The Kasuals who cut “Girl (You Better Stop Your Lying)” / “You’re Gonna Break My Heart” were from Fort Worth, Texas. They are not to be confused with the Dallas group Kenny & the Kasuals.
Members were:
Ronnie Wright – lead vocals David Morris – lead guitar Mike Thomas – rhythm guitar Tom Myers – saxophone Larry Boynton – bass Charles Bassham – drums
David Morris wrote both sides of their only single on Spotlite SP2001. Publishing by Bluebonnet Pub. Co.
Spotlite issued singles by other Fort Worth artists like the Chocolate Moose.
An article by Sarah Harris in the Georgetown Megaphone from February 25, 1966 notes that the Kasuals appeared at Club 62 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The band seems to have been popular in Georgetown, 160 miles to the south of Fort Worth. They played a Zeta Tau Alpha “Pop Art” dance at a steak house,
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing the photo from Panther Hall.
Article in the Georgetown Megaphone, February 25, 1966Announcement of the Kasuals to appear at Georgetown’s first coffee house on S. Austin Ave, run by Keith Kellow with Jon Bertolet, Ray Anderson, David Detwiler and Bill Paul.Georgetown Megaphone May 8, 1966. Imagine what this “pop art” must have looked like.
Jerry Williams and the Epics were friends and/or rivals of the Motovators.
Terry Hungerford’s scrapbook contains an ad for Jerry Williams at the Bayou Club, another venue that has disappeared to history. It was located at 5828 Calmont Ave in Fort Worth, now covered by I-30.
When the Motovators split up on September 1, 1965, Terry Hungerford joined the Epics on bass.
Jerry played lead guitar, for the other members I only have first names: James on drums, Mike on rhythm guitar, and Don was their manager. Sam Coplin handled bookings at some point.
They played five consecutive nights from September 7-11 at a spot called Suite 225.
In 1966 the Epics cut their only single: “Whatever You Do” written by Jerry Williams and Don Gilmore, backed with “Tell Me What You See” (the Beatles song despite credit on the labels to Williams and Gilmore). Georgia Lapping and Jerry Conditt produced the record on Brownfield BF-140, and Phil York engineered the session.
Jerry Lynn Williams was born on October 30, 1948 in either Dallas or Grand Prairie, and raised in Fort Worth. Around 1970 he moved to Los Angeles and joined High Mountain. Jerry composed the majority of songs for High Mountain’s album Canyon on Columbia Records, and also the High Mountain Hoedown album on Atco.
Jerry became well-known as a songwriter. Artists including Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded his songs. He died in St. Martin on November 25, 2005.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
They released one excellent single on Music Mill 404, “My Kinda Woman” / “A Swingin’ Summer”, both by T. Martin and G. Carter, publishing by Levelland BMI.
I don’t have much info on the group, other than those two names T. Martin and G. Carter. Their drum head has a location, a short word ending in “t” – Hurst, TX maybe?
The Images came in third place out of 11 bands, at the July 25, 1965, Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands”.
Thanks to the meticulous scrapbook kept by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present the photo of the group and their set list from the July 25 battle-of-the-bands.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
The Images set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965
On July 25, 1965 the Visions were one of eleven groups at the Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands” with Larry & the Blue Notes, the Jades, the Images, the Kasuals, the Motovators, the Naturals, the Barons, Chas Christy & the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers and the Coachmen. Emcee was Bill Warren of WXOL and Fred Slater hosted the show.
Thanks to an amazing scrapbook created by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present a photo of the group, their promo card and even a partial set list.
Panther-a-Go-Go used as many as four stages, a main one in center, another up in a central balcony, plus stages left and right on the floor. The Visions were the sixth of the 11 bands, they played on the right side stage, and their nine songs included “Twist and Shout”, “Summertime”, “What’d I Say”, “Walk Don’t Run” and “The McCoy”.
The Visions came in last in this particular competition, but would have lasting success in the future.
Visions set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965
Of the three Texas records on their own Vimco label, my favorite is the fantastic “She’s the Girl for Me”, with the moodier “Take Her” on the other side.
In November the Visions would re-release “Take Her”, this time with a great version of “Route 66” on the flip. In March of 1966, they made their last Texas single, the heavy “Humpty Dumpty” backed with a version of the Beatles’ “You Won’t See Me”.
That summer of 1966, the group moved to Hollywood, CA, where they would record for Warner Bros. and UNI, make some TV appearances, and sign to Buddah Records with different group names, Sugar Canyon, and the Rock & Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Co. of Philadelphia.
More information, videos, and many very small photos can be found at Billy Dalton’s website.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.
Rockin’ Gibralters, from left: Rusty Crumpton, Ronnie Monroe, Sonny Grier (seated), Ed Sanford, Bobby DuPree and Keith Brewer
The Rockin’ Gibralters came out of Montgomery, Alabama, making four singles between 1966 and 1968.
Members were:
Sonny Grier – vocals Rusty Crumpton – lead guitar Ed Sanford – keyboards Keith Brewer – bass guitar Bobby DuPree – drums Ronnie Monroe – trumpet (and roadie?)
I haven’t been able to find details about their history yet.
I’m not sure which was their first single but it may have been “Go With Me” / “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” on Morgan HV-9040 from 1966. Sonny Grier and Keith Brewer wrote “Go With Me”, with publishing by Granny Music. The band’s name is spelled Rockin’ Gibraltars on the labels.
This is their most “garage” single, with harmonica but no trumpet, and some great screams from Sonny Grier on “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”.
The Rockin’ Gibralters next single was probably “It Will Stand” / “I Can’t Help Myself (For Loving You)” on Empire 447. The B-side is another original by Brewer and Grier, which I haven’t heard yet.
The Gibralters released their next two singles on their own RG Records label, fashioning a fine soul sound on each. The different label designs and numbering suggest different studios or pressing plants.
“Bug of Soul” is an original by Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, on RG Records 480. The trumpet plays an important part in the sound of the band by this time. I’m not sure if “It Will Stand” is the same version as the Empire single or a new take. Release date was about November 1966.
“What’s Your Hurry” is their most produced single, with what sounds like vibraphone as well as piano. Crumpton, Sanford, and Grier wrote that side, while Crumpton, Sanford and Brewer wrote “The Bare Essential”, the ostensible A-side, though I haven’t yet heard it. Lowery Music Inc. published both songs. Release was December, 1968.
In 1968, Ed Sanford, Keith Brewer and Bobby DuPree would form a group called Heart, with Johnny Townsend and Tippy Armstrong of Tuscaloosa’s Magnificent Seven / Rubber Band. Heart would play the Whisky a Go-Go in Los Angeles and cut one single on Reprise Records 0772, “The Train” (J. Townsend) / “Heartbeat” (Brewer-Sanford-Townsend-Dupree-Crumpton), both Hollytex Music Co. and produced by Bob Hinkle.
I’m not sure what Sonny Grier, Rusty Crumpton or Ronnie Monroe did after the breakup of the Rockin’ Gibralters.
Rockin’ Gibralters discography:
Morgan HV-9040 – “Go With Me” (S. Grier, K. Brewer) / “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” (TK4M-2418/9) 1966
Empire 447 – “It Will Stand” / “I Can’t Help Myself (For Loving You)” (Brewer, Grier, pub Fame Pub. Co BMI) SO 3338/9
RG Records 480 – “Bug of Soul” (Crumpton, Sanford) / “It Will Stand” November 1966
RG Records 1118 – “The Bare Essential” (Crumpton, Sanford, Brewer) / “What’s Your Hurry” (Crumpton, Sanford, Grier) both Lowery Music Inc., BMI
The photo at top came from the very interesting Tuscaloosa Beach Music site which is now unfortunately defunct but available, in part, on the Internet Archive.
The Hey Baby Days site has a few more photos of the Rockin’ Gibralters, including on stage at the City Auditorium.
The Aces with go-go dancer and friend. Dig the Sandy Nelson albums behind the drummer!
I found five color snapshots of the Aces from Salisbury, North Carolina, as well as a news clipping from Statesville. Introducing the Aces Combo is one of the better LPs on the Justice label of Winston, North Carolina, or at least, one of the more consistent.
Salisbury is located about 40 miles southwest of Winston-Salem, on the way to Charlotte. Members included:
Tim Ervin – lead guitar, vocals Johnny Yarbrough – rhythm guitar, vocals Johnny Nance – rhythm guitar Michael Earnhardt – bass, vocals, tambourine Howard Caywood – drums and management
In the color photos the band has a keyboard player, who is not listed in the album credits. Some other personnel may also be different.
The go-go dancers in waist-high cages are a cool addition, as are the signs reading The Aces.
Go-go dancer for the Aces
Salisbury a Go Go – what building was this?
Photo from the front of the Justice LP, Introducing the Aces ComboThe Aces in the Statesville Record And Landmark, January 15, 1966Another photo from the Justice LP
The Tyrods formed in high school in Chino, California in 1965. Chino is in San Bernadino County, just east of Los Angeles.
Members were:
Herkie Alves – guitar John Alves – guitar Alex Kizanis – keyboards Tim Thomas – bass Jerry Sagouspe – drums
Winning a battle of the bands at the Hollywood Palladium in 1967, earned them recording time to produce a single on Mark Records MR-202.
Brothers John and Herkie Alves wrote both sides of the single. “She Said, He Said” has lyrics worth puzzling out:
She said he said it’s all wrong, But I don’t believe her at all. She said he said it’s all wrong But I said …. (?)
She says that I look like I’m dead, ’cause I never smile any more. I say that I can’t …. (?) There’s so many things in my head.
There’s so many things in my head. Everything around I can’t see. Head’s to the sky, Eyes to the floor.
(?) …. all that riches and fame.
“Girl Don’t Know” includes harmonies that the group would develop in their later recordings.
Sunrays, Renegades and Tyrods at the D.E.S. Ballroom in Chino, February 25, 1966
About the beginning of 1969 the band made a second single, “Hey Girl” / “In a Garden” this time on Flick City. The label changed the band’s name on the single to the Young Californians, but for live shows they continued to use the Tyrods name, as seen on posters opening for the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Giant Crab, and the Sunrays.
Once again Herkie and John Alves wrote both songs. Released in February, 1969 on Flick City FC-3006, the record did not hit, despite a very favorable review from Cash Box on February 22. The band had developed their sound, and both sides are well-made songs.
Adam Sean Music, BMI published both songs. The brothers registered another song with Adam Sean Music in November, 1968, “Everyone Loves a Sunday Morning”, which has not been released to my knowledge.
The litigious side of the record businessDavid Rolnick owned both Adam Sean Music and Flick City, as well as Take 6, which was known for packaging hits into albums for local radio stations. In 1967, Take 6 had a number of interesting releases by the Nervous Breakdown (Rusty Evans), the Giant Sunflower and others. Rolnick may have started Flick City to distinguish original releases from the repackaged Take 6 product.
A Billboard article from April 1969, shows Rolnick being sued for over $47,700 by Rainbo Record Manufacturing.
I’ve seen mention that Creed Bratton, guitarist with the Grass Roots, was in this group, but I believe that must have been a different Young Californians.
The Tyrods Band opening for the Strawberry Alarm Clock and Giant Crab at Espris Car Club New Years Dance at the Des Hall, December 28, 1968
In 1969 they had their last single, this time as Buffalo Nickel on Dome Records 507. The sound is even more polished than the Young Californians single, but this time they didn’t use their original songs.
Tony Powers and George Fischoff wrote “Hard to Be Without You”, and this may be the original version, as copyright registration shows February 1969. The more well-known versions are by the Book of Matches on Bell in June, 1969, and by Joey Powers Flower on RCA in December.
Jack Nitzsche and Greg Dempsey wrote “I Could Be So Good to You”, which was originally done (I think) by Don & the Goodtimes in 1967. Don McGinnis arranged the songs and Kingstreet Productions has a credit on the label.
I believe the group broke up shortly after this release.
Jerry Sagouspe would join Merrell Fankhauser, appearing on a number of albums beginning in the 1990s.
There was a Johnny Alves who was in Manuel & the Renegades with Manuel Rodriguez, Corky Ballinger, Roger Anderson and Mike Le Doux but I don’t believe this is the same person as the John Alves in the Tyrods.
Info & images on the group forwarded to me, originally from Jerry Sagouspe.
Info on Take 6 from Billboard and also Lisa Wheeler’s Radio Use Only.
The Carousel recorded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1969. Members were:
Carl Williams – lead vocals Richard Studdard – vocals, keyboards Ronald Naramore – vocals, guitar Donny Grace – vocals, bass Mike Patton – vocals, drums
“Girl Maybe You” and “Gonna Hide My Face” are fast-paced pop originals by Donny Grace. Bob Grove and Unity produced for It’s a Lemon 1002.
Bob Grove ran Prestige Recording Studio in Birmingham, where he had recorded artists for his own Unity Record Company label with its beautiful logo of black and white fists with a dove.
I know of two releases on Unity, Candy Stanton’s “Now You’ve Got the Upper Hand” / “You Can’t Stop Me” (both written by Bo Fowler and produced by Bob Grove and Richard Dingler), and Underground Euphoria featuring Keisa Brown “What Can I Do About You” / “Let’s Go Back (To Our Little World)”.
The Carousel single came a couple years after these. I assume it was also recorded at Prestige. The Carousel 45 was preceded on the It’s a Lemon label by a hard rock single by The Brood “Virginia Neal” / “The Roach”. The Brood was Dale Aston of the Torquays along with Steve Salord, George Landman and Bobby Marlin.
I suppose there’s another release on It’s a Lemon between the Brood and the Carousel, but so far I haven’t found it.
Anyone have a copy of the It’s a Lemon singles, or a photo of The Brood?
The Coachmen, from left: Sam Brough, Glen Cammack, Tommy Burnett (sitting) and Rick Allen, “backstage at the Mid-South Coliseum after a Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs gig.” Photo from Ron Hall’s essential “The Memphis Garage Rock Yearbook 1960-1975”
The Coachmen are not well-remembered now, but were a significant band in Memphis in 1965. They played at the premier of Help at the Loews Palace Theatre with the WMPS Good Guys. They had one single on Gold Standard 155, “I’ll Never Leave You” / “Possibility”.
Members were:
Tommy Burnett – vocals Sam Brough Glen Cammack Rick Allen
“I’ll Never Leave You” is good upbeat pop. Copyright registration from August, 1965 shows Larry Hill and Rusty Taylor (as Roland Parker Taylor) as co-writers. Rusty Taylor was vocalist with the Yo-Yo’s (the Swingin’ Yo-Yo’s) and later had two solo singles on the M.O.C. label. The Coachmen single preceded the Yo-Yo’s singles on Goldwax.
“Possibility” is a Stan Vincent composition which had been done by the Crowns on Old Town Records in 1964.
Gold Standard owner Zeke Clements produced, and the labels credit “The Coachmen (from Memphis, Tenn)” and “vocal by Tommy Burnett”.
Rusty Taylor and Larry Hill registered another composition “I Know”, in October, 1965, also with Blazon Music.
The Combustibles came from Bombay, India, and recorded “Watch Her” / “Some Peace of Mind” in 1970. Vocalist Everett Perry wrote both songs. “Watch Her” has vocals and rhythm that reminds me somewhat of the Velvet Underground. The songs saw release as Polydor 2067 020 in 1971.
Members on the single were Everett Perry on lead vocals, brothers George Taylor on bass and Lionel Taylor on lead guitar, Nissim Ezekiel on rhythm, and Bobby Furtado on drums.
The group participated in the Simla Beat contests in 1968 and 1969 and did well, but unfortunately those years did not see LP releases like the ’70 and ’71 contests. I would like to have heard that band at that stage, as the group had a partly different lineup, which included Christopher Valles on lead guitar and Croyden Maben on drums.
The Combustibles have a great website, www.thecombustiblesband.com with lots of photos and information on the band and the Bombay music scene. I highly recommend taking a look.
Thank you to Jörgen Johansson for providing this copy of the single.
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
The Kasuals who cut “Girl (You Better Stop Your Lying)” / “You’re Gonna Break My Heart” were from Fort Worth, Texas. They are not to be confused with the Dallas group Kenny & the Kasuals.
Spotlite issued singles by other Fort Worth artists like the Chocolate Moose.
