The Epics came from Brookhaven High School in Columbus, Ohio. Warren Knox, Jim Miller and Michael Richards wrote the great A-side, “White Collar House” which refers to some kind of upscale nightspot, whether a dance club or bordello I can’t decide as the lyrics are vague. The band’s performance is a stand-out, and Musicol Recording Studio did a good job recording it.
Library of Congress records show copyright registered on May 1966 to Warren Knox, James Miller, and Mike Richards (Michael Kirk Richards). The band was a quintet but I don’t know who the other two members were.
Michael Richards wrote the gloomier b-side, “She Believe In Me”, and also arranged both sides. S. Graves produced the session.
It’s the only release I know of on the Dolphin label, which Buckeye Beat suggests was tied in with the Blue Dolphin Club for teens. There is a rare picture sleeve which I don’t own that shows the photo at the top, with a blank back.
Warren Knox was not a member of the Epics. Bill pence on organ (back left), Roger Pence on bass guitar (back right) and Bruce Kerr on drums (back middle). Mike Richards, the creator, leader and lead guitar of the Epics is on the front left and Jim Miller – lead singer – is on the front right of the picture. Scott Graves was our manager. In fact the picture on our record sleeve was taken in Scott’s back yard! White Collar House was suppose to be about a teen club but some of the choice of words unfortunatly left that unclear. Thank you for putting information out on our band. We did in fact spend lots of time practicing in garages!
Help! Does anyone know how I can contact Michael Richards who was the lead guitar player for the Epics of Columbus Ohio?
Thanks,
Roger Pence (played bass guitar in the Epics)
e-mail – rogbevpnc@yahoo.com
There was a band that played a variety show at a rural school when I was a youngster. The band was “The Epics” however I don’t know much else. When they started playing it was such a shock to the locals that people left the auditorium in droves. I stayed, that is, until my mom came back in and dragged me out by my ear but I was in love with this new experience called rock and roll. I’ve tried for years to figure out who the band was and what happened to them. This took place in the Oklahoma Panhandle sometime in the late 60’s. I’ve been obsessed this last year with all these old memories that keep popping up. Thanks for any info.
Sorry Lance,
But it was not the Epics from Columbus, Ohio. I know that for sure because I played bass for the Epics.
When I was a kid, the black Epics bus broke down in front of our home just west of Marysville, OH. Somewhere in my parent’s stuff are a couple of pictures of the bus and the guys and a copy of the 45 with the cover photo they gave my mom. I have not seen these items in years but my parents never threw anything away. We had just moved to the country and were still living in an old trailer. If I come across these items, I will post them.
I remember when that happened! The bus engine blew a head gasket. How embarrassing it was to drive through downtown Marysville with people yelling, “Hey! Your bus is on fire!”
We were on our way to Chicago to open a Hullabaloo Teen Club. Our manager sent a u-haul truck, we transferred our equipment to the truck and were able to make the gig in time.
I remember our passing out records to some of the people there. If you find the record, the record, search the internet because the sleeve is worth some money.
any chance of getting the band back together? I am looking at putting together a new event that brings back “garage bands” along with an urban climb but finishing with garage bands. I know sounds crazy but we operate 3 parking garages and one surface lot adjacent and attached to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. People are always looking for unique experiences so if we were to partner up with an urban climb of the parking facilities and end with a Garage band type theme either in the convention center or in one of the garages I think it would be really cool and somewhat nostalgic. What do ya think?
Hello Sue:
I doubt that you could bring all of the original members together after all these years. I haven’t had contact with any of the guys since around 1979.
Are you related to Scott?
Did Tim Reynard play drums for them ..he is my cousin
Yes, Tim did play drums for the Epics at the beginning but had to drop out of the band and was replaced with Bruce Kerr on drums.
Bruce lived behind us and I remember an Epics concert (practice) in their back yard.
Bruce used to be my baby sitter and us kids would watch Bonanza then was sent to bed. Bruce was given permission to change the channel to see the Beatles on Ed Sullivan for their first ES appearance. So that’s how I got to see that famous performance. We kids were irked that we didn’t see all of Bonanza. Lol.
Yes, I’m proud to say I was your baby sitter. I remember there was 3 or 4 of you rug rats, but very good kids. Your parents went bowling on Sunday nights and I think your favorite show was Wonderful World of Walt Disney? When I switched over to ES to watch the Beatles, the channel came in pretty blury and out of focus. It was like the first time experiencing psychedelics. (not that I ever did psychedelics). At school next day everyone was taling about the Beatles… I said yea, did you all see the trails coming off of Ringo’s head? Thanks Dave for the memories.
Yes, Tim Reynard was our first drummer. After a few years he left and was replaced by Bruce Kerr, who stayed until the band broke up. Both were excellent drummers.
Jim Miller
Pickerington, Ohio
I just purchased this 45 today. Has signatures from all the guys and their manager!! Thank you all for sharing this information!! What a great story to go with a great buy!!
Following a nostalgic conversation with a relative about the band’s escapades, I learned of this site. I had no idea there could be so much interest after more than a half-century.
AS I recall, our last gathering was in 1979 at my house in Newark, Ohio. I’ve often wondered what became of all the band members, and would welcome an opportunity to reconnect again – not to get the band back together (we’ve all moved on, I’m sure) – but just to reminisce and catch up.
Best regards,
Jim Miller
Lead singer, Epics
artframeit@gmail.com