The Rovin’ Flames at “Safety Village” theme park, 1966
Revised November 2009
The Rovin’ Flames were a major group out of Tampa, Florida. They went through many lineup changes, and it’s only thanks to Dorothy Chapman, the former Secretary and later Vice President of the Rovin’ Flames Fan Club that I can give a detailed listing of lineup changes.
Original lineup, 1965 – spring or summer of 1966:
Paul Battle – rhythm guitar, vocals Jimmy “Mouse” Morris – lead guitar J. R. Maietta – bass Jerry Goff – drums
I don’t know how the band started, but at least some of the Rovin’ Flames were students at Chamberlain High. The Rovin’ Flames first record was “Gloria” / “J.J.J.P.” cut in September 1965 on the Fuller label owned by Charles Fuller who also ran the Boss and CFP (Charles Fuller Productions) labels. This 45 was produced by John Brumage, whose name crops up repeatedly on Rovin’ Flames records, usually as producer.
The group uses the guitar line to “Shakin’ All Over” to open “Gloria”. The singer’s voice on “all I have to do is call her on the phone, and … she’ll be … huggin’ me and kissin’ me” doesn’t make him sound like much of a lady killer – this Gloria might be too much to handle! Mop Top Mike pointed out that this was one of the earliest covers of the Them song, released about six months before the Shadows of Knight had a major national hit with their version.
“J.J.J.P.” is the band’s original, an instrumental take on the Louie Louie bass line and changes. Paul Battle handled the vocals for “Gloria”.
Early lineup with original band plus Hardy Dial
Spring or summer, 1966:
Hardy Dial – lead vocals Paul Battle – rhythm guitar, vocals Jim Morris – lead guitar J. R. Maietta – bass Jerry Goff – drums
Forvus (Brooke Chamberlain) with the Rovin’ Flames
Hardy Dial came from the Outsiders, another Tampa group that cut two great 45s for the Knight label, including “She’s Coming On Stronger”. Dial left the Outsiders before their second 45, a ripping take on “Summertime Blues” sung by John Delise. Interestingly, Delise would be behind the microphone with the Rovin’ Flames as well, but not until their last 45 in 1967.
The Rovin’ Flames second record was the demented “I Can’t”, written by producer John Brumage and released on the Boss label in February or March of ’66. The short verse is followed by six bars where Dial (or is it Paul Battle?) simply chants “I Can’t” or sometimes just wails. After a short guitar solo it’s right back to more of the chant, a repetition of the verse and then a fadeout to those maniacal words.
For the flip they do the entirely more sedate “I’m Afraid to Go Home”, a cover of a Brian Hyland song. Despite the catchy rhythm of the guitar and bass this song drags, with rhymes of “what I’ll see” and “Tennessee”.
Next they provided the rhythm tracks for Brooke Chamberlain, a DJ who fancied himself a songwriter and singer. “Now That Summer Is Here” is nearly a parody of beach pop music, with lyrics like “‘watermelon so good” and a chant of “summertime, summertime” in the middle of the tune. Brooke tries holding the last word of each line, but he’s no Beach Boy. Interestingly there’s phasing on the backing tracks, I wonder if that was intentional or caused by some mishandling the tape.
Brooke’s taking himself even less seriously on the flip, “It’s Nothing New”. The awkward artist credits on the labels are another clue to the tongue-in-cheek nature of this 45, with “Now That Summer Is Here” billed to “The Forvus featuring Brooke Chamberlain with the Rovin’ Flames'”, while “It’s Nothing New”, is credited to “Brooke Chamberlain with the Forvus and the Rovin’ Flames and Harvey Swadnungle”. Chamberlain’s alias in BMI’s database is Frank Edmondson Jr.
Jeff Lemlich wrote to me “I think Tampa Bay was Brooke Chamberlain’s label. He was a disc jockey on WALT Radio in Tampa, and as such had a lot of influence. So when he wanted to cut a record, bands like the Rovin’ Flames and Four Letter Words obliged.”
Rovin’ Flames opening for the Dave Clark Five, July 1966
The Rovin’ Flames work with Chamberlain had some benefit to the band, as he contributed lyrics for a good ballad, “Seven Million People” for their next 45, released in June of ’66. The group runs the lyrics over an adaption of the Byrds “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”. There’s more action on the other side, a good cover of “Bo Diddley”.
Like the Forvus single and the Outsiders 45s on Knight, this was recorded at H&H Productions in Tampa. The producer for this one is Phil Kempin, the only record they cut not produced by John Brumage.
Rovin’ Flames at Curtis Hixon with the Tropics and the Dave Clark Five
Third lineup with Jim Davis, John Rogers and Dave Tabak joining.
September, 1966:
*Jim Davis – lead vocals Jimmy Morris – lead guitar *John Rogers – organ J. R. Maietta – bass *Dave Tabak – drums
Paul Battle and Jerry Goff left the band for another project and about this time Hardy Dial left the group as well. By September of ’66 the band had added Jim Davis on lead vocals, Davy Tabak on drums, and for the first time they had an organ player, John Rogers, who came from Mississippi. This group would stay together for a few months but not record.
December, 1966:
*Paul Battle – lead vocals Jimmy Morris – lead guitar John Rogers – organ J. R. Maietta – bass Dave Tabak – drums
Jim Davis left the group in December of ’66 and Paul Battle returned for a very short time as lead vocalist. This lineup also would not record.
Article with the Changin’ TymesThe Rovin’ Flames, late 1966November ’66 – March ’67 photosSacred Heart Academy, February 25, 1967Summer of ’67, with John Delise and new drummer Eddie TaylorWALT beach party, June 24, 1967
February, 1967:
*John Delise – lead vocals Jimmy Morris – lead guitar John Rogers – organ J. R. Maietta – bass Dave Tabak – drums
Rovin’ Flames July 1967 photos
July 1967:
John Delise – lead vocals Jim Morris – lead guitar John Rogers – organ J. R. Maietta – bass *Eddie Taylor – drums
The next big change for the group was adding John Delise on lead vocals, the same singer who previously had replaced Hardy Dial in the Outsiders. Delise had a good run with the Outsiders. With their name changed to the Soul Trippers, a 45 of “I’m a King Bee” on the Laurie subsidiary label Providence was a minor sensation in the summer of ’66.
In fact, the Outsiders/Soul Trippers and Rovin’ Flames stories seem intertwined in ways that aren’t fully clear to me yet. With Delise moving on to the Rovin’ Flames, The Soul Trippers became Noah’s Ark, cutting two 45s for Decca, including a cleaned-up version of the Fugs “Group Grope” retitled “Love In” that the band credited to themselves. Ed Sanders could have sued over that one! One of the writers credited on “Love In” is Helen Uncapher who would co-wrote both sides of the Rovin’ Flames next release, “How Many Times” / “Love Song #6” with John Delise. As producer of these discs, John Brumage at H&H seems to have been responsible for placing both Noah’s Ark and the Rovin Flames with Decca in 1967.
“How Many Times” is one of the most memorable of all 60’s band 45s, with a swinging organ sound and Delise delivering the wild opening lyrics:
How many times can you put a gun up to your head, thinking about the pleasures of being dead
along with a lighter verse:
How many times have you pulled into a hamburger stand, waving your money in your hand, yelling and screaming like a hungry man, but the lazy waitress takes all of the day, but you don’t care she’s ugly anyway!
It was released a little late for its style, in September of 1967. The freewheeling flipside “Love Song #6” was also included on the 1968 Tener various-artists LP release Bee Jay Video Soundtrack.
John Delise went on to join Those Five, probably after their cool 45 “Sidewalks” was released on Paris Tower.
In July of ’67, Eddie Taylor replaced Dave Tabak on drums, though I believe Dave is playing on the Decca 45.
Autumn 1967, from left: John DeLise, Johnny Rogers, Jimmy Morris, Eddie Taylor and J.R. MaiettaThe Rovin’ Flames with new lead singer Bob Thompson, November 1967
November 1967:
*Bob Thompson – lead vocals Jim Morris – lead guitar John Rogers – organ J. R. Maietta – bass Eddie Taylor – drums
July 1968:
*Ronnie Goedert – lead vocals Jim Morris – lead guitar *Jay Colding – organ J. R. Maietta – bass *Jerry Nickerson – drums
Autumn 1968:
*Hobie O’Brien – lead vocals Jimmy Morris – lead guitar Jay Colding – organ J. R. Maietta – bass Jerry Nickerson – drums
John Delise lasted longer than most of the Rovin’ Flames lead singers, but still was with the group less than a year. Bob Thompson took over in November of ’67. Around this time the Flames started appearing with ‘Rovin’ Things’ emblazoned on Eddie Taylor’s drumhead, though I’m not sure if they really changed their name in their bookings.
Johnny Rogers died in March 1968 and Bob Thompson and Eddie Taylor left the band. Jim Morris and J.R. Maietta must have barely been able to hold the group together, but by July they had recruited three replacement musicians – Jay Colding on organ and Jerry Nickerson on drums, plus Ronnie Goedert on lead vocals. Ronnie didn’t stay long and was replaced by Hobie O’Brien in the fall of ’68. The band broke up for good in early 1969.
J.R. Maietta stopped performing and owned a record store for some years. He passed away in 1996. John Delise died on October 3, 2004, and the band’s last keyboard player Jay Colding passed away just this November 26, 2009. Ronnie Goedert later joined White Witch, and passed away in 2000.
Last known photo of the Rovin’ Flames, Soap Box Derby Parade, July 13, 1968
Much helpful information in writing this piece was found at The Limestone Lounge. Special thanks to Jeff Lemlich for providing additional info as well as scans of the Fuller, Boss and Forvus 45s, and transfers of “Gloria”, “J.J.J.P”. “Now That Summer’s Here” and “It’s Nothing New”.More information on John Delise is on the Tampa Bay Garage Bands site, where I also found the photo of the band from the autumn of ’67.
Very special thanks must go to Dorothy Chapman. Her scrapbook of photos and fan club letters provides the timeline and documentation for this article. Without her help I could not have given an accurate account of the band’s history.
Here are Dorothy’s comments on the Rovin’ Flames:
My sister and I met the Rovin’ Flames during the summer of 1966, just before I started 10th grade at Chamberlain High School, through friends who were next-door neighbors to Hardy Dial’s family in our subdivision – he had just joined the band. J.R. Maietta lived with his parents, also in our subdivision, and they practiced there in the screened porch. Shortly thereafter Paul and Jerry left the band, taking the current “official Fan Club officers” with them, and my sister and I took over as “President” and “Secretary” respectively from about August 1966 until the band broke up in early 1969.
The Rovin’ Flames van with Fan Club officers, August, 1966
Every day after school we would either walk or ride our horses to J.R.’s parents’ house to listen to the band practice. While our school friends were going to football and basketball games, we spent our Friday and Saturday nights (and weeknights in the summers) traveling with J.R.’s parents (who were their managers) to their “gigs” all over Tampa, Clearwater and Sarasota. We even got to go to the Tiger’s Den in Cocoa Beach a couple times to cheer the band on and dance the night away! I kept a scrapbook containing photos, mementos, and some of the monthly newsletters that I laboriously typed on an old manual Underwood typewriter and mailed to our loyal Fan Club members, keeping them up-do-date on the band’s comings and goings. In addition to the newsletters, the members received a membership card and a copy of their latest record, all for $1.00 a year. We even had t-shirts with “Happiness is the Rovin’ Flames” printed on them.They performed some of their recorded songs live – Gloria and Bo Diddley were always favorites. They did play How Many Times regularly, but if I recall correctly they all hated Love Song #6 (which they called Love Song #69). It wasn’t theirs, but I remember that Mustang Sally was always the “dance contest” song. Among others, they performed with the Dave Clark 5, the Grass Roots, the Robbs and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels here in Tampa, and with ? and the Mysterians in Gainesville.
It’s hard to explain to people what it was like to run around with a local rock band in the late 60’s – they were truly local celebrities. There were so many places for kids to go for dancing, where they just sold cokes and pretzels and it was such fun to be a part of the scene! In the Tampa area we regularly went to the FCA Hall, Temple Terrace Rec Center, Sacred Heart Academy Auditorium, The Inn Crowd, Gandy Ballroom, Strawberry Patch, and the Hullabaloo Clubs in Clearwater and Sarasota, to name a few. The memories make me smile (well, most of them anyway).
When Johnny Rogers died it was a real shock – he was such a sweet guy, but obviously had problems we didn’t know about. Things were never quite the same after Johnny died although the band stayed together for about a year. They finally phased out in January or February 1969. Sadly, I’ve heard that a number of the guys have passed away.
Documented gigs and timeline:
August 1965 – first 45 “Gloria” / “J.J.J.P.” released (Fuller CFP2627).
1966:
Feb. or March – second 45 “I Can’t” / “I’m Afraid to Go Home” released (Boss BOS-002) ? – Rovin Flames back the Forvus featuring Brooke Chamberlain on “Now That Summer Is Here” / “It’s Nothing New” (Tampa Bay BC-1110) June – third 45 “Seven Million People” / “Bo Diddley” released (Tampa Bay BC-1111). July – Hardy Dial joins on vocals July 10 – Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, with the Dave Clark Five and the Tropics, set list: “It’s All Right”, “Hey Little Girl”, “Younger Girl”, “Wild Thing”. July ? – Lakeland Shower of Stars July ? – Tiger Den, Cocoa, FL August 13 – Billboard predicts “Bo Diddley” likely to crack top 100 (it didn’t) Aug. 24 – Sacred Heart Academy September – Dave Tabak joins on drums, Jim Davis on vocals, followed shortly by John Rogers on keyboards Sept. 10 – Delta Sigma Phi, Gainsville, FL Sept. 17 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, FL – first show with lead singer Jim Davis Sept. 24 – Patricks Air Force Base Oct. 1 – Sacred Heart Academy Oct. 15 – Sacred Heart Academy/ “FCA” Oct. 29 – Sacred Heart Academy Oct. 31 – Lakeland Nov. 1, 2, 3 – Lakeland Nov. 4 – Umitilla Nov. 5 – Fla. Pres. College, St. Petersburg Nov. 11 – Daytona Beach Nov. 12 – Cocoa, FL Nov. 17 – Lakeland Nov. 18 – Fla. Pres. College, St. Petersburg Nov. 19 – Sacred Heart Academy Nov. 25 – Carrollwood Country Club Nov. 26 – Trowel Building, Tampa / Benefit for Robert McCord Oral School – with the Surfsiders December 1966 – Paul Battle rejoins as lead vocalist Dec. 25 – Sacred Heart Academy Dec. 31 – King Solomon’s Mine
1967:
Jan. 16-22 and late January – Beachcomber Club, Jacksonville Jan. 20 – Sacred Heart Academy Jan. 21 – band starts using new Vox equipment Jan. 31 – Feb. 6 – Lakeland February – John Delise joins on lead vocals Feb. 17 – Temple Terrace Feb. 18 – Punta Gorda Feb. 25 – Sacred Heart Academy Late Feb. – early March – Lakeland March 7 – Largo Fair March 11 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, FL with the McCoys March 17 – Big Moose Showcase March 18 – Apopka Youth Center March 20 – April 3 – Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami April 7 – Big Moose’s Showcase, St. Petersburg Apr. 8 – Sarasota Armory Apr. 9 – Benefit in memory of Charlie Beecham of the Emotions Apr. 21 – Big Moose’s Showcase, St. Petersburg Apr. 28 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, FL / benefit for Crippled Children’s Home Apr. 29 – Sacred Heart Academy, Tampa May 6 – Lake City May 12 – Sebring May 13 – Umatilla May 19 – F.C.A. May 20 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, FL June 2 – Inn Crowd, with the Robbs and the Gents (“15-minute psychedelic version of ‘Summertime Blues'”) June 3 – Sacred Heart Academy June 7 – Melborne Civic Center June 9 – Aloha June 16 – Temple Terrace June 17 – Inn Crowd June 23 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, FL June 24 – Aloha / WALT Beach Party June 28 – Sacred Heart Academy June 30 – Sacred Heart Academy Luau (private) July – Eddie Taylor replaces Dave Tabak on drums July 1 – Sacred Heart Academy Semi-formal (private) July 10 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, FL July 14 – J.C. Club July 17 – Temple Terrace July 19 – Sacred Heart Academy September – fourth and last 45 “How Many Times” released (Decca 32191) November – Bob Thompson joins on lead vocals Nov. 25 – Clearwater Hullabaloo late Nov. – Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, with Noah’s Ark, the 13th Hour and the Puddin’ Basin Group
1968:
March – Johnny Rogers dies March 9 – Tiger’s Den, Cocoa July – Ronnie Goedert joins on lead vocals, Jay Colding on organ and Jerry Nickerson on drums July 13 – Soap Box Derby Parade Autumn – Hobie O’Brien joins on lead vocals
1969: Band breaks up in January or February
At the Tigers Den in Cocoa, March 9, 1968At the Tiger’s Den, Cocoa, November 1966At the Inn Crowd with the Robbs, June 2, 1967J.C. Club, Clearwater, July 14, 1967Clearwater Hullabaloo, November 25, 1967
25 thoughts on “The Rovin’ Flames”
Hi! I am the Dennis Dalcin that you’re looking for who put out Kaleidoscope Magazine back in the late 80’s/early 1990’s. I have copies of all the issues left, but I believe I’m totally out of #4. I will search my remaining boxes to see if I still have any copies left. If not, I can scan my copy of it for you. The part 2 of my Ronny Elliott interview was originally scheduled to appear in issue #5, but I was just too burned out doing everything myself that I never did an issue #5. I still have the full interview if you’re interested? Please email me and we can get you that Kaleidoscope.
I look forward to hearing from you! You have a FANTASTIC site!! Keep up the great work! All the best, Dennis.
this is what happens when you google your own name, you find a great page like this that brings back a flood of memories. During my years there, I produced and co-produced about 200 singles, the most notable being “Snoopy vs. The Red Baron” the mega hit single by the Royal Guardsmen.
In those days my goal was to get a Gold Record, and it’s hanging on the wall next to me as I write this.
Helen Uncapher was my wife at the time, and her and John Delise enjoyed throwing lyrics back and forth at each other. “Love In” was certainly derivitave from the Fugs song, tho it was not too obvious to me at the time.
The Tampa bay music scene was very active at the time, Marjorie Sexton and another Promoter (sorry i forget his name) operated teen dances in rented halls, all in all 5 or 6 venues that used 2 live bands each Friday and Saturday night. I believe the freshness of the Tampa sound came from these live performances. Bands introduced new material at these dance events, honing them from watching the kids react. Because there were always two bands at these events, they also met and heard the other bands, and auditions and jams were not uncommon.
Yes, the Flanging in “now That Summer is Here” was intentional. Charles Fuller was a small Television and Radio commercial producer with a great radio voice. I discovered him in the Yellow Pages, and hung around until he eventually hired me. Part of my deal was that i could use the facilities for my own projects during off hours, and we would split the proceeds, if any. All the equipment was home brew or radio station leftovers, we never had more than two track recorders until after the success of the “snoopy” record.
I want to mention another Tampa Band “Noah’s Ark,” their drummer, Bobby Caldwell, became the drummer for Johnny Winter.
John It has been wow…like a long time i think the last time you were living in Palma Cia which strangly enough i bought a house just a few houses away from where u were and it overlooked Palma cia golf course…i was “rodie” 4 the Rovin’ Flames and worked for a short time 4 Charles Fuller…..hope 2 here back from you
Some of those rented halls and teen dance centers had a very young group in their teens. Do you remember the Bee’s Knees with their handmade white store and two drummers in 1967?
Bobby has been successful in relaunching and touring with a new Captain Beyond. He’s mentioned your name with relationship to Noah’s Ark over the years. There were other recordings done by the band in NYC that were never released. Do you have any recall those tracks? I’ll tell him about your posting.
I used to work with JR at a factory named Shuron Textron in the 70s. The place made eye wear. We used to pal around together and I visited him in his mobile home in Land O Lakes where he lived with his wife and a dog or two,we used to pick magic mushrooms from the cow pastures near by but Jr would not touch the stuff. JR would let me go thru boxes of records and keep what I wanted. He didnt seem to care about the stuff anymore Needless to say I went for the psyc and local stuff. I got tons of stuff including 45s by Tropics, Epics, Outsiders and naturally The Rovin Flames. JR marked flames out on some of the records and wrote Things because he wanted to change it to that at one time. He once told me he had a live tape of the Flames somewhere but he was never motivated to find it even though I bugged him. I remember him being as being a funny guy who was afraid of trying pot. The record store he owned was called Sun Bums and it was on Fletcher Ave in the same building where Vinyl Fever first opened. I lost contact with him in 1978 or so and just found out from this blog he was dead.To bad I would have liked to look him up someday.
Dan Drummond Co Owner Mojo Books and Music Tampa Florida
Hi Dan, having grown up in Tampa, I remember all these guys and married close friend of Mouse and JR Maietta and bassman of the Bee’s Knees Roger Kruzell. Memories, seems like the best of times… Kathy Kruzell
so sorry to hear about JR and Mouse along with John ( cant remember is last name ) who played with the band and lived with me 4 a while in the 60s ….it was johnny and it will come back 2 me at 3am…but i was the “roadie” 4 the flame’ s for a while…spent alot of time at JR’s house back in the day…wow there were alot of GREAT local band’s and places for them to play I remember Les…another name who ran the INN CROUD and i was the LIGHT SHOW ( not much of one but 4 back then it was ok ) i got a whopping $5.00 a night…wonder what i did with all the money ! BTW Jonnie was reported to overdose on Carbona Huffing.so sad
I believe John Rogers or Rodgers was the name you were trying to recall,Since I’m writing this ,I’ll put my two cents in (for what it’s worth).I answered an add in the PennySaver paper(about 1965) about some one trying to put a band together. Well at practice I met J.R. and all he had was a guitar player and of course himself, I was not impressed but I kept practicing and the members kept changing until it started sounding right.then our lead player quit, then enters Paul Battle who was a bitter enemy of mine,and needless to say I quit.A couple years later I got a call from J.R. to rejoin the band,and yes that was me on drums playing “how many times” which was the B side of love song #6.P.S. hey terry ,haven’t seen you since key west in 69′!
Eddie, I remember when you lived on Valle Dr. I was much younger than you but you used to let me watch you practice. I was in total awe. I was about 10 years old and to be that close to a real rock and Roller was amazing. Afterwards we would watch Saturday afternoon science fiction shows on you fathers color TV. I hope all is well and know I am now a 60 year old rock and roller. I seem to remember you in the Outsiders. Thanks for being kind and giving me some great memories.
This is as thorough a documentation of a Tampa Band as anything I’ve seen. I remember this band. They were definitely the “real deal” -thanks for doing such a great job of recording some rock and roll history.
Larry Crusott was a roadie, I guess with the band. They were friends in school and I have a picture or two of the group (with Larry) that I have never seen anywhere else. Larry passed away in 1999. We were married 30 years. Mouse called him just a few weeks before he died and that really made Larry feel good.
My brother is Dave Tabak. I was only 6 years old when he joined the band. They used to practice in our family room which for a 6 year old was a really big deal. John Rogers stayed with us for a short while and he was trying to teach me how to play the organ. I was a total pest when the band was trying to practice and to pacify me they asked what song I wanted them to play for me. I still remember asking them to play the theme from the TV show Batman. One night they surprised me with a private concert for one playing my request. They were a great group of guys who all treated me like their little sister and I’ll never forget how proud I was of my big brother Dave Tabak!
Interesting site with some great recollections of that time period. John Brumage was my step brother also has passed away. Played with first Mike and the Variations later Mike and the Hurricanes and eventually Sir Michael and the Sounds, I went on with the help of many Tampa musicians composed and produced 35 songs (28) at my YouTube site in the mid 80’s. Buddy Richardson (outsiders.Noah’s arc and White Witch etc) played guitar on most of the selections, Even though all except one song were my compositions Guitarists drummers and base players etc were given freedom to put their interpretations into the production, Most of the lyrics were not mine though many of the Hooks were.
Obviously, my influences go all the way back to even before the English rock invasion (even Doo-wop) lol. Would appreciate any commentary of the creations which weren’t uploaded until 2018. Feel free to contact me at my email addresses rucott@hotmail.com or ruc468@hotmail.com
Volume One were first choices Volume 2 were others, Haven’t decided on the remaining. Unfortunately the others (most recent uploaded are the first ones you see, Have to go to video’s to see the most viewed selections,
Yes, what a wonderful site. Sorry to hear John has passed away. I read in the comments below. Around 60 seven, maybe I was in the band Our gang We had won the Battle of the bands Jacksonville civic auditorium. Well we One a recording session at Charles Fuller production studio in Saratoga. I still have my copy of the 2 songs we did! Well, I guess it was John that recorded us. And he was doing the final mix On Snoopy’s Christmas song and played it for us. I remember playing with the Bells that were hanging on the wall. They were used in that song. He did a wonderful job. Needless to say, It became a huge hit. You still hear It every Christmas. Wonderful memories rest in peace, John.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
I don’t know how the band started, but at least some of the Rovin’ Flames were students at Chamberlain High. The Rovin’ Flames first record was “Gloria” / “J.J.J.P.” cut in September 1965 on the Fuller label owned by Charles Fuller who also ran the Boss and CFP (Charles Fuller Productions) labels. This 45 was produced by John Brumage, whose name crops up repeatedly on Rovin’ Flames records, usually as producer.
Spring or summer, 1966:
For the flip they do the entirely more sedate “I’m Afraid to Go Home”, a cover of a Brian Hyland song. Despite the catchy rhythm of the guitar and bass this song drags, with rhymes of “what I’ll see” and “Tennessee”.
Brooke’s taking himself even less seriously on the flip, “It’s Nothing New”. The awkward artist credits on the labels are another clue to the tongue-in-cheek nature of this 45, with “Now That Summer Is Here” billed to “The Forvus featuring Brooke Chamberlain with the Rovin’ Flames'”, while “It’s Nothing New”, is credited to “Brooke Chamberlain with the Forvus and the Rovin’ Flames and Harvey Swadnungle”. Chamberlain’s alias in BMI’s database is Frank Edmondson Jr.
In fact, the Outsiders/Soul Trippers and Rovin’ Flames stories seem intertwined in ways that aren’t fully clear to me yet. With Delise moving on to the Rovin’ Flames, The Soul Trippers became Noah’s Ark, cutting two 45s for Decca, including a cleaned-up version of the Fugs “Group Grope” retitled “Love In” that the band credited to themselves. Ed Sanders could have sued over that one! One of the writers credited on “Love In” is Helen Uncapher who would co-wrote both sides of the Rovin’ Flames next release, “How Many Times” / “Love Song #6” with John Delise. As producer of these discs, John Brumage at H&H seems to have been responsible for placing both Noah’s Ark and the Rovin Flames with Decca in 1967.
Hi! I am the Dennis Dalcin that you’re looking for who put out Kaleidoscope Magazine back in the late 80’s/early 1990’s. I have copies of all the issues left, but I believe I’m totally out of #4. I will search my remaining boxes to see if I still have any copies left. If not, I can scan my copy of it for you. The part 2 of my Ronny Elliott interview was originally scheduled to appear in issue #5, but I was just too burned out doing everything myself that I never did an issue #5. I still have the full interview if you’re interested? Please email me and we can get you that Kaleidoscope.
I look forward to hearing from you! You have a FANTASTIC site!! Keep up the great work! All the best, Dennis.
this is what happens when you google your own name, you find a great page like this that brings back a flood of memories. During my years there, I produced and co-produced about 200 singles, the most notable being “Snoopy vs. The Red Baron” the mega hit single by the Royal Guardsmen.
In those days my goal was to get a Gold Record, and it’s hanging on the wall next to me as I write this.
Helen Uncapher was my wife at the time, and her and John Delise enjoyed throwing lyrics back and forth at each other. “Love In” was certainly derivitave from the Fugs song, tho it was not too obvious to me at the time.
The Tampa bay music scene was very active at the time, Marjorie Sexton and another Promoter (sorry i forget his name) operated teen dances in rented halls, all in all 5 or 6 venues that used 2 live bands each Friday and Saturday night. I believe the freshness of the Tampa sound came from these live performances. Bands introduced new material at these dance events, honing them from watching the kids react. Because there were always two bands at these events, they also met and heard the other bands, and auditions and jams were not uncommon.
Yes, the Flanging in “now That Summer is Here” was intentional. Charles Fuller was a small Television and Radio commercial producer with a great radio voice. I discovered him in the Yellow Pages, and hung around until he eventually hired me. Part of my deal was that i could use the facilities for my own projects during off hours, and we would split the proceeds, if any. All the equipment was home brew or radio station leftovers, we never had more than two track recorders until after the success of the “snoopy” record.
I want to mention another Tampa Band “Noah’s Ark,” their drummer, Bobby Caldwell, became the drummer for Johnny Winter.
Thanks again for a wonderful site.
John It has been wow…like a long time i think the last time you were living in Palma Cia which strangly enough i bought a house just a few houses away from where u were and it overlooked Palma cia golf course…i was “rodie” 4 the Rovin’ Flames and worked for a short time 4 Charles Fuller…..hope 2 here back from you
Some of those rented halls and teen dance centers had a very young group in their teens. Do you remember the Bee’s Knees with their handmade white store and two drummers in 1967?
Bobby has been successful in relaunching and touring with a new Captain Beyond. He’s mentioned your name with relationship to Noah’s Ark over the years. There were other recordings done by the band in NYC that were never released. Do you have any recall those tracks? I’ll tell him about your posting.
Do you know Robert Hitchcock? He used to play the drums for Rovin’ Flames. He was close friends with all the guys in the band.
I used to work with JR at a factory named Shuron Textron in the 70s. The place made eye wear. We used to pal around together and I visited him in his mobile home in Land O Lakes where he lived with his wife and a dog or two,we used to pick magic mushrooms from the cow pastures near by but Jr would not touch the stuff. JR would let me go thru boxes of records and keep what I wanted. He didnt seem to care about the stuff anymore Needless to say I went for the psyc and local stuff. I got tons of stuff including 45s by Tropics, Epics, Outsiders and naturally The Rovin Flames. JR marked flames out on some of the records and wrote Things because he wanted to change it to that at one time.
He once told me he had a live tape of the Flames somewhere but he was never motivated to find it even though I bugged him. I remember him being as being a funny guy who was afraid of trying pot. The record store he owned was called Sun Bums and it was on Fletcher Ave in the same building where Vinyl Fever first opened. I lost contact with him in 1978 or so and just found out from this blog he was dead.To bad I would have liked to look him up someday.
Dan Drummond Co Owner Mojo Books and Music Tampa Florida
Hi Dan, having grown up in Tampa, I remember all these guys and married close friend of Mouse and JR Maietta and bassman of the Bee’s Knees Roger Kruzell. Memories, seems like the best of times… Kathy Kruzell
Jimmy “Mouse” Morris passed away.
Rob Hitchcock was with Jimmy when he passed away and also attended his funeral.
Rob passed away 6/1/2010.
so sorry to hear about JR and Mouse along with John ( cant remember is last name ) who played with the band and lived with me 4 a while in the 60s ….it was johnny and it will come back 2 me at 3am…but i was the “roadie” 4 the flame’ s for a while…spent alot of time at JR’s house back in the day…wow there were alot of GREAT local band’s and places for them to play I remember Les…another name who ran the INN CROUD and i was the LIGHT SHOW ( not much of one but 4 back then it was ok ) i got a whopping $5.00 a night…wonder what i did with all the money ! BTW Jonnie was reported to overdose on Carbona Huffing.so sad
I believe John Rogers or Rodgers was the name you were trying to recall,Since I’m writing this ,I’ll put my two cents in (for what it’s worth).I answered an add in the PennySaver paper(about 1965) about some one trying to put a band together. Well at practice I met J.R. and all he had was a guitar player and of course himself, I was not impressed but I kept practicing and the members kept changing until it started sounding right.then our lead player quit, then enters Paul Battle who was a bitter enemy of mine,and needless to say I quit.A couple years later I got a call from J.R. to rejoin the band,and yes that was me on drums playing “how many times” which was the B side of love song #6.P.S. hey terry ,haven’t seen you since key west in 69′!
Eddie, I remember when you lived on Valle Dr. I was much younger than you but you used to let me watch you practice. I was in total awe. I was about 10 years old and to be that close to a real rock and Roller was amazing. Afterwards we would watch Saturday afternoon science fiction shows on you fathers color TV. I hope all is well and know I am now a 60 year old rock and roller. I seem to remember you in the Outsiders. Thanks for being kind and giving me some great memories.
Michael give me a call sometime.I would like to swap information from the past 50years.678 914 3293 thanks!
Les Solomon ran the Inn Crowd. John Delise was the lead singer. Both have passed on.
What about J.R. and Mouse did I not hear about?
This is as thorough a documentation of a Tampa Band as anything I’ve seen. I remember this band.
They were definitely the “real deal” -thanks for doing such a great job of recording some rock and roll history.
The book Florida’s Famous & Forgotten has a good history and the records they recorded in the book. The book is long out of print.
Do you know whatever happened to Paul Battle?
Paul Battle passed away March 7 2011 and was living in Bufford Ga.
Thank you 4 this web site..i was at safty village the day the Rovin’ Flames took the photo…..again THANK YOU !
Larry Crusott was a roadie, I guess with the band. They were friends in school and I have a picture or two of the group (with Larry) that I have never seen anywhere else. Larry passed away in 1999. We were married 30 years. Mouse called him just a few weeks before he died and that really made Larry feel good.
My brother is Dave Tabak. I was only 6 years old when he joined the band. They used to practice in our family room which for a 6 year old was a really big deal. John Rogers stayed with us for a short while and he was trying to teach me how to play the organ. I was a total pest when the band was trying to practice and to pacify me they asked what song I wanted them to play for me. I still remember asking them to play the theme from the TV show Batman. One night they surprised me with a private concert for one playing my request. They were a great group of guys who all treated me like their little sister and I’ll never forget how proud I was of my big brother Dave Tabak!
Interesting site with some great recollections of that time period. John Brumage was my step brother also has passed away. Played with first Mike and the Variations later Mike and the Hurricanes and eventually Sir Michael and the Sounds, I went on with the help of many Tampa musicians composed and produced 35 songs (28) at my YouTube site in the mid 80’s. Buddy Richardson (outsiders.Noah’s arc and White Witch etc) played guitar on most of the selections, Even though all except one song were my compositions Guitarists drummers and base players etc were given freedom to put their interpretations into the production, Most of the lyrics were not mine though many of the Hooks were.
Obviously, my influences go all the way back to even before the English rock invasion (even Doo-wop) lol. Would appreciate any commentary of the creations which weren’t uploaded until 2018. Feel free to contact me at my email addresses rucott@hotmail.com or ruc468@hotmail.com
My site
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCocgR5q4Z3VJDS9w0hoB7Kg/featured
Volume One were first choices Volume 2 were others, Haven’t decided on the remaining. Unfortunately the others (most recent uploaded are the first ones you see, Have to go to video’s to see the most viewed selections,
Any idea where the band may have toured/ played around February 1966?
Yes, what a wonderful site. Sorry to hear John has passed away. I read in the comments below. Around 60 seven, maybe I was in the band Our gang We had won the Battle of the bands Jacksonville civic auditorium. Well we One a recording session at Charles Fuller production studio in Saratoga. I still have my copy of the 2 songs we did! Well, I guess it was John that recorded us. And he was doing the final mix On Snoopy’s Christmas song and played it for us. I remember playing with the Bells that were hanging on the wall. They were used in that song. He did a wonderful job. Needless to say, It became a huge hit. You still hear It every Christmas. Wonderful memories rest in peace, John.