SSS International | Garage Hangover

The Cavaliers in 1982 rehearsing for their 15th class reunion from left: Leslie Landrum, Tim Poole, John Burk, Elmo Peeler, Charlie Davis and Spencer Sanders

Tim Poole, Les Landrum, Gary Barnett and John Burk

The Cavaliers from Mississippi released only one 45 under their own name, “Looking for Love” / “You Better Move On” on the Spot Light label in May 1966. “You Better Move On” is the Arthur Alexander song that the Rolling Stones covered. I particularly like their performance on “Looking for Love,” an original credited to simply ‘Freeman’.

Their version of “You Better Move On” was picked up for release by Shelby Singleton’s SSS International label with a new group name, as the Moving Violations (catchy, right?). The flip was a different song for this release, “In the Deep Blue Sea”, written by Thomas, Mcree and Thomas. Production is by Huey Meaux, who passed away last month.

The Cavaliers also had an unreleased song from these sessions, “Girl Why Can’t You Understand”, that is excellent.

Some of the Cavaliers on the Gulf Coast with first manager Avon Frost from bottom left: Avon Frost with Les Landrum on his shoulders, Elmo Peeler, center, Charlie Davis with Tim Poole on his shoulders.

Charlie Davis, Elmo Peeler and Tim Poole

Cavaliers Spot Light 45 You Better Move On

I have to thank the Cavaliers’ drummer Charlie Davis for sending these songs to me and giving me the info about the group below:

I was in a band called “The Cavaliers” from Kosciusko, MS:
John Burk – vocals
Les Landrum – lead guitar
Tim Poole – rhythm guitar and bass
Elmo Peeler – keyboards
Gary Barnett – bass guitar
Spencer Sanders – rhythm guitar and vocals
Charlie Davis – drums
Les Landrum formed the group in ’63. We started out as a four-piece band playing instrumentals like “You Can’t Sit Down” and mainly influenced by The Ventures, “Walk Don’t Run”, etc. We broke up in 1967 when we graduated from high school and all went to different colleges. Of course we had added a main singer and keyboards during that time. In 1966 Spencer Sanders joined the group replacing Gary Barnett. Tim Poole then switched to bass guitar and Spencer played rhythm guitar and added vocals and harmony.
We mainly played in and around Mississippi during that time, alot on our Gulf Coast (Biloxi & Gulfport). The only out of state gig I can remember was for a LSU fraternity party in Baton Rouge, LA.
The record came about after we recorded a couple of songs written by our singer, John Burk as demos. We were then asked to record “Looking for Love” written by one of the owners of the studio in Jackson, MS. We played a lot of Animal tunes and Rolling Stones so the flip side was our version of the one put out on an album by The Rolling Stones, “You Better Move On”.
The record was first distributed on the Spot Light label and later on SSS International label (Shelby Singleton) where they changed our name to The Moving Violations. It never made the charts but I think got play on the Chicago AM station WLS.
In 1982 we got back together, practiced for a week, and played for our 15 year class reunion.
Elmo Peeler who played the Hammond organ went on to play with such notable artist as The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart, Ricky Nelson and The Sweet Inspirations. Although he never toured with them, he also played on CD’s by The Flying Burrito Brothers.
I also played drums on the session with The Ravin’ Blue … “Love” and “It’s Not Real”.
Charlie Davis