Gary Stites was a pop idol in the ’50s but is best known as the first manager of the Birdwatchers. He started the Living Legend and Legend labels, the “Legend” refering to himself, naturally!
The Birdwatchers at this point were Dave Chiodo guitar, Bobby Puccetti keys, Jim Tolliver bass, and Eddie Martinez drums and were based near Ft. Lauderdale. They had already released three 45s on the Tara label, the second and third of which list Stites as producer.
For some reason Gary decided to try his hand at singing again, with the Birdwatchers backing him up. “Real Appeal” is good uptempo ’50s-ish rock, with an uncredited girl chorus. The flip, “While I’m Gone” is kind of a poor man’s Roy Orbison. This 45 did better than any of the early Birdwatchers records, peaking at #22 on WQAM in August ’65.
In early ’66 the Birdwatchers dramatically changed their lineup and relocated to Miami. Chiodo and Tolliver left, to be replaced by Joey Murcia on guitar and Jerry Schils (formerly of the Canadian Legends) on bass. Sammy Hall, vocalist with the Mor-Loks, who were also managed by Stites early on, completed this second phase of the Birdwatchers. This lineup went on to some national success with “Girl I’ve Got News For You” and “I’m Gonna Love You Anyway”.
A year later, Tommy Strand & the Upper Hand remade “Real Appeal” for their 45 on Living Legend. Stites also reused the flip, “While I’m Gone” for the b-side of a 45 by the Legendary Street Singers (actually the Gents Five).
The first Mor-Loks at the Yankee Clipper Hotel, from left: Mike Wall, Johnny Hartigan, Don Henry, Sammy Hall and Ron Armstrong
Ft. Lauderdale’s Mor-Loks had two distinct lineups, each of which recorded a 45.
The original group changed their name from the Impressions V to the Mor-Loks, and consisted of Sammy Hall vocals, Johnny Hartigan lead guitar, Don Henry rhythm guitar, Ron Armstrong bass and Mike Wall on drums.
Their 1965 release combines one delicate song, “There Goes Life”, with the upbeat “Elaine”. This was originally released on the Loks label. When Gary Stites became the band’s manager, he re-released the record on his own Living Legend label (not to be confused with the Living Legend run by Kim Fowley).
Sammy Hall left to join the Birdwatchers, and the rhythm section of Armstrong and Wall reformed the band with Bill “Nappy” Lynn on lead vocals, Billy Burke keyboards, and Craig Held on lead guitar. This lineup landed a contract with Decca in February 1966, only to have the draft break them up in September. Their only record is the raver “What My Baby Wants” (written by Bill Lynn and Craig Held) and the equally fine “Lookin’ For a New Day” (by Armstrong and Held), released in April of ’66.
The second version of the Mor-Loks, outside the MCA building in New York, 1966.
I recently asked bass player Ron Armstrong about the band and he sent me two photos:
The first one is of the original line up that included Mike Wall drums, Sammy Hall vocals, Johnny Hartigan lead guitar, Don Henry rhythm guitar and myself on bass. The picture was taken at the Yankee Clipper Hotel on Ft. Lauderdale Beach where we performed for a New York Yankees family function. Ft. Lauderdale was the spring training grounds for the Yankees and the Yankee Clipper was always their host hotel.
With regards to the breakup of the original group, it was a combo of things. One, I was facing extreme pressure from the draft board and 2, the Birdwatchers, Gary Stites and WQAM were actively courting Sammy.
As it turned out, I was granted a temporary deferral from the draft but only learned of it after I had informed the Mor-Loks that I would be leaving the group. With plenty of bookings to play and a good following of fans and an extension of time I sought to put together another group quickly. I added Craig Held on guitar first, followed by Bill Lynn and learned of Billy Burke through my dad who worked with Billy’s dad.
The second pic is of the revised line up of Mor-Loks with new additions Bill Lynn vocals, Craig Held lead guitar and Billy Burke keyboards. Mike and I were the only holdovers from the original group. The picture was taken right before we entered the MCA building in New York to sign our contact with Decca Records.
I am happy to report that I have located all living members of the Mor-Loks, both the original members and the revised line up. Billy Burke and Johnny Hartigan as you already know are deceased. After years of off and on searching this week I located vocalist Bill “Nappy” Lynn, in Georgia, Craig Held lead guitar in Florida, and the drummer from both lineups of Mor-Loks, Mike Wall, also in Florida.
Sources: Jeff Lemlich’s history of Florida bands Savage Lost, and my interview with Ron Armstrong.
Mark Markham and His Jesters came from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and only released one single, “I Don’t Need You” / “Marlboro Country”.
Both songs were originals by Markham. The 45 was first released in September, 1966 on the local Power label, then picked up by RCA Victor.
An announcement of his RCA contract in the Fort Lauderdale News on September 30, 1966, listed the the Jesters lineup at the time:
Bob Ungerer – rhythm guitar Burns Weick – organ Mike Sherlock – bass Bill Fariello – drums
Other notices gives different spelling for a couple names: Bob Weick or Burns Wieck, and Billy Farnello
The Power single lists the group as Mark Markham and The Jesters, but there were a couple other Jesters playing the area at the time, which may have been why they were sometimes billed as Mark Markham and His Jesters.
I’ve found a couple photos of Mark Markham alone, but none that feature the Jesters.
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
