They released one excellent single on Music Mill 404, “My Kinda Woman” / “A Swingin’ Summer”, both by T. Martin and G. Carter, publishing by Levelland BMI.
I don’t have much info on the group, other than those two names T. Martin and G. Carter. Their drum head has a location, a short word ending in “t” – Hurst, TX maybe?
The Images came in third place out of 11 bands, at the July 25, 1965, Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands”.
Thanks to the meticulous scrapbook kept by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present the photo of the group and their set list from the July 25 battle-of-the-bands.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
The Images set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965
On July 25, 1965 the Visions were one of eleven groups at the Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands” with Larry & the Blue Notes, the Jades, the Images, the Kasuals, the Motovators, the Naturals, the Barons, Chas Christy & the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers and the Coachmen. Emcee was Bill Warren of WXOL and Fred Slater hosted the show.
Thanks to an amazing scrapbook created by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present a photo of the group, their promo card and even a partial set list.
Panther-a-Go-Go used as many as four stages, a main one in center, another up in a central balcony, plus stages left and right on the floor. The Visions were the sixth of the 11 bands, they played on the right side stage, and their nine songs included “Twist and Shout”, “Summertime”, “What’d I Say”, “Walk Don’t Run” and “The McCoy”.
The Visions came in last in this particular competition, but would have lasting success in the future.
Visions set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965
Of the three Texas records on their own Vimco label, my favorite is the fantastic “She’s the Girl for Me”, with the moodier “Take Her” on the other side.
In November the Visions would re-release “Take Her”, this time with a great version of “Route 66” on the flip. In March of 1966, they made their last Texas single, the heavy “Humpty Dumpty” backed with a version of the Beatles’ “You Won’t See Me”.
That summer of 1966, the group moved to Hollywood, CA, where they would record for Warner Bros. and UNI, make some TV appearances, and sign to Buddah Records with different group names, Sugar Canyon, and the Rock & Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Co. of Philadelphia.
More information, videos, and many very small photos can be found at Billy Dalton’s website.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
Bo Yale, Garlin Holcomb (Garland Halcomb?) and Junior Allred ran the Party Line Club in Fort Worth, TX. The Motovators auditioned at the Party Line Club on July 1, 1965, but may not have received any bookings.
I don’t know the Party Line Club’s address, but the same owners opened another night club, the Tracer Club, located at 5123 E Lancaster Ave in Fort Worth, TX.
The Tracer Club opened on June 1, 1965, advertising “Table to table telephones • Closed Circuit TV • Carpeted walls • 4,000 square feet of luxury – Something New For Texas“. Kay Harris made her vocal debut with Jim Jones & the Chaunteys.
Gary Payne and the Play Mates appeared at the Tracer Club on September 10, 1965. This was the band Phil Reece and Jimmy Smith joined after the Motovators split up.
The Rondels appeared there in April and May, 1967.
If anyone has more info on these night spots, please contact me.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
Motovators at the Holiday Hop April 3, 1965The Holiday Roller Skating Rink in 1965
The Holiday Skating Rink was located at 2920 Carson St. in Haltom City, northeast of downtown Fort Worth, and just a block away from Haltom High School (where the Jades, the Barons and the Motovators attended school). It was later known at the Holiday Skatium.
Starting in May, 1964, the Jaycees sponsored weekly teen nights at the rink called Holiday Hop or Holiday A-Go-Go, run by KFJZ DJ Mark Stevens. The Motovators played at there at least five times in 1965. Below is a partial list of Holiday A-Go-Go shows:
January 23, 1965 – “Battle-of-the-Bands” with the Motovators, the United Sounds, the Jades (2nd place), the Barons (1st place), the Coachmen and the Images.
February 13, 1965 – Valentine Dance “Holiday Hop” with the Motovators and the Images
March 6, 1965 – Motovators and the Barons
April 3, 1965 – Motovators and the Barons. Photos taken by Donnie Fisher. The Motovators are sporting their new striped coats and yellow shirts from Foreman & Clark, $13.84 each.
On April 25, 1965, the Star-Telegram ran a full-page feature on Holiday A-Go-Go, with photos of the audience and two photos of a band, likely the Creeps, who are mentioned in the article.
On May 29, 1965 – the Holiday a-Go-Go 1st Anniversary show included Larry & the Blue Notes, the Chaunteys, the Jades and the Barons, but not the Motovators.
July 10, 1965 – The Motovators and Larry and the Blue Notes. The Blue Notes ask Terry to join them for a three-day tour, but he turns it down because of two prior Motovators bookings.
September 18, 1965 – the Barons and Jack & the Rippers
December 4, 1965 – the Jades
April 2, 1966 – the Mysterians
April 8, 1966 – Battle of the bands with the Jades, the Esquires, the Mods, the Kasuals, the Nomads, the No-Names and the Cynics.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
Holiday Skating Rink, not sure if this is the Motovators or another group
National Hall, April 2, 1965, from left: Dale Morgan, Terry Hungerford, Mike Langston, and Terry Fagan with Roger Young on drums.The Capris at National Hall, April 2, 1965Charlie Christy & Crystals, National Hall, April 2, 1965
The National Hall SPJST is located at 3316 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, Texas. It still exists.
It was a popular spot for polka and western bands, but featured a few shows of rock bands during 1965. The Motovators played three shows here. Photos were taken at the first two shows.
April 2, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands with the Motovators, Charlie Christy & the Crystals and two groups I am not familiar with: the Capris, the United Sounds. Emcees were Bob Allen and Bill Warren of KXOL. Lineup at this show was
June 18, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands. The Motovators debuted their new stage suits. The lineup at this point was Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Mike Langston, Phil Reece on guitar, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or possibly Jerry Smith).
June 26, 1965 – Larry and the Blue Notes
July 2, 1965 – the Motovators played for 25% of door, DJ Bill Warren hosted
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.
The Motovators on stage at National Hall, probably June, 1965Haltom High School friends at National Hall, April 2, 1965National Hall, June 18, 1965, Roger Young (on drums), and Mike Langston with maracasThe Motovators, June 18, 1965: Phil Reece on guitar, Roger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy SmithRoger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or Jerry?)from left: Mike Langston, Terry Hungerford, Roger Young (on drums), Phil Reece and keyboardist Jimmy
The Jolly Time Skating Rink was located at 1001 Miller on the east side of Fort Worth. A scrapbook kept by Terry Hungerford’s mother shows the Motovators would play at the rink at least nine times between February 27 and July 31, 1965.
The Barons, the Kasuals, and the Coachmen appeared with the Motovators on certain dates. Other than her scrapbook, I can find almost no documentation of other shows at the rink. Jim Jones and the Chauntays also played there according to an interview Jim Jones did with 60sgaragebands.com.
February 20, 1965 the Motovators auditioned with KXOL DJ Bob Allen and rink manager Doyle Goodwin
February 27, 1965 – First Motovators show at the Jolly Time Skating Rink, with the Barons
March 13, 1965 – with the Kasuals. The Motovators played an original by Terry Lee Hungerford, “She’s Gone” that they had recorded earlier that month. This was Phil Reece’s last show with band, the following Monday he announced his departure to Bobby Crown’s band.
The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965
April 24, 1965 – “one band, 10 to 12, $8 per man”
May 15, 1965 – with the Coachmen (“one of the Coachmen played as 5th member of Motovators”)
May 29, 1965
The Motovators and Bob Allen from KXOL at Jolly Time Roller Rink June 26, 1965
June 26, 1965 – after the show Terry, Roger and Donnie left to Villa Acuna, Mexico at 4:15 AM, returning home later than they expected on Monday causing some trouble on what was Terry’s 18th birthday.
July 9, 1965
July 17, 1965
July 31, 1965 – last Motovators show at the Jolly Time
The Motovators at Jolly Time A Go Go, July 1965
Terry Lee Hungerford would join Jerry Williams & the Epics in 1966. Starting in the 1970s he would be part of several bands including Ripe Chops, the Freedom Band, the Other Brothers Band, No Respect, Road Crew, and the Terry Hungerford Blues Band. He worked for Pacific Bell and even opened his own BBQ restaurant, Hungerford’s Finest in Watsonville.
Terry passed away on February 20, 2019.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.
Another shot of the Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965. Note what appears to be Terry Lee’s Gretsch “bikini” bass with a teardrop body.
There’s not much information on the Hi-De-Ho Dancing night club, also known as the Hi-De-Ho Lounge. It was located at 3406 Azle Ave in Fort Worth, and as of 2020, the building still exists as the Rodeo Tavern.
The Motovators auditioned with manager Andy Anderson on December 4, 1964, then played ten shows at the Hi-De-Ho Lounge between December 5, 1964 and January 1, 1965. They received $10 per person except for New Year’s Eve, at $25 each.
On December 24, Jimmy Moore left the Motovators, and Dale Morgan joined on lead guitar. Terry Fagan moved to rhythm guitar.
I have no photos of the interior. An ad to sell the business appeared on July 27, 1965 in the Star-Telegram.
Le Joli Roger Lounge, also known as the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth
The Motovators played the Jolly Roger Lounge on May 29, 1964. It was one of the band’s first live shows, with the original lineup of Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Terry Fagan, and Jimmy Nobles.
The sign in the photo reads Le Joli Roger Lounge, but one ad I’ve seen lists it as the Jolly Roger, located at 4016 White Settlement Road on the west side of Fort Worth. I believe it has since been demolished.
A December 25, 1964 classified ad to sell the business.
The East Coastmen, from left: Don Newsome, Mike (surname unknown), Alan Partin, Spiller Anderson, Charlie Harbrook, Thom Clement, Dave Herndon, and Bob Kerwin. Photo submitted by the estate of Joanne Tluchak, Virginia Beach
The East Coastmen were not a garage band, but a revue or pop group with horns, listed in Billboard’s Campus Attractions issue of 1971.
Don Newsome commented with the names of the members, so I’ll add them here:
Don Newsome – Bass Mike (surname unknown) – Sax Alan Partin – Drums Spiller Anderson – Trumpet Charlie Harbrook – Trombone Thom Clement – Keyboards Dave Herndon – Frontman, lead singer Bob Kerwin – Lead guitar Gary Ricks – Trumpet, trombone
Personal Manager was D.C. Auman. They were booked by Attractions Ltd in Hampton.
Bob Kerwin sent in songs cut on a two track machine at D’Arcy Studios on 21st St in Norfolk, version of Ollie & The Nightingales “Girl You Make My Heart Sing” and Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’.
The East Coastmen, from left: Charlie Harbrook, Dave Herdon (wearing hat), Bob Kerwin, Thom Clement, Alan Partin, Mike (unknown last name), Spiller Anderson, and Don Newsome. Missing is Gary Ricks, trumpetThe East Coastmen, from left: Bob Kerwin, Spiller Anderson, Alan Partin, Charlie Harbrook, Dave Herdon, Thom Clement, Mike (unknown last name), and Don Newsome. Missing is Gary Ricks, trumpet
Rockin’ Gibralters, from left: Rusty Crumpton, Ronnie Monroe, Sonny Grier (seated), Ed Sanford, Bobby DuPree and Keith Brewer
The Rockin’ Gibralters came out of Montgomery, Alabama, making four singles between 1966 and 1968.
Members were:
Sonny Grier – vocals Rusty Crumpton – lead guitar Ed Sanford – keyboards Keith Brewer – bass guitar Bobby DuPree – drums Ronnie Monroe – trumpet (and roadie?)
I haven’t been able to find details about their history yet.
I’m not sure which was their first single but it may have been “Go With Me” / “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” on Morgan HV-9040 from 1966. Sonny Grier and Keith Brewer wrote “Go With Me”, with publishing by Granny Music. The band’s name is spelled Rockin’ Gibraltars on the labels.
This is their most “garage” single, with harmonica but no trumpet, and some great screams from Sonny Grier on “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”.
The Rockin’ Gibralters next single was probably “It Will Stand” / “I Can’t Help Myself (For Loving You)” on Empire 447. The B-side is another original by Brewer and Grier, which I haven’t heard yet.
The Gibralters released their next two singles on their own RG Records label, fashioning a fine soul sound on each. The different label designs and numbering suggest different studios or pressing plants.
“Bug of Soul” is an original by Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, on RG Records 480. The trumpet plays an important part in the sound of the band by this time. I’m not sure if “It Will Stand” is the same version as the Empire single or a new take. Release date was about November 1966.
“What’s Your Hurry” is their most produced single, with what sounds like vibraphone as well as piano. Crumpton, Sanford, and Grier wrote that side, while Crumpton, Sanford and Brewer wrote “The Bare Essential”, the ostensible A-side, though I haven’t yet heard it. Lowery Music Inc. published both songs. Release was December, 1968.
In 1968, Ed Sanford, Keith Brewer and Bobby DuPree would form a group called Heart, with Johnny Townsend and Tippy Armstrong of Tuscaloosa’s Magnificent Seven / Rubber Band. Heart would play the Whisky a Go-Go in Los Angeles and cut one single on Reprise Records 0772, “The Train” (J. Townsend) / “Heartbeat” (Brewer-Sanford-Townsend-Dupree-Crumpton), both Hollytex Music Co. and produced by Bob Hinkle.
I’m not sure what Sonny Grier, Rusty Crumpton or Ronnie Monroe did after the breakup of the Rockin’ Gibralters.
Rockin’ Gibralters discography:
Morgan HV-9040 – “Go With Me” (S. Grier, K. Brewer) / “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” (TK4M-2418/9) 1966
Empire 447 – “It Will Stand” / “I Can’t Help Myself (For Loving You)” (Brewer, Grier, pub Fame Pub. Co BMI) SO 3338/9
RG Records 480 – “Bug of Soul” (Crumpton, Sanford) / “It Will Stand” November 1966
RG Records 1118 – “The Bare Essential” (Crumpton, Sanford, Brewer) / “What’s Your Hurry” (Crumpton, Sanford, Grier) both Lowery Music Inc., BMI
The photo at top came from the very interesting Tuscaloosa Beach Music site which is now unfortunately defunct but available, in part, on the Internet Archive.
The Hey Baby Days site has a few more photos of the Rockin’ Gibralters, including on stage at the City Auditorium.
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
