Bob Sanders ran the Knight and Spectra labels, among others, during the mid-’60s in Dallas, Texas.
The Knights 45 was completely unfamiliar to me until Brian Kirschenbaum wrote to me with the scan and transfers of the record. He was surprised to find a Texas 45 had made its way to upstate New York. It’s an interesting single, very much influenced by the British sounds of the time in changes and feel, especially on “I Know It Now”. Bob Kissell wrote both sides.
I had no information on the group until a couple comments were left (see below). As it turns out, this band made an unlikely journey from upstate New York to work in Dallas, Texas. In Watertown they were known as Dick and the Knights.
I’ll repeat most of Dick Kissell’s comment here:
The group consisted of Chuck Martuzas, bass (now deceased); Bob Lawlor, drums; Bob Kissell, lead guitar; and myself on rhythm guitar. The vocals were done by Bob and myself.
On a whim, we went to Dallas in the fall of 1964 because we had a friend down there who said he might be able to help us find some local clubs needing bands. We started out at a place called The Haunted House Club then moved on to the Disc-A Go Go and eventually LouAnns. We became house band at LouAnns.
Lewis Lindsey played the organ part on the “Stay” side. A guy named Bill Petty was friends with Lewis Lindsey and was also part owner in the Haunted House club; that’s how we got the recording deal. Only 300 copies were pressed. Later the following year, we became friends with The 5 Americans and played around Dallas for awhile until returning home.
Dick Kissell added in an email to me:
The single “Only You Hold The Answer” was a regional hit for us around 1967. My brother Bob Kissell wrote the melody while I wrote the lyrics. He plays (blues) around the Daytona Florida area in the winter, and then comes home and plays here (Watertown, NY) summers.
The Knights second single, “Only You Hold the Answer” b/w “Walkin’ The Streets” may have been their own production with no involvement from Bob Sanders of Knight Records in Dallas. The labels credit their last name as Kisslle (sic). The single had publishing by Pinent Music, BMI and the band recorded it at Dayson Studio in East Syracuse, NY.
Many thanks to Brian Kirschenbaum for alerting me to the Knights 45 and to retrogirl86 for the info in her comment.
The Knights (aka…Dick & The Knights) were a very popular Upstate NY band in the 1960’s. “B. Kissel” would be Bob Kissel. He and his brother Dick were in The Knights. They had connections with Wool (Ed Wool & The Nomads), and Dick Kissel played with Ed Wool in The Pineapple Heard (Diamond Records – “Valleri”) and The Sure Cure (Cameo/Parkway Records – “I Wanna Do It”). There was also a 45 released on the Knight record label, which I have in my collection. “Only You Hold The Answer” b/w “Walkin’ The Streets” are the songs. I will have to dig it out and scan it and send it to you.
Hi,
This is Dick Kissell who was in the band “The Knights.” The band hails from Watertown, NY up near the 1000 Islands region. The group consisted of Chuck Martuzas, Bass (now deceased) Bob Lawlor, Drums, Bob Kissell, lead guitar, and myself on rhythm guitar. The vocals were done by Bob and myself. On a whim, we went to Dallas in the fall of 1964 because we had a friend down there who said he might be able to help us find some local clubs needing bands. We started out at a place called The Haunted House Club then moved on to the Disc-A Go Go and eventually LouAnns. We became house band at LouAnns. Lewis Lindsey played the organ part on the “Stay” side. A guy named Bill Petty was friends with Lewis Lindsey and was also part owner in the HH club; that’s how we got the recording deal. Only 300 copies were pressed. Later the following year, we became friends with The 5 Americans and played around Dallas for awhile until returning home. All the info that “retrogirl” provided was correct. She must be from around here to have this information. Anyway, thanks for providing the site and I hope more entries are made. Dick Kissell
I work in a “Big Box Retailer” that starts with a “W” up here in Watertown, NY, and Bob (or Dick) (whoever is the bike rider) visits here in the summer and brings his guitar to play at a few venues up here. It’s always a pleasure to bump into him, and if anyone gets a chance to catch his one man band act it will not be an hour or two misplaced. The geezer still rocks! I remember the band in the late ’60s and early ’70s playing these parts as “Kiss” before another band appeared with that name. They also played as the “South Shore Road Band,” or at least one of them did. As lame as this area is for many other things, one thing it has always had is great musicians. Bob and Dick would be two of them.
My father managed disc a go go from 63-67 — I rembef the 5 Americans playing there
Hi, my name is Buddy and one of my best friends grew up in Watertown and remembers Bob’s band being one of the best in the area. My friend Bill is in a band and has been in several over the last 45 years. He recently discovered a version of Bob playing “Only you hold the answer” on youtube. It’s a great song and I would love to give him a gift of the lyrics as I know he is teaching himself the melody to the song. It is bringing back great memories of his life in Watertown. I have left my email address above and hope to hear back from you. If not I understand and will just enjoy the performance as is on youtube. Thanks again.
Hello, all…
My father (and both sisters, at one point) worked at the Haunted House from the mid-to-late 60s or earliest 70s. If someone would, please contact me regarding the restaurant/club. Thank you.
I went to college in Watertown from 1968 to 1970 and the highlight of our week-ends was finding where The South Shore Road Band was playing. They were the very, very best band within a hundred miles. I still carry on about those week-ends and how great the band was.
I grew up in the Watertown area in the sixties and knew Bob. Bob is one of the most talented musicians to come out of NNY. Myself and three friends had a small local band. We would all go to watch Bob play whenever we we’re free and lucky enough to get by the door bouncers because none of us were of age (18) at that time. Bob always took the time to talk to you and it meant a great deal to young aspiring musicians.
After I got my draft notice in 1969 and joined the USAF, my last year in the service 1973 I was stationed at Griffiss AFB in Rome. Each weekend my wife, myself, and a group of friends would travel from Griffiss to watch Bob and KISS play at the Gaslight in Watertown. Great times, music and memories. Thanks Bob.
I grew up in Watertown in the 1960s and remember the Kissel brothers in the South South Road Band. My cousin and I always went to where ever they were playing. They wre the best!
I remember the South Shore Road band from my college days at Geneseo, NY, where they played at an all-night concert festival around 1970-71 or so, maybe ’72(?).
Fine band, with good vocals.
They were the best bands out of a bunch at the event, along with The Chapins (from NYC, with Tom and Harry, before Harry nade it big).
Really enjoyed ’em.
Talked to Bob (guitarist and lead singer)–Real nice guy.
Nice to see folks still remember them.
I remember the South Shore Road band from my college days at Geneseo, NY, where they played at an all-night concert festival around 1970-71 or so, maybe ’72(?).
Fine band, with good vocals.
They were the best bands out of a bunch at the event, along with The Chapins (from NYC, with Tom and Harry, before Harry made it big).
Really enjoyed ’em.
Talked to Bob (guitarist and lead singer)–Real nice guy.
Nice to see folks still remember them.
Dick, I’m sure you know Kirby St Romain from Louann’s then. Actually have an ad I found with “Knights from New York” in this story I did on Kirby.
https://memoriesofdallas.org/kirbystromain/
Hmm.
Great! I was 2 years old.
I’m riding with the King right now on are way to N Y for gig hope the weather coperates
I remember the South Shore Road Band …I went to college in central Pa 1965 to 1968 and they played there multiple times at fraternity parties…..they were great! I remember the brass…. Maybe a false memory but I think they played Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn recorded by Bob Dylan in late 1967)
There is an interesting interview of Mike Christie who played with Ed Wool and the Nomads and he mentions the formation of the South shore Road band famousinterview.com mike christie interview…..
Used to see Bob & Dick play at a joint in Dexter in 1977.
And my parents owned the Dutch Mill Inn in Limerick & they
would drop in for a meal or drink
I just found out that Bob will be playing at the VFW in Watertown on June 25th, 2021. I will be there. I first saw Bob and Dick (The Knights, then) at Gene’s Inn during the fall/winter of 1964-1965. I can pin point the date because I know I had fake proof with me, just in case. (I never did have to use it and turned 18 shortly, thereafter).
At any rate, I continued to follow Bob, sometimes with Dick, sometimes not, for the next 4 decades from venue to venue: Gene’s, Pine Lodge, The Jailhouse, The Happening, The Brewery, The Timbers, The Pirate’s Roost, and best of all, The Gaslight. As a teacher, I waitressed summers and even worked to the music of the South Shore Road Band in 1983 at the Elms Restaurant.
While I did hear Bob once at the Black River Campgrounds a few years ago, he really has not been featured, that I know of, at the Watertiwn VFW. I am so pleased that he will be playing there throughout the summer! Maybe some old friends might be there, too!!
JoAnn
Bob is still playing at the VFW, he will be there this Friday, I believe.