Here is the finest collection of ’60s photos I’ve seen in ages, taken mainly at the Mouse Trap Club in the Vernon Hills suburb of Chicago. The Riddles are featured in four of them, the PK-5 in one, and there is an unknown group to be identified. If anyone has information or news clips on the club, please write to me or comment below.
These photos are the property of Philip Metzler, former host of The Mouse Trap, sent to me by his daughter.
Info on the PK-5 came from James Terry Smith’s comment below, which I’ll quote here:
The amazing PK5 … all cousins from Deerfield, Illinois. Drums John Hackmiester, lead guitar Bill Pekara, vocalist and saxophone Ron Pekara, bass Rich DuLoft, lead and rhythm Dan Gora. They played all over Chicago and won many battle of the band contest … I saw them at Mccormick Place twice and they were hard working … R&B mostly.
Bill Pekara’s son posted this video of the group doing a great version of “I Ain’t Got You” to Youtube with a few additional photos of the group:
Riddles always played at CB (Coffee Break) in Elmhurst on Lake Street, after several moves. Later a Mouse Trap opened up just to east. Either on Lake or a frontage road off Lake. Same owner as your Mouse Trap?
We played an off-night at the Mouse Trap in Waukegan in early ’65, but the place depicted in here looks as if it were a teen place. The one we played was not, and I show it being at 580 Old Skokie Rd (hwys 120 & 41). Any connection?
I remember also The Mouse Trap in Waukegan and I also believe they served alcohol there. It was crazy back then but fun.
Does not look like there is a connection, but The Mouse Trap in Waukegan (Park City) was where Cheap Trick played from 1974 until the club was called Bermuda Bob’s.
I was to engage in a battle of the bands as lead female vocalist, but was glad my band Hot Mama Silver didn’t all appear.
Great fan of yours, sincerely, Roxanne E
Didn’t the Mousetrap in Park City, become Night Gallery? I know that I saw Cheap Trick there and also Captain Beyond and Budgie. I think that was around ’76 or ’77
Yes, that’s how remember it. We’d head there after the Highwood bars closed at 2. Mousetrap/Night Gallery closed at 6. I also remember seeing Spirit there with Randy California. What a night.
I remember Hot Mama.
You are correct, Mouse Trap, Night Gallery, then Bermuda Bob’s. I was supposed to perform a song in a battle of bands with Cheap Trick. Glad my band didn’t have it together, but enjoyed CT, they sold out in Waukegan Genesee Theater tomorrow night, March 11, 2017!!! Roxcty1
Correction. Not with Cheap Trick, but with Hot Mama Silver.
We used to go to the Mouse Trap on the 60’s. Followed a great band there called the Predictors. Awesome rock band! My buddies hauled me there for my stag party in 1967 drunk & bouncers wouldn’t let us in! A night to remember for sure!
Hi Gary, yes the other Mouse Trap, adult, was in Park City, on the west side of Waukegan. I also played off nights there with Nob Young and Nick Maroni. We played on nights at Club 63 Winthrop Harbor. We had Billy Hoff, who sang with the Galaxies on bass for a while. Bob on guitar, Nick on drums and me in Wirlitser piano. When Billy left I took over bass and we stayed a trio till we broke up. Did a bunch of Surfside gigs with that band too. And the first Go Go club outside of Antioch on 173. I played this Mouse Trap in Veron Hills too, but I remember a higher stage and the mic stands coming down from the ceiling. The entrance and ticket booth look the same.
I recall the owner of the Mouse Trap in Park City as being Phil Rapp.
The owner of the mouse trap was chuck kegrice my father
Shot 9 ball there. Also attended festivities at the 41 Clubdiwn the road. Open 24 hesboth of em.
wrt the unknown group with Dex Card, might that be the Bel Air Five ? They put out a “frat-rock” 45 in ’64, Bring Back My Baby To Me / Time Has Come (USA 764). The hairdos look like pre-Invasion rockers/greasers rather than garage/beat moptops.
The “unknown” group with Dex Card is the amazing PK 5…All cousins from Deerfield, Illinois. Drums John Hackmiester, Lead guitar Bill Pekara, Vocalist and Saxaphone Ron Pekara, Bass Rich DuLoft, Lead and Rhythm Dan Gora… They played all over Chicago and won many battle of the band contest…I saw them at Mccormick Place twice and they were hard working…RandB mostly.
Man, those were the GOOD OLD DAYS!
Rich DuLoft, Bass Player for the PK FIVE
Wow what fabulous photos. – the first of the mystery groups – could be ‘the ONE’ 😉 Look at that athletic drummer ! And the letters are sparse on the drum head – hey buddy move to your right just a step… 😉
I believe I am in 2 of the pictures, dancing with my future husband, and I recognize one guy near the stage – Dennis Clark. What fun memories! Thanks
The unknown band is the PK-5. Audio link of them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiaqgN_g7LU
I was the bass player for the P.K.FIVE.
At age 65 still playing Bass, and rockin to R&B, the good stuff from the the late 60’s early 70’s!!!
The mousetrap in park city, ill. Was in an unused and smallish factory as i recall. No effort to decorate it was made. I believe they had a Barbor chair you’d sit in, recline and pour booze in you mouth. I lucked out and saw the trick.
These pictures are awesome. My friends Jackie and Phil ran the place and I babysat for Dari when she was a baby. I also had the chance to do some dancing on stage when Neil Sedaka was there. Brought back tons of memories.
Funny, in lived in Park City 1971-1972, at an apartment complex. Never heard of this club. In the late 60’s, while in HS, I frequented the teen club, The Wild Goose, just down the road a bit. But the atmosphere looks very similar.
My name is Don Mau and I played at the Mousetrap with my band the Cresendos in the early 1960’s. We were from Highland Park and the Mousetrap was located west on route 22 or 45. I can’t remember which. It’s not to be confused with the Mousetrap in Waukegan. That was a full scale bar and not a teen age night club. I remember the stage being very tall and I believe there was a motel connected to the club. We played there a number of times but what most impressed me was a band that also played there called the Chevettes or something like that. They had a small person as a drummer and I think his last name was Rich. It was rumored that he went on to be a Vegas act billed as the worlds smallest drummer. I played almost all of the teenage night clubs at that time and the Mousetrap was one of my favorites. The people that ran the club were very nice and the kids were great.
Peter Risch from Mundelein was the drummer for the Chevrons back in the day. Yes, he was considered a dwarf (I believe is the term) and billed as the ‘World’s smallest drummer’. He also drove a Corvette fitted with hand controls for the gas and breaks. I played with the Chevrons ex bass player, Sonny Sloan for a while back around ’05/06 and he had some great stories of performing locally in the 60’s and 70’s.
On another note, I played the Night Gallery a number of times with Red Sky (southern rock band) in the late 70’s and grew from opening act to finally headlining where we played from midnight to 5am! Those were the days, lol!
The Chevrons played at the Club Sahara in GreenBay also. They drew a great crowd! We partied with them. There was a guy in the band named Woody, I partied with him several time when they were up there. A really good group and good music. Always wondered what became of them and Pete. This helps out a little. Anyone know or remember Woody and what happened to him?
that was pete rich and the chevrons. we used to ride our bikes to listen to them practice in his back yard. lived in the neighborhood in mundelein
That was Pete Risch and the Cheverons… small drummer very good band.
Hi Don,
was You also in a Band called Holy Om during those times…?
Kindest regards,
Miguel
Dear Don,
dis You also played with the old “Holy Om” band…?
If yeas, please get in touch with me.
With best regards from Germany,
Miguel
I played there with a band called Flavor ,we had to do 5 sets 45 minutes each till 4:00 am!!
My band, called Summertongue, played there in the early 70’s. I also remember the late nights. Remember warming up Styx there
The Mouse Trap in Park city was located on Old skokie highway Rt41 and it became Night Gallery in the 70s’ and cheap trick , heart , captain beyond , styx , the nerve , and others played there through the 80s’ then it became bermuda bobs then was torn down and there is a landscaper there now. There was another which was called ‘Down the street’ because it was down the street. That building still stands.
Pete Risch and the Chevrons, Pete ended up doing some movies as well, he was a nice guy.
I would love to hear more from the people here who knew Peter Risch. It turns out many years later that I am related to him!
Yes I used to hang with Pete risch we were best friends he inspired me to play music and I went on to be a pro on the road for many years I miss him!
Looking for information on the Tantrums who used to play at the Mourse trap. Well we found two of the songs. They were done by Tantrum. and not released until 1979 so I have no idea why it says Therica cause they were not together after 1977. Bill had left the band by then and I moved to SantaFe in 1979. Anyway we found two songs, Don’t Turn It Off and You Need Me were released by Tantrum. Still looking for Cry Just a Little Bit. LOL
Played the Mouse Trap quite often with my band The Randells. Great memories playing there with Clark Weber. What ever happened to Phil and Jackie Metzler? Known them for many years.
I found Jackie on FB.
My band Pontiac Jones out of Carbondale played at the Waukegan Mouse Trap/Night Gallery in February of 1975. I seem to remember we had to haul our equipment up a sort of spiral staircase. Not easy with a Hammond and Leslie.