doors, Alex Lifeson of Rush, Alice Cooper, guitarist Rick Derringer, and Alan White of the progressive rock band, Yes.
Sikes has also performed an outdoor concert with Satriani’s band’s Jeff Campitelli at the Empress Theatre’s post-COVID reopening in 2021. He left the Boston band in 1998 after purchasing an insurance agency in Vallejo, California. This was his transition into a new industry. He currently manages his insurance company, as well as records, and performs music.
Sikes has used concerts for Saint Jude Hospital, Vallejo Community Arts, and Ukraine as an opportunity to participate in fundraising programs. Exploring different styles of music, he channels vast experience and expertise, attracting tons of newcomers to the music industry.
