Ellis Starkey wrote in about two Shreveport-based bands he played drums and sang with, The Back Alley and The Rogue Show. The Back Alley didn’t release any records at the time, but I hope some unreleased tapes surface so we can hear what they sounded like. Here are the bands’ stories in Ellis’s own words:
In 1966 “The Back Alley” was formed with Ellis Starkey – drummer, vocalist; John Barlish – guitar, vocalist; Bob “Fist” Raley – Hammond organ, trumpet; Kenneth Nealy – trumpet, vocalist; and Gary Rhineheart – bass, vocalist.
We rehearsed where ever we could, sometimes in Mr. Barlish’s barber shop, sometimes the Musician’s Union Hall, sometimes at Fist’s house, sometimes a laundromat, but most of our practice came from OTJT- on the job training!
We played soul music. In October 1968 we played a black club in Shreveport, La., called The Hollywood Palace. We were the first white band to ever play there. The billed us as “The Back Alley – the Blue-eyed Soul Brothers”. We had a packed house! When we started playing no one danced. We had a light show, strobes, black lights, and flashing color lights. I had the strobes turned on the crowd and during the next song the dance filled up! They loved the strobe lights. John played the guitar behind his head, his back, and with his teeth! He was one of the best soul-type singers around. We also performed at the Afro-American Scene, on Texas Street, Shreveport.
The Tau Kappa Epsilon, at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. “adopted” the band and we were able to play all of their dances. They had the BEST “weekend” parties at a private camp on Lake ‘O the Pines, in East Texas. We would bring our camping and fishing gear along with a ski boat and stay all weekend. What a life!
Whenever we needed a date to fill our calendar, I would call Charlie Winn,”The Working Girl’s Friend”, he owned the Bayou Club in Shreveport. We played there alternating with Eddie G. & the Jive Five [who recorded 45s like “Losin’ Boy”, “Go Go Train” and “Soul Feelin'” as Eddy “G” Giles.]
Eddie G, his drummer was nicknamed “Caveman”…he was a tall, big man. One night a fight broke out and one guy told Caveman, “You better watch it…I know karate”. Caveman snarled and said, “I know “ka-38”. Caveman won without a punch!
Eddie G. had a black girl that was his go go dancer, “China Doll”. The night we played the Afro-American Scene, Eddie G. and all his entourage came to see us play. About the 3rd set Eddie sent China Doll up on the bandstand and she started dancing with us. After several songs she flipped off her top. It landed on Gary the bass player…he cracked up when he realized what had happened. He turned every shade of red!
One of our favorite bands was Noel Odom and The Group, they were very good musicians!
“The Back Alley” performed at fraternity and sorority parties at all of the surrounding colleges in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi until 1969. The Back Alley recorded several original songs but didn’t put anything out, we basically played gigs.
The Rogue Show
In April 1969, I received a call from Jerry Hawkins, President of Musicians Local 116 in Shreveport. He said a full-time band needed a drummer and for me to go play with them. I told him that I didn’t feel I was good enough to play with them. He said yes you are…get on out to the club. The band was The Rogue Show and they were in their third year playing at the Shindig. Very rehearsed.
When we started we sounded like we had been together forever…on the first break Dino Zimmerman, guitar player, came over to me, put his arm around my neck and said you are our new drummer. My band The Back Alley had a gig at La. Tech the next night. David Shelton, another drummer, came in and said he wasn’t playng in his band anymore, so I called John Barlish and set it up for David to play with them.
The Rogue Show was Larry Gordy bass guitar, vocalist; Dino Zimmerman guitar, vocalist; David Rowe organ, vocalist; and Ellis Starkey drummer, vocalist.
Another reason the band was so good was because we kept the same four members for the five years the band was together. We played six nights a week and rehearsed twice a week, learning at least two new songs a week for the duration of our band.
When I joined the Rogue Show they had been playing at the same club, The Shindig, for three years. I handled all the bookings in my other bands so I started booking college and high school jobs. We left The Shindig and started playing one nighters, we never did go back to the Shindig. That summer I booked the Bayou Club so we could stay rehearsed and learn new songs for the upcoming “fall school season” Sept. – December.
On October 30, 1969, The Rogue Show opened for the Grassroots at Stephen F. Austin College, in Nacogdoches, Texas. We played 30 minutes before they started. They played 30 minutes and then took a 20 minute break. The Rogue Show played those 20 minutes. Then the Grassroots got back up and played for 45 minutes. It was a big night, it was a pillow and blanket concert in the gym. The place was packed. I signed 5 contracts for school dances before I could pack up my drums!
In February, 1970, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition were booked to play SFA. I contacted the lady that had booked us with the Grassroots. She said that we would not be hired because we were too good! She said we don’t want to make concert bands mad by having a local group show them up. First time I ever lost a job for being too good! We ended up playing just about every dance over the next couple years but we never opened for anybody again!
Dale Hawkins (co-writer and singer of Susie Q) came out to hear us perform. He was working for Bell Records at that time. That next week he had us in the studio at Steve Wright’s in Tyler, Texas. Dale said he would shop it around and let us know.
Jerry Hawkins (Dale’s brother and president of Musicians Local 116) called us and said he wanted to take us to the studio. We went to Robin Hood’s and recorded several songs. Jerry said he would shop it around and let us know.
Jerry called about a week after that and wanted to have a meeting with the band. He told us he had two labels interested, Paula Records and RCA, Nashville. WOW!!! We all talked it over and asked whatever questions we could come up with. It came down to how many cents we received per record sold. Paula Records offered 5 cents and RCA offered 2 cents. Well needless to say went with the higher figure . Major mistake! Knowing what I know now, we should have gone with the major label regardless.
We signed a four record deal over two years. The releases were:
1) Make Me Over Again / Nadine
2) Come Back Baby / Can’t Judge a Book
3) Gretta / Put On Some Love
The “Make Me Over Again” record label shows the writer as Roman Gorky. Ro from David Rowe, man from Dino Zimmerman, Gor from Larry Gordy, and ky (misspelled) key from Ellis Starkey.
Gretta was released one week when it was a “Newcomer Pick of the Week” in Cash Box, Billboard, and Record World, the week of March 25, 1972. The next week no one would play the song, seemed like someone was trying to kill it. In a couple of days Jerry Hawkins resigned as our producer and said that from now on we would have to go through Gene Kent at Paula. I called Gene and set up a meeting.
Gene Kent and I have never gotten along and things didn’t improve this time. There was a time he wanted to be our manager and wanted us to pay him 25%. We said No. I guess this is how he got us back. He said he would handle our selections of songs from now on. I reminded him that we had 1 more release according to our contract. He said OK, but I want you to pick out one of our music tracks of the Uniques and y’all decide on who you want to sing over the track. I said do you mean for one of us to sing over a music bed already recorded by the Uniques? He said that’s it exactly what I mean, like a smart ass. I told him we would not do that and to stick the “Biggest little record shop” up his ass! They sent us a release of contract by mail.
Meanwhile, we were making more money that we ever had. We went to the Orbit Lounge in Bossier City, playing 6 nights per week. In the contract, I stated that we could be off at the club as long as we had a replacement band. I booked the colleges and high schools. We stayed there 2 years and 2 months. When we played at the schools we told everyone to come out and see us whenever they came home. We had big crowds all around.
We played at Hawks Lounge in Shreveport, La. for 8 months. We held the attendance record there with 975 customers paying cover charge of $1.00 per person.
In 1973 we went to the Landmark Club in west Shreveport. We had the same type contract as with the Orbit but at twice the price. We played the Landmark through December 1974. We continued to book all of the best college and high school dances. We performed in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. After five strong years of playing almost every night the Rogue Show hung it up on New Year’s 1975.
Ellis Starkey, 2008
Update: I’m very sad to report that Ellis Starkey passed away on June 1, 2009.
The Rogue Show had a 45 prior to Ellis joining the band, “Look to Me” (Larry Jefferson) / “Little Lonely Summer Girl”. It seems to have been the last release on the N-Joy Records label. If anyone has sound clips of this record, please contact me.
“Make Me Over Again” is such a killer tune. Outstanding, pounding rhythm that sounds just like a piece of 2 lane black top in the Alabama sticks. Love it love it love it. Even blogged it back at the stomp in June of ’06. Thanks for dusting this one off, Chas.
Caption: This sharp looking combo is known as Larry J and The Rogues, a group specializing in rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll and "soul" music. Kneeling, left, is Danny Beaudry, the drummer, while Larry J. Jetterson, the vocalist who also plays guitar and tambourine, kneels at right. In the back row, left to right, are Dino Zimmerman, lead and rhythm guitarist, Paul Morgan Jr., who also plays lead and rhythm guitar and does some singing, David Rowe, organist and pianist, and Larry Gordy, bass guitarist.
Shreveport Times circa 1968?
I completely agree with Westex — TOTALLY AWESOME SONG! I’d love to cover this one, just to satisfy my need to hear it done live!
I remember them as Larry J and the Rogue Show. Larry Jefferson was lead singer. We (The Group) lost to them in a “Battle of the Bands” one year in the Shreve City parking lot. They played a long time at the “Shindig” lounge as we did later when they left. A great band- Dino was great- he knew all the chords!!!!! Still see Larry Gordy at Shreveport Music.
Went to the Shindig in high school. Loved The Rogue Show. Later in life I had a friendship with Ellis. Never knew he played with the Rogue Show. He was playing at the Orbit then. Last heard of him he moved to Oklahoma.
What happened to him.
Sadly, Ellis passed away June 1, 2009
Went to the Shindig in high school. Loved The Rogue Show. Later in life I had a friendship with Ellis. Never knew he played with the Rogue Show. He was playing at the Orbit then. Last heard of him he moved to Oklahoma.
What happened to him.
Those were the good ole days, huh Noel. I saw them at the shindig one time. I saw The Rogue Show every night that they were at The Orbit. Good ole days?? Glad to have it in my past.
Everybody has heard of Robin Hood Brians, Tyler, Texas…check out his photo in The Rogue Show story.
This is like looking at the best “gun slingers” of their time! Everybody in this picture was a Top Gun. There’s a ton of talent in this photo.
Larry J. & the Rogues had a release on N-Joy Records called “Little Lonely Summer Girl”. They appeared on 6 a Go Go, a televised show, many times. Playing 6 nights a week really polished their skills.
Larry Jefferson is correct name.
Finally, the Rogue Show are represented on the Internet! I had found several different Rogue Show 45s and for a long time I couldn’t find any information on them. Now I can put some faces to the music. Thanks Garage Hangover!
David Rowe – organ and vocalist – is my father. I’m sure he’d love to read about this.
Oh, wow, he was fantastic! We booked them for every dance in 73-74. Awesome band, awesome musician!
I am sorry to report that Ellis Starkey passed away Monday, June 1, 2009. He had a major heart attack that he didn’t survive. He was living in Nashville, TN at the time but I don’t know what he was doing. I received a call from his brother a few days afterward.
I just heard from Philip Tuminello that Ellis Starkey passed away, and then read it from this site. Ellis will always be remembered as an easy going person and an excellent musician. Drums was his main instrument and he had as much experience as anyone I know, and that’s what made his beat very solid, even at an early age. He listened well, and applied music well. I believe I first met Ellis at the Orbit Lounge in Shreveport, across from the Main Gate at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA. around 1967 – the year I joined AF of M Local 116 in Shreveport. My prayers to family and all who had the pleasure of knowing Ellis.
I met Ellis thru Dino about ’94. They were room mates at the time. Ellis had a heart of gold! He dedicated a lot of his time to me to help me work thru some really hard times ( even though most people had given up on me ). He is one of the amazing givers who unknowingly saved a life.
I was shocked to read that Ellis passed away a year ago. I actually dated Ellis when The Rogue Show was playing at Barksdale and many of the other locations mentioned. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
I played in a band with him around 1966 our band was called the Empty Hearts.
I was the lead singer in the Misfits at the time I met him. the misfits broke up.
then I went to the Nomads. they broke up and Ellis and I started the Empty Hearts.
I remember going downtown and waiting for him to get off work so we could pratice.
he was a bank teller at the time. he was a very smart guy for his age. when he got off work he said lets go over to the shreveport times and see if we can get the band in the newspaper. I told him we just got together and we don’t know all the songs and we are not tight and were not ready, but we went anyway. I was sure they would not put us in the paper. I was wrong. Ellis had away with people and two weeks later we were interviewed with a photo shoot. He show me that you go after your dreams and don’t stop. well I got drafted in the Army and I had to give up the Band thing. I still play but by myself and write. I will always look up to Ellis Starkey as Man, musician and a teacher of life. God Bless you man!
i just found out that Ellis passed away , he always will have a piece of my heart.
carolyn
Hey Bob, I hope you check this site from time to time because I’ve wondered about your whereabouts for decades. I’m in northern California now but will be back in Shreveport some time this (2011) summer.
Ted,
What happened to the Nomads? I have always been curious. I know that Ricky Ward and Joe Snelling are no longer with us. What about Dinkins and Shular? Thanks,
Jim Blakeley
I was looking at old emails and came across this website again in a message to me from my daddy, Ellis Starkey. I have always loved looking at all of his old glories with him and now that he’s gone I like to go back and relive those happier times again. It truly made me feel so happy and honored to see the love displayed on this page for him. He had a passion for entertaining people and a magnetic charm that touched everyone he met. I know that he would enjoy seeing how much he is missed and thought about even still. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, this was exactly what I needed today.
Thanks to Noel Odem for the mention. Noel Odem causes me to remember his band not only because they were good, but also because they had so many original songs. I think the Rogue Show was so successful after I left the band that some of us earlier members are easily forgotten. Maybe that speaks to my questionable talent! HA! HA!
One day, my brother Dicky Jefferson, called me to come practice with him, Paul Morgan, on guitar and Larry Gordy on bass. Paul & Larry G. had been in a previous band, as had I, so we were soon trying to form a new band. After rehearsing six or seven nights a week, for a long time, my brother decided that was entirely too much practice for a single man! HA! HA! When Dicky did leave the group, to play with all types of other bands, Danny Boudrey replaced him on the drums. It wasn’t very long before David Rowe joined the ensemble, helping to make for a fatter sound, with the addition of his good keyboard work and vocals.
Besides a few gigs, the next big thing that happened was Dino decided to join the band. Soon, the Rogues became a much better group, musically. It was clear to the band members that Dino had more talent that all the rest of us combined, well at least that’s how I felt. He played the best guitar I’d heard, also played the organ, the bass and the trumpet, as well. You know, the really talented musicians play more than one. Never mind that he arranged songs like a pro. I had heard him years before when he led a band known as “Dino and the Cruisers”, and even as a teenager, he was just the best picker around. Anyway, when he joined the Rogues, he soon transformed the arrangements of most all of our songs, to where they were uniquely our own. Dino even got down to the specifics of what Larry might play on bass, Dave would play on the keyboard, and what I should sing. He touched us all….. Danny too!
Not many musicans join a band and quickly take it over, but Dino did that through sheer talent, experience and musical knowledge. He knew more than the rest of us and he had done more than the rest of us, and his picking was second to none. One might say that he was over-qualified to simply join the Rogues, because he was. That is not to say that Danny could not play the drums, or to say that Dave couldn’t handle the keyboard, or Larry Gordy could not play the bass, or that Paul could not play the guitar… they COULD ALL play and play well, but this guy Dino was absolutely a cut above the crowd. He could have been an arranger if he’d wanted to, but he instead chose to be an accomplished musican….. and that he was.
Before Paul left the group, we entered a Keel Rock contest, and with a required orininal song I wrote “Look To Me”, and won the local competition and went on to New Orleans to compete against other States for the Decca sponsored contest. We won that competition as well and did it without Dino playing! His arrangements went with us, but he did not. It seems that the people running the overall contest, limited the group to five members, to travel to the finals, so Dino voluntered to stay back in Shreveport. I suppose he had done all that before… Anyway, as winners of the rock contest, we were supposed to get a contract with Decca Records, it never happened, when we rejected the Decca representative who wanted to join the band, and work on our show and performance aspect! So, we won the contest of four or five States, and actually received zero?? That’s right, my friend! Welcome to the world of music! HA! HA!
And…. with all of Ellis Starkey’s many fine stories of success, mine is not so spectacular. In fact, I was never a great singer by any stretch of the imagination. I just loved music, and put my heart and soul into it, for several years. And, I have no regrets, it was really a fun ride, all the way… for me!
Larry Joe Jefferson
ljeff@verizon.net
Great to hear from you. I have been doing the same thing. wondering how your doing. you was a great friend to me. you show me how to do a “Para diddle” you know what? I still can’t do it. every time I see a drummer I think of you and your Ludwig Champagne Pearl Drums..cool!. I have been in the arm force over 20 years and retired. had business 15 years and sold it. now really retired. Now working on doing something esle. I want to play again, Ive got the time but wife says I’m to old for that. maybe she is right. but its still there inside me. I play and record in my garage now. My dogs like to listen to me. they better our they don’t get any treats. I’m on facebook look me up. I just got your sister as a friend on facebook. how time flys I remember when she was just alittle girl and Mike his a hurter. so get in touch before we die off…………your old friend…Bob
I just recently came across this site and was sad to learn that Ellis passed away some years ago. He and I were neighbors and best friends in the Hyde Park area of Shreveport from 1963 until I left for the Air Force in 1966. We were roommates at La Tech in 1964 and both of us wanted to be drummers. I actually taught Ellis some early drum licks when he first started getting interested and it wasn’t long before he was way ahead of me playing in the local bands. I am glad to say I was friends with Ellis and his first wife and high school sweetheart, Liz. She recently passed away also here in Monroe, La. Thanks for having this site as some very old and pleasant memories are noted here.
I just stumbled upon this picture on flicker. WOW! Danny Beaudry is my Dad. He passed away in January of 2009. Thank you for the kind words. My Dad (humble, as you are) always claimed he was never the real talent of this group, and said it was just a privilege to be able to play with them. I have no other pictures of him from this era of his life. I will cherish it. And again, Thank you for the history Mr. Jefferson.
RIP Dad! I love and miss you terribly!
Emily
Carolyn, I think I may have worked with your mom many years ago. Did she work at SWEPCO?
Very sorry to hear about your dad.
You probably did, Kathy Holley was her name. She passed in August 2007.
I did work with her. I lived in Bonn St, she lived around the corner,., we carpooled to work. I am so sorry to hear of her passing! ❤️⚜️🙏
Thank you so much! She was my best friend and a phenomenal grandma. Fortunately with all of the recordings and video of my dad, I can see him anytime and that is a true gift too. I sure do miss them both. ♥️
Hi Carolyn,
I remember your mom and dad well although i was young. They leased a house from my parents in Highland Park on Dunbriar. I remember your dad giving me a single with one of the Rogue show’s songs. They were such wonderful people, i am sorry that i didn’t know they passed away.
Rogue Show. One of the greatest groups to ever perform in Bossier City. Dino passed away in Aug 2012. He is the reason I started playing guitar. I saw him performing at a recital at Midway Jr High School (had to be 1958). He made it look so easy, and the girls liked it, that I figured that I could do it too. Dino started a group called Dino and The Cruisers composed of Dino, Johnny Macfarland, Van Roblo and Lester Woodard. I was in a group called The Tornados with Charles Matthews, Curtis Williams, myself, and Carey Scriber. We had many adventures together and, tomthis day, i’ve never touched anothe drop of Arriba wine. Dino was a friendly rival and, quite possibly, the best picker I’ve ever heard. He was a great guy and I’m proud to have called him my friend. If anyone knows how to contact either Johnny or Lester please drop,me an email.
What ever happened to David Rowe?
Liz (Robertson) Starkey was my best friend at Woodlawn High School. RIP my friend, liz love forever. Went to every Gig the Rogue Show played loved, them. And Lizs’husband Ellis Starkey.
I have all of the Rogue Show records on a CD. My uncle still has the 45’s! Almost 50 years later, I still love listening to them. I also have Look To Me and Little Lonely Summer Girl on that same cd. Still sing every word to every song. They bring back so many memories for me.
Hello Carol,
We are attending the 50th combined High School Reunion for Woodlawn and Southwood High Schools (Shreveport, LA class of 19710). The Rouge show is pictured in the year books playing at school sponsored dances. How do we obtain their music catalog for playing at our reunion coming up in March 13th?
Regards,
Hello, Carol! I think I was in Pep Squad at Byrd with Penny in the late 80s! Please let me know if I could purchase a copy of your uncle’s cd from their performances!!! My dad, Larry J, passed away this morning (Jan. 15), so I am trying to gather memorabilia.
Good evening. My dad, Larry Jefferson, of Larry J and the Rogues, passed peacefully this morning. He was 83 years old. He gave away all of his 45s. If anyone has pictures, video or anything of him from the 60s, please contact me!❤️