THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 24, 1996 TAG: 9605230196
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 89 lines
While at the office, he specializes in the eyes. When on stage, he treats the ears.
Virginia Beach optometrist Norman Kahn showcased his musical talent as his new band, Cody Pendant, debuted recently at the Jewish Mother.
The band may be new, but Kahn, 42, is no stranger to the music scene.
His parents, Howard and Dorothy Kahn, wanted him to play piano at an early age, so they started his piano lessons at the tender age of 7. Kahn continued to play through high school and later studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Although he continued to perform after college, the Virginia Beach native said he decided to join his father's optometry practice rather than pursue a full-time musical career because he ``liked to eat on a regular basis.'' With a psychology degree from the University of Virginia and a doctorate of optometry from the New England College of Optometry, Kahn has been in practice with his father for 17 years and is currently president of the Tidewater Optometric Society.
But, he calls himself ``a rocker at heart.''
Having played professionally for the better part of 26 years, including work with three local bands, Kahn said this latest group possesses two essential qualities: talent and chemistry.
``I feel very fortunate to be in this band,'' said the First Colonial High School graduate whose curly brown hair touches his shoulders. ``This is truly the best band I've had the pleasure of being involved in. They play well and get along.''
Although he performed with a variety of bands from Boston to Charlottesville, he largely dropped out of the music scene for some years after a bad experience with a promising deal that soured. Instead, he jammed with friends or alone until, as he said, something told him, ``There are people willing to kill for this (talent) and you were born with it. You'd better do it.''
He is remembered in Virginia Beach for having played at such clubs as the South Beach Grill and Scandals.
He said he also worked at another club that closed because of shootings that happened there. When that venue became defunct, the band he was playing with did too. Two years ago, he sought a new band - one that would play in a safer environment.
``I didn't want to work in places where I couldn't make it out alive,'' he said.
Although Cody Pendant played its first gig together at the Jewish Mother recently, most of the members had played there before as part of other groups.
The band leader, Keanan Black, a financial consultant originally from southern Maryland, sings and plays guitar. Army Staff Sgt. Rod Lowery of Winston-Salem, N.C., drums and Jennifer Mills, a Navy seaman from Newark, Ohio, sings and plays percussion or violin. On bass guitar is Steve Larson, a career musician.
And Kahn, of course, handles the keyboards. The rock 'n' roll band's repertoire includes original songs, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Grateful Dead and ``pretty much anything that grooves,'' Kahn said.
His performances in smoke-filled clubs with clanging glasses and bobbing heads is a sharp contrast to his quiet, sterile and pleasant office just blocks away on Laskin Road.
A contact lens specialist, he said, ``I look at myself as a people mechanic. I teach people how to take care of themselves and what to look for.''
Although he performs eye examinations, verifies and writes prescriptions, Kahn can also make eyeglasses and modify contact lenses. He troubleshoots eye problems and regularly attends conferences with his three-person staff to stay informed.
Susan Flowers, office manager, said his staff calls him the wizard.
To manage his numerous personal and professional interests, Kahn said he gets very little sleep. He also fixes old Volvos and enjoys gardening in his spare time. He has a family of two cats and is presently engaged.
``It's like the old saying, `You make time for what you love to do,' '' he said. He also plans to continue to practice his music and optometry and doubts he will ever have to choose between the two.
``I know I can do a good job at whatever I want to do,'' he said. MEMO: The band is scheduled to play at Deb's Roadhouse in Ivor tonight
and Saturday, at the Beach Grille on Shore Drive Tuesday and at the
Jewish Mother again June 8 and 20. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Dr. Norman Kahn, president of the Tidewater Optometric Society,
calls himself ``a rocker at heart.'' The First Colonial High School
and U.Va. graduate decided to join his father's optometry practice
because he ``liked to eat on a regular basis.'' His new band, Cody
Pendant, debuted recently at the Jewish Mother. by CNB