Happy to be kicking off the new vinyl DJ night of my old friend, DJ $mall ¢hange, at the Half Moon at 48 S. Front St. in Hudson, NY 12534 this Friday, Jan 24, 2025.
All kinds of (old) music, including garage. Come out and say hello.
The Buck Rogers Movement, April 1968, from left: Karl Larson (Carl Larson), Beverly Rogers, Buck Rogers, Rod Trembley, Cynthia Trembley, and Bill Wanat
From Holyoke, Massachusetts, the Buck Rogers Movement cut three singles on their own 21st Century Records label in 1967 and 1968, then continued for a couple more years until tragedy struck.
The first mention of the band I can find comes from the Holyoke Transcript-Telegram on September 20, 1967, noting the group “formed only three months ago”.
The group is somewhat unusual in that it has two married couples within its membership: Roderick Trembley, lead guitarist, Mrs. Cynthia Trembley, rhythm guitar; Buck Rogers, sax; Mrs. Beverly Rogers, organ. Also members of the group are: Carl Larson, bass and William Wanat, drums.
Rod Trembley came out of a Chicopee band called the Del Vicounts, who competed in the Jaycees Western Massachusetts Regional band contest. Other members of the Del Vicounts included Tym McDowell, vocals; Pierre Provost, bass, George Barsalou, drums, and Michael Dubiel, rhythm guitar.
December 1967 shows at Mountain Park in Holyoke
The Transcript-Telegram ran a photo of the Buck Rogers Movement on April 25, 1968, with some inconsistencies in spelling from the earlier article: Buck Roger, Beverley Roger, Cindy Trembley, Rod Trembley, Carl Larsons and Bill Wanat.
It claims “Buck holds an exclusive song writer’s contract with United Artists.”
“We like the clean sounds of the Buckingham[s] and The Young Rascals,” Buck says.
… they find time for bookings like the Showboat in New York City and a two-week tour in Labrador. The group has appeared at Mountain Park, the Catacombs, and at every Hullabaloo in New England.
The article notes Carl was a student at Chicopee Comprehensive High School and Rod Trembley attended Northampton Commercial College.
signed by Buck Rogers!
Copyright registration lists Buck Rogers real name as Herman Joseph Rogers, sometimes rendered as “Bucky Rogers” or Herman J. Rogers.
Registration dates are interesting, as some are a year or two before the recordings:
June 25, 1965: “You’ve Got Me Hurting Again” Sept. 16, 1965: “Radio Station Commercial” Oct. 19, 1965: “Here I Go Again” Nov. 8, 1965: “Do Christmas Trees Really Grow?” Nov. 22, 1965: “Come on Home” Oct. 18, 1967: “Would You Believe?” Nov. 8, 1967: “Take It From Me Girl”
WHYN DJ Dick Booth informed me he produced “Do Christmas Trees Really Grow” at Audio Dynamics in 1967, but not their other records. At the time he was booking them in shows around Springfield, MA and Stafford, CT.
21st Century Records 601: “Would You Believe” / “Baby Come Home” 21st Century Records 602: “Do Christmas Trees Really Grow” / “Music to Watch Christmas Trees Grow” 21st Century Records 603: “Take It From Me Girl” / “LA”
signed by Karl Larson (not Carl Larson as news clips indicate)
H.J. Rogers wrote all six songs, publishing the first two with Trish Music, and Unart Pub. on the third.
“Baby Come Home” was issued twice, the second time with the title changed to “Baby Come On” which sounds closer to what is being sung. Note that the signature on “Would You Believe” is Karl Larson, not Carl.
There was some local radio chart action, for example, “Would You Believe” reached #8 on WHYN on November 11, 1967, and “Take It From Me” reached #9 on the WAIC top ten on April 13, 1968.
At some point, Karl Larson left and was replaced by Ray Mason, who had just graduated high school.
The Atlanta Journal had a report on February 24, 1970 headlined Sniper Suspected of Earlier Attack:
Twenty-four hours out of Albany, N.Y., the Buck Rogers Movement was awake, anticipating arrival in Atlanta where they thought they had a contract to play rock music in a midtown nightclub.
Harlan Cornelius, the bearded, 24-year-old guitarist for the group was working on a list of songs the group could do, and discussing his choices with the rest of the group.
Buck Rogers, 29, the leader, was driving his gold convertible south on I-85, and turned on the car’s interior light so Harlan could see his list.
About 60 miles out of the city, a car whipped around the group’s rented trailer and pulled alongside. A young man inside hollered, “Fink.”
“There’s your ‘Easy Rider,'” Rogers said, remembering how the two motorcyclist in the movie had been scorned and abused by people who thought long hair and beards repugnant … he turned away the insult, and held up the two-fingered peace sign to the pair in the other car.
The car, a black compact – he thinks a Falcon – with lots of chrome, and raised on its axles, slowed down and allowed the group to pass. As they went by, one of the youths gave a vulgar finger signal in return.
Later, Rogers told the Atlanta Journal Tuesday, they saw the car parked alongside the road, with its two occupants standing at its opened trunk. “When we saw them parked, we thought they were getting a jack handle or something,” the band leader said.
You’d be surprised how much aware we were that something was going to happen – we definitely knew they were looking for trouble.”
Shortly after midnight, they found it. Rogers saw the car approaching in his rear view mirror. “I heard the first shot, then as he drove past, I saw the kid with his arm out the window.” Through the glass of his rolled up window, Rogers saw the flash of the gun, apparently aimed at his face.
“Then Harlan said ‘I’ve been shot; I’ve been shot,'” Rogers recalled. His wife, Beverly, turned around and saw blood coming from the guitarists nose. “He put his hand down and said he thought they’d gotten his eye, but I looked at it and said No, it’s still there,” she said.
Rogers said the shot that hit Harlan came through the cloth top of the convertible.”
“I think the way America is today, that’s the way things happen,” Rogers said. “Those two guys started something, and they just had to finish it.”
Detective W. Tony Crook said the same sniper may have been involved in a similar incident in DeKalb Count a week ago, when a shotgun blast was fired into a car as a woman was driving on I-20 …
Meanwhile the group waiting Tuesday in Atlanta for their companion, who will be in the hospital for a while. The job they thought they had didn’t pan out, and Rogers said he may have to wash dishes or drive a truck until they get another booking.
The group had just returned from a USO show in Laborador and Greenland.
For all their concern about the future, they are still mainly concerned about Harlan.
“He’s an easy-going guy, and he wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Beverly added. “After he was hit, he kept asking if Ray (Raymond Mason, 19, the bass guitar player) was all right,” she said. Ray had been sitting on Harlan’s right.
Police are working on the theory that the sniper just didn’t like people with long hair, and the Buck Rogers Movement does, indeed wear its hair long. “It’s the style that’s in with the music,” Rogers said. “You just can’t look like Bill Haley and the Comets.”
But sometimes it’s not a good idea to look like the Buck Rogers Movement.
The Journal followed up on February 25, noting the epithet shouted at the band was either “fink” or “freak” and noting the assailants’ car was a black Ford Falcon, and the second shot “penetrated the front door of the car”:
The rock guitarist wounded on the Northeast Expressway by a sniper definitely will lose the sight of his left eye, his father said Wednesday.
Harry Cornelius, in Atlanta with his wife to visit their wounded 24-year-old son, Harlan, said surgeons at Grady Memorial Hospital have not yet removed the bullet which struck their son Sunday night.
The bullet [entered] the musician’s skull near the left temple.
Harry Cornelius said his son never lost consciousness during the ordeal, although the wound was painful.
The Corneiliuses are from Glenville, Minn., a small town in the southern part of the state that has about 700 residents.
“I can’t understand how this could have happened. We don’t have anything like that in Glenville. Do you think the ones who did it could have been on drugs?”
The Springfield Union ran an article about a benefit at the Paramount Theater tonight to help a fund being collected for Harlan Corneilius and the Buck Rogers Movement “which calls itself ‘The White Soul Group'”.
The bullet his lodged in his sinus passages, and doctors at Grady Memorial Hospital … were still undecided whether to remove the bullet.
The groups performing tonight … are The Fat, The Glass, and Sin.
On May 5, 2000, the Daily Hampshire Gazette profiled local musician Ray Mason who “spoke about the shooting: ‘I was asleep in the back, and I woke up to see our guitar player with blood all over the side of his face'”.
The Atlanta Constitution gave a summary of the events on April 4, 1970:
On the night of Feb. 23, the Buck Rogers Movement was bound for Atlanta for an engagement of a local night club.
They stopped for gas near Commerce, Ga., and as the car entered the expressway, the car containing the assailants sped around the musicians’ car.
The driver of the musician’s car, “Buck” Rogers, said he held up two fingers in a peace sign.
Closer to Atlanta, the group noticed the car again, this time parked on the side of the expressway, and the two occupants were standing beside the open trunk.
As the musicians neared the North Druid Hills exit on I-85, the other car roared up again and one of the occupants fired into the musicians’ car, hitting Cornelius in the head.
DeKalb County police said Friday they have located two prime suspects in a case in which a rock musician was shot in the head while in a car with other musicians while coming into Atlanta on the Northeast Expressway. But, the pair will probably never stand trial for the offense, officers said.
Officers said the suspects had been bragging about the incident in the Paulding County community in which they live.
Location of the suspects followed a month-long investigation by Detectives C.H. Staples and Tony Crook …
But the musicians involved couldn’t agree on the description of the car from which the night rider fired, except that it had round tail lights and that it was raised in the rear end, police said.
Identification of the suspects by the victim or witnesses is necessary in this case before any further action can be taken, police said.
The rock group, the Buck Rogers Movement, has left the metro area to fulfill other engagements. “They had to make a living,” said Smith.
The victim, Harlan Cornelius who played lead guitar has returned to Minnesota.
Although the group is noted as a sextet in these articles about the shooting, only four members are named: Buck and Beverly Rogers, Ray Mason and Harlan Cornelius. I suppose Ray Twombley and his wife had already left the group, and have not seen the drummer’s name listed.
An obituary in the Leader Press noted that Harlan Cornelius passed away at age 35 on October 6, 1981. It noted Harlan performed with the USO, managed the Carlton Stewart Music Stores in Mason City and Waterloo, and entertained with Gordon Lennevold.
Harlan Cornelius played guitar, co-produced, and wrote three songs for Gordon Linn’s album Wild Oats, and played guitar, lap steel and banjo on Mike Price & the Townsmen LP, I Found You Last Night (And I Lost You Today).
The Buck Rogers Movement may have broken up soon after the shooting, as there are no further notices that I have found. I’d appreciate more info or photos of the band.
My good friend Jim (aka DJ Small Change) interviewed me (pictured above) about politics and music for JasonCharles.net, and I made a short mix of Hudson Valley records to accompany it.
The mix features five 7″ ballads, an album cut by jazz saxophonist Nick Brignola, and an acetate – all recorded at Kennett Sound Studio. I also included both sides of 45s by the Dirty Elbows and the Teddy Boys because they’re Hudson Valley artists and sound right here.
Tracklist:
The Cleaners – How I Feel Riccardo & the Four Most – There’s a Reason The Kynds – So If Someone Sends You Flowers Babe The Dirty Elbows – I Love You Girl Teddy Boys – She’s So Sweet and Kind Teddy Boys – Don’t Mess With Me The Dirty Elbows – To Carry On The Cleaners – Walking Through the Fields The Villagers – Cry On Nick Brignola – The Mace
The Five Flys, from left: Rich Murlo, Tony Tonon, Steve Kucey, Skip Nehrig and John Gallagher. Photo courtesy of Tony Tonon
The Five Flys released their only single “Livin’ for Love” / “Dance Her By Me” in 1966. It was the last single on Samron Records S-104, and the only one with Coaldale, PA on the label.
Members included Rich Murlo, Tony Tonon, Steve Kucey, Skip Nehrig and John Gallagher. They were from the Coaldale area in Schuylkill County, like Angie and the Citations.
Five Flys and the Chevelles at Tam-Au-Go-Go Bandstand, Mahoney City, August 1965
The Five Flys played local shows in Coaldale and Mahoney City in 1965 and 1966, and further away in Allentown and Bethlehem.
A report of an August 1966 show at St. Joseph’s in Summit Hill described “music for street dancing by the Five Flys”.
Thank you to Tony Tonon for the photo. I would appreciate more info on the Five Flys.
Five Flys at Jamaican A Go-Go, Bethlehem, July 1966, days after the King’s Ransom and the Scott Bedford Four
To celebrate 20 years of Garage Hangover I will be spinning some records at Do The 45 Rock ‘n’ Soul Party at Quinns in Beacon, NY on Friday, July 12, with old friends and fellow DJs Pete Pop (garage collector extraordinaire) and Phast Phreddie (who has known everyone cool in the music world since 1973).
Here’s a little-known group, the Canadian Legends, who recorded on New Orleans labels, and whose only member I know of is Ronald Buro.
Their first record contains two crude covers, “I’m a Believer” (spelled “I’m a Beleiver”) with lyrics rewritten for U. of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football (tip of the hat to Kip). This release presumably dates to shortly after Alabama’s victory in the Sugar Bowl on January 2, 1967 against Nebraska, which is mentioned in the song.
The flip a version of the Knickerbockers’ “Just One Girl” that is almost unrecognizable from the original. This version does have a lot of charm, however.
Later in 1967 came their second, “Happy” by Ray Stevens backed with an original by Ronald Buro, “One and Only”.
Their last record has two originals by Ronald Buro, “Can’t You Spare the Time” / “Where Were You When I Needed You” on Polar 102.
This Canadian Legends group is considered unrelated to the Legends, a Wisconsin group sometimes based in Miami that had been recording since 1961, including “Just in Case” / “If I Only Had Her Back” and “Alright” / “How Can I Find Her” on Parrot in 1965, and “How Can I Find Her” / “Raining in My Heart” on Thames (and Date) in 1966.
By February 1965, they were being billed in Miami as the Canadian Legends (“originally from Ontario, Canada” according to the Tampa Times), with Sam McCue on lead guitar, Larry Foster on guitar, Jerry Schils on bass and Jim Sessody on drums. Rick Jaeger from the Beau Gentry also played drums with the group from about October 1965 to early 1966. The Beau Gentry also had Wisconsin connections, recording on Ken Adamany’s Feature label.
To further the confusion, a version of “One and Only” shows up on the B-side of the Chessmen’s “The Lycra Stretch” on Suncrest, a label who had only one other release, by The Invaders, a Miami group who were good friends of the Legends.
I have heard the Chessmen version but not the Canadian Legends version yet, so I can’t tell you if it’s the same performance or not.
The Villagers came from Sarasota County in Florida, just south of Tampa. Some or all of the members graduated from Riverview High School class of ’65.
They cut one fine record “Joann” / “Glad You’re Back” on Dale Records 107. “Joann” is a fine teen-type original by Jim Spoto. “Glad You’re Back” is an excellent fast-tempo original by Neal Larson, with neat harmonies and driving drumming.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune featured a photo of the band on July 7, 1964, describing them as:
… a recently reorganized ensemble … a formerly all male group, now includes the talents of Gretchen Holland at the drums. Other musicians, from left, include, Ken Larsen, Jim Spoto, Neil Larsen and Bill Burgsteiner.
The Tampa Bay Times reported on May 6, 1965 that the Villagers came in third place at the Suncoast Star Parade talent contest at Bayfront Center, with members listed as Gretchen Holland, Kent Larson, Jim Spoto, Wally Kirsten and Neil Larsen.
A notice in the Tampa Tribune on September 23, 1965 gives a different lineup:
Bradenton – A free concert will be given at Cortez Plaza Shopping Center Saturday at 5 p.m. by “The Villagers.” The rock ‘n roll recording stars consist of Kent and Neil Larsen, Jim Spoto, Grechen Holland and Wally Kirstin and have won many honors through the state.
The record and articles have variations in spelling, Neil or Neal, Larsen or Larson.
At a 45th reunion at Riverview High School class of ’65, the Villagers played with a lineup of Bill Burgstiner, Jim Spoto, Harold Harms, and Kent Larson.
Somehow the record ended up on a New Orleans label, Dale Records 107, with mastering codes 133-3552/3. The code prefix 133 is unfamiliar to me.
It was recorded by Rick Jarmon, who is also unfamiliar to me. I cannot find any other credits for his engineering or production.
They were a talented group, and I wish they had made more records.
The Dynamics recording at Atlanta Sound Studios, 1967. From left: Steve Diehl, Bruce Allen, Stanley Newman, Ronnie Osborne, and Bob Garrett
The Dynamics Unlimited released one 45 on the Rose Records label, the melancholy “The Tide Rises” (lyrics taken from the poem by Longfellow) b/w “Baby Let’s Wait” on Rose 2890. Publishing is through Margie Music, BMI. The RCA custom press # U4KM-4910/1 points to a 1967 date.
The band then backed Jerry Ashley for his single on Rose 2091, “Don’t Tell Me Why” / “Come to Me”, two originals by Ashley also published by Margie Music.
The Dynamics on break at an officers’ club. From left: Bob Garrett, Stanley Newman, Bruce Allen, Steve Diehl, and Ronnie Osborne
I knew nothing about the Dynamics until drummer Bruce Allen contacted me in April, 2024 generously sharing the photos seen here:
Dynamics promotional photo, early 1967
My name is Bruce Allen, and I was the drummer for the Warner Robins, GA band known as The Dynamics Unlimited. I was one of the three founding members, along with Stanley Newman and Bob Garrett. About 1965-6 we added a keyboardist, Steve Diehl, and a bass player. At first Dan Ross (dec.) played bass for us, but by the time of our recording of “The Tide Rises”, bass was being played by Ronnie Osborne.
Beginning in about 1966, Steve Diehl’s father, Mr. Carl Diehl of Warner Robins, managed the band and handled all money matters. The band members were paid proportionally after each performance.It was during 1967 and 1968 that we had the promo photos made, played as a studio band for Jerry Ashley on one record, and recorded our version of “The Tide Rises”, and “Baby, Lets Wait”. Many weekends (we were still in high school) were taken up with rehearsals and local performances. During spring and summer breaks we performed further afield at several Officer’s Clubs, Battles of the Bands, and private clubs. Mr. Diehl was a fine gentleman and took great care of the band when we traveled. No one did drugs or even drank much alcohol. It was a fabulous way to spend our later high school years.
Regarding Jerry Ashley, I only recall The Dynamics Unlimited performing as a studio band for him on two or three recordings. I don’t recall performing with him outside of the studio.
Dynamics promotional photo, 1967Bruce Allen’s Ludwig drums, 1966
I left the band in 1968 after performing a show at Ronnie Barn’s club in Macon GA during late summer, after which I passed out and was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Because the doctor told me that I could not play for at least six months, and because we had bookings, I sold my 1966 Gold Sparkle Ludwig drums with Zildjian cymbals and all of my interest in the band and equipment to Ricky Hughes of Warner Robins, who played drums for the band until the band dissolved in about 1971-72.
I have lost touch with Ronnie and received no reply from what I believe to be his last address in Seneca, SC. All the other band members are deceased. Bob died first in (I believe) Nashville in the 1980s or 90s. Steve Diehl went to serve in Viet Nam about 1971 as a helicopter pilot, was decorated for bravery, and on return to civilian life he drove a heavy rig for (I believe) Hunt Transportation company. He died of a heart attack several years later. I do not know what happened to Steve’s marvelous Hammond B3 organ. Stanley went to work at Robins AFB and died about ten years ago, and Dan Ross was a prominent business man in Warner Robins in the auto industry, and died within the last ten or so years. So, as far as I know, I am the only member of the band that is still living.
Ronnie Osborne on bass, at recording of The Tide Rises 1967
I went off to the University of Georgia in Fall of 1968 and got a degree in Chemistry in 1972. I then went to medical school at the Medical College of Georgia, earned an M.D. honors degree in 1976, did a residency there in dermatology, and taught on the faculty until 1983. I entered private practice in Dermatology in Macon, GA in 1983, where I practiced until 1994. I left medicine in 1994 to run two LLC businesses, and in May of 2007, the Prince and the Government of Liechtenstein appointed me as the first diplomatic consul in history for the Principality of Liechtenstein. I still perform that job as a State Department accredited Honorary Consul.
Bruce Allen of the Dynamics in the studio, 1967Yours Truly, Cathead Dooley CD
I have continued to play drums and today have three sets of drums (Ludwigs, Gretsch, and Roland Pro Vs). In the 1990’s I played drums with the GEDA Allstars for three years (a band formed by the Economic Development Authority for the State of Georgia). I also had a very successful band in the early 2000’s called Cathead Dooley and we performed tours in Wales during 2003 and 2004. We recorded a CD of all original material called, Yours Truly, Cathead Dooley.
All photos courtesy of Bruce Allen.
Bob Garrett and Ricky Hughes would join Coldwater Army, who recorded a good blues-rock album Peace for Agape in 1971.
This is a 2024 update of a basic post from 2014.
Clippings for the Dynamics and Steve Sanders at Macon Auditorium
6 Tickets to Shangri-La and The Ides of Love each had one 45 on Talmu Records. The groups sound alike, and all four songs were written by the team of Ed Malinowski and Tom Flynn.
6 Tickets to Shangri-La released “Lovely People” / “I’ve Got To Find A Way” on Talmu 311 in February, 1968, with Leroy Kirkland arranging and Fred Giachino producing.
The Ides of Love released “Hey Mister Wise Man” / “Something So Pretty” in November on TAL 314, this time with Joe Cain producing and supervising.
Cash Box reviewed both 45s.
I cannot find copyright registration for any of these songs, but Talmu and Giachino registered two other Flynn/Malinowski songs in January, 1968: “Objection Overruled” and “She’ll Make Me Happy”. I suppose a demo of these should exist somewhere, and it would be good to hear them.
Talmu Records had a New York City address.
I’d appreciate any further info on Tom Flynn and Ed Malinowski’s musical careers.
Today I’m featuring two rockabilly artists, George Quarta Jr. and Bob Cribbie, who both grew up in Hudson, New York.
In 1959 they each released a 45 on the Cool Records label out of Harrison, New Jersey. George Quarta Jr. cut “Get Loose” / “Don’t Move”, and Bob Cribbie made “Vow of Love” / “Rockabilly Yodel”.
Cool Records attracted artists from Florida to Vermont. The Hudson connection might be coincidental. The records do not sound similar and may have been cut at different sessions or studios. What makes me think this could be more than coincidence is the 45s had successive release numbers: Bob Cribbie on Cool Records CJ-117, and George Quarta on Cool CJ-118.
George Quarta was born on December 21, 1931 and died on September 6, 2017. Quarta’s obituary states “He performed in the Hudson area including at the old Community Theatre where billboards of George lined the walls as the girls excitedly gathered to hear him sing and play his guitar.” The Community Theatre still stands, but has been disused for decades.
Bob Cribbie’s vocal on “Vow of Love” is straightforward, but his delivery on “Rockabilly Yodel” is very much “outsider” in nature; he certainly has an odd sense of timing! Bob became known as a idiosyncratic yodeler, appearing on radio and late night TV under his own name and then as Avalanche Bob.
Did George and Bob know each other? I have no idea. Nearly everyone involved in these records has passed away.
What was the connection that brought Hudson NY artists to record at Cool?
It was likely veteran talent scout Jim Small, of nearby Elizaville, NY.
Jim Small and Slim Whitman after WCOP’s Hayloft Jamboree, Cash Box May 16, 1953
Jim Small’s ten years of mentions in trade publications hints at the tough life of a record A&R man.
In 1953 and 1954, Jim received mentions in Cash Box as manager of WCOP, Boston, and business manager of New England’s “Dude Ranch Jamboree” out of WJAR-TV, in Providence, RI.
Billboard, Sept. 29, 1958: Jim Small of Elizaville, N.Y. .. has accepted talent-scout duties with Johnny Dee’s Vitam Distribution Company, Harrison, N.J., and Johnny Ponz’s Ace Records, New York. Jim will cover Dee’s three labels, D, c.&w.; Vitam, pop, and Cool, rock ‘n’ roll. He’ll cover c.&w. and rock ‘n’ roll for the Pony label. Small, who was laid up most of last winter with pneumonia, says he’s good as new again.
Cash Box, October 11, 1958:
Jim Small … has been chosen by two record companies as a national talent scout. One is Vitam Distribs of Harrison, N.J., which has three labels: the strictly country “D” label, the pop Vitam, and the rock ‘n’ roll Cool label. Small will represent all three. The other outfit is Ace Records, New York, which will add country releases to its pop catalog.
(I am not familiar with a Harrison, NJ “D” label. It could be that it was not used because of Pappy Daly’s D label out of Houston which started earlier that year. I know of only one release on Vitam, Ray King and the Joe Derise Orchestra, “Can It Be Love” / “I’ll Always Love You.”)
Billboard, November 24, 1958 reported:
Visitors at the desk last Wednesday en route to the Nashville deejay festival, were promoter-manager Jim Small of Elizaville, N.Y. and a pair of his artists, Dick Sawyer of Stratford, N.Y. and Neil Swanson, who for the last four years has appeared on “Teen-Age Barn” TV show originating in Schenectady, N.Y … Sawyer’s initial release on Cool Records, “Sandy” b.w. “New Kind of Lovin’,” is due for early release.
The Glens Falls, NY Post-Star on August 6, 1959 mentions talent scout Jim Small in connection to Gerald Galusha, who made a record for Cool as Jerry Edwards, “Shedding Tears” / “Easy to Please” on Cool CJ-128.
Billboard August 3, 1959:
Jim Small, A&R man with Joe Flis’ Milo Recording Company, Harrison, NJ, has taken over the personal management of three Cool Records artists – Dave Osborn, Johnny White and Artie Davis. Small recently ushered Osborn to Wheeling, W.Va., for a guest shot on WJVA’s World’s Original Jamboree. White’s newest Cool release couples “Cryin’ Room” and “Rose in the Garden,” while Davis’ new one on that label is “Book of Love” b/w “Hawaiian Boogie.”
Billboard, April 4, 1960:
Jim Small, who has been associated with the c.&w. music field more than 25 years, has been named vice-president of Milo Recording Company, Harrison, N.J., by owner-manager Joe Flis. Jim has long served as talent scout for Milo and organized the firm’s c.&w. department with its Cool label. Small is presently in De Land, Fla., recuperating from an attack of ulcers which laid him low for several months. He is continuing with his scouting and auditioning during his Florida stay. With him is his right-hand man and assistant, Dave Osborn. Small’s home and office is in Elizaville, N.Y. [Dave Osborn came from nearby Hillsdale, NY, and made records on both Milo and Cool.]
Jim Small’s A-B-S Records label in March 1963: the artist pays $300 for 300 records … future royalties uncertain. George Quarta and Bob Cribbie probably made a similar deal with Cool Records
Billboard, July 25, 1960:
Jim Small, Veepee of Milo Recording Company and Cool Records, Harrison, N.J. is currently on a talent-scouting expedition thru Pennsylvania. Touring with him are his assistants Bud Bailey and Bob Weiss. Dave Osborn, who worked with Small out of the Cool branch in DeLand, Fla. the past winter, is spending the summer with his band in his native New York State. He will return to Florida with Small in the late fall. Jim reports that he is amazed at the amount of solid c.&w. talent that has been overlooked in Pennsylvania.
Billboard April 13, 1963:
Jim Small, president of A-B-S Records, Inc., Elizaville, N.Y., is back in action after spending most of the last 10 months in the hospital. Small has named Bud Bailey as general manger of A-B-S. Firm last week released a new one by Mickey Barnett and His Wranglers, “Just a Memory” b.w. “I’m Sorry I Cheated on You,” both penned by Mickey himself. A new A-B-S religious release spots “I’ve Been With Jesus” and “When I Move” as done by the Missionaires Quartet of Miami.
The Wilmington, Delaware News-Journal March 10, 1964:
Howard Rash, a songwriter and singer of country and western ballads, has purchased ABS Records from Jim Small of Elizaville, N.Y., and DeLand, Fla.
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
Although the group is noted as a sextet in these articles about the shooting, only four members are named: Buck and Beverly Rogers, Ray Mason and Harlan Cornelius. I suppose Ray Twombley and his wife had already left the group, and have not seen the drummer’s name listed.
My good friend Jim (aka DJ Small Change) interviewed me (pictured above) about politics and music for JasonCharles.net, and I made a short mix of Hudson Valley records to accompany it.
To celebrate 20 years of Garage Hangover I will be spinning some records at Do The 45 Rock ‘n’ Soul Party at Quinns in Beacon, NY on Friday, July 12, with old friends and fellow DJs Pete Pop (garage collector extraordinaire) and Phast Phreddie (who has known everyone cool in the music world since 1973).
Their first record contains two crude covers, “I’m a Believer” (spelled “I’m a Beleiver”) with lyrics rewritten for U. of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football (tip of the hat to Kip). This release presumably dates to shortly after Alabama’s victory in the Sugar Bowl on January 2, 1967 against Nebraska, which is mentioned in the song.
The Villagers came from Sarasota County in Florida, just south of Tampa. Some or all of the members graduated from Riverview High School class of ’65.
They cut one fine record “Joann” / “Glad You’re Back” on Dale Records 107. “Joann” is a fine teen-type original by Jim Spoto. “Glad You’re Back” is an excellent fast-tempo original by Neal Larson, with neat harmonies and driving drumming.
A notice in the Tampa Tribune on September 23, 1965 gives a different lineup:
6 Tickets to Shangri-La and The Ides of Love each had one 45 on Talmu Records. The groups sound alike, and all four songs were written by the team of Ed Malinowski and Tom Flynn.
Today I’m featuring two rockabilly artists, George Quarta Jr. and Bob Cribbie, who both grew up in Hudson, New York.
Bob Cribbie’s vocal on “Vow of Love” is straightforward, but his delivery on “Rockabilly Yodel” is very much “outsider” in nature; he certainly has an odd sense of timing! Bob became known as a idiosyncratic yodeler, appearing on radio and late night TV under his own name and then as Avalanche Bob.
