The New Wing was a singer by the name of Davy Peters backed by members of a group from Edmonton, Alberta, called the Sons of Adam.
This Sons of Adam was not the L.A. group who cut “Feathered Fish” and two singles on Decca. John Ede was a member of the Sons of Adam but was not in the group by the time producer Gary Paxton changed their name to the New Wing.
Members were:
Davy Peters – lead vocal
Henry La Liberte – guitar and vocals
Al Wilson – keyboards and vocals
Doug Policha – bass and vocals
Leonard Saidman – drums and vocals
Their first 45 on Pentacle was “The Thinking Animal” / “My Petite”, both very pop-oriented and not sounding much like their second release.
Pentacle or the band’s rep, Pete Manuele took out an ad in KRLA Beat to promote this release.
“I Need Love” is a solid number from 1968, featuring good ‘mosquito’ guitar work, and vocal interjections reminiscent of Steve Marriott of the Small Faces. It was written by Wilson/La Liberte; production credited to the Social Climbers. The flip is a scuzzy hard rocking tune, “Brown Eyed Woman”, written by Wilson, La Liberte and Policha, which I’m not as much a fan of.
Pentacle was one of the many labels run by Gary Paxton out of his Bakersfield International studio. The New Wing were the only band on Pentacle that can be called garage to my knowledge, but Paxton recorded other garage acts, like the Churchill Downs on Amazing 3.
“The Thinking Animal” was written by Ken Johnson, Jerry Ritchey and Bob Hopps. This team also wrote the Chocolate Tunnel’s “The Highly Successful Young Rupert White”, while Johnson and Hopps co-wrote the Chocolate Tunnel’s “Ostrich People”.
Ken Johnson wrote many songs for area bands, including his son’s group Ken & the Fourth Dimension’s “See If I Care”, the Avengers’ “I Told You So” and “You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore”, and “Love Can’t Be a One Way Deal” which was cut by both the Rev-Lons and Limey and the Yanks. Ken also owned the Starburst label which released most of these, usually with Gary Paxton’s production.
Garpax and Maverick were Paxton publishing companies. The production credit The Social Climbers is also Paxton’s; it also appears on “Please Mr. Johnson (I Don’t Wanna Go)” by the Put On Company featuring Doug Salma (Doug Salamanca) on the Jest label.
Thank you to Marc Coulavin for the photos of the Sons of Adam.
Pentacle discography:
Pentacle P-1635 – The Captivations – “Red Hot Scramblers – Go” / same (by Buddy Biglow for Maverick Music, BMI, different numbering system but the publishing matches later releases. More commonly found on Garpax 45 44179V with “Speedshift” on flip.)
Pentacle P-101 – The New Wing – “The Thinking Animal” / “My Petite”
Pentacle P-102 – The Greater Covina Interplanetary Childrens Space Program – “Rudolph vs. The Little” / “Hobo” (Janice Paxton) – kid Xmas vocal with pop instrumental
Pentacle P-103 – Art Fields – “To All The World I Sing” / “Girls From Equador” (ballad and pop with a bossa feel)
Pentacle P-104 – The New Wing – “Brown Eyed Woman” / “I Need Love”
Pentacle P-105 – Bob Jackson – “It’s Hard To Say” / “Who Is My Supposed To Be” (country, there are two variations in the label design)
The Sons Of Adam that are on this record were really from western Canada. I think they were from Calgary, AB. They migrated to LA California and there was a band that already laid claim to that name, so they changed their name to The New Wing.
This blog is an amazing resource. Thank you so much.
I was intrigued by the listing of Pentacle 102. As a Covina High student in the early ’90’s (and the son of a ’72 grad) I had never heard of this puzzling recording. I googled it and only found your blog plus an ebay listing for the 7″. The single was reasonably priced, but I was wondering if you or any of your readers could shed some light on this before I buy it.
So… who knows about the Pop Overs? I’ve got their 45 and am intrigued that they’re from Covina (or at least the Toppette label was) also home to The Bees. Anybody have details?
You have the Record?
Hi Davey
This is Alec Gal here in Saudi Arabia, where do you live now? you can e-mail me at alexmgal@yahoo.com How your family? Nice to hear from you.
Later,
Alec
Davey
I have a flash from the past…I’m Big John Southern, Me and Danny Manuele were your New Wing “road managers” Danny was Pete’s brother. We met in Visalia California at Danny’s place and were trying to get to L.A. Danny had an old car that was dormant for years that we stuck a new battery in it and got it running. I remember Lenny getting all excited about a black widow that we found in the car. We piled all the instruments and all of us in the car and away we went. The engine blew up just outside of Bakersfield…I remember all the smoke that came through the floor board as we were driving. I still to this day quote one of you with “I think it dummied” as the engine blew. Long story but on to Bakersfield trying to get a rental car and eventually playing at the” Hullabaloo” or Aquarious theatre on the Sunset strip…the revolving stage…I think you played with the Yellow Pages band. I remember you knocked the crowd out with your vocals. Please email me at jsouthern1270@gmail.com if you want to communicate more. I just remembered the recording your band did with Gary Paxton in the old Bank Of America building in Bakersfield Ca.
Hi! We were all from Edmonton, Alberta. It was Gary Paxtons idea to change our name & although we didn’t want to, he wasn’t charging us for recording with him, so we did whatever he suggested for us.
THEY SAY TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION. WELL HERE GOES. I WAS PICKED UP HITCHHIKING IN RED DEER ALTA WHICH IS INBETWEEN CALGARY AND EDMONTON. THIS PERSON TOLD ME ABOUT THE SONS OF ADAM, NEW WING I’M A THINKING ANIMAL, AND THAT GARY PAXTON HAD TO CHANGE THE NAME. HE ALSO MENTIONED HE WAS IN THE SHAME TREES LATER ON I THINK. I TOOK CRIB NOTES IN THE CAR. AND I KEPT THEM ALL THIS TIME . IT WAS AROUND THE MID 90’S POSSIBLY ’96.
NOW THE LEAD VOCALIST I HAVE MARKED DOWN WAS GARY FRIZZELL NOT DAVEY PETERS. I’M NOT SURE IF IT WAS AL WILSON OR GARY FRIZZELL THAT PICKED ME UP. I RECALL HIM MENTIONING HE TRIED CROSSING THE BORDER WITH HIS BAND EITHER THE SHAME TREES OR NEW WING AND COULDN’T GET ACROSS BECAUSE ONE OF THE MEMBERS WAS UNDERAGE.
MY LIST OF MEMBERS GOES LIKE THIS
DOUG POLICA-BASS
LEONARD SAIDMAN- DRUMS
HENRY LALLIBERTE- LEAD GUITAR
GARY FRIZZELL LEAD VOCAL
NO MENTION OF AL WILSON HOWEVER, BUT HE WAS OBVIOUSLY THERE.
ALSO WES DAKUS’ NAME WAS MENTIONED IN REFERENCE TO SONS OF ADAM/NEW WING HUT I DON’T KNOW WHY. I KNOW HE’S FROM EDMONTON
IT MUST HAVE BEEN GARY FRIZZELL THAT I TALKED TO AND NOT AL. I JUST FOUND THE SHAME TREES BAND MEMBERS NAMES.
GARY FRIZZELL LEAD VOCAL
PETE SWITZER KEYBOARD
DENNIS PETRUK LEAD GUITAR
NICK PETRUK- DRUMS
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL GROUP, THE ONE THAT RECORDED HAD A COUPLE OF BAND MEMBERS REPLACED. I’M LOOKING AT THE NAMES AND BECAUSE IT’S IN PENCIL AND DONE 15 YRS AGO, IT’S TOUGH TO READ ALL THE LETTERS.
DENNIS PETRUK WAS REPLACED BY AL M..? CAN’T READ THE LETTERS BUT IT’S A 4 LETTER NAME.
GEORGE KOZAK BASS I THINK THAT’S HOW IT’S SPELT
EDDIE KILBRIDE AS LEAD VOCALIST I’M SURE OF THAT ONE
AND THE OTHERS I MENTIONED ALREADY
MAYBE AL WILSON CAN CONTACT GARY FRIZZELL TO NAIL IT DOWN PROPERLY.
SHAME TREES-JUNIOR SAW IT HAPPEN/MY LITTLE BUTTERCUP(QUALITY 1938X)
Al Mix is the missing name in the Shame Tree. He’s been in Los Angeles since the early 70s. I’m seeing him for lunch in Las Vegas in a few weeks along with some other old musicians from Edmonton and Calgary.
Gary (Lefty) Frizzell was the singer in the Sons of Adam when I got to know them in late 1967. I believe that he joined them that summer. They didn’t last much longer but I know that Gary went to Clovis, NM with them to record at Gary Paxton’s. Whether anything was released with him on it is doubtful. They had a hearse and a mourning car with flames and “Sons of Adam” written across the sides. It was very cool.
I own this 45 along with a collection of 45’s, reel to reels and other collectables. Dave is my Father and as any child of music I cherish these artifacts. The b side on this 45 featuring “Amour Dajour” Is in my opinion a much better song.
Hi Jay
I know your father very well, I produced his first record, Have not hear from him in a long time
Well Hello there…..ya know it’s nice to meet you….do you happen to remember the make of the car and you’re destination,,,where were you going…..I’m thinking I may be able to tell you who you were with….and further I am the Singer on all of the Son’s of Adam’s/New Wing releases.
But I do remember Gary Frizell for sure…I’m not remembering if I replaced him or what….We played a lot at the Outer Limit’s though….good to meet you.
Should you like to catch up on all the stuff from Edmonton…Facebook…”Lil” Davey and the Drastiks” 1988 Rock and Roll Re-union.tht shld tk yu thr .enjoy .there’s alot of music there through Dwayne Osepchuk too.he’s done a marvelous job posting all that happened through the 60’z.take care friend
augh.I just saw this wow.you’re sure a trooper Jason.thanks ever so I Love you
Hello Bob….you said that the New Wing recorded in Clovis with Gary Paxton.the Gary paxton part is right but it’s Norman Petty that recorded in Clovis and Gary’z Studio was an old converted Bank Building in Bakersfield…I had a cottage just across the tracks from the studio in it’s construction back then….
Gary Frizzell was with the Son’s before I joined and I need Love and The Thinking Animal….mMy Petite and BrownEyed Woman were all sung by me….just thought I’d let you know and keep on keepin on Friend and hey all the Best this Year to you and you’re’s
You’re a hard man to get to say Hi to…..Happy New Year to you and you’re’s and I can be reached at 902-659-2766.I’d Love to talk with ya….take Care and God Bless
Davey I sent you another message but not sure if it went thru. I’m a flash from the 60’s in Visalia CA thanks
There is a photo of the Sons of Adam band and the famous hearse on the Edmonton 60s Bands Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Edmonton-60s-Bands/
For more Edmonton Bands check out http://edmonton60sbands.com
My Dad… who Ive known for 37 years now…lol was the singer on these tracks. Not sure who picked you up that day however they as well as you were misinformed. If you do your research you will in fact find out this is backed up. His name is written on the 45’s. One of which I own… thinking animal.
ever think about putting the songs off the reel to reel tapes onto a cdr ? if so could we get copies ?
The Edmonton 60s Bands Facebook page address is”
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Edmonton-60s-Bands/158288737528063
Al Mixx was the guitar player that recorded with us in Clovis. George Kozub was the bass player.
Gary is from Bently, Alberta. Was probably him you got the ride with.
We were all under 16 yrs. old when we went to Clovis, no problems at the border though.
I met Lenny in 1968 in Visalia Calif. He was in a band that just got busted and I offered to take him to Edmonton with his drum kit. We traveled north in March 1969 in a VW bus. I spent 4 days with him and his family and took in the local venues before traveling to Vancouver to visit. I have not communicated with him since. I wouldn’t mind saying hello if I could get his contact info.
Jim Evans
He’s in New Westminister Vancouver…and facebook Len Saidman…..
well hello there JIM EVANS…Lenny now lives in New West Minister…Vancouver .reply to this and I’ll get his permission to pass on his info for ya.take care…..Love Volkswagon buses……..LOL
Greeting:
What happened to Mr. Davey Peters (“Lil” Davey) I use to know him in the 1960’s when he use to live in Edmonton.
Love to hear from you Jim–E-mail me @ bonlen@telus.net
Hi Leonard, I don’t know if you remember me but back in the 60’s you dated my sister Jane Pullman. I was quite young but I remember that when Jane was babysitting me she would occasionally bring me to band practices. Recently I have been checking out garage bands and tonight on a whim I googled your name. Anyway I just wanted to say hi.
I’ve got a copy of the VERY RARE “Please Mr. Johnson” bw:(“Detroit Spiritual”) 45 by Put On Company.
Basically, it runs along the lines of “Alley Oop” type tune, with the singer pleading not to be sent to South VietNam. Interesting novelty.
Contact me if you want me to send a scan of the label and I can possibly uipload the tune for you also.
I’m planning on listing it in eBay in the near future.
What’s really weird is how many of the lyrics in “I Need Love” come straight out of “That’s What I Want,” recorded by the Liverpool Five, Tony Jackson & the Vibrations, the Marauders, and more. I love “I Need Love.”