The Long Island Sounds came from Branford and East Haven Connecticut. They achieved a fine surf sound on their two singles on Wonder Records 165 and 166.
Their first single was “Tiger” / “Lucky Guy”, followed by “Don’t Cry Linda” / “(Ballad of) Marvin Crump”.
Members were:
Fred O’Brien – lead vocals Tony Pragano – harmony vocals Angelo Frisketti – lead guitar Tom Hanlon – guitar and harmony vocals Bobby Pasternak – keyboards Jack Russell – drums
Fred O’Brien wrote all their songs, published by Checkmark Music, owned by Arthur Czech, which also published the North Atlantic Invasion Force “Blue and Green Gown” / “Fire, Wind and Rain” among others.
“BRS” etched into the runout of the second record indicates it was likely recorded at Broadway Recording Studios in New York.
I’ve seen Tony Pragano’s name spelled Pregano, not sure which is correct.
Gary Steffins & the Fugitives 5 “I’m a Lover” / “Back Track” on RMP is an obscure 45 from one of the suburbs of Chicago, from March, 1966.
The lead guitar is strong on both sides, especially the neat instrumental “Back Track”.
A couple of photos have turned up on youtube videos, but I haven’t seen a list of band members.
On August 16, 1975, about nine years after the record, the Atlanta Constitution ran a profile of Daphne’s Lounge at the Sheraton near Hartsfield airport, with an interesting paragraph:
The band of the moment is Crystal Ball, a group formed five years ago in Chicago and now relocating to Atlanta. Gary Steffins handles most of the vocals and plays the congas. Other personnel are Steve Farrell, lead guitar, his brother Bill [Farrell] on drums, Joe Grimm on keyboards, and Greg Curbow on bass.
Surely the lineup changed in the intervening years, but I would like to know the names of the original group on the single.
Claud Stuard [sic] – Claude Stewart, or Claude Steward?Bands and musicians from Schenectady, Albany, Poughkeepsie, and other areas traveled to Kinderhook to record at Earl Kennett’s studio.
A number of lacquer demos (commonly called acetates) of various sizes remained when Kennett Sound Studio closed and the property sold. Many of these demos are of the Cleaners (later known as the East Coast Clique), the group Kennett worked with the most. Others duplicate the recordings that would be released on 45 rpm records.
Below is a list of demos by unknown artists, in approximate chronological order. Because Earl was blind, many were unlabeled, though Earl’s young daughters sometimes added names or titles. Many song titles below are my guesses based on the lyrics.
Please take a listen to the audio excerpts and contact me if you know any of these artists.
8″ acetate by James Morse, not the same song as the Claude Steward, above. Another 8″ acetate has his name as Jimmy Morse8″ lacquer acetates
Folk singer Greg (surname?), associated with Hudson River Clearwater Sloop, circa 1969. Five songs, may not have been recorded at Kennett as it sounds like a radio broadcast. Hear “My Dirty Stream” with discussion of Sloop restoration
Those Two Plus – “I’ll Be There” / “It’s Rainin’ (Where I’m Bound)” (both by Alex Rotter, arranged by “Those Two”) Kennett Sound 0017, 1969.
Alex Rotter and Dawn Mickle performed as simply “Those Two” in a couple news reports. The Oneonta Star noted on August 10, 1968 that the duo took second place in the Folk Music Contest at the Otsego County Fair.
The Schenectady Gazette ran a photo of the duo on September 17, 1968:
Those Two, folksingers Dawn Mickle of Warnerville and Alex Rotter of Schenectady, who won top honors at the Cobleskill Fair and first in the semi-finals of the State Fair, entertained patients at the Eden Park Nursing home …
I have a 12″ acetate from the Kennett Sound Studio that includes both songs from the single. Another 12″ acetate contains five songs performed by Alex and Dawn which were not released.
From listening, I believe four of these to be original songs: “If I Were Free”, “Take Me to the Land of Lovin'”, “I Can Tell”, and “I Know What You Mean to Say” (titles are based on the lyrics), along with a version of Fred Neil’s “The Other Side of this Life”:
The Kennett Studio labels are blank.
Thank you to Peter Aaron for loan of the Those Two Plus single, and for finding the Gazette article on the duo.
The Venus Flytrap came from Redwood City, CA. Info on the group is a scattershot, so I’ve decided to compile what I’ve found in the hope of getting more information.
They made one great single, “The Note” / “Have You Ever”, released on two different labels.
The original release came on Jaguar Records J-103, owned by Barry Wineroth. It was a hit in the Santa Barbara area, but the band also had a following in the South Bay, which may be why Mijji repressed it on Mijji M-3005, adding a production credit to Gilbert Day, drummer with the Bundles.
The Redwood City Tribune announced the release of the single on August 3, 1967, but copyright registration came later. Both songs have words by Don Danielli (not sure of the spelling – Donald Danelli ?), and music by Dan Sanchez, copyrighted on April 15, 1968 with publisher by Wren Music BMI, and again a week later with new publisher Guard Music BMI, part of Golden State Recorders.
At the time of the single, the Venus Flytrap members were:
Nancy Morgan – lead singer Peter Sessions – lead guitar Dan Sanchez – rhythm guitar Ken Czapkay – bass Debbie Binetti – drums
Bard Dupont of the Outfit replaced Ken Czapkay when he was drafted, and Michele Sevryn replaced Nancy Morgan shortly before the band split.
The Venus Flytrap after the single: from left: Bard Dupont, Debbie Binetti, Pete Sessions, Nancy Morgan and Dan Sanchez
The Venus Flytrap recorded two other songs, “California” and “Gentle Breaker” at Pacific Recording Studios in San Mateo, with Karen Jenson on backup vocals.
Venus Flytrap Redwood City Tribune, August 22, 1969
There is also a live recording from Redwood City (which I have not heard) with a different lineup: Nancy Morgan and Dan Sanchez joined by Jacque Aknin on drums, Charles J. Ashton on bass and Ralph Pena on organ. Songs include “Whiskey Train”, “Paraphenalia” and “Brand New Dress”.
The group played many venues in the area, including the Mt. Carmel Teen Club on December 1, 1967 with the Mourning Reign, and Light show by the Brothers Grimley. I can find notices for the band’s shows as late as May, 1970.
Darline Elswick, Bonnie Borelli and Marge Boutwell headed fan clubs for the group.
Members would join other groups such as the Great Society, Phoenix, New Generation, and Howl & the Raven.
Nancy Morgan (now Nancy Coggins) sent a pdf with b&w collages of photos, business cards etc. Hopefully the originals will be located for better quality images. There’s also a somewhat blurry photo around of Peter Sessions and Nancy Morgan standing in front of the hieroglyphics wall of the Matrix.
The Bay Area Bands site reprints Alec Palao’s article on Bard Dupont from Cream Puff War No. 2, February 1993.
Nancy Morgan was no longer in the Venus Flytrap by the time of this May 29, 1970 article in the Tribune for the People Helping People festival in San Mateo, with Smoke, Clover, and Cousin Roberts and Friends, plus the Illegitimate Theatre.
Eddie and the Upsets, with Eddie on left, and Jesus Escoto on right
Eddy and the Upsets had a number of singles beginning in 1966, sometimes as Eddie Dimas & the Upsets. Most of their singles are Mexican guitar instrumentals or ballads, but “I Got News” sounds very garage. Recorded at Audio Recorders in Phoenix, it was released on Dektr ARA-41668 in 1966 with the ballad “Cry Cry Cry” on the flip.
The band formed at Phoenix Union high school. Eddie Dimas played lead guitar and sang some lead vocals. His older brother was Benny Dimas of the Majestic Five.
Jesus Escoto is on bass in the black & white photo and wrote “So Long”.
I don’t know the names of other members of the ’60s version of the band.
Dave Rivero wrote “I Got News” and the ballad “Don’t You Ever”.
Eddie Dimas at the Id Club on South Central Ave in PhoenixFreddie Brown sings lead on “No Me Tengas Compacion”, the B-side to a single on Christy as Eddy Dimas and the K-Men. Freddie Brown had his own releases on Christy.
Arthur Castro co-arranged “El Mitote”, and Benny Dimas co-arranged “La Vieja Seca”. Ross Benavidez produced a 1970 single on the Lance label.
Johnny Collins produced the Dektr singles, while G.G. Hardin gets production credit for most of the Cristy singles. Christy collected a number of instrumentals for an album El Mosquito on Christy CR 5007.
Edward Dimas passed away on March 8, 2013, and his brother Bennie Dimas on April 12, 2018.
Thank you to Francisco Candia for suggesting this post and for providing info, photos, and scans of the singles.
the schools ‘vocal director’ Donna Buel … Linda Tyra, Nancy Schunk, Janet Miller, Norma Sumner, Shirley Mangold, all 8th graders, Diane Rodenburg, Diane Schwander, Jill Lampe, Mary Schleue, Diane Spencer, all 7th graders, and Jane Labanz, a first grader … An eleventh member was added … in time for the studio ‘take’ … Melody Stinson now a ninth-grader at Oak Hills High School.
The Percussions backed the Sprites for their recording of “Little Latin Lupe Lu” / “On a Slow Boat to China”. The tape was sent to Wakefield Manufacturing in Phoenix, Arizona to be pressed, and the Wakefield code 7234 dates it to 1965.
Even more obscure is their second record, which probably features a different group of children, as the Wakefield number 14360 dates it to 1969 or 1970. “Consider Yourself” (from Oliver!) is about what you’d expect, and features backing by the Percussions (definitely not a rock group). The flip is the gentle and affecting “Jim’s Ballad” featuring guitar by Jim Wenstrup.
The Electros, April 1967, from left: Jim Wenstrup, Frank Luckey, Gene Yuellig, Rick Clark, and Ed Holloway
This must be the same Jim Wenstrup who played lead guitar with the Electros, a group from nearby Elder High School and Oak Hills High School. The Electros included Frank Luckey on rhythm guitar, Gene Yuellig on drums, Rick Clark on bass and Ed Holloway on vocals. The Cincinnati Enquirer ran a photo of the group on April 8, 1967, and mentioned that the Electros planned to cut a record “Chase Around the World” – but if they did I haven’t seen it.
I would like to know more about how the Sprites came to record what seems to be an original song by Jim Wenstrup.
The Ill Bred Mind were high school students from Sayreville, New Jersey, making their only single in 1969. There are no credits on the label, but I believe “How Can You Be Happy Today?” is an original song. The flip is a fine version of “Walk on By”.
My copy is autographed by another member, possibly Gary Jensen. Another copy (see below) has other names & spellings: including Greg Evigan (who became a well-known actor), Garry Jenssen, George B (?), Jimmy Smokey (?). I would appreciate help with deciphering the names. Youtube comments lead me to the name of another possible member: Bruce Elacqua.
The Ill Bred Mind recorded at Photo Sonics Laboratories at 236 Walnut St. in nearby South Amboy, releasing it on P.S.L. 20171.
Marty Ruszala owned or operated PhotoSonics Laboratories, also known as Triple A studio, where he engineered the Jerry Rivera “Lovin’ Man” single on Kim, and Brian O’Connor “How Was I To Know” / “Missing You” on Sayne Records 20168.
I can find two notices for live shows from the Home News, on August 1, 1969 at the Emma L. Arleth School, and at the Sayreville VFW Post 4699 on August 20.
Anyone have a photo of the Ill Bred Mind?
can you help decipher George and Jimmy’s surnames on this single?
The Panics started in 1963, formed at Huguenot High School in Richmond, Virginia.
The lineup was
Jimmy Sherwood – lead vocals and rhythm guitar Bill LaRue – lead guitar and vocals Bill Lyell – bass John Herbig – drums
Dwyane Givens was their equipment manager.
Their only single contains two original songs by Bill Lyell and Bill Larue, the mid-tempo “I Pretend” shows some Beatles influence, and the fast-paced “No More” opens with a Lennonesque “Oh!”
It was released on Shoestring Records SHO 107 in 1965, a styrene record from the Columbia Records plant at Terre Haute, Indiana.
Clyde Atkinson of the Wild Ones and Mickey Russell of the Fugitives also went to Huguenot High. The Fugitives had a single on Shoestring.
After the Panics, Bill LaRue would form a three-piece blues band, Blue Alfred. He would have one more record that I know of as Snelson & LaRue “I’m Tired of Getting Put Down” / “Making Your Mind Up it’s Over” with David Snelson and Cynthia LaRue, recorded at Audio Communications in Richmond.
Anyone have a good photo of the group?
A couple of very small photos of the group are in the booklet to Aliens Psychos & Wild Things vol. 2.
Picture sleeve for first single, with original drummer Skip BordenThe Creations came from Milford, Connecticut, releasing two singles “Crash” / “Chickie Darlin” in July 1964, and “Don’t Be Mean” / “Forty One Willis” in April 1965. Members were:
Chuck Delaney – lead guitar and vocals Howie Plant – rhythm guitar and vocals Danny Gomes – bass and vocals Skip Borden – drums, replaced in late 1964 by Jim Burnham – drums
Danny’s surname is spelled Gomes on the records, but Gomez in some news articles and on copyright registrations.
The first notice I can find for the group comes from the Bridgeport Post on July 28, 1964:
Four local boys, members of a combo billed as “The Creations” in its first recording for Top Hat records, will make a personal appearance at Fladd’s music center in Milford on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.
The members of the combo are Howie Plant, Skip Borden, Dan Gomez and Chuck Delaney.
The group has appeared locally to play for numerous dances and are currently appearing at the Black Cat in Shelton on Wednesday evenings.
“Crash” is a frantic surf instrumental written by Chuck Delaney without a trace of British Invasion influence. Danny Gomes wrote the ballad flip, “Chickie Darlin”.
The band released it through New York label Top Hat Records, TH 1003. Top Hat had Rite Record Productions of Cincinnati press the records, pressing # 12699/12700.
Publishers Palais Royale Music and Marks Tey Music both seem connected to Top Hat Records, as earlier releases on Top Hat included those publishers.
A notice for a show at the Connecticut Post center for the United Fund from October 21, 1964 also includes Skip Borden in the lineup. By December 5, 1964, Jim Burnham had replaced Skip, as the Bridgeport Post ran a photo of the group with new drummer Jim Burnham after a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy fund.
Creations in the Bridgeport Post, December 5, 1964, Jim Burnham joins the group
For their second record, Danny Gomes and Howie Plant co-wrote the pounding pounding Beatles-inspired “Don’t Be Mean”, while Delaney and Gomes collaborated on “Forty One Willis”, which could refer to an address in nearby New Haven.
Released as Top Hat Records 1004, this was again a Rite pressing, using account number 1151 and Rite pressing code 13891/13892.
Like the first single, this came with a picture sleeve, very rare now. The photo on the front can be seen in the video below.
The Bridgeport Post ran a feature on the group on April 11, 1965, written by Barbara Verespey:
Members of the four-man group include Chuck Delaney, 20, who plays lead guitar and organized the original Creations and the present band, Danny Gomes, 18, bass guitarist and his father, Joseph Gomes, the group’s manager. Both boys are graduates of Milford high. Also, Howie Plant, rhythm guitarist, and Jim Burnham, drummer, are seniors at MHS, and aged 17 and 18 respectively. Jim joined the group in October when Skip Borden of Jonathan Law [High School] moved to Indiana, and feels it was his “biggest break.”
All of them sing except for Jim who “occasionally yells.”
Richard Coderre, their personal agent … “the most colorful agent in show business,” said “we’re shooting for the moon” …
Yesterday, The Creations made a return appearance on the Brad Davis show, Hartford. Their first telecast on the show was Feb. 13. Next stop, if plans work out, is a two-week engagement in Bermuda.
“41 Willys” [sic] and “Don’t Be Mean,” which Chuck and Danny collaborated on, were released March 12. The following week, the group cut “And She Lied,” “Wait For Me.” and “Someone New.” Danny and Howie wrote all three.
The four boys, whose hair is styled in the “fad,” released “Crash” and “Chickie Darlin'” last July. The former was written by Chuck, and the latter by Danny, who, incidentally, hasn’t seen a barber in six months.
Since last January, the group has appeared at Milford high dances and records hops at Enfield, Holyoke, Mass., and New Britain. They have played at the University of Bridgeport, University of Connecticut, Yale, Holy Cross, Bay Path and Central Connecticut colleges. The group has also … appeared at the Actors Colony in Derby, the Ambassador in Hamden, the Statler Hilton hotel, Hartford, the Roadside Inn, Fairfield, and the Etcetera Lounge and Golden Slipper in Long Island.
The Creations have just completed a booking at the Villa Rosa in Milford …
Chuck likes … sleeping, and dislikes snobby girls and liver. Danny also is against snobs, and his favorite interest is dating. Howie has no pet peeves and has expressed an interest in medical science. Jim enjoys playing billiards and dislikes liquor.
Head of the group’s fan club at MHS is Mary Gannett, but the Creations have a bigger following at Jonathan Law. Their officers are Barbara Emmons, president; Donna Skinner, vice president; and Gale Anderson, official correspondent.
Announcing the Creations appearance on the Brad Davis TV show, from left: Howie Plant, Chuck Delaney, Jim Burnham and Danny Gomes, Bridgeport Post, April 11, 1965
Three days later the Post ran a notice that the Creations would appear on The Brad Davis Show on Saturday, April 17, 1965, with Gene Pitney. I have seen a photo of the group with Brad Davis, but only have a poor-quality xerox of it.
That’s the last notice I can find for the Creations.
On April 16, 1965, Danny and Howie registered “Don’t Be Mean” and “Wait For Me” with the Library of Congress’s Copyright Office, and Chuck Delaney belatedly registered “Crash”.
On May 27, 1965, Daniel Gomez and Howard Plant registered two of the songs mentioned in the Bridgeport Post feature, “And You Lied” and “Wait for Me”. I have to think the Creations recorded these songs, but if so, no trace of them has turned up so far. Perhaps “Someone New” also exists on a demo acetate.
Paul E. Bezanker’s Connecticut Rocks! has some more info on the band that I need confirmation on: Howie Plant replaced by Howie West of the Realms (“Baby Let’s Wait” / “All I Want” on Melody ME 105). Bobby Sheehan replaced Howie West. Delaney replaced by Frank Woodman, also of the Realms. Fred O’Brien of the Long Island Sounds comes in on bass, and Danny Gomes becomes lead vocalist.
The group changed into the New Creations with Danny Gomes, Fred O’Brien, Bobby Sheehan and Rick Simpson, which became Bone in late 1967. After more lineup changes, Bone had one single “It’s an Easy Thing” / “Everybody’s Gone Into April” on Poison Ring 712 in 1969.
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
The Long Island Sounds came from Branford and East Haven Connecticut. They achieved a fine surf sound on their two singles on Wonder Records 165 and 166.
