Ft. Lauderdale’s Mor-Loks had two distinct lineups, each of which recorded a 45.

The original group changed their name from the Impressions V to the Mor-Loks, and consisted of Sammy Hall vocals, Johnny Hartigan lead guitar, Don Henry rhythm guitar, Ron Armstrong bass and Mike Wall on drums.

Their 1965 release combines one delicate song, “There Goes Life”, with the upbeat “Elaine”. This was originally released on the Loks label. When Gary Stites became the band’s manager, he re-released the record on his own Living Legend label (not to be confused with the Living Legend run by Kim Fowley).

Sammy Hall left to join the Birdwatchers, and the rhythm section of Armstrong and Wall reformed the band with Bill “Nappy” Lynn on lead vocals, Billy Burke keyboards, and Craig Held on lead guitar. This lineup landed a contract with Decca in February 1966, only to have the draft break them up in September. Their only record is the raver “What My Baby Wants” (written by Bill Lynn and Craig Held) and the equally fine “Lookin’ For a New Day” (by Armstrong and Held), released in April of ’66.

I recently asked bass player Ron Armstrong about the band and he sent me two photos:

The first one is of the original line up that included Mike Wall drums, Sammy Hall vocals, Johnny Hartigan lead guitar, Don Henry rhythm guitar and myself on bass. The picture was taken at the Yankee Clipper Hotel on Ft. Lauderdale Beach where we performed for a New York Yankees family function. Ft. Lauderdale was the spring training grounds for the Yankees and the Yankee Clipper was always their host hotel.

With regards to the breakup of the original group, it was a combo of things. One, I was facing extreme pressure from the draft board and 2, the Birdwatchers, Gary Stites and WQAM were actively courting Sammy.

As it turned out, I was granted a temporary deferral from the draft but only learned of it after I had informed the Mor-Loks that I would be leaving the group. With plenty of bookings to play and a good following of fans and an extension of time I sought to put together another group quickly. I added Craig Held on guitar first, followed by Bill Lynn and learned of Billy Burke through my dad who worked with Billy’s dad.

The second pic is of the revised line up of Mor-Loks with new additions Bill Lynn vocals, Craig Held lead guitar and Billy Burke keyboards. Mike and I were the only holdovers from the original group. The picture was taken right before we entered the MCA building in New York to sign our contact with Decca Records.

I am happy to report that I have located all living members of the Mor-Loks, both the original members and the revised line up. Billy Burke and Johnny Hartigan as you already know are deceased. After years of off and on searching this week I located vocalist Bill “Nappy” Lynn, in Georgia, Craig Held lead guitar in Florida, and the drummer from both lineups of Mor-Loks, Mike Wall, also in Florida.

Sources: Jeff Lemlich’s history of Florida bands Savage Lost, and my interview with Ron Armstrong.