God Is Love!

The concept that is "The Star System Express" today is way different than the original SSE band. I founded the original band in 1978. It was Dennis Salazar on guitar, Keith Mickens on bass, and Brian (animal) Rodgers (THANKS! Susan) on drums in 7th grade. Dennis and I (known to all as Raz) met and played together for ACM (Aurora Concert Musicians) in Aurora, Colorado. We went to different schools back then but we met again at East Middle school where Keith and Brian joined us to form the original SSE band. Through the years many drummers and a hand full of bassists became members to continue the band throughout high school at Aurora Hinkley High, and beyond. Musicians included:

Kevin Darrah, Drums    Greg, Drums    Chris Salazar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Trumpet    Robert Martinez, Bass    Manuel Bernal, Drums    Armondo Lopez, Conga's    Renee' Archaletta, Vocals    Kari, Vocals and sax    Mike, Drums    and many sit ins .... If I forgot someone please forgive me because my memory is not what it used to be. LOL

    Raz and I were the only two original musicians to stay together from SSE's inception through 1988 when I left Colorado for Phoenix, Arizona.

    The name "Star System Express" came to me one night when we were at a car show at the Denver Coliseum. I was already considering something about Stars or Star System. When I saw a CB handle with 'Express', Star System Express was born.

    Interestingly enough, I was 12 years old and had no idea what Star System Express would mean to me as an adult. As an adult, it is a powerful concept of walking a calling to give testimony to anyone who will listen about my faith in a higher power.

"When I first thought of the name, 'The Star System Express Band', I just liked the way it sounded.  Today I see a way to use the name to suggest to all that there is a way to heaven.  It's not a literal transport to heaven, but a way to express the concept of accepting Jesus as the savior from this earth. No one will be loading an express train to heaven in the flesh, but through the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus we all have a chance at eternal life in heaven. It is my desire to accomplish this by sharing with everyone the things that happened in my life that caused me to realize how blessed I am. Once in a very bad time of my life, I asked God to tell me what to do and believe it or not, a radio sermon came on talking about tithing. I was thinking, 'BUT I'M BROKE!'.  LOL  As the sermon continued he said something about thinking tithing was only about money. Well it’s not only about money.... It really spoke to me. I'm like 'OK, are you in my head?'.  Then he said it. 'You know that talent you have? did you think it was for you?  Or all that equipment you gathered...do you think that's just for you, too? How about the education you have to put it all together? I bet you think that's just for you too don't you?' By now he had my full attention... What I learned was God can answer prayer in real time. I learned I have to use all the blessings God gave me to serve Him.  As time went on and I moved towards that goal, so many things became obvious to me that God is and has always been in control. I have been delivered from a very bad family member, an ugly divorce and custody problems... even a real famous serial killer tried to kill my family, but God said NO!....

I have sinned as much as anyone and more than many. Yet I am still here... and Blessed. Now as I see many other facts that have me where I am to walk God's plan, I realized 'Star System Express' is a way to get as many as will listen to give their lives to Jesus as I have and to find true eternal life. Come one, come all, let's take a ride through the Star System to Heaven.... Just a thought!... Each person has to make up their own mind on that. But remember, along with knowledge comes responsibility. Finally, don't forget Jesus died on a cross at the hands of God's chosen people. As a result we ALL have a chance to get to heaven. Is there a sin that can be worse than killing God's son? No matter what you've done, YOU can be forgiven. Give your life to Jesus and I will see you in heaven."

That says it all. May God bless all reading this!

Hey Ya’ll lets take a ride through the star system, on the Star System Express!

Take a ride through the star system on the Star System Express!