Next came Andy and the Playboys (no recordings as far as I know), and in 1964 Andy and the Manhattans, whose 45 on Cardon Records I’m featuring today.
“Double Mirror Wrap Around Shades” is a good bit of jivey r&b, an original by Anderson, like the flip. It charted at #40 on the August 28, 1964 chart of Chicago station WLS 890 AM.
“Tell Her Yourself” has vocals that sound very folk-influenced, though the backing is simple garage r&b.
Also that year they had two singles on Musicor, “Should’ve I” / Desperate” (I haven’t heard either song) and “Skinny Minnie” / “Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide”. After the Manhattans he recorded as the Buggs on Soma, featuring Bobby Jones (later of Aorta) on drums, then retired from professional music to go into medicine.
In a sad and gruesome end to the tale, on May 21, 2009 Anderson shot his wife Karla then himself. A news report on KMTV (no longer on the station’s website) didn’t elaborate on the circumstances.
Sources include Rockin’ Country Style, Rockabilly Bash (link defunct) and chart info from ARSA (link made private).
Thank you to Michelle Monnette for sending in the photo at top.
Andy also led a band called The Rolling Stones circa 1959, he cut many great rockabilly discs including classics like Tough Tough Tough ( a demo version cut at Sun is on a Bear Family CD), Gimme A Lock Of Your Hair (Century) and You Shake Me Up (Apollo). his story was featured in an early issue of Kicks mag.
Let me know if you want any info on the Banshees of Project Blue (Dunchwich) fame, I wrote about them in Kicks #3, the rhythm guitarist– John “Jack Boy” Smead was my super for 20 years and had lots of great photos, inlcuding some when they were called the Fugitives.
I think that’s a different Andy Anderson – he was from Mississippi and also recorded with the Dawn Breakers. He’s still alive, I believe, and has his own website where he’s selling prints of his doodle art! Check it out:
http://www.andyanderson.com/doodle.htm
The Applause single was issued nationally as Liberty 55321 (Billboard April 10,1961)
I agree that the Andy Anderson who led the Daybreakers is a different guy.
Used to hear Andy and the Manhattans at local bar in Omaha in 1965. Group consisted of Andy (lead guitar), bass, and drummer, who, unfortunately, was blind. Great sound. Favorite was an original, “Cinderella”. Always wondered what happened to this group. Agree, very sad ending.
They were later called just “ Andy and Ray” he and Ray Bomer on base. Played at Pal Joeys in Ralston for quite a while
I absolutely loved Andy and the Manhattans when they played in the early sixties. I am stunned of his passing and the circumstances surrounding it.
RIP, Bob
Andy was married to my cousin, their daughters and her lived with us for a little while, my mom and I thought he was fantastic, nice guy to, he got me interested in playing the guitar, been a musician ever since he actually gave me my first guitar, an old airline lap steel and matching amplifier, and a kay vanguard, single pickup. I wish I still had them. he also would bring me all of his latest recordings, I had all that you mentioned above and then some, don’t have those either damn it, but do have a lot of promotional photographs and articles. very strange end to his story, I don’t buy it. to many similarities to other things happening around that time. I am not alone
Robert “Andy” Anderson did indeed cut at least one record as “Andy & the Pla-Boys”! It is “Your Pretty Lies” b/w “Keepin my Eyes on You” on the Dawn Cory label. I have a copy of it. I live in Terre Haute, IN and how I come to have it is that it was apparently pressed at the Columbia Records plant here in Terre Haute. Dawn Cory probably used Columbia to press its vinyl, so it would have been mastered in Chicago then sent here for the press run.
They also recorded, “Skinnie Minnie.” That was Ray Bomer’s mthers name and I am his neice. My mother had the ’45 of that song.
I just loved Ray !! His wife too. What kind gentle people !!
to john wright bob was married to my cousin I wrote the post above yours he was part owner of dawn cory records his mother in law was dawn his daughter is named dawny cant remember who cory is or was a local band in the Omaha ne. area called the rumbles recorded on that label also they are still around with only one original member drummer steve huff my email address is jjj56@cox.net
john I wrote the post above yours jjj56@cox.net or 712 256 5035
i also had had that record at one time wish i still had all that stuff he was # 1 around these parts back then they would have made it big if not for an unscrupulous manager they were so popular that in 1964 or 65 the #1 radio station around here koil bought them a brand new gto convertible with a custom tiger striped paintjob and all the guys girlfriends or wives wore tiger striped bikinis i have pictures of that
I always loved the name, “Andy & the Live Wires” – Andy thought he needed to change himself somehow. I was with him in ’63 and ’64 when we played a new club on Farnum and about 25th called Yano’s Manhattan. And when we did the Buggs routine – that was during that time – combed our hair down and did the Skiffle instead of the Wobble onstage. The original piece above is CLOSE, but the chronology is incorrect. Also, I played bass and vocals (not drums), and Jerry Rabuck played drums with us. When Jerry and I left, Andy got Howie Anderson (no relation) on bass, [and I’m stuck on recalling who the drummer was – forgive me], but those guys did “Wrapped Around Shades” and “Tell Yourself.” (The blind drummer mentioned was Rick Gray, but I don’t think on those records – I could be wrong.) I spoke with Andy less than six months before he died, and we had many laughs – we were wonderful friends. I live in Calif, but some point I must meet Robyn, his daughter.
Jack Clark was on drums and played with Andy & The Live Wires but I do not know all the details. He was my uncle. I never got to meet him as I was in his sister’s stomach when he died of cancer in 1974. I do have the 45 record of “Maggie” and “You’ve done it again” in which he played drums on, displayed on my bookcase. My mom has a lot of details and I believe my grandfather Harold Clark had a lot to do with the band as well. Wish I could have met him, however I enjoy listening to him play and am fortunate to get to do so.
Did you play with them when they recorded you’ve done it again and Maggie . I am jack Clarks sister who was the drummer on those recordings
The drummer on Double Sided Wrap Around Shades was Mikel Wilson. He was my husband’s dad. I know this because we have the newspaper article.
For further clarification, I am married to Mikel
Wilson’ s son. Mikel
married Connie Cornish
of council bluffs, Iowa.
They had 3 sons,
Michael Daniel, who
was connies first son, with Don Edwards who Mikel adopted in 1964.Michael always lived with Mikel and Connie in Lake Manawah in Council Bluffs. My husband, Michael, now 57,knew Howie and Andy. Although he was very young he remembers going to Penny Park to watch the band shoot bows and arrows. They left Iowa when Michael was 6yrs old and their next son Anthony Wade Wilson had just been moved to southern California and stayed with Mikel’ s oldest brother,Don Wilson. Mikel continued his career as a musician playing and recording with bands such as The Righteous Bros, Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, Leon Russell, Doobie Bros, Tom Jones just to name a few. The list is quite extensive. Mikel lost his life in 1984 in a motorcycle accident in Anaheim, Ca. Michael, Tony and Max are still with us. Michael and myself would love talking to you and exchanging stories. Our #’s (area code 417): 664-7751 or 288-8734 or 650-5396 or we can just do it here. Thanks and happy rock n rollin.
Hello, This is Howie Anderson.
Yep, I am still around in Omaha
Love to hear from you.
Hi, Howie, do you remember that old beatup piano I gave you when I bought my new one? I especially remember the fun times across the street from Lloyd and Larry’s apt. Loved the music.
Hey Howie!!
I’ve been hoping and wishing that I could connect with for YEARS!! And especially when Andy left this earth. Would you most kindly get directly: Lakeand24th@verizon.net
We gotta get down, brer!
Cheers………………BobbyJones
my brother played drums on Maggie and you’ve done it again only . then they split up. they made another record which was not released called ” Aligator Stomp.
I do not doubt that the drummer on Double sided wrap around shades was MIke?
you may email me or find me on facebook
would love to hear more.
brenda.padre@gmail.com
Brenda Meyer
Falls City
profile is beautiful great grandbaby 🙂
Blessings be
Hi Bobby,This Howie Anderson.
I always wandered, what ever happened to you.
I used to hear from Mike Treat from time to time.
The last I heard he lost his eye-site.
That was several ago however.
Love to hear from you.
I am still in Omaha.
4/2/20
to bobby jones I have some posts on garage hangover I have some pretty cool pictures of you guys you may already have them ? I would love to talk with you I have had fairly recent contact with dawny she may be able to hook you up with robyn I think that as much of the rich history of the local music scene back then should be remembered and preserved I would be more than happy to mail you a bunch of this stuff if you like my e-mail is jjj56@cox.net and ph# is 712-256-5035 if no answer leave message have a peaceful day my brother rock and roll forever
and lets not forget skinny minnie and let your consience be your guide on musicor records. ya gotta love the sixties! keep talkin we cant lose it!!! i have some great photos. someone please help show me how to post them on the internet
Andy was my dad.
I was telling dad’s story around the campfire last night and found this site. So very cool. I am 45 and dad had pretty much given up music by the time I was born. He had been married to Dawn and they had 2 daughters: Dawn & Robyn. Dad and Dawn divorced and around ’66 he married my mom, Karla Kochenderfer. I am their eldest and have 1 younger sister, Erin. They stayed married until their death in 2009.
Sadly, we were never close to his first 2 daughters and after his passing we have gone our separate ways. We aren’t in contact with them.
I LOVE reading this stories. I have a few of his records and a small stack of reel-to-reels. I even found a receipt for the $65 that they were paid to open for the Rolling Stones here in Omaha. Pretty great 🙂
I followed in my dad’s footsteps a bit but never enjoyed the same level of “fame.” I fronted three local Omaha bands “Lavender Couch,” “Echo Farm,” and “Goodbye Sunday.”
The “couch” was an all girl band and we had a pretty good local following. We released a cassette tape around 1992.
Echo Farm was a bit more successful- we could pull in a decent crowd – but due to some personality conflicts, we didn’t last long. We released a Self Titled CD.
Goodbye Sunday barely got started before I left, in 2005, to have my baby girl. We didn’t record.
I never went back to music after my Ella was born but hope to again someday.
Thank you all so much for keeping these stories and history alive. It’s truly incredible!
Peace and Love to you all!
This must be the Andy Anderson of ” Andy and Ray” who performed at Pal Joeys in Ralston and I remember Andys wife Karla was a nurse at Douglas County Hospital. I remember them singing “Cinderella” many times. Am I correct? Ray was bass player Ray Bomer I think from Council Bluffs
Larry Johns, you are correct. I played at Pal Joey’s at that same time, ( Churchill & Emshwiller) and I remember going to hear Andy & Ray. I also used to listen to Andy and the Manhattans downtown at Mickey’s on 15th and Farnam. We had a band then called “The Rogues” and we played there on Sunday afternoons. When we finished Andy and the Manhattans would play and we would stick around to hear them. They were very good then.
Jim,
What a great tribute to Dad. I appreciate all of your effort that went into this article!
Dawnie
drkanne@hotmail.com
402-639-9621
Hi Dawn –
I tried so hard to find you – well before Andy passed away – and I wasn’t getting anywhere. I sent a letter to (I THOUGHT) you, but it came back… I finally got together with him and he & I had a terrific time. I was thrilled to get together and hang out. That was about six months when I got the call. I’m still dealing with it.
Surely you remember so many nights after the gig, Bob & I were drink Champale and listened about records for hours…
Please send me a reply directly – Lakeand24th@verizon.net.
Lots of love…………..Bobby
Yes Larry it was and Ray and his wife Sylvija are still in Omaha.
Would you have any idea how to contact Ray Bomer ?
Hi Larry, I am Howie Anderson, I played at Yano’s New Yorker with Andy and Mike.
I was with Andy and recorded Tell Her Yourself and Double Mirror.
Ray used to live about a mile from me. In Omaha.
I believe he passed away about a year ago, (Sorry)
Ray came in when I went back to school.
About 1966 or 1967, I could be wrong about the dates.
Andy was special.
Ray Bomer was my husband of 52 years prior to passing on in 2019. We have two daughters. He was a great father, grandfather. He never lost his love of music and played with the worship team at Lutheran Church of the Master. We miss him every day, and reading the little bits you mention of him, warms my heart. Thank you for remembering our Ray.
Ray was just a genuine nice guy ! Always had time to visit with us between sets at Pal Joeys. He always seemed shy to me. I went and visited with him and his wife I believe Council Bluffs after I got sober in 1975. I’ll never forget how kind and gracious you both were to me !!! Thank you so much
Hi Silvija –
I knew Ray and I remember vividly – I never met you but I knew Ray was married – and all the way straight with all of the silliness. If you remember Don Marsh and were great pals. Ray would sit in when Tiny Lewis had his group; and when B.B. (Dwight Brown) left to go with Eddie Cash, Ray got the gig.
So you were the wife I always met. I’m lovin’ that you together 52 years. So beautiful. Me, I’ve kept it alive, mostly playing at church. Several flavors over the years, but at the moment, we are now Lutherans. What a quinky-dinky-dink THAT IS!!
Lots of peace……………….Bobby
love reading all the stories and info , ive been out of the loop for a bit , 712-890-8759 , deadhead4251956 [at] gmail [dot] com , keep talkin and remembering my hero Andy
To Ann Shaughnessy, I do remember the piano.
It took 3 of us to get it in the basement, and 6 to get it out.
Hope you are doing well.
Howie Anderson
Hi Dawn –
I tried so hard to find you – well before Andy passed away – and I wasn’t getting anywhere. I sent a letter to (I THOUGHT) you, but it came back… I finally got together with him and he & I had a terrific time. I was thrilled to get together and hang out. That was about six months when I got the call. I’m still dealing with it.
Surely you remember so many nights after the gig, Bob & I were drink Champale and listened about records for hours…
Please send me a reply directly – Lakeand24th@verizon.net.
Lots of love…………..Bobby