The Oceans came from Athens, Ohio, releasing “She’s Gone” / “Abilene” on Pla Me Records in December 1966.

“She’s Gone” is a great, moody rock number with horns that actually help the arrangement. The singer snarls and yells out the lyrics, the guitar and rhythm is dense.

“She’s Gone” was written by the group. Publishing was by B-W Music, now Weldee Music in Wooster, OH.

The band must have used all their creative energy for “She’s Gone”, because the flip “Abilene” is a slow version of the 1963 country hit. Gary Rhamy produced both sides.

Richard Brown’s son Eric wrote to me with the photo above and some information on the band:

Mike Cunningham: vocals, also guitar and saxophone

Ed Lonas: guitar

Richard Brown: bass, also trumpet (on “She’s Gone”)

Jim Dean: drums

They were from Athens, OH. The played mostly around the Athens & Belpre area in SE Ohio, from ’64 – ’67.

The picture is from a Battle of the Bands in either Charleston or Huntington, West Virginia. They won that competition, as noted in the newspaper clipping. Three of the four were students at Ohio University (in Athens), and Richard & Mike were childhood friends.

Thank you to Eric Brown for his help with this post.