The Valkryies recorded one single at Continental Recordings in Framingham, released on Cori Records CR 31003. “Love You Like I Do” is excellent garage rock, with sharp drumming and good guitar and sax solos. “Blues for Cookie” is a slow saxophone instrumental.
Members included:
Frank Curtis – lead guitar and vocals Steve Thorp – rhythm guitar and backing vocals; bass guitar on the single Domenic Palumbo – tenor sax and bass guitar Stan Baker – drums and backing vocals
Until Steve Thorp commented, I had no info on the group other than two song writer names: Francis Curtis (Francis Wesley Curtis, Jr.) and Domenic Palumbo. F. Curtis, Jr. registered “(That’s Why) I Love You Like I Do” on September 29, 1965. Domenic C. Palumbo registered “Blues for Cookie” on August 9, 1965. Donna Music BMI published both songs.
Steve sent in the photos and answered my questions about the Valkyries:
The Valkyries (also known as the New Valkyries) were active in the suburban Boston, Massachusetts area between 1965 and 1967.
The Valkyries in Medford MA, November 1965
Location and Personnel: The members of the band came from several small towns about 25 miles southwest of Boston. Frank “Snuffy” Curtis, the leader of the band, lived in Medway, Massachusetts. Curtis was a veteran of the local rock and roll/garage band scene and had fronted an earlier version of the Valkyries. He was 23 years old in 1965.
Stan Baker and Steve Thorp were from Medfield, Massachusetts, about 6 miles from Medway. Baker and Thorp had met in high school. Baker played drums in the school band and Thorp had been playing guitar for four years on his own and in a few small folk groups and rock bands.
Thorp and Baker shared a mutual love of rock and roll and R&B. The two started jamming together in 1964 at Baker’s house. Baker and Thorp met Curtis through the local music scene, probably at a house party, and the three started playing together. Curtis then invited Baker and Thorp to form a new version of the Valks in early 1965.
Curtis knew a lot of people from the local music scene and brought in various musicians to play in the band from time to time. Domenic “Gitch” Palumbo was a tenor sax player and a friend of Curtis. Palumbo may have been from Franklin, MA, a small nearby city. Palumbo was the same age as Curtis, and, like Curtis, had a lot of experience in the local music scene.
By mid-summer the line-up was set: Curtis on lead guitar and vocals, Palumbo on sax, Thorp on rhythm guitar and back-up vocals, Baker on drums and back-up vocals. A succession of bass players came and went through the band.
Instrumentation and styles: The band played late 1950’s/early 1960’s American pop style: up tempo, guitar driven rock, with lots of reverb and a heavy emphasis on beat. Palumbo’s sax playing added touches of rockabilly and surf rock. Curtis’s singing reflected earlier singers like Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochrane. Although the band played mostly covers, Curtis was a talented songwriter who contributed several originals to the repertoire.
Where the band played: mostly high school dances and house parties. The band’s choice of venues was limited because Baker and Thorp were both underage and couldn’t work in bars and night clubs. Nevertheless, the group worked regularly and by 1966 was working bigger venues. The group’s biggest gig was opening for Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in either late 1965 or mid 1966 at the Lake Pearl ballroom in Wrentham, MA (Palumbo had left the group, which now had a regular bass player). The group began to play small bars and clubs in the Boston area. Thorp left the group by the fall of 1966. The band continued to play as the “New Valkyries” until 1967.
The Valkyries in Medford MA, November 1965
Two photos show the group in action at a high school dance in Medfield, MA, in November 1965. Curtis, in the plaid sport jacket, is at center mic. The bass player partially shown in one of the photos may be Palumbo. Thorp is shown taking the lead vocal in one photograph.How the recording came about: Curtis and Palumbo came up with the idea of recording in late 1965. Palumbo located Continental Recording Studios in Framingham MA, about 10 miles north of Medway, and he agreed to front the costs of recording and pressing the discs.
The band arrived at Continental’s studios, probably in mid-September, well-rehearsed and ready to play. The group didn’t have a bass player at the time, so Thorp played a borrowed electric bass on both tracks. The band recorded both tracks over a few hours, needing only a couple of takes on each track. “Love You Like I Do” was a Curtis original. “Blues for Cookie” was a slow, doo-wop instrumental featuring Palumbo, an acknowledgment of his fronting the recording and pressing costs.
The recording system was simple but effective. Both Curtis’s guitar solo and the harmony vocals were double-tracked, using an eight-track recorder.
The follow-up: although the record got a little air play on local radio stations, it never really went anywhere. The Valkyries continued on with different personnel throughout 1966 and 1967.
The Centurys featured in the Light, April 18, 1964 The Centurys featured in the San Antonio Light in November, 1965
The Pandas started out as the Centurys, formed at Alamo Heighs High School in San Antonio in 1963.
On April 18, 1964, the San Antonio Light profiled the band with the headline Teen Musicians with Haircuts, noting they had $3,000 invested in equipment, and listing the lineup as:
Wink Kelso – vocals Pat Wellberg – lead guitar Bill Bellamy III – bass guitar Tony Volz – rhythm guitar Jimmy Taylor – drums
A May 13, 1965 notice in the San Antonio Light lists the same five members.
The San Antonio Express and News reported on June 27, 1965 about the band’s summer engagement outside Chicago, Illinois:
Half-way through a 10-week contract in Mt. Prospect, Ill, – a suburb of Chicago – are Jim Taylor and Pat Wellberg, who spent last winter studying at Alamo Heights High School, and Bill Bellamy, Tony Volz, Wink Kelso and Chip Stokes, all veterans of one year at Trinity University.
Members of the “Centurys,” a dance band … the boys were hired by Club Living, an apartment complex for young people in their twenties. During the week the boys are being kept busy cleaning swimming pools, mowing lawns, chauffeuring air line stewardesses to and from airports, and generally odd jobbing. But on Saturday nights they really “go to town.” …
Chip is their manager.
“This is going to be quite a deal,” the boys reported happily as they prepared to drive North. “As a band we draw an extra $300 every Saturday night!”
A November 18, 1965 article shows a change in drummers:
Wink Kelso – vocals Pat Wellberg – lead guitar Bill Bellamy, Jr. – bass guitar Tony Volz – rhythm guitar Eddie Phlager – drums (I’ve also seen his name spelled Eddie Pladger, or perhaps Phleger)
The Centurys opened for the Kingsmen at the Granada Ballroom. Unfortunately an extensive history of the Centurys early days by Bill Bellamy is now gone from the internet and not availabe on the Internet Archive. If anyone has archived all of mikesbandarchive.com, please contact me.
In late 1964 or 1965, the Centurys released a single on Mark, “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On” backed with a hot version of the Ventures’ “Gandy Dancer”.
Part of a feature on the Pandas in the San Antonio Express And News Sept 10, 1966
The San Antonio Express and News of September 10, 1966, featured the Pandas and reviewed their history.
In March of 1966, “Mrs. Mel Adcock, who owns and manages Swingtime Productions and manages many top bands, auditioned the Centurys as house band for a new television program called “Panda-Monium,” to be shown in the Houston area.”
To fit with the TV program, the Centurys changed their name to the Pandas and in May cut a great single on Swingtime SW-1001/2 “Walk”, an original by Will Bellamy and Wink Kelso. The flip was a cover of the Beach Boys’ “Girl From New York City”.
By September, 1966, Galen Niles had replaced Bill Bellamy. Galen had been in the Minuets. On the great but defunct mikesbandarchive.com site, the Minuets were described as having the longest hair in San Antonio in 1965. Members included David Frazier on vocals; Larry Murphy, rhythm guitar & vocals; Galen Niles on lead guitar; and Charlie Shoenfeld on bass and keyboards. Jim Ryan wrote: “Galen was playing a great Chet Atkins Country Gentleman and tuned before every set by just listening to open strings. They opened a show for us in Austin and almost stole the show.”
The Pandas were now a quartet:
Wink Kelso – vocals Pat Wellberg – guitar Galen Niles – guitar Jimmy Taylor – drums
The article continues:
Pandas Currently Among City’s Best
Last May, the Pandas released their first single under the Swingtime label, “Walk” and “Girl from New York City.”
A hit locally, a movie of the Pandas introducing the new tunes was shown in Houston and Dallas. The record really hit big in Florida and the lads were immediately offered guest appearances in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach and Miami – offers they couldn’t accept because of school.
Wink Kelso, vocalist is a sophomore at Trinity University … He plays guitar, drums and the organ and has taken formal singing lessons.
Pet Wellberg, who plays the lead guitar and 12-string with the Pandas, was voted “Most Talented” in his senior class last year at Alamo Heights.
Jimmy Taylor, a Trinity University sophomore … plays drums with the Pandas and can swing his ax to any tune and make it come out great.
Galen Niles, a Trinity University freshman … has two hobbies – playing the guitar and teaching the guitar.
Galen formerly played with the Pipelines and the Minuets, both popular local bands. His favorite nationally known band is the Yardbirds, a name he speaks with awe.
The September 17 article has a follow-up and different photo of the Panda, but I don’t have access to that image.
On October 15, 1966, the Express and News noted that Alamo Heights High School won a show by “Wink and the Pandas” on October 22.
In October 1967, Wink Kelso & the Kaleidoscopes appeared at the Casket in Kerrville.
On January 19, 1969, the Express and News had a long profile on Wink Kelso noting how he was singing the role of Paquillo in Offenbach’s La Perichole and also fronting the Kaleidoscope during his senior year at Trinity. Members of the Kaleidoscope at this point include Mike Lasley, Peyton Starr, Pat Mellberg, Scottie Melton, George Holcomb and Dave Sequin.
Wink says, “We’ve stumbled onto a new thing … using a guitar as a percussion instrument. It gives rhythm and blues a great drive.
On August 31, 1969, the Express and News ran a photo of Wink Kelso and the Kaleidoscope, noting they had returned from a summer tour in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Venture, Orange Grove, Long Beach and Tacoma. It lists the current members as Pat Wellberg on lead guitar, Mike Lasley on bass guitar and backing vocals, Steve Smith on drums and percussion, and Tito Morena and Dave Sequin on saxophones.
A 1973 article discusses Wink Kelso’s role in a rock adaption of Lewis Carroll, called Alice and Wonderland, and that just prior he had been in another group, Giant Smiling Dog.
Will Bellamy would play bass in Rachel’s Children.
More info or photos of the Centurys or Pandas would be appreciated.
The Good Humor Band, 1968, from left: Ken Cottrell, Jesse Preciphs, Mona Bateman, Jimmy Rogers, David Jones and Bobby Henderson
The Good Humour Band came from Austin, Texas, forming about May of 1968 and playing a number of shows at the New Orleans club in June and July. Gig notices always billed them as The Good Humor Band.
The Austin American-Statesman ran a photo of the group on July 27, 1968. The lineup at this time was:
Jesse Preciphs – lead vocals Kenneth Cottrell – organ David Jones – lead guitar Mona Bateman – rhythm guitar Bobby Henderson – bass Jimmy Rogers – drums
A September 19, 1968 article in the Austin Daily Texan describes a talent show of UT students:
“The hypnotic throb of the Good Humor Band assailed the eardrums of a packed Hogg Auditorium audience Wednesday night as the Forty Acres Talent Show stages its ninth annual performance.” The article discusses some solo performers at the show: Wayne Holtzman, Roger Woest and David Flack.
On December 11, 1968, the Good Humor Band played a benefit concert for the Zachary Scott Theater Center with the Shadows of Doubt. A news item mentions the group recently completed a recording session at Robin Hood Brians studio in Tyler, and that Ken Cottrell was also their manager & spokesman.
In January, 1969 the band played three nights at the Pusi-Kat in San Antonio with Joe Thomas and the Virgil Foxx Group.
According to a short notice about the group from February 28, 1969, the lineup had changed, dropping Jesse Preciphs, Mona Bateman and Jimmy Rogers; and including Billy Jones on drums:
Ken Cottrell – organ and piano David Jones – lead guitar Bobby Henderson – bass Billy Jones – drums
The February 28 article has this tantalizing note:
… the first Good Humour record – “You’ll Get By” on the A side – was released here this week and the band’s initial album – Aunt Mabel’s Golden Tonic – will be out next month.
Unfortunately the album was never to see the light.
Ken Cottrell and David Jones wrote both songs on their only single on Ignite Records H-692, “You’ll Get By” / “The Man”. Library of Congress registration on March 28, 1969 lists words by Jones and music by Cottrell.
The man’s been driving by my house today, I think it’s time I got away …
Bruce H. Hooper produced the single. He also produced the Shiva’s Head Band single on Ignite, but not the Richard Dean 45, which was C.F. Rowsey (Fred Rowsey). Ignite Music BMI published the songs.
A Brite Star Promotions ad in Billboard on May 24, 1969 lists both the Good Humour Band and the Shiva’s Head Band singles on Ignite.
Billboard listed in Buyer’s Guide of August 30, 1969 lists Ignite as label, publisher and recording studio at 308 W. Sixth St., Austin, with President Bruce H. Hooper, and Vice President C.F. Rowsey. The 1970 guide drops Rowsey and adds Richard Gembler as General Manager.
One interesting note about the studio is 308 W. Sixth St. became Odyssey Sound, Ltd., owned by Jay Aaron Podolnick and Steve Shields, from February 1972 until August 1978. In 1978, John Ingle and Larson Lundahl purchased Odyssey and renamed it Pecan Street Studios after remodeling.
I’d like to know what other recordings were made at 308 W. Sixth St. in those early days before it became Odyssey.
Ken Cottrell passed away on July 9, 2009 at the age of 60, according to a website devoted to him, www.kennethcottrell.com
More info or photos of the group would be appreciated.
July 4 weekend with the Good Deeds (“1st Austin appearance winner of Corpus Christi Battle of Bands”) and New Orleans Club regulars the Eternal Life CorpAt the Pusi-Kat in San Antonio, January 1969
Thank you to Jonas Carlsson for help with this article.
July 31, 1965, from left: Jimmy Smith, Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young on drums, Mike Langston, and Phil ReeceTerry Lee Hungerford with Gretsch guitar and amp, June, 1964
The Motovators formed in the spring of 1964 in Haltom City, just northeast of Fort Worth, Texas. The original lineup was:
Terry Lee Hungerford – bass and vocals Roger Young – drums Terry Fagan – lead and rhythm guitar Jimmy Nobles – rhythm guitar
Terry Lee Hungerford (b. June 28, 1947) and Roger Young played in all iterations of the group.
At least six other musicians would be in the group before their breakup in August of 1965:
Jimmy Moore – guitar Mike Langston – vocals and maracas Dale Morgan – lead guitar David Morris – lead and rhythm guitar Phil Reece – lead guitar Jimmy Smith – keyboards
The Motovators recorded two songs in March, 1965, but only two demo acetates were made and the record was never released.
Terry Lee Hungerford’s mother Blanche kept an excellent scrapbook of photos and clippings. She also kept a detailed log of the Motovators’ live shows, beginning with a steak house in Whitewright, TX, and notable events in the history of the band. Thanks to her work, and the help of Wm. Lewis Wms., I can present this detailed history of the Motovators and the Fort Worth scene in 1964-66.
Motorvators practice photo, 1964, from left: Mike Langston, Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young and Terry Fagan
May, 1964 – The Joker Club – Terry, Roger, Fagan, Jimmy (first paying gig)
In June of 1964, Jimmy Nobles moved out of state and was replaced by Jimmy Moore. That summer Mike Langston joined on vocals and maracas.
Motovators lineup at this time was:
Mike Langston – vocals and maracas Terry Fagan – lead and rhythm guitar Jimmy Moore – guitar Terry Lee Hungerford – bass and vocals Roger Young – drums
December 5, 1964 to January 1, 1965 – ten shows at the Hi-De-Ho Club
December 24, 1964 – Jimmy Moore leaves band, replaced by Dale Morgan on lead, and Terry Fagan moves to rhythm guitar.
Lineup December 24, 1964 – March 5, 1965
Motovators business card January or February 1965
Mike Langston – vocals and maracas Dale Morgan – guitar Terry Fagan – rhythm guitar Terry Lee Hungerford – bass and vocals Roger Young – drums
January 8, 9, 15, 16, 1965 – Club Contempo, 609 Riverside Drive (billed as Terry and the Motovators”
January 23, 1965 – Holiday Skating Rink ‘Battle-of-the-Bands” with the United Sounds, the Jades (2nd place), the Barons (1st place), the Coachmen and the Images, emcee is Mark Stevens WFJZ DJ.
February 6, 1965 – The Inn’s Tavern, 3132 East Lancaster
February 13, 1965 – Holiday Skating Rink – Valentine Dance “Holiday Hop” with the Images
February 20, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink audition with KXOL DJ Bob Allen and rink manager Mr. Goodwin
March 1, 1965 – Panther Hall audition with KCUL DJ Ron McCoy
The Motivators, spring of 1965, from left: Mike Langston, Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Phil Reece (correct ID?), and Terry FaganReceipt from Clifford Herring Sound Equipment: 1 hour studio time, 1 1/4″ tape and 2 acetate 45s for $28.05Terry Lee Hungerford’s lyrics for “She’s Gone”
March 4, 1965 – Clifford Herring Recording Studio, “She’s Gone” by Terry Hungerford and “Darling, Don’t Go”, 1 hour of studio time, tape and two acetate demos $28.05. (Clifford Herring’s studio shared an address with the Sound City studio.)
March 5 – Dale Morgan quits band to join Bobby Crown’s band. Phil Reece joins on lead guitar.
Mike Langston – vocals and maracas Phil Reece – lead guitar Terry Fagan – rhythm guitar Terry Lee Hungerford – bass and vocals Roger Young – drums
March 5 – Cowtown Bowling Palace with the Barons and KXOL DJ Bill Warren
March 6, 1965 – Holiday Skating Rink with the Barons
March 8, 1965 – Panther Hall audition with KCUL DJ Ron McCoy and hall owner Bill Kuykendall. Other bands at the audition were the Chantones and the Images
March 10, 1965 – Panther Hall rehearsal for “Panther-a-Go-Go”
March 12, 1965 – Panther-a-Go-Go with the Images and the Sounds Unlimited. Host Ron McCoy, with Kay Harris and go-go-dancers. The Motovators on top stage with the Images and the Sounds Unlimited on the sides. Robin Hood Brians & His Merry Men were the main attraction. Outline of show
March 13, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink with the Kasuals. The Motovators play “She’s Gone”. Phil Reece announces on Monday that he’s joining Bobby Crown’s band. However, it seems that Phil would rejoin the Motovators for in late April.
March 26, 1965 – Motovators turn down Panther-a-Go-Go show with the Images and Jerry Lee Lewis.
March 27, 1965 – The Inn’s Tavern
March 29, 1965 – band buys new striped coats and yellow shirts from Foreman & Clark, $13.84 each.
April 2, 1965 – National Hall Battle-of-the-Bands with the Capris, the United Sounds, and Charlie Christy & the Crystals. Emcees Bob Allen and Bill Warren of KXOL. The Crystals won the battle for 30% of the door.
April 3, 1965 – Holiday Skating Rink with the Barons. Photos bay Donnie Fisher
April 5, 1965 – The Teragon Club audition with the Coachmen, but lost the job to Jerry Williams & the Epics
April 10, 1965 – Terry & Roger made two trips to Dallas to see Marvin Montgomery about releasing their record, but he was out both times.
April 16 & 17, 1965 – The Inn’s Tavern
Transcription of “She’s Gone”, a necessary step for copyright registration
April 19, 1965 – Terry & Roger went to see Red Woodward at 3132 Waits to have lead sheet made of their song for $7.50. Filled out form Copy E to register with Library of Congress for a $4 fee
April 20, 1965 – Fagan leaves band, and Phil Reece rejoins on lead. David plays rhythm
Mike Langston – vocals and maracas Phil Reece – lead guitar David Morris – rhythm guitar Terry Lee Hungerford – bass and vocals Roger Young – drums
April 23, 1965 – The Teragon Club, lineup was Terry, Roger, Mike, David and Phil.
April 24, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink, one band, 10 til midnight, $8 per person
April 30, 1965 – Colonial Country Club for the Lake Worth High School Senior banquet
May 1, 1965 – audition at the Pit in Dallas was cancelled, but the group auditions for Louann’s Club. $80 a night if booked.
May 5, 1965 – police called for loud practice at 11 PM.
May 7 & 8 – Safari Club at 3535 E. Belknap (private club)
May 13-15, 1965 – booked to play Jacque’s Lounge in Roswell, New Mexico for $125 per night, but cancelled when the owner found out the group was underage.
May 14, 1965 – Skyliner Ballroom lineup was Terry, Roger, Mike and Phil with David Morris, car stolen. Last show with David Morris.
May 15, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink with the Coachmen (“one of the Coachmen played as 5th member of Motovators”)
May 16, 1965 – “Jimmy Smith joined band – playing the organ”
Mike Langston – vocals and maracas Phil Reece – lead guitar Jimmy Smith – organ Terry Lee Hungerford – bass and vocals Roger Young – drums
May 19, 1965 – practice in Terry’s garage is broken up by police at 9:30
May 21, 1965 – Panther-a-Go-Go (TV broadcast on May 23 on Channel 11) with Lady Wild & the Warlocks, the Velvateens from Lubbock/Texas Tech), Cecil Lang McCullough, and the Warlocks, plus Panther-a-Go-Go drummer Al Breaux. Kay Harris was one of the dancers.
May 21, 1965 – Louann’s Club, for two hours after playing Panther Hall
May 27, 1965 – Kenney’s Club – Terry played with Tommy Skagg’s band.
May 28, 1965 – Skyliner Ballroom
May 29, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink
June 1, 1965 – Ft. Hood Crossroads Club, lineup with Terry, Roger, Mike, Phil and Jimmy, with Tommy Skaggs and Patti Myers joining on vocals. $170
June 2, 1965 – Roger has his hair cut short
Ad for the Shindig autograph party where the Motovators and the Elites played live, June 4, 1965
June 4, 1965 – Motovators and the Elites booked by Ray Beard for Shindig! autograph party at Round-Up Inn behind Will Roger’s Coliseum, with DJ Mark Stevens.
June 5, 1965 – appointment for audition at Studio Club in Dallas
June 5, 1965 – Ft. Hood N.C.O club, lineup with Terry, Roger, Mike, Phil and Jimmy, with Tommy Skaggs and Patti Myers joining on vocals. $170
Terry trades his original Gretsch “bikini” bass for a new Gibson at C&S Music, salesman Eddie Hale, June 8, 1965
June 11, 1965 – Teen a-Go-Go at Round-Up Inn
June 12, 1965 – Ft. Hood poolside party with Tommy Skaggs
June 17, 1965 – with Sandy Black at the Coronado Club, 3203 Holtzer St.
June 18, 1965 – New coats, blue plaid with black satin lapels from Al’s Formal Wear at $32.64 each
June 18, 1965 – National Hall Battle-of-the-Bands.
June 19, 1965 – Coronado Club
June 25, 1965 – Skyliner Ballroom
June 26, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink -after the show Terry, Roger and Donnie left to Villa Acuna, Mexico at 4:15 AM, returned later than they expected on Monday causing Donnie to lose his job. This Monday was also Terry’s 18th birthday.
July 1, 1965 – audition at the Party Line Club
July 2, 1965 – National Hall with DJ Bill Warren for 25% of door
July 3, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink with DJ Bob Allen
July 5, 1965 – Mike Langston leaves the group, which will continue as a four-piece: Terry, Roger, Phil and Jimmy
July 9, 1965 – Phil buys a new Fender amp, Jimmy a Sears amp
July 9, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink
July 10, 1965 – Holiday a-Go-Go with the Blue Notes and DJ Mark Stevens. The Blue Notes ask Terry to join them for a three-day tour, but turns it down because of the Motovators bookings
July 13, 1965 – Mike Langston back in band
July 16, 1965 – Panther-a-Go-Go with Johnny Green & the Greenmen, Van Johnson, the TrenTones, Larry & Don. Joe Knapp taped the Motovators show and Terry Guinn took photos.
Terry turns down offer to join the Greenmen to finish education.
July 17, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink with Bob Allen
July 18, 1965 – broadcast of Panther-A-Go-Go taped on July 16
July 24, 1965 – Caravan of Stars at Arlington Recreation Hall with KFJZ DJ Khan Hamon
Motovators drum head
July 25, 1965 – “sign made for Roger’s drums. Art shop on Commerce St.”
July 25, 1965 – Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands” with Larry & the Blue Notes, the Jades, the Images, the Kasuals, the Visions, the Naturals, the Barons, Chas Christy & the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers and the Coachmen. Emcee was Bill Warren of WXOL, show host was Mr. Fred Slater.
1st place – Charles Christy & the Crystals 2nd place – Larry and the Blue Notes 3rd place – The Images
Prizes were a trip to the West Coast, 1 year of guaranteed bookings, and opening slot with the Righteous Brothers at Will Rogers Coliseum.
July 31, 1965 – professional photos taken of band at L.S.G.C. Auditorium by Bill Wood
July 31, 1965 – Jolly Time Skating Rink, Bob Allen DJ
August 1, 1965 – Panther-A-Go-Go rerun on TV with the Motovators doing “Walkin’ the Dog”
August 19, 1965 – KXOL DJ Bill Warren wants to manage the Motovators.
August 19, 1965 – Band offered to play six nights a week at Suite 225 club at 3520 Camp Bowie, but had to turn down because of Jolly Time booking on August 21.
Terry Lee Hungerford portrait (front page of scrapbook)
Terry Lee Hungerford would join Jerry Williams & the Epics in 1966. Starting in the 1970s he would be part of several bands including Ripe Chops, the Freedom Band, the Other Brothers Band, No Respect, Road Crew, and the Terry Hungerford Blues Band. He worked for Pacific Bell and even opened his own BBQ restaurant, Hungerford’s Finest in Watsonville.
Terry passed away on February 20, 2019.
All the posts based on Terry Hungerford’s scrapbook can be viewed at this tag link.
Special thank you to Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
The Kasuals who cut “Girl (You Better Stop Your Lying)” / “You’re Gonna Break My Heart” were from Fort Worth, Texas. They are not to be confused with the Dallas group Kenny & the Kasuals.
Members were:
Ronnie Wright – lead vocals David Morris – lead guitar Mike Thomas – rhythm guitar Tom Myers – saxophone Larry Boynton – bass Charles Bassham – drums
David Morris wrote both sides of their only single on Spotlite SP2001. Publishing by Bluebonnet Pub. Co.
Spotlite issued singles by other Fort Worth artists like the Chocolate Moose.
An article by Sarah Harris in the Georgetown Megaphone from February 25, 1966 notes that the Kasuals appeared at Club 62 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The band seems to have been popular in Georgetown, 160 miles to the south of Fort Worth. They played a Zeta Tau Alpha “Pop Art” dance at a steak house,
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing the photo from Panther Hall.
Article in the Georgetown Megaphone, February 25, 1966Announcement of the Kasuals to appear at Georgetown’s first coffee house on S. Austin Ave, run by Keith Kellow with Jon Bertolet, Ray Anderson, David Detwiler and Bill Paul.Georgetown Megaphone May 8, 1966. Imagine what this “pop art” must have looked like.
The Motovators on the top stage of Panther Hall for Panther A-Go-Go, March 1965Weekend lineup with the Greenmen, the Motovators, Wanda Jackson and the Partytimers, July 16-17, 1965
Bill and Corky Kuykendall built Panther Hall in 1961 as a bowling alley, located at 600 Collard St on the east side of Fort Worth. When bowling didn’t succeed, the owners reopened on July 4, 1963 as a live music venue.
By 1965, KTVT, channel 11, was broadcasting an hour of the Cowtown Jamboree live on Saturday evenings. Friday nights were “Panther A-Go-Go” from 7 PM to midnight, and taped portions were shown on KTVT on Sunday evenings.
Panther a Go Go would feature four stages for these 1965 shows: a main center stage, smaller stages on the left and right, and a fourth in a balcony above the main stage. Panther a Go Go continued into 1966 and 1967 but on the footage I’ve seen these shows took place on the main stage.
The Sounds Unlimited at Panther Hall, March 12, 1965. Clockwise from left: Steve (last name unknown) on bass, Bill Mercer on red guitar, David Thompson with tambourine, Ron Davis on guitar and Mike Collier on drums
The Motovators appeared at Panther A-Go-Go at least five times in 1965. They auditioned twice, on March 1 and March 8, 1965 the second time with KCUL DJ Ron McCoy and hall owner Bill Kuykendall. Other bands at the audition on the 8th were the Chantones and the Images.
Two days later they rehearsed at the hall, and on March 12 they played with the Images and the Sounds Unlimited, plus Ron McCoy as host, and Kay Harris leading the go-go-dancers. The Motovators were on the top stage, with the Images and the Sounds Unlimited on the sides. Robin Hood Brians & His Merry Men were the main attraction. A detailed set of instructions refers to Gary Carter instead of Robin Hood, I’m not sure why.
The Sounds Unlimited were a Dallas group. The photo at right is an early version of the group with Bill Mercer, David Thompson, Steve (last name unknown), Ron Davis, and Mike Collier. By 1966 Ron Davis had formed a new version of the Sounds Unlimited with Paul Jarvis, Steve Webb, Phil Ferrell and Chuck Hodges (and Ron Mears replacing Chuck Hodges). This later version cut their only single, “Keep Your Hands Off of It” / “About You” on Solar Records.
The stage set up at Panther A-Go-Go, Panther Hall, March 1965Panther A-Go-Go stage Instructions, March 12, 1965
On March 26 the Motovators turned down a Panther A-Go-Go show with the Images and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Show schedule for the May 21, 1965 Panther A-Go-Go
They appeared on the May 21 Panther A-Go-Go with Lady Wilde & the Warlocks, the Velvateens from Lubbock/Texas Tech, Cecil Lang McCullough, and the Warlocks, plus “Panther-a-Go-Go drummer” Al Breaux.
The Velveteens played one side of their single, “Ching Bam Bah”, which had been released in February.
Lady Wilde is the same singer who cut two 1965 singles, “Poor Kid” / “Another Year” on ARA and “Noise Of Sound” / “Poor Kid” on Chicory, both produced by Royce McAfee. Her real name was Marie Smith.
I don’t have a record of the Motovators at this show on June 4, 1965, but this ad was in the scrapbook.
The Warlocks were the Dallas band that included Dusty Hill, Rocky Hill, Philip Vickery and Kean McClelland. In 1966 they cut the great singles “Life’s a Misery” / “Splash Day” on Paradise and “If You Really Want Me to Stay” / “Good Time Trippin'” on ARA. At some point after the singles, the Warlocks added Frank Beard on drums and became the American Blues. Little Richard Harris was also a drummer for the Warlocks at some point, according to Dale Smith of the Allusions in an interview with Mike Dugo.
After playing Panther Hall, the Motovators went to Louann’s Club in Dallas to play for an additional two hours!
The Motovators at Panther Hall July 16, 1965. From left: Jimmy Smith, Mike Langston, Terry Hungerford, Phil Reece and Roger Young.
On July 16, the Motovators appeared on Panther A-Go-Go with Johnny Green & the Greenmen, Van Johnson, the TrenTones, and Larry & Don. Joe Knapp taped the Motovators show and Terry Guinn took photos.
After the show the Greenmen asked Terry to join them, but after some discussion with his family, he declines to finish his education.
Sunday, July 25, Panther A-Go-Go held a huge “Battle-of-the-Rock n Roll Bands” with eleven bands: Larry & the Blue Notes, the Jades, the Images, the Kasuals, the Visions, the Naturals, the Barons, Chas Christy & the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers and the Coachmen. Emcee was Bill Warren of WXOL, show host was Mr. Fred Slater. The family scrapbook preserves set lists and scores for the bands.
1st place – Charles Christy & the Crystals 2nd place – Larry and the Blue Notes 3rd place – The Images
Prizes were a trip to the West Coast, one year of guaranteed bookings, and opening slot with the Righteous Brothers at Will Rogers Coliseum.
On August 1, Panther-A-Go-Go was rerun on TV with the Motovators doing “Walkin’ the Dog”.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
Thank you to Ron Davis for correcting the info about the Sounds Unlimited.
July 25 Battle-of-the-Bands lineup, and set lists for the Motovators, the Jades and the ImagesSet lists for Larry & the Blue Notes, the Kasuals, the Visions and the Naturals, July 25, 1965Set lists for the Barons, Charles Christy and the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers, and the Coachmen, July 25, 1965Motovators score sheet – a 10 for musical performanceBattle of the Bands scores, July 25, 1965
Jerry Williams and the Epics were friends and/or rivals of the Motovators.
Terry Hungerford’s scrapbook contains an ad for Jerry Williams at the Bayou Club, another venue that has disappeared to history. It was located at 5828 Calmont Ave in Fort Worth, now covered by I-30.
When the Motovators split up on September 1, 1965, Terry Hungerford joined the Epics on bass.
Jerry played lead guitar, for the other members I only have first names: James on drums, Mike on rhythm guitar, and Don was their manager. Sam Coplin handled bookings at some point.
They played five consecutive nights from September 7-11 at a spot called Suite 225.
In 1966 the Epics cut their only single: “Whatever You Do” written by Jerry Williams and Don Gilmore, backed with “Tell Me What You See” (the Beatles song despite credit on the labels to Williams and Gilmore). Georgia Lapping and Jerry Conditt produced the record on Brownfield BF-140, and Phil York engineered the session.
Jerry Lynn Williams was born on October 30, 1948 in either Dallas or Grand Prairie, and raised in Fort Worth. Around 1970 he moved to Los Angeles and joined High Mountain. Jerry composed the majority of songs for High Mountain’s album Canyon on Columbia Records, and also the High Mountain Hoedown album on Atco.
Jerry became well-known as a songwriter. Artists including Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded his songs. He died in St. Martin on November 25, 2005.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
They released one excellent single on Music Mill 404, “My Kinda Woman” / “A Swingin’ Summer”, both by T. Martin and G. Carter, publishing by Levelland BMI.
I don’t have much info on the group, other than those two names T. Martin and G. Carter. Their drum head has a location, a short word ending in “t” – Hurst, TX maybe?
The Images came in third place out of 11 bands, at the July 25, 1965, Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands”.
Thanks to the meticulous scrapbook kept by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present the photo of the group and their set list from the July 25 battle-of-the-bands.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
The Images set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965
On July 25, 1965 the Visions were one of eleven groups at the Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands” with Larry & the Blue Notes, the Jades, the Images, the Kasuals, the Motovators, the Naturals, the Barons, Chas Christy & the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers and the Coachmen. Emcee was Bill Warren of WXOL and Fred Slater hosted the show.
Thanks to an amazing scrapbook created by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present a photo of the group, their promo card and even a partial set list.
Panther-a-Go-Go used as many as four stages, a main one in center, another up in a central balcony, plus stages left and right on the floor. The Visions were the sixth of the 11 bands, they played on the right side stage, and their nine songs included “Twist and Shout”, “Summertime”, “What’d I Say”, “Walk Don’t Run” and “The McCoy”.
The Visions came in last in this particular competition, but would have lasting success in the future.
Visions set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965
Of the three Texas records on their own Vimco label, my favorite is the fantastic “She’s the Girl for Me”, with the moodier “Take Her” on the other side.
In November the Visions would re-release “Take Her”, this time with a great version of “Route 66” on the flip. In March of 1966, they made their last Texas single, the heavy “Humpty Dumpty” backed with a version of the Beatles’ “You Won’t See Me”.
That summer of 1966, the group moved to Hollywood, CA, where they would record for Warner Bros. and UNI, make some TV appearances, and sign to Buddah Records with different group names, Sugar Canyon, and the Rock & Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Co. of Philadelphia.
More information, videos, and many very small photos can be found at Billy Dalton’s website.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
Bo Yale, Garlin Holcomb (Garland Halcomb?) and Junior Allred ran the Party Line Club in Fort Worth, TX. The Motovators auditioned at the Party Line Club on July 1, 1965, but may not have received any bookings.
I don’t know the Party Line Club’s address, but the same owners opened another night club, the Tracer Club, located at 5123 E Lancaster Ave in Fort Worth, TX.
The Tracer Club opened on June 1, 1965, advertising “Table to table telephones • Closed Circuit TV • Carpeted walls • 4,000 square feet of luxury – Something New For Texas“. Kay Harris made her vocal debut with Jim Jones & the Chaunteys.
Gary Payne and the Play Mates appeared at the Tracer Club on September 10, 1965. This was the band Phil Reece and Jimmy Smith joined after the Motovators split up.
The Rondels appeared there in April and May, 1967.
If anyone has more info on these night spots, please contact me.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
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
