The Bondsmen, from left: Doug Simmons (organ), Vas Haritakis (drums), Roger Friskey (bass), and Robby Adams (guitar)
Roger and Lauraine Friskey wrote to me about Roger’s bands the Bondsmen and Nirvana. They sent the photo and card seen here, but if anyone has additional pics, posters, or newspaper articles of these groups please contact me.
The Bondsmen were formed in the early 1960’s and consisted of:
Roger Friskey – bass and vocals Robby Adams – guitar and vocals Richard Lalonde – guitar and vocals Vas Haritakis – drums and vocals
We played at various teen dances in the Sudbury area including North Bay, Elliot Lake, and Field.
Richard Lalonde left the group and Doug Simmons, organ & vocals, joined the band. Later his brother Al Simmons replaced Doug. We continued to play at various teen dances and made our debut at The Inferno, which was the place to play, a well-known dance club in Sudbury.
Nirvana of Sudbury, early photo, from left: Roger Friskey, Robby Adams, Vas Haritakis and Danny Gaudet
Danny Gaudet, an extraordinary guitar player, joined the band shortly after and we became The Nirvana:
Roger Friskey – bass guitar Robby Adams – lead vocals Vas Haritakis – drummer Danny Gaudet – guitar, vocals
We were originally managed by M & R Entertainment from Capreol ON. The band was later approached Bill Burke and he became their manager. Soon after this, Bill purchased a building on Durham St in Sudbury, and converted into a dance club. It was named The Hub and was opened to compete with other clubs, i.e. The Inferno and The Joint. The Nirvana became The Hub’s house band. They played at The Hub for a couple of years. When the Hub closed down, the Nirvana continued to play at teen dances in the Sudbury area.
The Nirvana broke up when Vas started working for the railroad and was out of town most of the time. We never got to make it to the recording stage. Everyone went their own way.
Unfortunately Danny died in Dec 2012 and Robby Adams died several years ago.
Roger and Lauraine Friskey
10 thoughts on “The Bondsmen and Nirvana from Sudbury”
Growing up in a small town like Capreol brings back many fond memories especially when all the members of the band are friends. We had many good times at local dances in the Sudbury district. My buddy Jim Train [now deceased] and I ran the local teen dances at the Capreol area for some time and this was one of the bands that played there most of the time. Looking forward to hearing from others who remember this special time in our lives. Fred Teolis
Hey Ivan I live in Sudbury as well and you can reach me at Home: 705-566-0742 or on my Cell: 705-698-6169 or by E-Mail: alfredoteolis@fibreop.ca Glad to talk any time just let me know.
Hey Fred, the Capreol dances bring back some of the greatest memories of our mid to late teen years. What amazing times we had there and what great bands we heard in the Capreol arena. The picture we posted of the Bondsmen is one of only two pictures we have on hand. The other is of Roger and Robby. Just wondering if, as dance organizer, you perhaps have any other photos of the Bondsmen or Nirvana to share with us.
I wish I had, in those days not many cameras floating around and we certainly didn’t have an cell phones like today. All we have now are pleasant memories of an time gone by but not forgotten.
I was just a kid in Nakina Ont in the 1970’s when I met Roger Friskey who was then rooming with my then bother-in-law. I never knew he had a band, only that he had great taste in music and he played guitar.
I was always pestering him to teach me how to play. Once he showed me a riff that I still play to “show off”, (although I never graduated much beyond lol)
Would live to see more here, pictures, videos, recordings , stories. Cool site.
Hi, I use to go to high school in Capreol, originally from Gogama, On. I use to live going to the dances at the Arena, I only knew Vas, and Robby Adams lived across the street from my sister Bernice Lambovitch were I lived during the school.year. So did my sister Verna, and use to go out with Vas. Anyway great pictures, love to see more.
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
Growing up in a small town like Capreol brings back many fond memories especially when all the members of the band are friends. We had many good times at local dances in the Sudbury district. My buddy Jim Train [now deceased] and I ran the local teen dances at the Capreol area for some time and this was one of the bands that played there most of the time.
Looking forward to hearing from others who remember this special time in our lives.
Fred Teolis
Fred I live in Sudbury and would like to discuss some things and hear what you have to say about the Sudbury music scene in the 60’s. Please email me.
Hey Ivan
I live in Sudbury as well and you can reach me at Home: 705-566-0742 or on my Cell: 705-698-6169 or by E-Mail: alfredoteolis@fibreop.ca
Glad to talk any time just let me know.
Fred
Hey Fred, the Capreol dances bring back some of the greatest memories of our mid to late teen years. What amazing times we had there and what great bands we heard in the Capreol arena. The picture we posted of the Bondsmen is one of only two pictures we have on hand. The other is of Roger and Robby. Just wondering if, as dance organizer, you perhaps have any other photos of the Bondsmen or Nirvana to share with us.
I wish I had, in those days not many cameras floating around and we certainly didn’t have an cell phones like today. All we have now are pleasant memories of an time gone by but not forgotten.
I was just a kid in Nakina Ont in the 1970’s when I met Roger Friskey who was then rooming with my then bother-in-law. I never knew he had a band, only that he had great taste in music and he played guitar.
I was always pestering him to teach me how to play. Once he showed me a riff that I still play to “show off”, (although I never graduated much beyond lol)
Would live to see more here, pictures, videos, recordings , stories. Cool site.
Someone had a picture of the Nirvana and shared it with us recently. Not sure how to post it here.
Hi Lauraine,
please email it to me at RChrisBishop [at] gmail.com and I will add it to the article.
Chris, I’ve just emailed The Nirvana pic to you at RChrisBishop@gmail.com as requested above.
Hi,
I use to go to high school in Capreol, originally from Gogama, On. I use to live going to the dances at the Arena, I only knew Vas, and Robby Adams lived across the street from my sister Bernice Lambovitch were I lived during the school.year. So did my sister Verna, and use to go out with Vas.
Anyway great pictures, love to see more.