The Boy Blues came from Chico, and released two 45s in February 1966 and 1967.
Below is a brief history of the group:
The Boy Blues started out of a band called the Disciples, with Mark Cipolla on guitar and vocals, Jim Conley on lead guitar, Randy Reaves on bass and Rick Wagner on drums. Bob Brien joined to share rhythm guitar and vocal duties with Mark Cipolla, and then the band changed their name to the Boy Blues. Conley left and Chris Howard joined as lead guitarist.
They met their manager George Martin at a battle of the bands in Marysville, and in early ’66 he brought the band into Ikon Studios in Sacramento to cut their first 45 for release on the Vardan label. Arvey Andrews produced the Vardan 45 while he was stationed at Beale Air Force Base east of Yuba City, and co-produced the second release with Frantic owner George Martin.
As best as I can tell, the band on the first single was:
Mark Cipolla – lead guitar and vocals
Chris Howard – lead guitar and vocals
Bob Brien – rhythm guitar and vocals
Randy Reaves – bass and vocals
Rick Wagner – drums
The top side “Living Child” would be re-recorded in a much different arrangement for the b-side of their second 45. Most people prefer the Frantic label version, mainly because it has distorted guitar throughout instead of horns. Still, I wouldn’t dismiss the Vardan version, it’s faster and tighter, and even if the horns are superfluous, they add some dissonance to the chorus.
The b-side of the Vardan 45 is another good Bob Brien song, “Think About It Baby”, with a thick layer of horns arranged by Arthur Wright. I like this one as well, especially the Byrds-like guitar solo. The squeak of the bass drum pedal is really noticeable, especially in the introduction.
Would this be a better 45 without the horns? Maybe – it definitely would have had a more typical garage sound, but the horns don’t ruin either cut for me.
On February 24, 1966, the Davis Enterprise profiled the group in Owen Hiddleson’s column, The Spotlight:
Boy Blues Made Hit
Last Friday night … The place was Governor’s Hall where we covered the local presentation of the newest and most exciting act in show business … the Boy Blues.
They had made a brief appearance on television via the recent Telerama and in three numbers added another half million persons to their growing list of fans. Their most recent release, “Living Child” backed with “Think About It Baby,” is sky-rocketing in popularity, but what about the Boy Blues in live performance? Do they sell and can they “hold” an audience, especially without all the gimmicks of electronics.
The answer is a very large, resounding “yes.” They came across with what can best be described as an authentic Liverpool rock sound which was believable and real …
A marijuana bust in Novato on Saturday March 12, 1966, put the band on front pages throughout northern CA.
The San Francisco Examiner wrote on Monday, March 14:
Everything sort of went to pot in Novato for the five-member teen-age “Boy Blues Band” — plus two — over the weekend.
The long-haired rock and roll quintet was forced to cancel its engagement Saturday night in Santa Rosa.
This was because they had to make an unscheduled appearance at the Novato police station – on marijuana charges.
Robert G. Brien and Milton C. Howard, both 18, and the oldest “Boy Blues,” were booked for possession of marijuana. Brien with the additional tag of selling the illegal weed. Their three fellow bandsmen – one 16 and two 17 year olds – were also booked for possession.
All live in Butte County, in or near Chico.
The “Plus Two” factor is the 16 year old son of a Novato civic leader and a 15 year old boy. The 16 year old was booked as a runaway and also for possession of marijuana. The other boy was charged with sales and possession of marijuana.
The seven boys were riding in a pickup truck Saturday afternoon when a Novato policeman, spotting their long hair, stopped the truck to question them …
From the Novato Advance, Wednesday, March 16, 1966:
Marijuana Arrests Made in Novato
Howard, Brien and the five juveniles were arrested after the pickup truck in which they were riding was stopped by Patrolman Richard Courier for a vehicle violation.
When the pickup truck was brought to police headquarters, investigating officers noted marijuana seeds on the front seat and floor. A search of its occupants uncovered a marijuana seed in the clothing of Brien, police said. Also found in the search was a bottle containing a variety of pills of undetermined nature.
Police reported that the 16-year-old Novato runaway and his 15-year-old companion had come to San Francisco the preceding night and then to Santa Rosa in search of “The Boy Blues.” They then rode back to Novato with them.
The bust led to the immediate departure of Randy Reaves and Chris Howard.
The band heard John Palmer playing while driving by his garage in Richmond, in the East Bay, where he had been a member of the Plague. The band convinced John to come up to Chico to join them as lead guitarist, and added Jeff Gadbois, who has since passed away, on bass.
I believe the lineup at this point would be: (please correct me if wrong)
Mark Cipolla – guitar and vocals
John Palmer – lead guitar
Bob Brien – rhythm guitar and vocals
Jeff Gadbois – bass
Rick Wagner – drums
The group was busy that summer; here are a few dates found in news listings:
August 12, 1966: San Mateo Veterans Hall with the San Mateo Messenger Service
August 13, 1966: the Boy Blues at Oroville Municipal Auditorium
August 20, 1966: at Chico Veterans Memorial Building
Thursday, September 1, 1966: with the Yardbirds, the New Bread and Oxford Circle at the Civic Auditorium in Stockton
September 27, 1966, the Boy Blues appeared at “McCall’s Sew It to a Fashion Beat” at Fabric Center, 320 Broadway, Chico.
The bust didn’t stop their popularity at live shows, nor did it dampen the expectations of George Martin, who brought the new lineup into Sountronics in Lodi for their second single.
“Coming Down to You” chugs along to the Batman theme for most of its three minutes, and features a great fuzz solo after its somewhat dreamy chorus. It was written by Bob Brien and Mark Cipolla. Some copies of this 45 were released with a picture sleeve that features a lineup of the group, as a four-piece, but I believe this were taken before the bust and the departure of Howard and Reaves. Again, please correct me if this is not right.
John Palmer and Jeff Gadbois were with the group for about six months before departing to play a heavier type of music with Lincoln’s Promise. In the spring of ’67 John Palmer went back home to Richmond where he became one of the founding members of Savage Resurrection.
Cipolla moved to bass, while he and Bob Brien found new members Pat Varvel on drums, Ed Seymour on keyboards and Chuck Edwards on guitar and vocals. They changed their name to Colours and moved to the Bay Area for a new start. That period is documented in a two CD set released by Frantic Records (Joey D.’s 2000’s reissue label, not the original Frantic label), but I haven’t heard it yet.
The CD Up From The Grave, also released on the more recent Frantic Records, has all four songs the Boy Blues recorded in incredible sound quality, plus an extensive history of the group including a funny story about baby food that I won’t repeat here. Get the CD to read the full story and hear 30 tracks by a number of Sacramento Valley bands. I recommend it highly.
Wow… These Boy Blues tracks are right on! I’m usually not a fan of brass in garage rock, but I think the horns in the first version of “Living Child” really do add some excitement.
On a general note, thank you for all the great music that you share. Your website is the best of its genre. Your taste for this music is impeccable! I look forward to each and every posting.
actually the boy blues are from chico. my dad is randy reaves, and he played in said band. they are from chico!
I have in my possession some artifacts of the Boy Blues including pictures (old xeroxes) of the band, posters etc.,as well as the 45 Coming Down with Living Child on the flip side. Anyone interested in them? I inherited them from a good friend of mind Jon Engleken who has since passed on. I believe he may have served as roadie to the band. I also have a 45 by Hamlet and a reel to reel tape of the band Colours. I believe that these bands included Bob Brien who was also in the Boy Blues. Anyway, I’d be willing to give these a good home. Any takers?
Cheers,
Marc Martin
Would love these things, my dear friend was married to Mark Cipolla and they have a son, I would share with her, Jody Cipolla
I knew the band members of the Disciples and Boy Blues when I was in high school. (Little-known fact, it was me who came up with “The Disciples” as the name for the band. :-)) I knew Jon Engleken too. He was indeed a roadie for the band. I was very fond of him. He was extraordinarily warm and kind.
Hi Marc…this is Joey D, the guy who owns Frantic Records and released the Colurs & Up From The Grave cds. Please email me, I am interested in the tapes and records you have…Cheers…Joey D
My dad, Rick Wagner, was born and raised in Chico- and yes, Boy Blues was a Chico band!
I have a 45 demo record of theirs still. 🙂
Hi Robbie!
Hi Marc
I am the wife of Steve Parsons who played drums in Hamlet, I also know Bob Brien,Kurt kearns,Randy Reaves and so on.
I know Steve,Kurt and Bob would love to have the items you have. Please email me and let me know if you still have them
Thank you
Wanda
Hey Wanda, please tell Steve Randy
Kilpatric said hello…we were neighbors
Back in 60’s…remember the Souls!
In the late 60’s they played a bit in Redding, at the park. Do you have any of their music. Steve will always be remembered here, for the double bass, single tom set up. Hot Band for the Day.
John- I just put up a comment on the Savage Resurrection page on pandora.com- yeah, amazing, they played Savage Resurrection! I had to complain that they didn’t mention you, and you were the whole reason I knew of them. I was a 13yo kid hanging out on the front of stage at the Oroville Municipal Auditorium watching the Boy Blues, and, imho, you were the coolest thing going at the time; part of what made me who I am. Thanks for that. Hope all is well in your life. MK
This really doesn’t have anything to do with the Boy Blues, other than Steve Parsons, but it is the first time I’ve seen any mention of Shane, or Shane Bros., as they were later known, anywhere online.
I know there must be recordings of Shane out there. I have a really bad cassette of a single- barely listenable.
Freddie O’Quinn passed away a few years ago, and he was just too amazing a singer to not be remembered. I truly hope some recordings will surface. Thank you.
What is the geneolgy of these bands?
Is there a Boy Blue connection to Rosey Bones?
Shane, Rosey Bones and s few others I can’t remember were regulars at Redding’s Fillmore The Vet’s Hall. Like any North State I think they all got into bed with Harry Arnold, the Bill Graham of Ashland.
I recall a 2 day? outdoor festival at the Shasta College football field outside Redding. Loading Zone was one of the headliners but I was most impressed by Rosey Bones who had a kind of Nerdy “Who” (they did “Substitute”) vibe at the time. Think they even did some Kinks. Ahead of their time but kinda out of place in the hippie scene which was what I liked about them.
Where/who is this Frantic Records CD ‘Up From The Grave’? Is it Alec Palao? He did a CD of Redding’s rockabilly group “Bailey and the Nervous Kats”. Is Redding represented (Trakstod)?
Saw Shane quite a few times at the Redding Vet’s Hall.
Did a good version of Lee Michaels’ “Hello”.
Freddy played a mean B3. After Shane broke up he graciously came up to Redding to jam with our band at Lake Redding Park.
I lived in redding in 69-70. The Shane Brothers were my favorite band. Their Hello, Oh Pretty Woman (Albert King) , and Heroin still ring in my head. I know you posted this 5 years ago. Have you had any luck finding info or recordings? I would love to hear anything.
Steve Carpenter Rockaroski@aol.com
Ok, now I get it. Vardan was the original label, then the song “Living Child” was re-recorded for Frantic.
Frantic is also the label for the CD compilation re-issue.
Joey D is the guy who now owns Frantic Records.
Both of Redding’s “Trakstod” singles were released in 1970 although they have a self-produced single from 68-69: Waitng for the Train/Woman on Ninth Street
Carolina Train (J. Berick)(Trakstod, Philips 40655: 1970
Say Hello (J. Berick)(Trakstod, Philips 40655: 1970
Philips 40681: 1970 – Both Hands On The Wheel/Back In The Arms Of My Darling
This site has some good North Valley band info but don’t think it’s been touched/updated in years.
http://reocities.com/NapaValley/1326/nvbands1.htm
They list “Kurt Kearns (Guitar, Vocals)(Boy Blues, Colours, Hamlet, Rosey Bones)”
Is Steve in Chico, and do you have any Shane Bros. recording you can share with people that still remember you?
Hey – I knew Steve and Kurt, I remember hanging out at Steve’s house on North Ave in high school in the 60s. I’d like to hear what happened to them and other Chico musicians like Phil Duncan and Gary Braden.
Dave Pyles
Dave, long ago I lost your email address in a severe computer crash. Miss hearing from you guys, am on FB Nancy Brown. Get in touch! Nancy Norris… hope you are well.
Greetings Marc
I am John Palmer ,one of the groups lead guitarist from around 66. I was a close friend of John who was the roadie and driver at the time. In fact it was he & Mark that came to Richmond to bring me up to Chico. I would love to posses any of the items from that era.
Peace
JPP
I believe they had a drummer named John Healy?
I put some violin parts on the demo that got Hamlet their deal. I really liked that record a lot. “Just a touch” was a great tune from it. I think that was the title.
I remember the Boy Blues Disciples in 1965-66. They played in Fort Bragg Ca and sang a rolling stones song – that’s how strong my love is, a really gifted lead singer. They were very popular at Battle of Band events in towns north of San Francisco. I though they could have be famous if they wrote their own songs or had song writers available. Interesting there is internet information available about the Disciples/Boy Blues.
Just found this site and love it. Knew all these people. Appreciate this very much
I remember seeing the Boy Blues on TV playing a telethon from Sacramento in ’65 or ’66 when I was a senior in high school over in Lake County. Mark really did put on a Jagger worthy performance. I was blown away. When I came to Chico State, I hung with the locals and foliwed The Boy Blues around for a bit. At that time Alan Lao was their ‘manager’. His family had a couple of going restaurants called Rice Bowl. Later on, I Met Jimmy Conley and loved hearing him, Fred ‘Rocko’ Campbell, and Gini Wilson as Musica Nova. Jimmy and Fred alternated on guitars and bass. Fred really kicked the Stones’ Honkey Tonk Women on his pretty red Gibson ES335. I think Jimmy played a Strat. Gini played keys. They would always play Gini’s composition Mixolydian Vier, a modal tune in 5/4 time. Twenty years later, I met Jimmy’s childhood sweetheart Bronwyn. Been close with her ever after, going on 38 yrs.