Sanz, Inc released two 45s on the Skoop label, “My Baby’s Eyes” / “I’m Gonna Leave You” in December of 1966 and “I Just Want You” / “I’ll Never Forget” in May of 1967.
“I’m Gonna Leave You” starts with a catchy bass and drum rhythm, then the vocals and organ combine for a haunting effect. A fast organ sequence and a howling guitar riff open “I Just Want You”, which features a busy, popping rhythm. “I’ll Never Forget” is a slow ballad, very much an early ’60s doo wop vocal style.
Members were:
Steve Ficklin, vocals
Bob Ficklin, keyboards
Brent Ficklin, vocals
Dave Adams, guitar
Larry Adams, bass guitar
Ron Hale, drums
Keyboard player Bob Ficklin wrote to me about the band and sent in the great photos you see here:
I was part of a band called Sanz, Inc. from Petersburg, Indiana. Sanz, Inc. was a popular group that performed in the tri-state area (IN, KY & IL).
We all attended the same high school (Petersburg High). The name Sanz was derived as a word play on the Sands Hotel in Vegas. The “Inc.” was added later.
We played many local street dances and teen centers in the area. Some other venues were a prom at the Sheraton Hotel in French Lick, IN; area county fairs; a political rally in Princeton, IN; Chieftain Restaurant, Lawrenceville, IL; several gigs at Lake Lawrence, also in Lawrenceville, IL; Teen Center in Morganfield, KY; among others. We usually played top 40 hits of the day and original material. Although there were a few other area groups, we were not acquainted with them and were never in competition.
“My Baby’s Eyes”/”I’m Gonna Leave You” was recorded in Santa Claus, IN, home of the first theme park in the U.S. (Santa Claus Land, now known as “Holiday World”) in 1966. Santa Claus, being about one hour away was the best opportunity for recording. “I Just Want You”/”I’ll Never Forget” was recorded on the same label in 1967.
On the way to record “I Just Want You”, we didn’t have “I’ll Never Forget” completed. So, we finished it in the car and recorded it on the flip side. All four songs were written by Bob and Steve Ficklin.
When recording “I Just Want You” and “I’ll Never Forget”, after the music and vocals (Bob and Steve Ficklin) were completed on the first track, Bob and Steve also added background vocal parts. We paid for the session times and the records that were pressed. Both projects were completed in a very short period of time (a matter of a few hours).
The records were played on several area stations in surrounding counties. “My Baby’s Eyes” received air play on WLS/Chicago. We did sell records at performances, at school and at a local retailer.
As older members of the band graduated the band dissolved. Larry Adams played bass with another area group for a time. Steve Ficklin sang with various gospel groups through the years and continues today. While in the Air Force, I sang with a couple of bands. In recent years I have sung with a local group and continue singing with a duet partner. Thanks for keeping the memories alive; it was a great era.
Bob Ficklin
Thank you to Bob Ficklin for sharing his photos and history of Sanz, Inc.
