Originally released on the A.C.P. label out of Jacksonville, the Illusions’ “I Know” is a great upbeat song with syncopated shouts of “hey!”, swirling organ and good harmonies. I also dig the insistent bass drum pattern.
Picked up for release by Columbia, it reached #3 on the charts of Orlando radio station WLOF in August of 1966. It was written by by the band: Rob Gardner on organ, Jim Williams guitar, Skip Hewett bass, and Tim Touchton on drums.
The flip is “Take My Heart”, a lighter vocal number by Roosevelt Gardner, a more formal name for Rob Gardner.
According to Jeff Lemlich’s Savage Lost, the band was from Palatka, about an hour’s drive south of Jacksonville, and had their own TV program on local channel 12. The photo was originally posted on the Limestone Lounge, a great forum on Florida music of all eras and styles.
Another former member of the Illusions was Isaac Guillory, the future Cryan Shames member. He’d already split the band by the time the record was cut.
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
1) Rob never went by the name Roosevelt, just Rob.
2) The TV show hosted by The Illusions was Let’s Go.
Shakin’ Up Summer might have been the Dalton Gang when The Illusions did not renew contract.
Not really positive on this one.
3) Jim went into the Army, the other 3 went to college.
4) I Know was written by the entire band…bits and parts, here and there, until done.
The Dalton Gang did follow-up after The Illusions. I used to be the road manager for the Dalton Gang in the late 60’s. David Griffin, who was killed along with his wife In a motorcycle, played bass in the band. The lead guitar went on to play with the Classics IV. I believe his last name was Burrell … Not sure… Been too many years. But it was great times in Jacksonville at the Southside Women’s Club, Riverside Women’s Club and the Beaches Auditorium.
i was there too bill! especially those friday night gigs at southside women’s club in glynlea. good times in ’67 & ’68.
Is this Bill C. of Southern Artists?
This is Dan Putnam, ‘Barry & Dan’ from St. Augustine. I booked a lot of bands that played dances at the Armory.. We last spoke as you started university in SC.
I was at university in Munich just as Tim Touchton arrived. Did not know he was there.
Bill C.
My email is: munchen1@msn.com
Dan Putnam
I played with the RAVENS from Jacksonville, We met the Illusions when we played in Palatka and we got them booked at the Womens club in jax, on Beach blvd. In return, they helped us get more bookings in Palatka. The RAVENS were not well known because we played Our 1st job at the green st youth center in 1964 but by Mar 1965, we were playing full time at Danny’s a go go in St Augustine and then got booked in Ft. Lauderdale at the ESCAPE hotel and LENNY’S, the largest nightclub in Ft Lauderdale. Then the military struck and we disbanded until 1966. Limited success after that. The RAVENS were:
Junior Johnson, drums, Robert Kimrey, lead guitar, Ted Maloney, Bass,
Hank Spencer, Keyboards. In 1966 we did play all the teen clubs, Navy bases and also, Atlanta, (Bill Lowery audition). toured Alabama, played in Charleston SC. and Tampa Fl. (met Mike Pinera, Blues Image). Then the band split up.
They had a television show on WFGA (NBC affiliate) in Jacksonville called “Shakin’ Up Summer” and were the hottest band around. I think they went into the service and Rob went to work for WFGA. They were great.
I saw The Illusions perform dozens of times in Jax when I was in high school(usually at the Southside Women’s Club). At the time, there was a rumor that Issac Guillory(Cryan Shames) was the writer of “I Know.” When The Cryan Shames played a show at the Jacksonville Beach Coliseum in the 60’s, I went backstage and asked Isaac about it, and he told me yes, he had written the song, but let the Illusions have songwriter credit.
I danced a million miles to the band starting when Isaac was still with them. Tim is a very successful producer, lyricist, vocal coach, etc in Germany and has several gold records. He’s written for movies and wrote the opening number for the Munich Olympics. We’re still friends (he was even my landlord while I was in law school!) Rob is still in Palatka working in the family business, Jim retired from the Army, I’m pretty sure, and Skip is a scientist (biologist, I believe).
Skip is a chemist with Dow in Philadelphia.
Are you “the” Billy Allen of Palatka,FBC and Donna’s brother?
Pam Pellicer Garris
Thank you, yep the TV show was Let’s Go and it was the first one, in Summer of 1966, then The Bitter Ind, with Butch Trucks, future Allman Brother, was on in the Fall, then The Dalton Gang in the Summer of 1967, with Shakin Up Summer.
These were great times!
This was the most popular band in Jacksonville Fla……. They played at my Senior Prom at Bishop Kenny High School in 1966 I still have a copy ( 45 ) of their hit ” I Know ”
I have dozens of pix of the Dalton Gang from back in the day. They were from Jacksonville and I was their fan club prez, out of Daytona Beach. They redid Marvin Gaye’s “Stubborn Kinda Fella.” Bobby Brantley was Lieutenant Gov of Fla for a while. John, the organist had a stint with Three Dog Night, but left just before they hit it big.
Hey Beth, I would love to see those photos of The Dalton Gang performing. Jim McClure (drummer) is my father. jameymcclure@gmail.com
Hi I sure would like to see the pictures you have of the Dalton Gang. I was the the lead singer for the group. If you get this please send them to my email……..thanks
rickfoxworth@ymail.com
Ricky Foxworth, A picture of the band is a the very bottom of the Limestone Lounge web site on your google seach. at the very bottom about 20 pages down. Good Luck Rick Holley use to be from the westside of Jacksonville
Is there any way to purchase a 45 of the Palatka group the Illusions, or hear a recording. A dear friend who needs a lift was telling me all about the group, after I spent several months working in Palatka Florida. He was so excited about the group I wanted to find something for him, either a 45 or u tub recording!!!
Thank you,
Jeanetta
You can find a recording on You Tube. I know I am a year too late, but replied in hopes you get this. My husband is Jim’s eldest son.
We might be related, Jim is my cousin. I am Grace’s kid.
I was in the same graduating class (Palatka High School , Class of 64 ) as Tim and Isaac. Had classes with both of them. Tim told me a few years ago that Issac had passed away (heat attack maybe.) All the town loved them !!
As I recall being from Lee Hi School in Jax 1965 and St Johns River Jr College I remember the Illusions very well. As I recall they had to change their name because of the group the Illusion. I always thought the Classics 1V were more popular
.They were from Jax. I think Touchton went to SJJC the same time as I did.
I remember the Illusions playing the song “Little Black Egg “at the southside women’s club in 1966.
Attended SJJC in Palatka and I believe Jim Williams was a student at the same time. He was a very nice person. The band was very good and popular in north Florida.
I remember watching the Illusions on channel 12’s
Let’s Go.I remember DJ Mike Renairi from WPDQ
was the host.I was only 9 but into guitar by then.saw
the Bitter Ind. do a song called Something New on that show..the pop music scene was huge in Jacksonville in 1966.
I was a singer and dancer on Shakin up summer. Great band,Great show,great times
Wondering if any of the girls on the show are still around?
My husband, Jimmy Williams, Jim Williams oldest son was contacted inquiring about donating a copy of the 45 of “ I Know” for a museum Bill Conrad is putting together. The family only has a few copies and would love to help. If anyone has a copy they would like to donate or sell we would love to have more, and one to donate. Also any pictures would be a treat. We only have a few that have been passed down. Thank you!
I was a dancer on Shakin’ Up Summer in 1967, along with a few friends from Bishop Kenny High School. Those were the days! So fun to find this conversation. I remember the Dalton Gang, the Illusions and the Boys— all incredible dance bands! I would love to find video of the SUS shows. The TV station says they don’t have them in their library.