Photo courtesy of Paul Hamilton, all rights reserved.
The Chimes of Freedom came from Scotia, New York, near Schenectady and Albany. “Jungle Rock” is known from Girls in the Garage, but this was not an all-girl group. Members were:
Mari Salato – vocals
Chip Vedder – vocals
Bill Pytlovany – lead guitar
Paul Hamilton – rhythm guitar
Jeff Austin – bass guitar
Darrell Francis – drums
Bonnie Carbin Kruger commented below that she played keyboards on this record.
Paul Hamilton, Darrell Francis and William Pytlovany wrote “Jungle Rock”, while the original A-side was “Did You Ever”, a ballad by Francis and Pytlovany.
This is a hard single to date, I don’t see anything in the dead wax other than stamped 102A/B, and the label code USS 102 is also obscure. The Robert Barry Music credit helps connect this to the Vibra-Sound Recording Studio in Schenectady.
The Times Record reported on June 4, 1970 that the Chimes of Freedom would participate in a Battle of the Bands at the Colonie Coliseum Summer Theater against three Colonie bands: Iron Image, Reverend Blackbird, and Three Steps in the Mill, plus a group called Horton Strong from SUNY Albany.
On September 11, 1970, the Troy Record reported the Chimes of Freedom would play a cafeteria dance for the Shenendehowa Festival on September 26.
Most of them graduated from high school in 1973.
Hi. Did Mari Salato sing this song? We were good friends in high school. I haven’t talked to her in over 40 years.
Darlene Church-Davis
Yes it was. I’m sitting with het next to a fire and we just found this. Mari lives in troy now
Hey, I was a member of this band and played on this recording as well…..keyboards…Bonnie Carbin Kruger. Fun times!
I remember watching them practice for the Battle of the Bands in a garage at a house on Sacandaga Rd. in Scotia, NY. which I believe they went on to win. I’m thinking that contest is what got them the recording.
Yes it was at my house on in Scotia/Gleenville.
Blast from the past. A great time in life. Still love and play the guitar.
So wild to see the interest in our small town band that made some wonderful memories of good times and beautiful friends! I miss them all!