The Clichés of Canton, Ohio were led by two brothers, Jim and Pinky Jenkins.
Earlier records by them on the Maarc and Pama labels are in a ’50s style. The Pama record, “Got Something For You Baby”, is credited to Pinky and Jim Jenkins with Orchestration by the Cliches, and suffers from a poor vocal, in my opinion. I haven’t heard the Maarc 45, “Little Egypt” / “What’s Your Name”, released under the Cliches name.
“Why, Why, Why” rocks nicely, even with Beatles-ish ‘woo’ s on the backing vocals. The designated a-side, “Save It For Me” is a romantic ballad, not a bad performance, but it won’t appeal to most garage fans.
The Jenkins brothers also ran the Cleveland club, LaCave, known these days as the location of some of the best live recordings of the Velvet Underground.
“Why, Why, Why” was written by Rader – Del, “Save It For Me” by Gintert and Onoratto. Prodcution by Joy Mills, and released on the Wes Mar label.
Anyone have a photo of the group?
Cool to see a group from my my neck of the woods, Canton. I’ve always been really into trying to find records by the local and regional 60s bands from Canton, Akron, Kent, Youngstown, Steubenville, Cleveland, etc.
Over the years of going through piles of records, I’ve run into several 45s on the Wes Mar label, but none of them have been anything worth listening to twice; usually it’s Lawrence Welk-style dreck. So I’m glad to see that there was at least one garage-style release; this might give me the incentive to seek out more Wes Mar releases.
I just Googled Pinky and Jim to find out if there is any knowledge of them. They were part of the crowd that I ran with for years in about 62-67 in Cleveland. They played back up to many acts at La Cave. I knew the two owners of La Cave very well. I helped with opening it up in about 1962. I was there almost nightly. I got to see the most famous of that era.
Jim was drafted into the Viet Nam fiasco and was the only person of our group to serve. The rest got out via some trick or another.
La Cave hosted Jose Feliciano when he played chamber music and later when he evolved to flaminco.
One of the managers, my good friend Walter Polisky, died as a heroin addict a couple of years ago. The active owner, Stan Kain, is still around and I hear distand news of him and his life.
Does anyone have questions, or information about the underground news of people of that era? I would love to revisit some of those memories of that time.
i was at la cave with jeaane conaway and stan Im going to day to see emioy campbell who lived on 105th st fwe all hung out adeles and the coffee house
Have lots of memories – willing to share them.
In fact there are some who are trying to plan a
La Cave reunion in July 2010.
Hello,
It’s good to hear from y’all. I just talked to Stan Kain about getting together next year. Sounds good.
Pinky and I are still alive and good friends. We haven’t sung together in years. I am back singing in clubs on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington where I live. I’m working with an old friend as “Hammerin’ Hank & JJ”. I can be seen on YouTube under “JJ” Jenkins. Pinky lives on Vashon Island, Wa, has twin boys and a great old man named Richard.
I’m sorry to say I know nothing about the song “Got Something For You Baby” or the Jenkins brothers. Stories sure can change over the years.
Jim “JJ” Jenkins
Hi Jim,
I trust that you still remember me.
I went to the La Cave reunion put on by Stan Kain.
I often think of you and Pinky. I plan/hope to make a serious trip around the USA this summer as what could turn out to be my last time to visit my past.
I would love to have you and Pinky on my list of people to visit.
Hi Jim ,just wanted to ask who were the other members of the band besides you and pinky? . Love Why Why Why,great song! Never knew you guys started La Cave. very cool.
I graduated from high school in ’67 and was in a local garage band so I was one of the locals to see many acts at La Cave. I saw The Blues Project with a super-skinny Al Cooper undulating against the organ. Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart ( nobody had heard of Rod at the time so he blew everyone away jumping all over the stage with his hair so high it practically hit the ceiling). Procol Harum who were able to get 2 keyboards on the small stage, one on either side. Terry Knight and the Pack with Terry falling to his knees like James Brown during “I Who Have Nothing”! The Youngbloods. I think Mr. Stress Blues Band played there once as well. My brain is hurting from remembering all this!! I’m sure there were others but I just can’t think of them now. Great music.
Thank you!!!! What a gift I received this morning to have found these lost recordings of my Dad’s band. Wow!! I am overwhelmed. Thank you!!
I found a photo of the Cliches and the Beach Boys standing together. Looks to be from circa 1964 or’65. The photo has a faded inscription on the front which names the two groups. Did they share a gig?
Roger Thurman
My dad was in the band. He passed away when he was 35 years old. I remember him saying that they played with them once (not sure if they shared a gig or were subbing for someone). Would love to see the picture!!!
The Beach boys played Canton Memorial Auditorium on May 19,1965. All I remember was that Sam the sham and the Pharoahs played before the Beach Boys but there was another band, probably local. (maybe the Cliche’s) I was there that night and remember it was bruce johnstons first night as a beach boy…They also came back in 1966 March 16 with noel harrison and the Lovin Spoonful. I was there also. i think maybe the Chylds opened up that show. WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE PIC OF THE CLICHES WITH THE BEACH BOYS OR ANY OTHER CLICHE”S PHOTOS
Answer to an earlier question…Yes, I have a photo of the group!!
I knew Pinky and Jim quite well while I lived in Cleveland. Their apartment was only a block from mine in Cleveland Heights.
Last I heard, they were both still alive and doing well in, I think, Vancouver Canada, or near by.
I don’t have photos, but lots of stories.
would love to see the photo thanks
Hi Deb,
I would greatly appreciated copies of any pics you may have of the Band.
I played keyboard with the them in the mid 60’s. There was Joe O. (guitar) Manny F. (guitar), Ron R. & Jeff M. (drums at different times), and of course your Dad Don on Bass.
I remember fun times in Kent at the Dome. Also being a house band at Talley’s in Navarre. I was just seventeen at the time and had to sit in the parking lot on more than one occasion to avoid the state men checking IDs. 🙂
Thanks and take care.
James
I still have that 45. My father had a bar in Massillon Ohio called The Town House.They played there,i don’t know how many times.I met them when i was still in school. My father tried to help them promote [save it for me]. They claimed they wrote and recorded Hang On Sloopy Before the McCoys did.I heard a lacquer disc they had recorded at Wes Mar. They said they sent out demos without publishing it to ASCAP or BMI the rest is history. Do you know anything about that.
I remember a guy from Massillion also claiming their group cut Sloopy first, cant remember the band’s name, the guitar player was Ron Schankenberger and played halfback for the Massillon Tigers in 64. Wonder if he was in this band??
I grew up knowing about the “Hang on Sloopy” debacle. In fact, as a little girl, it was the first song I ever sang! Evidently, the recording studio had some shady dealings and what you have said above is exactly as I know it. Was one of my dad’s greatest life tragedies (and the band’s). In my heart, I still consider “Hang on Sloopy” as the Cliche’s!! Always will!!
Is this the same bunch, that used to play in Millersburg?
I sat in with them, once.