Scan courtesy of Joni Bartley
The Regents were house band at Jack Martin’s A.M-P.M. on La Cienega Blvd., one of the many discos that opened up to compete with the Whisky a Go Go.
In 1964 Capitol recorded the band at the club for an LP of standard songs of the day. I really dig their cover of James Booker’s instrumental, “Gonzo”.
Despite having a gatefold cover to fill with photos and notes, Live at the A.M./P.M. Discotheque doesn’t bother to list a single member of the band. I’ve read some members were originally from Bakersfield. Craig Boyd and Tom Baker had started in a group called the Raiders, then Tom joined the Midnight Flyers. Jerry Rosa had been in a band called the Defiant Ones.
Band members were:
Jerry Rosa – vocals and tambourine
Mike McDonald – vocals and lead guitar
Tom Baker – 12-string and rhythm guitar, replaced by Johnny Mann, then Marilyn Read
John Harris – bass
Craig Boyd – drums
David Axelrod produced the album. Domenic Priore’s book Riot on the Sunset Strip quotes Axelrod saying “Jack Martin’s AM-PM was the kind of place where you could order steak sandwiches, and a fistfight would break out every ten minutes. A lot of tough guys went there, so it didn’t last long.” Two songs from the album, “Sugaree” / “Mojo Workout” were released in Germany.
After the A.M./P.M. club closed, the band became the house band at It’s Boss. Following the LP they cut four singles for four different labels. First up was “She’s Got Her Own Way of Lovin'”, a good original by Mike McDonald backed with “When I Die, Don’t You Cry”, released on Reprise 0430 in November, 1965 and produced by Jack Nitzsche.
Tom Baker left in 1965 and the band hired Johnny Mann to replace him.
Next came “Summer Time Blues” / “You Don’t Love Me” on Peoria 008 in March of 1966, produced by John Harris.
Their third single has the original version of the very catchy Boyce/Hart song “Words”, later done by the Leaves, the Boston Tea Party and the Monkees, usually with a slower opening tempo than the Regents arrangement. I have a promotional copy that has “Words” on both sides of the record, but stock copies have the excellent b-side, “Worryin’ Kind” another fine original by McDonald.
This disk was produced by Norm Ratner and engineered by John Haeny and released in July 1966 on Penthouse 502, distributed by Mira. It was also released in the UK on CBS.
Their last 45 was “Russian Spy and I” written by Jackie Javellin (aka Casper Koelman) and originally done by the Dutch group the Hunters. The Regents version is probably the most well-known, at least here in the U.S. Though the Regents lift the opening riff directly from Hunters guitarist Jan Akkerman, the solo is much more intense, the tempo of the song quicker and the harmonies much more effective than the Hunters version. I bet they could have done a killer version of this live. Produced by Norm Ratner for Dot 16970 in November, 1966, the flip was a cover of “Bald Headed Woman”.
Marilyn Read joined on guitar at some point in 1966 and stayed about a year. She was also in the Ladybirds.
When the band ended, Craig Boyd joined The Hook after Dale Loyola and Dennis Provisor had left the band. Recording as a trio with Bobby Arlin and Buddy Sklar, Craig plays drums on The Hook’s second album Will Grab You. The Hook appeared on the Ironside episode “Trip to Hashbury” miming to both sides of their single “Son of Fantasy” / “Plug Your Head In”.
Michael McDonald, Craig Boyd and John Harris formed McDonald’s Farm, releasing “Excited” / “Deep Feeling” on Vital Records 2369, produced by Ron Shannon.
I’ve also read that they were the band for The Dating Game in the early seasons of that show. Tom Baker wrote to me last summer, but I haven’t had a response to the last two emails I sent. A friend of the band confirmed that they were on The Dating Game, and added that they were UCLA students who played often at Chuck Druet’s club Barnacle Bills on E. Huntington in Duarte.
There seems to be some confusion as to whether or not these are the same Regents who recorded the original version of “Barbara Ann”, but that was an entirely different band, whose members were Sal Cuomo, Chuck Fassert, Tony Gravagna, Don Jacobucci, and Guy Villari.
Nor is the Michael McDonald of this Regents the same guy who was in the Doobie Brothers (but see the Implicits entry on this site for Tom Johnston’s early band).
There are other records by groups called Regents that aren’t related to this group, including: “Cape Fear” (T. Foley) / “Summertime” (produced by J. Choate for the Ohio label Prix); and “No Hard Feelilngs” / “That’s What I Call a Good Time” on the Kayo label. The Regents with “Me and You” / “Playmates” on Blue Cat was a Canadian group who also recorded the LP Going Places with the Regents on Quality.
Some info from a phone interview with Craig Boyd.
Photo from the collection of Nancy Kuehl
Scan courtesy of Joni Bartley
The original version of “Gonzo” was a big R&B hit in 1960 for legendary New Orleans keyboardist James Booker, on the Peacock label. “Deadric Malone” was a pseudonym used by label owner Don Robey for songs he bought outright from penniless songwriters, paying the royalties to himself. He later issued some Texas garage stuff on the Back Beat label – Coastliners, Liberty Bell, Baroque Brothers etc.
Thanks for this post. Besides the Penthouse 45 I’ve always kind of dug the LP – it is rather inauthentic and adult-oriented, especially the liner notes, but endearingly and not embarrassingly.
i have the canadian regents lp. its quite good
Hello…someone remembers us….coooool….had a reunion 10/20/11.need info? e mail me..j..
we are meeting up today june 13,2013 at islands restaurant in marina del ray.
Does anyone remember me? (Marilyn Read, Rhythm guitar player/singer) I played with the band in 1966 / 67. No mention of the College tour to Northern California, Washington State, Colorado and summer at Disneyland.
We also recorded.
I’m still playing in a band 🎸🎶🎤🤗
just seeing this !!!!! i was a high school rep. still have the newsletter with photos, etc. and still friends with sherri, the cocktail waitress……hope you see this
I would love to hear from one of the members of The Regents in hopes of finding out how everyone is doing. Mike, in 1970 your band changed to the name “McDonalds Farm” I knew you from Barnacle Bills and other dance clubs. Would love to how how how everyone has done in life and know your all in good health. How is Craig Boyd? I used to keep in touch with him but that was a long time ago.
Hope to hear from you,
JONI
Hi Joni – This is Craig – Saw your post on Garage Hangover. Would love to fill you in on all the Regents but there is too much to tell. Call me at 310-376-8024 and leave your number with them. They can get to me and I’ll call you back.
Talk to you soon,
Craig
Hello Craig,
I called your number and left my phone number.
I’m glad that you are watching this blog. Chris the sysop told me this is the best way to find any of you. I was tempted to scan in the Promo Pictures I have of the band and email them to Chris for this blog. I just pulled them out…. I am surprised I still have these pictures and can put my hands on them as well.
I’m happy to hear from you,
JONI
It is such a thrill to know anyone remembers and still cares! This was a special time in my life and even more special is the fact that we are all still alive and have reconnected. After the Regents and McDonald’s Farm, I went on to play bass and sing back-up with singer/songwriter Jerry Riopelle’s band for 15 more years. I then transitioned into teaching for anothr 20 years and am now retired and living in California’s beautiful Central Coast. Rock On!!
I knew you on Ensley Avenue…Bob Weatherford…I was a few years younger and I knew your brother Duff…I turned out to be a bass player too!…still am. My sister Ann and I hung at It’s Boss then Pandora’s..
And I came to Cal Poly years ago and I still live in SLO
John, I see from the online card catalogue at the Library of Congress’s Copyright Division that in 1968 you and Mike McDonald were writing songs such as “Forget Time” that were published by Mee Moo Music (see https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/copyright/hprcatcard/19/55/19/70/FO/RE/VE/R_/W-/FO/RG/IV/E_/L/19551970FOREVER_W-FORGIVE_L/CC19551970FOREVER_W-FORGIVE_L.1023.jpg). Mee Moo was then run by Curt Boettcher, Keith Olsen, and Gary Usher, if I’m not mistaken, in association with Four Star Publishing. Might you have made any recordings that were produced by Boettcher?
Not Dead Yet…Rock On Baby !!
Hey Jerry, its the Dennis from the party days in the valley (Covello/Cohasett) with you, Elaine, Gary, Emily, Jerry and Mark. Always wondered what happened to the rest of the group.
Take care,
Dennis
We’re all five still going. and get together whenever we can. Mike McDonald is still busy with the studio business he’s had in the Hollywood/L.A. area for years. So, we don’t see Mike as often as we’d like.
I now have a studio in New Mexico, where we (minus Mike) got together last July to drink beer and see who can tell the tallest tale. We managed to do a little recording. It’s still fun playing with these guys. But, it seems playing is more work now than when we were 21!!!
We had a tremendous amount of fun (and stisfaction) with the music in the 60’s, but it’s being able to still call these guys on the phone, or see them in person that is really the enduring part of the whole scene.
Let the music roll on.
Tom Baker
Hi guys,
Do you remember my wife Marilyn Read who joined you in ’66 and played rhythm guitar and sang back-up on the road with you in No. California, Washington, Oregon and Ft Collins, CO? Also mentioned Disneyland with the guys during ’66 or ’67. She still is performing. 🙂
Can you tell me how to upload a picture and I’ll add hers then and now?
Hi Keith,
I know your comment was left years ago, but please contact me at RChrisBishop [at] gmail.com. I am the writer of this article.
I recently put two and two together about Marilyn’s participation in both the Regents and the Ladybirds. I tried to email her after she left a comment earlier this year but haven’t heard back.
Best regards,
Chris
You can Reach Jerry Rosa on his email saxjjrosa@yahoo.com Rock on
2016…Still Rockin ! A Little Slower Maybe..lol
all still rockin…….
The Regents LP was a big influence on the sound of the band I was in during my early 20’s called Mondo Mod. We were based out of Ann Arbor, MI. Our goal was to play “Go-Go” music. The feel of the Regents LP really nailed it for us! Hope you are all still around and doing well.
Did The Regents play, “I’m A Hog For You Baby” at It’s Boss, at the end of each set? I remember that song, but I’m not sure of the exact time frame…I used to go there a lot…
steve schwartz yes !!!!!! i’ve got the old newsletter to share……
Hello Robert,
I’d like to see the newsletter if you can share it with Chris at the site to post. If not, please leave a way to contact you.