The Juveniles, l-r: Jimmy Clark, Doug Sprouse, Kenny Hayes, Danny Keller and Karl Dersch
There were a number of groups in the U.S. going by the name The Juveniles. This particular group was originally from southeast Washington, D.C., with members later living in nearby Hillcrest Heights, Oxon Hill and Fort Foote, Maryland. They aren’t related to the Juveniles I featured on an acetate a few weeks back.
“I Wish I Could” is first rate garage with a pounding drums, lots of sustain on the guitar solo, and good harmony vocals, all drenched in echo. The flip is a ballad, “What Can I Do”. Both songs were written by Keller and Clark, though publishing info shows Danny Keller only.
Karl Dersch’s father managed the group, and sometime after this photo Dean Dersch also joined the band. Jimmy Clark’s sister Joyce Williams told me Jimmy has since passed away. She also mentioned that the beautiful double-necked Mosrite was the first sold on the East Coast.
The Zap label was from the Mt. Rainier neighborhood just outside Washington, D.C. No connection to the Tennessee label of the same name which released the Starlites’ “Wait For Me”.
Special thanks to Joyce for sending the photo of the group.
The band (The Juveniles) members were primarily from the Oxon Hill area of Maryland and played many of the firehouses dances, battle of the bands, etc. They were a very tight well reheased act in the mid to late 60’s. I went to school with the drummer Kenny Hayes who lived in Fort Foote. I still have a copy of their 45-rpm record which has the song “What Can I Do” on the “B” side.
I remember the guitar player, played a double neck Mosrite guitar and they sounded fabulous live.
Can you download that 45 to this website or somewhere.? We would love to hear
While The Juveniles of Let Me Tell You Girl ear slop infamy are garage and punk these here Juveniles of I Wish I Could are neither garage nor punk for they are polished and it’s obvious they worked on both the song and the studio recording as the drummer’s classmate here implies. These Juveniles were way ahead of those other Juveniles and it has nothing to do with age difference.
Thank you for the memories about the Juveniles. Jimmy Clark was my cousin. He was a very talented and accomplished musician. As families will do, we followed the Juveniles everywhere. They were a great group of guys; in addition to Jimmy, there was Danny Keller on rhythm guitar and vocals, drummer Kenny Hayes, Karl Dersch on bass guitar and later, Doug Sprouse on vocals. Wow, what a great moment to be able to listen to their 45 again….thank you with all my heart.
Jimmy, the lead guitarist, was my brother. Jimmy, Danny and Kenny used to practice in our 3rd floor apartment in SE Washington and later in Hillcrest Heights. They all played by ear and were extremely talented. I believe they would still be going strong if not for the Viet Nam War.
Hi Im Karl I live in wisconsin I was the bass player back then, I remember going to jimmys house to visit, he showed me his red mosrite and thats the last time give my regards
Karl w dersch
kenny hayes and danny keller If you come by this email call me or email me at 608-333-8336 or kwdersch@hotmail.com.
The Juveniles: What can you say; Jimmy was my cousin, we used to listen to the band all the time. If Jimmy hadn’t passed away who knows what would of been. Those were the good old days. We will always remember!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Jimmy,Janice,Joyce,Sis and don’t forget Phebee
Linda Morris (Carlo)
Hi Linda, Maybe you do not know me I am Karl Dersch the Bass player for the juveniles, Jimmy Clark was the best lead player that I have known, If Jimmy hendricks and him had gotten together they would be in the same class,.
Jimmy could play anything that he heard twice on record the last time I saw him was years and years ago after he got out of the army, sure miss him and the band
I am on face book if you would like to add me as a friend that would be fine.
karl dersch
Karl I am Charlie Robinson. I played in the band with Dean. Your father managed us for a couple of years and then everyone quit and went their own ways. I found this site and was wondering what happened to the guys in your band and the guys that Dean and I played with. I know Danny went on to play with Magic Rain but have not been able to find Kenny H or Doug Sprouse. I still play guitar for my own amusement and still remember they way to play a couple of bass lines from some beatle tunes that you taught me. I played the bass guitar. We really had a great time back in those days are you still playing in a band. I would like to get in touch with Dean if he is still in the area. I live near Annapolis, Md. Thanks Charlie R
Hi Charles, I am Karl Dersch I used to play with the juveniles back then as the Bass player. My brother Dean now live in new jersey phone number is 856-357-5064.
Doug Spouse live in Virgina. Phone number is 240-416-3100,. You can visit me on facebook Karl
Doug Sprouse died 12/28/2019. He was retired from Allentown fire Dept. PG County Md. US Army, Security adviser with Beretta USA.
WHEN I LIVED IN MARYLAND I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH DOUG AND DANNY AND KARL.I BELIEVE IT WAS POTOMAC SENIOR HIGH.WHAT I REMEMBER IS WHEN THE BAND FIRST STARTED ,DOUG WAS ON DRUMS AND THEY PLAYED A LOT OF INSTRUMENTALS,OUTER LIMITS AND BATMAN THEME.AMONG OTHER MUSIC.THEY SOUNDED REALLY CLOSE AND TOGETHER.DOUG WAS ALSO A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN AT THE STATION IN GLASSMANOR.I HOPE EVERYONE HAS BEEN HAVING A GOOD LIFE AND ENJOYING MUSIC.I WAS JUST SITTING DOWN ONE EVENING AND REMEMBERING MY PAST LIFE.YOU GUYS WERE A PART OF A GOOD THING.BEST OF LUCK TO ALL.
ITS GREAT TO HERE FROM EVERYONE! ANYONE CAN REACH ME @ ORRAMBO@AOL.COM RO CALL @ 408-821-7522 (MY CELL#) I WILL TRY TO REPLY ALSO…….I LIVE SILICON VALLEY,SAN JOSE,CA.
ANY ONE WANTS TO CONNECT.orrambo@aol.com or 408-821-7522 thx,danny keller
Another one of the Juveniles passed away on March 11, 2015. Karl Dersch.
He was still playing music, and trying to get into a band and play part-time. He last auditioned in the fall of 2014. to get into a band, but didn’t make it. It always amazed me that he didn’t read music, but could play almost anything after hearing it. His loving wife Barb Dersch
Hi I’m Danny Keller I would like to hear from anyone please call 408-821-7522 thx with the Juveniles ( D C / MD)