Five of a Kind, from left: Jay Vestal, Mike Magruder, Jimmy Reese, Phil Patterson and Wayne Taylor
The Five of a Kind released one great double-sided 45: “Never Again” / “I Don’t Want to Find Another Girl”. For years collectors have listed the band as a Fort Worth group, but like their Vandan label-mates the Gentlemen, they were actually from Dallas, as their bassist Phil Patterson confirmed to me:
I was in Five of a Kind (1964-1967) in Dallas, Texas, I was the bass player.
The band members were:
Lead guitar and singer: Wayne Taylor (Rickenbacker 12 string and Vox 6 string) Rhythm guitar and singer: Jimmy Reese (Vox) Drums: Mike Magruder (Ludwig) Sax: Jay Vestal Bass: Phil Patterson (Fender Precision)
Rhythm Kings, from left: Jimmy Reese, Phil Patterson, James Parrish, and Wayne TaylorWe went to Bryan Adams High School in Dallas along with Kenny and the Kasuals and others you have listed. Our first band, ‘the Rhythm Kings’ with Wayne Taylor, Jim Reese, and Phil Patterson along with our first drummer, James Parrish, before Mike Magruder joined us. The Rhythm Kings never recorded, but became ‘5 of a Kind’ with the addition of Jay on sax and Mike on drums. James Parrish died in 1966 racing his Corvette at a local quarter mile track. He had left the band about two years before I believe.
Rhythm Kings, from left: Jimmy Reese, Phil Patterson, James Parrish, and Wayne TaylorThe music we played was probably typical of the period. We played mainly the popular British Invasion music – Beatles, Stones, Yardbirds, Animals, Dave Clark 5, etc. as well as Young Rascals, Beach Boys, and we did a great version of Sonny and Chers’ “I’ve Got You Babe” (sorta campy version really). Also some of the soul standards and rhythm and blues we needed to play depending on the crowd that night.
The Mystics beat us out for the record contract they received and I believe that would have been at Broadway Skateland in Mesquite, Texas. There were sixteen bands in that battle-of-the-bands. Ronnie Blocker was also a bass player for Ricky and the Royals who was the house band there, and his dad owned the place.
We also played at Louanns, the Sumpin’ Else television dance show (with Ron Chapman as host) and Panther a Go Go television show in Ft. Worth where also on the bill that night were the Bill Black Combo, Peter and Gordon from England, and Johnny Green and the Green Men. We also played at La Maison in Houston and Gilley’s as well, when they added rock type music. We also played at Dewey Groom’s Long Horn Ballroom in Dallas when they added rock music to their usual country schedule.
We played at all the usual skating rinks in the area (Twilighters in Oak Cliff and Broadway in Mesquite come to mind); the Vaughan brothers would have played at Twilighters. Also high school sock hops and graduation dances. Small clubs and private parties all over the metroplex. Bill Ware’s Pirates Nook, the Amber Room where Lady Wilde and the Warlocks also played (Frank Beard and Dusty Hill’s older brother Rocky Hill); we played with the Marksmen (Boz Skaggs and Steve Miller at my uncle’s airport in Garland with sponser KBOX and Scotty McKay I believe. Hate to call those guys a garage band but they probably were at one time. We played many times at White Rock Lakes’ Winfrey Point for private parties, etc.
Early photo of Five of a KindI remember the night we played La Maison in Houston and were playing the Rascals song “Good Lovin'” when we were surprised by the actual Rascals coming on stage and finishing the song and announcing they would be playing there the next night. That was a thrill for us.
Some nights were not so great such as the time we were booked into the NCO club at Ft. Hood. We were double booked with a soul band. The club manager said we could battle it out to see who played and would be paid for the gig and let the audience decide. We played to luke warm response and the soul band clinched it with some James Brown and the two sax players they had doing a front somersault off the stage. The crowd went wild and we packed up to head back to Dallas that night.
We played all the time and had a good local following. All the band members were good musicians but Wayne wrote the original songs. Wayne was a typical lead singer/guitarist with lots of ego going on, but I think you have to be that way. The girls all loved Jay’s blonde surfer locks. I, as the bass player had a good music following because I played my Precision bass by finger picking and could play fast Yardbirds riffs. Then there were the groupies (thanks Sandy and Sherri and all the others), they were probably the real reason we all became musicians in the first place.
We released one 45 on the Vandan label (Tom Brown manager, and recorded at Summit Studios [Sumet Sound]). The ‘A’ side was called “Never Again” and the ‘B’ side was “I Don’t Want to Find Another Girl” [both] written by Wayne Taylor.
We sold almost a thousand records at 10 cents per record going to the band. I remember one check for $16.00 for each of us. Wow…
At one time we had a booking manager who said his name was Andy Presley and was a cousin of Elvis. The guy had the pompadour and the look. We later found out he was a Mexican guy and may not have been Elvis’ relative after all. We dropped him as he was also not booking many gigs for us.
I have not heard from Wayne, Mike or Jay since not long after the band broke up in ’67. I do know that Mike Magruder became a successful local DJ in Denton, Texas. Jimmy Reese worked all his life at the JC Penney company and lives in San Antonio, now retired I believe.
I’m now practicing commercial real estate sales in Plano, and was formerly an owner of the San Francisco Rose restaurant (still open after 32 years) with Scott Fickling and Larry Smith.
Phil Patterson, December 2009
Thanks to Phil for sending me the history of his group, and for the photos and scan of the 45. Thanks to Jay Vestal for the two flyers and the photo at the bottom of the page.
Yearbook photo for a show with the Rafters, with band business cardfrom left: Wayne Taylor lead guitar, Jay Vestal on sax and Phil Patterson on the bass guitar he wishes he still had, and Mike Magruder drums. (caption by Jay Vestal)
July 4, 1965 gig at a barbecue place in Dallas
“I don’t remember, but I think we won. Anybody that was willing to play at 9:30 a.m. deserved to win!” – Jay Vestal
12 thoughts on “Five of a Kind”
Phil has the best memory around. And, my year’s with Five of a Kind were, shall we say, formative.
I left Five of a Kind and moved to Memphis but never was able to get together with another band with the connections and following of 5 of a Kind. Went to college, moved to Salt Lake City where I’ve raised a family over the past thirty years, but I still remember……
I am Wayne’s sister (oldest of two) and am very surprised and delighted to have found this link, which was sent to me by Wayne’s widow. I just wanted to guys to know, Debbie (Wayne’s widow) actually played the record at his memorial service … so many thanks to you all being there via audio. I must admit, it made me giggle to remember …. thanks to all!
Cheri, I’d very much like to know what happened to Wayne. Did he continue his music career after Bryan Adams? I’d be pleased to know something about his life. I’m sorry to hear he passed away. Any details you can share, the rest of the band would like to know I’m sure.
Cheri, It would be really great if you can fill in the days for us regarding Waynes’ life after Bryan Adams. I had not heard anything about him until last year regarding his passing away, and that was through Classmates.com. I was able to get together with Jay and Mike in Denton Texas a few months ago, and keep up with Jim Reese via email as well. The band days were great memories for us all. Phil Patterson
Hi Jay and all, Since there is a 9 year difference in our ages, I’m not sure about Wayne’s music career early on. We both had our own “gig” as I traveled doing shows (ballet, musical theater, etc.) and Wayne traveled doing music. However, Wayne’s music career didn’t ever really go past the local level in his later life and sadly, I don’t think he ever really accomplished what he wanted to as far as music is concerned. He did ALWAYS continue to write, play and sing and loved his music life. Typical of Wayne, he had beautiful rare guitars and the best of the best in amps and “toys”. The catalyst for his staying home was when he had a terrible (really)motorcycle accident in late 90’s or early 2000 and was in recovery mode for years. It really took a toll on his body and mind, and he developed some additional respiratory issues compounded by his life long asthma. So apparently he just quite breathing in his sleep. He just simply didn’t wake up one morning, so his departure was very peaceful. I truly miss his writing, which he eventually replaced playing music with since he was physically incapable of moving the equipment around and keeping up the pace. But his guitar was never far away. Thanks for your interest. I miss the sweet man, a lot.
hi Phil, I just replied to Jay and thought perhaps I could copy that response, but I can’t find it now! Technology! Anyway, Wayne never really went further with his music, much to his disappointment. He had a life threatening motorcycle accident in the late 90’s eary 2000, and it really kept him in recovery mode for the rest of his life. Physically and mentally he just could no longer do what the music biz required of him … dragging equipment around, keeping up with the pace, etc. So he replaced that with writing, and was really quite entertaining with it,of course. He developed some horrendous respiratory complications, and couple with his life long asthma, he simply just quite breathing in his sleep one night. He was at peace when he passed away. We are all grateful for that, as his last 10 years or so were quite hard. Thanks for your inquiry, and I do hope all is well with you and yours! I miss the man, for sure! Cheri
Cheri, I was looking at the webpage after not checking it out for well over a year. I saw the information you had posted regarding Wayne. I was sorry to read about his motorcycle accident and passing. He was such an interesting guy and very talented musician and writer of music as well. I noticed our bands’ ,songs which he wrote, can be found on YOUTUBE, and they have been on various compilation albums through the years as well, so I guess he does have a musical legacy. I still hear quite often from our other guitar player, Jim Reese, and run into some of the other Bryan Adams band members from time to time. I bought a 1967 Gibson bass guitar which I still play and ride my Harley Roadking often, but will try to be extra careful all thing considered. Although I do not not know you, I am empathetic with you regarding Wayne. He was one that could get things going for the band. Hope all is well in your life these days. Wish he could have stopped that smoking habit early on… Phil Patterson March 17, 2012
I went to Bryan Adams and knew Jay Vestal back in the day… I was an aquantance of Phil Patterson.& sorta knew Mike Magruder in Denton when we both attended NTSU…I had the 45 rpm by Five of a Kind…I was a huge music fan back then and for a long time after.. I met Wayne only once when Jay was visiting from Memphis…& also met Phil then also…..but talked to Phil once or twice when we were both at NTSU… I heard that Wayne was in a band called THE CHILDREN but I can’t confirm this…..so it might be just a rumor… I’m an internet addict & blogger these days….My greatest hits are http://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=94579 http://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=159615 http://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=184994
Sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing..He was a talented guy… Best.Philip S.p
5 of a Kind had a mistique.They had a mysterious name that didn’t start with THE…{They were probably one of the first to do this….Before CREAM,Queen,Led Zeplin,etc…..They had a talented leader who didn’t put his name in front of the rest of the band members like Kenny & THE Kasuals or Garry & THE Pacemakers. They exuded professionalism….They had a good 45rpm record. After The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in February of 1964 a lot of high school rock bands were formed. Before The Beatles the coolest guys in high school were the football players.After 1964 it was being in a band. After JFK was taken out the slow march towards the Viet Nam War started and as these young musicians graduated from high school the draft usually spelled the end of these bands. As Paul Simon said “the 1960s was like no other time,before or after.”
Tom Brown who wrote “Wine, Wine, Wine” was one of my best friends and Best Man at my Wedding in 1961. Tom also owned Vandan records. He passed on a few years later. Thanks for the memory.
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
We released one 45 on the Vandan label (Tom Brown manager, and recorded at Summit Studios [Sumet Sound]). The ‘A’ side was called “Never Again” and the ‘B’ side was “I Don’t Want to Find Another Girl” [both] written by Wayne Taylor.
Phil has the best memory around. And, my year’s with Five of a Kind were, shall we say, formative.
I left Five of a Kind and moved to Memphis but never was able to get together with another band with the connections and following of 5 of a Kind. Went to college, moved to Salt Lake City where I’ve raised a family over the past thirty years, but I still remember……
Jay Vestal
Hey everybody!
My drums were actually Slingerland Pink Champagne sparkle….
I am Wayne’s sister (oldest of two) and am very surprised and delighted to have found this link, which was sent to me by Wayne’s widow. I just wanted to guys to know, Debbie (Wayne’s widow) actually played the record at his memorial service … so many thanks to you all being there via audio. I must admit, it made me giggle to remember …. thanks to all!
Cheri, I’d very much like to know what happened to Wayne. Did he continue his music career after Bryan Adams? I’d be pleased to know something about his life. I’m sorry to hear he passed away. Any details you can share, the rest of the band would like to know I’m sure.
Cheri,
It would be really great if you can fill in the days for us regarding Waynes’ life after Bryan Adams.
I had not heard anything about him until last year regarding his passing away, and that was through
Classmates.com. I was able to get together with Jay and Mike in Denton Texas a few months ago, and keep
up with Jim Reese via email as well. The band days were great memories for us all.
Phil Patterson
Hi Jay and all,
Since there is a 9 year difference in our ages, I’m not sure about Wayne’s music career early on. We both had our own “gig” as I traveled doing shows (ballet, musical theater, etc.) and Wayne traveled doing music. However, Wayne’s music career didn’t ever really go past the local level in his later life and sadly, I don’t think he ever really accomplished what he wanted to as far as music is concerned. He did ALWAYS continue to write, play and sing and loved his music life. Typical of Wayne, he had beautiful rare guitars and the best of the best in amps and “toys”. The catalyst for his staying home was when he had a terrible (really)motorcycle accident in late 90’s or early 2000 and was in recovery mode for years. It really took a toll on his body and mind, and he developed some additional respiratory issues compounded by his life long asthma. So apparently he just quite breathing in his sleep. He just simply didn’t wake up one morning, so his departure was very peaceful. I truly miss his writing, which he eventually replaced playing music with since he was physically incapable of moving the equipment around and keeping up the pace. But his guitar was never far away. Thanks for your interest. I miss the sweet man, a lot.
hi Phil,
I just replied to Jay and thought perhaps I could copy that response, but I can’t find it now! Technology! Anyway, Wayne never really went further with his music, much to his disappointment. He had a life threatening motorcycle accident in the late 90’s eary 2000, and it really kept him in recovery mode for the rest of his life. Physically and mentally he just could no longer do what the music biz required of him … dragging equipment around, keeping up with the pace, etc. So he replaced that with writing, and was really quite entertaining with it,of course. He developed some horrendous respiratory complications, and couple with his life long asthma, he simply just quite breathing in his sleep one night. He was at peace when he passed away. We are all grateful for that, as his last 10 years or so were quite hard.
Thanks for your inquiry, and I do hope all is well with you and yours!
I miss the man, for sure!
Cheri
Cheri,
I was looking at the webpage after not checking it out for well over a year. I saw the information you had posted regarding Wayne.
I was sorry to read about his motorcycle accident and passing. He was such an interesting guy and very talented musician and writer
of music as well. I noticed our bands’ ,songs which he wrote, can be found on YOUTUBE, and they have been on various compilation albums
through the years as well, so I guess he does have a musical legacy. I still hear quite often from our other guitar player, Jim Reese,
and run into some of the other Bryan Adams band members from time to time. I bought a 1967 Gibson bass guitar which I still play and ride my
Harley Roadking often, but will try to be extra careful all thing considered.
Although I do not not know you, I am empathetic with you regarding Wayne. He was one that could get things going for the band. Hope all is well
in your life these days. Wish he could have stopped that smoking habit early on…
Phil Patterson March 17, 2012
I went to Bryan Adams and knew Jay Vestal back in the day…
I was an aquantance of Phil Patterson.& sorta knew Mike Magruder in Denton when we both attended NTSU…I had the 45 rpm by Five of a Kind…I was a huge music fan back then and for a long time after..
I met Wayne only once when Jay was visiting from Memphis…& also met Phil then also…..but talked to Phil once or twice when we were both at NTSU…
I heard that Wayne was in a band called THE CHILDREN but I can’t confirm this…..so it might be just a rumor…
I’m an internet addict & blogger these days….My greatest hits are
http://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=94579
http://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=159615
http://forum.davidicke.com/showthread.php?t=184994
Sorry to hear about Wayne’s passing..He was a talented guy…
Best.Philip S.p
5 of a Kind had a mistique.They had a mysterious name that didn’t start with THE…{They were probably one of the first to do this….Before CREAM,Queen,Led Zeplin,etc…..They had a talented leader who didn’t put his name in front of the rest of the band members like Kenny & THE Kasuals or Garry & THE Pacemakers.
They exuded professionalism….They had a good 45rpm record.
After The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in February of 1964 a lot of high school rock bands were formed.
Before The Beatles the coolest guys in high school were the football players.After 1964 it was being in a band.
After JFK was taken out the slow march towards the Viet Nam War started and as these young musicians graduated from high school the draft usually spelled the end of these bands.
As Paul Simon said “the 1960s was like no other time,before or after.”
Tom Brown who wrote “Wine, Wine, Wine” was one of my best friends and Best Man at my Wedding in 1961. Tom also owned Vandan records. He passed on a few years later. Thanks for the memory.
Ivan
Sent from my iPad