The Nite Riders were one of many very young bands of the ’60s who cut great records, releasing “She’s Mine / “Tornado” in 1967. “She’s Mine” opens with Chuck Franczak’s solid drum beat. Dave Daniels’ guitar has a fine natural distortion on the low notes and good reverb on the higher strings, which he makes use of for some fast runs and licks between chorus and verse.
“Tornado” shows this band had a handle on the tough instrumental style of a few years earlier, like “Shifting Gears” by fellow Worcester group Beep Beep and the Roadrunners. Through some error the label credits this song simply to “Dave”, probably for his lead playing, though the bass runs and drums are excellent here too.
David Daniels wrote to me about the group and included all the photos and clippings seen here:
Dave Daniels – guitar & vocals
Bob Dube – rhythm guitar
Bernie Thebado – rhythm guitar on the 45
Dean Johnson – rhythm guitar
Bill [surname ?] – bass
Tony Agby (Tony Agbay?) – drums until late ’66
Charles “Chucky” Franczak – drumsI started the Nite Riders when I was going to school at Chandler Jr. High, Worcester, Massachusetts. We were “The Nite Riders” (not “Night Riders”).
My dad played guitar and he showed me the basic chords. My family has always been around music, my sister “Snooky” (she worked at WORC late 50’s) was in charge most times of making contact and setting up gigs for the stars in and around Worcester. She became real good friends with Bobby Darin, he had been to the house many times. My mom would be making dinners for who ever was in town. So I grew up knowing a lot of famous folks.
The very first Nite Rider gig was a bar on Main St., Worcester, called the New Yorker. We made a $10 bill each and free cokes and chips. My dad who drove for the band in the beginning also got free drinks and $25 go figure. We found out real soon after the first set that this was a gay bar – remember we were 13 to 15 years old, we said “a what bar?”
We met Beep Beep and the Roadrunners when we had Tony Agby as drummer. He showed up with the “Roadrunners” (they were older than us) and boy we thought they were so cool with their full length double breasted dark blue “P” coats. They came to volunteer their time and help us learn how to improve our sound, and WOW! they were already professionals. Tony’s dad was our first manager.
After that is seemed we were always playing the same gigs together, I really had a great time back then. We were all age range 13 to 15 and the Road Runners were our idols. It was so cool that they had two drummers. We played most every place they played, Tony Agbie (spelling?) was our drummer and his dad Tony Sr was manager for the Road Runners.
The band really kicked off after winning a battle of the bands contest sponsored by WORC radio station and winning a chance to record a single, “She’s Mine” / “Tornado”. WORC paid for the session. It was recorded at Hill’s Sound Studio on Chandler St. in Worcester. Hill’s Studio was an old house made into a recording studio, they mostly recorded gospel groups. “Tornado” came about from a combination of the Ventures, Buck Owens, Chuck Barry, and maybe a little bit of “Shifting Gears” from the Beeps, but I think mostly from Danny & the Juniors, good friends of my sister Snooky especially Frankie.
Bernie [Thibodeau?] never played anywhere with us, he really wasn’t a guitar player. I showed him the chords so he could be on the record. You will also see “Hassett” as one of the writers (not). They were my friends and wanted to be involved with band, so I put there names on the record.
We got lots of airplay and loads of offers to play even in New Hampshire. “She’s Mine was #11 on the WORC request charts, July 1, 1967 (I think we had help). We sold our first 500 copies pretty quick mostly at Woolworths and another record store on Pleasant St. in Worcester. We also sold them at the concerts. We ordered another 500 on our dime this time but sales slowed down and we had like maybe 300 left but don’t know what ever happened to them.
The Nite Riders had two drummers Tony Agby and then 13 year old Chuckie Franczack, but Tony’s dad still stayed on as our manager.
Later on after the record in ’67 the drummer’s Mom bought a 1959 black hearse and 1960 black limo. Chuck’s mom would drive us to concerts and other gigs in a full chauffeur outfit and we all had black pants with white shirts and gold vests boy we thought we had made the big time.
Chuckie died at age 18 … drugs, he was a great drummer. Dean died in a motor cycle crash I heard. I would love to know if any folks from Worcester have any pictures or stories of The Nite Riders.
The band broke up 1968 and I started a country-rock band “Dave Daniels and US.” When I was 19 years old, the band was playing a bar called Longo’s lounge and there was a big write up about me. Well some goodie goodie complained about an under age kid playing in a bar. I’d been playing bars since I was 13, even the police knew it, but always looked the other way. Well they couldn’t look away this time and I was banned from playing in bars.We fought it and even the Mayor was on my side. There was a town hall meeting and a council chamber meeting and up to 600 people showed up on my behalf. I won and there was an age ruling change for musicians as long as they did not drink and were accompanied by an adult. Until then many groups with minors could not work certain gigs. There was an article with the Cowsills and their trouble with playing certain clubs and in it they mention my case in the article paving the way for other young musicians.
Dave Daniels and US stayed together till 1971. We were to play Le Club International in Fort Lauderdale Florida, and while on the road some how the three cars got separated and the organ player and me wound up in Jacksonville where my car broke down. The organ player Rich went back to Worcester and I stayed and worked with a country band in Jacksonville.
One night some musicians came in and asked if I wanted to go on the road with a well known country singer Claude King (“Wolverton Mountain”) so I moved to Shreveport La. in 1973 and have been here since. We were called the Nashville Knights and then changed to “The Cotton Dan Band”. Our latest CD Claude King Live! can be found almost anywhere on the net.
The best thing I did (not the biggest) was my parents always wished I would be famous enough to play The Wheeling Jamboree WWVA, Wheeling West Virginia. Mom and Dad used to listen to that show every Sat. night and when I was a kid I told them I would be on that show one day. Claude King made it happen. He booked it February 1983 and it was recorded live. On the second half, not recorded but aired, he had me do two songs on his time and dedicated that section of the show to my parents in Worcester MA. Claude King is the best!
Tell Ronnie and the guys of the Beep’s David remembers them and hopes they are all well!
David Daniels
I played with bill & dean at this period and I’m confused at the info here. write me
Wow, Hello Dean;
So glad to hear you are not dead, I can’t remember who it was that told me you had died in an accident. What are you doing now?
David
Andy, sorry I replied to Dean on your post, Did we meet way back when? I’m not remembering the name.
Thanks for the post
David Daniels
Hi, dave ,
Despite Dave Daniels report of my demise, I am alive and well. Steve Chicolini replaced Chucky as the drummer and was killed in a motorcycle accident while I was in Vietnam (1971)
Dean Johnson
I replied to the wrong comment (oops), Anyway glad to hear you are alive and well
let me know what you’ve been doing. theodan@bellsouth.net
I stayed in the music biz all my life. Take care hope to hear from you.
David Daniels
So glad to hear from Dean, if there are any other members or friends of the Nite Riders, I would love to catch up
David
I know dave daniel,he lives in Langley bc canada if you like more information just email me
I played rhythm guitar for a short time with the nite riders. I have a photo of us minus the bass player. The nite riders were in its growing stages and many members came and went. I enjoyed my time playing shifting gears and she’s mine and all the other numbers. Dave was an exceptional guitarist and vocalist for his age. I had a previous vocal background that included many talent shows and tv appearances about Massachusetts. Never forget the tiny drummer we had. Good times.
Bob Dube-
Were you in the Army in 1973 at FT. Jackson, SC?
I was in Ft Jackson 1968 and mid 1969. Wheel mechanic school.
Dave, after the Army tour of Vietnam I came to Fort Devens. I started here as a photographer in 1972 and still doing it now. Musically: still playing Guitar and I got into Building and playing
Cigar box guitars.-Great fun!!!-check out cigarboxnation.com and search members>dean.
By the way, do you remeber Cheri? the cute girl I was going with during the Nite Riders era? We’ve been married 42 years now.
Hi Dean;
No I don’t seem to remember Cheri, but congrats on your long time together.
If you want to contact me my email is: theodan@bellsouth.net.
You might get a kick out some of my youtube videos: search The Cotton Dan Band,
Some of just me and some backing others, Patsy Kelly, Claude King…Anyway there is about 14 videos. Let me know how you are doing and if you have any pictures I’d love to see them… Any of the Nite Rider days?
Thanks David
Man I know you guys. You did play at Crompton Park in Worcester Mass. Because I was a leader of a gang called The Islanders. We sat on the hill and smoked pot and listened to the music. I would love to go back to that simpler time in life. When W.O.R.C & W.N.E.B came down there. But now Its not the same. I wish you and the guys could make a come back. It would be great to see and hear that kind of music again. I myself wrote a book about Crompton Park and how it was back then.( The Boy From Worcester) Believe it or not the next book that I am writing your band is in it. You see I emailed you a ways back and. And when I was on the next book I was thinking about your band. Anyway we are trying to get this book into a movie. A lot of people that read it says it should be.
A gripping read that demands a movie!
By Film & Book Professor Damon Blalack on April 19, 2013
The Boy From Worcester by Bob Pitchman is a must-read portrait of late 1950s-late 1960s East Coast America. But that label alone would be a great disservice to all the many other things it is: a terrific illustration of the importance of families; a deft painting of friendship; a story of loss, of betrayal, of youth, and of dreams; and love, the one thing that binds this gallery of human interconnectedness together as we follow Bob’s early experiences in Worcester Massachusetts, as he learned to make a street gang family amongst friends, after having been orphaned at an early age.
Mr. Pitchman’s descriptive -imagery is florid, painting indelible images in your mind as you follow his life along at a brisk-pace. Never once does his collection of chronological stories waver too long, and the overarching themes of redemption in the promise of love and acceptance weave a strong through line that keeps you turning the pages. The Boy From Worcester’s plotting conjures to mind the best of a gripping dramatic movie, but one is reminded that it’s all based in truth; Hollywood moguls would be nuts to ignore a well-adapted screenplay from this novel.
Truly there are many life lessons to be learned amidst the tales here; like the best stories, conflict is central to each unique chapter, as well as to the overall spine. But no matter the flashpoints or the losses Bob and his gang (or more appropriately, “Family”) suffer, there are always values learned along the way that lead the reader to an even deeper understanding of our human nature. One is well-advised to listen to one who’s experienced so much in life, so early on; The Boy From Worcester is indeed a treasure-trove of this early life discovery.
Hi Robert, I haven’t been on the computer much…some illness, wife and myself
not worth going into, but we are pushing on.
I’m going to buy your book it sounds great! Those were some of my happiest times
not to say I did not have some great times being on the road and acting like a star for a while. I guess I have Narcissistic Personality disorder, the older I get the more I look back. I’m trying to finish a table top book on the Cotton Dan Band.
I loved my music so much and the adoration I got from it, I’m only 5’7″ and always had a little problem with it, but the “Guitar” made me feel 6′ tall. When I started playing big shows around the country It was like a major drug. I never got to be the big star but played some huge concerts. signing autographs and other perks (wink wink). I always tried to be SOMEBODY, When I got to hang with other stars and such I was Somebody,
I met Bob Crane (Hogan’s Heroes) 1972…He would call and want to sit in with the band
(he was a great drummer) When he was in Jacksonville Fl. He stayed at my place for awhile and at night we would hit clubs so he could sit in, We got together several different places and had a great time. Sorry I started writing and disappeared to that time. I’m back! One of my best songs that I wrote “Any Thing An Angel Wears Fits you”
has started to get some attention so I guess I’m not completely done.
sorry about the rambling on take care and good luck with the book and the NEXT one
A Worcester friend
David Daniels
My triple by-pass and the diabetes has made me a little slower these days and my finger tips stay pretty numb so I’m not playing much.
I have a great fear of being totally forgotten I worked so hard, so it’s nice to see my past
still out there because of the internet. I mostly want to be important to my kids.
I hope when I’m gone they will look up some of stuff and share it with there friends
and say “That’s my Dad” He did some pretty good stuff in the music biz.
david u probally dont remember me at chandler jr high its along time ago.i do remember you talking about your band i was quite impressd,i saw your photos and knew you right away.i left worcester in 1975 went to miami,fl,started my electrical contracting buisness which grew very large and sucsesful,i still remeber my worcester roots,regards michael lapin
I just had the pleasure of listing to” Any thing an angel wears fits you.” Great stuff. I meant to ask you what street did you live on in Worcester. I would like to put some photos of you and your band on my website. I have some of the old ones but I would like to update them. I have a 60’s page on my website http://www.worcester1946.net I just started it and it would be great to show people what it was like back then. And if you have any videos that would help to. I tend to drift back in the past myself. It was a simpler time back then. Well I have to get back to my book I have a long way to go. By the way if you have any stories about Worcester that I could put in my book that would be cool too.
I was talking to a friend I have not seen in years. His name is Jimmy Shea. When I said The Night Riders. He said he thinks he remembers you guys from Crompton Park and maybe the comic strip. I was blown away. anyway did you get a chance to read my book? I am trying to get it into a movie form. People that read it say it is movie material. The book is a great underground success. But it’s hard to get it out there when you don’t know what the hell your doing. But anyway I put you on my website http://www.worcester1946.net and my Facebook. Some times I get hits people saw you at one time or other. They liked you music. You weren’t country back in the 60’s was you. I never liked country music until I moved to Greenville S.C. Then I fell in love with it. And just one more thing are you on Facebook? I know your not felling well lately My prayers go with you. And remember never give up the past. because the future sucks big time.
Hi Dave, I guess you don’t remember me but that’s me in the last picture on your left side. I play guitar with your band for a while with Tony Agby. Remember the nights we played at city hall, Murray broder and a whole bunch more. I went to play with 290 East.
Brad
Hello Brad!!! “Wow great to know your out there. How did you find the website? I’ve stayed in the music biz all my life up-until about a couple years ago, Have done just a few reunion shows over the last 2 years
If you like you can check out my youtube stuff… search for the Cotton Dan Band, there are some with just me, some with the whole band, also with Patsy Kelly and our main boss “Claude King”
Also The Cotton Dan Band on Facebook
email if you can, take care
David Daniels (aka “Cotton Dan”)
Hey Brad, it’s been a long time since nite riders. I’m living in Florida. Do you remember me?
dave it is linda my sister is jeanie we use to see you and franny at longos loung in worcester. how are you we miss the good old days. we had fun.those werefun days. so how are you doing hope your in good health.DAVE you guys had a recording of a song you all sang trying to remember the name. so if you e mail me could you tell me thanks hope to talk again soon miss you so nice to find you.
Hey Linda;
I sure do remember you and Jeanie!!!
So good to hear from the old gang. It will be easier to chat with you from
my email. theodan@bellsouth.net. in the meantime check out Youtube
“The Cotton Dan Band” there are some with Patsy Kelly, Claude King,
and I thing one or two just me. Anyway kinda long story but I wound up with nick-name “Cotton Dan” oh and also “the Cotton Dan Band” on face book or just google us we are all over the place.
Please tell Jeanie hello! p.s. do you have any pictures from back then?
Gotta go David Daniels
A photo of Bernie T. from the mid 70’s. I was also a friend of Jimmy Hassett
https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertmjohnson/16093692068/in/dateposted/
Bob; thanks much for sending the picture of Bernie.
I hope the best for all the old gang ,
David
‘Anybody know anything about Ann MARIE DAVIS (Castonguay)
she used to live on Charlotte St in Worcester Ma.
Would love to hear from her again
my email: theodan@bellsouth.net
HELLO DAVE. IM CHUCKYS COUSIN MARK MCGURN HOPE YOU ARE WELL . WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU
Hey, thanks for posting all this great stuff. I went to Chandler Jr. too, but it must have been a little later. Great to hear about the bands of that time.
From what I understand Dave has passed on. Dave was a real go getter. He will be missed by his loved ones and anyone who knew him. Rest in Peace Dave.