The Devil’s Own came from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, or more precisely Greenland which lies just to the west. They cut a double-sided monster on Exit Records in late 1966, one side a version of “Hey Joe” with writing credit to Powers (Chester Powers, a pseudonym for Dino Valenti). The flip is an intense take on Willie Dixon’s “I Just Wanna Make Love”.
The single actually made the local radio charts. The ARSA site has a survey of WBBX 1380 AM from November 28, 1966 showing the Devil’s Own version of “Hey Joe” at number 16. The release number CO 1907 probably refers to Cook Laboratories, the eccentric studio run by Emory Cook in Stamford, CT.
I assembled a list of members from the comments below, but I don’t know if it’s complete or who played what instrument. They included:Garland Purdy – vocals
Stephen Hill
Joe Wilbur
Paul Murphy
Jon Wyckoff – bass
Greg Naseman
Wayne Valzania – drums
I’ve found notices of their live shows starting in January 1966 and continuing through February 1968.
One news clip from the Herald shows the band’s manager, George A. Browning, taking ownership of a Shelby GT-500 and a Shelby Cobra. Browning was in his mid-twenties at the time and also managed the Tierdrops (who included Paul Murphy).
Browning’s name appears extensively in the Herald for speeding and drunk driving citations until about 1973.
Stephen Hill wrote to me:
George (Spike Browning) drove the Ford Cobra and Joey Wilbur drove the Shelby GT 500. The Devils Own opened for BJ Thomas and the Triumphs at a surf club, and the Tierdrops opened for Teddy and the Pandas at the Pine Grove.
Advertisements show the Devil’s Own playing many school dances and a military teen center, and entering a battle of the bands with the Scorpions and Mongols from Kittery, the Ushers from York, the Agents from Eliot.
At the Skyline in Newington, NH, the Devil’s Own supported Little John & the Sherwoods (the Lowell, MA group who had the cool “Long Hair” / “Rag Baby” on the Fleetwood label) and co-headlined with the Spectras. They shared the stage with the Spectras again at the Pine Grove Pavilion in Portsmouth.
Anyone have a photo of the Devil’s Own?
Hey there, my father (Garland Purdy) was the singer for this band. I once had the flip side to this EP, but it has been lost in travels. I wonder if you have the recording of “Hey Joe”?
Hey Ange, I just got turned on to this site,but there is someoneup in Northwood,NH who has been in touch with me about buying some of my stuff. I only have one record which I feel I should keep for Lindsey/ Teddy, but I’ve got lots of pictures, calendars, magazine( Teen Scene). I was kind of disappointed that your dad or anybody else didn’t reach out to me when they were here for Lucy’s wedding…. anyways,this is exciting that people give a shit about a bunch of juvenile delinquents!!
Hey Jon, I’m sorry I’m only just getting this now. I didn’t get a notification.
My dads flight was a disaster. They flew in early, early the morning of the wedding and they left the day after. It was a whirlwind.
There are lots of people who are interested people reach out every once in a while.
I’m currently being asked about a club in Sugarloaf in the 60’s-70’s that had bands play. I’m sure my dad played at the Red Stallion but I’m not sure with which band or when exactly?
Hey Angie, this is cousin Chuck Caswell. Not sure if this might help but here’s a link to “Hey Joe.” https://youtu.be/wPKvFKSibNQ
My name is Joe Wilbur and I was in the devils own
Hi Joe, I have lots of pictures of us in the Tierdrops and clippings for the pinegrove if your interested, would love to hear from you. Steve
Hi Stephen and Joe,
I posted this article and I’d be interested in hearing about the Tierdrops or the Devil’s Own – contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com
Thanks,
Chris
This is Joe Wilbur and you can get me at 210 449 4018.Give me a call
Hey Steve. Great to hear from you. Call me sometime and we’ll talk. Love to see your pics and articles. My number is 210 449 4018.looking forward to hearing from you
Hi Joe,
My husband is Paul Murphy. He has great memories of being in the Tierdrops and Devils own. And Driving that famous Mustang GT!!!
He would love to get in touch with anyone who is still around.
please contact me.
Joe, I went on a few dates with you down at Hampton Beach when you drove a 67 corvette stingray. I saw you for the first time at the Commodore ballroom you were standing behind me. I cant remember who was playing that night, it might have been the doors.You gave me your business card. I was madly in love with you. I was only 15 at the time. I am now a 72 year old woman who finally found info on the Tierdrops. I saw you and your band play at Hampton Beach. I remember also seeing you down there on your motorcycle.
I was also in the Tierdrops and have pics and writeups on both bands
Hey Joe, Garland Purdy’s 5oth Reunion is coming up this summer. Would you have any digital photography of the group. It would be great to have in our Alumni Booklet. jamesjimcalvert@yahoo.com
No. But I do have an article of our very first gig.
Hi, Joe and Stephen!
I know it’s been a while since you guys have been in this thread but would either of you like to interview (skype/google hangouts are an option if you don’t live in the area anymore!) for my indie variety/music show, the Exeter Oddity Showcase? We interview artists from the Exeter area and would love to do a retrospective on the 60s music scene!!
Thank for your consideration,
-H. Donnell
I would love to if your still interested. You can call me 918-896-9799 to set it up. Thanks for keeping the bands alive. Steve .
I run a show called The Exeter Oddity Showcase for Exeter’s public access station, Channel 98. The show is about the indie music/art scene in Exeter. I would love to do a retrospective episode on this era of our local history!
If anyone was in a band at this time or went to any of the shows mentioned in these clippings, please talk to me! I’d love to interview you and learn more about 60s bands in Exeter/Portsmouth!
Thanks!
This is Steve Penney, I started a band, in 1962 in Sanford Maine, called the tidal waves. Also was a close friend to George Browning
Hello little Joe, this is Steve Penney of my band tidal waves
Jon Wyckoff trying to get thru but the web site penalizes you for lengthy letters. I was the bass player for the Devils Own and have lots of info
603 2359224 text me
Greg Naseman of The Devil’s own
602-332-5866
aquagardpoolcovers@yahoo.com
Wayne Valzania was a drummer in the band.
Say hi to your dad Angela. I went to Greenland Central School with him and spent many times at his house on the Winnicut River.