National Hall, April 2, 1965, from left: Dale Morgan, Terry Hungerford, Mike Langston, and Terry Fagan with Roger Young on drums.The Capris at National Hall, April 2, 1965Charlie Christy & Crystals, National Hall, April 2, 1965
The National Hall SPJST is located at 3316 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, Texas. It still exists.
It was a popular spot for polka and western bands, but featured a few shows of rock bands during 1965. The Motovators played three shows here. Photos were taken at the first two shows.
April 2, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands with the Motovators, Charlie Christy & the Crystals and two groups I am not familiar with: the Capris, the United Sounds. Emcees were Bob Allen and Bill Warren of KXOL. Lineup at this show was
June 18, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands. The Motovators debuted their new stage suits. The lineup at this point was Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Mike Langston, Phil Reece on guitar, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or possibly Jerry Smith).
June 26, 1965 – Larry and the Blue Notes
July 2, 1965 – the Motovators played for 25% of door, DJ Bill Warren hosted
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.
The Motovators on stage at National Hall, probably June, 1965Haltom High School friends at National Hall, April 2, 1965National Hall, June 18, 1965, Roger Young (on drums), and Mike Langston with maracasThe Motovators, June 18, 1965: Phil Reece on guitar, Roger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy SmithRoger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or Jerry?)from left: Mike Langston, Terry Hungerford, Roger Young (on drums), Phil Reece and keyboardist Jimmy
7 January 1967 – 3 Men in a Boat, Walsall, West Midlands (Express & Star)
8 January 1967 – Cleveland Arms, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
13 January 1967 – College of Technology Engineering Society, Huddersfield Town Hall, West Yorkshire with The Crying Shames and ‘Bo’ Kelly Legend (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
15 January 1967 – Cleveland Court Arms, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
20 January 1967 – 3 Men in a Boat, Walsall, West Midlands (Express & Star)
5 February 1967 – Staffs Volunteer, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
6 February 1967 – Plaza Teen Club, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with The Small Faces and The Lonely Ones (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
7 February 1967 – Almondbury WMC, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
8 February 1967 – Kingsway Theatre, Hadleigh, Essex with The Spencer Davis Group, Sounds Incorporated, The Fourmost and The James Royal Set (Essex Chronicle)
10 February 1967 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with The Net (West Surrey Advertiser)
12 February 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
16 February 1967 – Primrose Hill WMC, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
22 February 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
The Jolly Time Skating Rink was located at 1001 Miller on the east side of Fort Worth. A scrapbook kept by Terry Hungerford’s mother shows the Motovators would play at the rink at least nine times between February 27 and July 31, 1965.
The Barons, the Kasuals, and the Coachmen appeared with the Motovators on certain dates. Other than her scrapbook, I can find almost no documentation of other shows at the rink. Jim Jones and the Chauntays also played there according to an interview Jim Jones did with 60sgaragebands.com.
February 20, 1965 the Motovators auditioned with KXOL DJ Bob Allen and rink manager Doyle Goodwin
February 27, 1965 – First Motovators show at the Jolly Time Skating Rink, with the Barons
March 13, 1965 – with the Kasuals. The Motovators played an original by Terry Lee Hungerford, “She’s Gone” that they had recorded earlier that month. This was Phil Reece’s last show with band, the following Monday he announced his departure to Bobby Crown’s band.
The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965
April 24, 1965 – “one band, 10 to 12, $8 per man”
May 15, 1965 – with the Coachmen (“one of the Coachmen played as 5th member of Motovators”)
May 29, 1965
The Motovators and Bob Allen from KXOL at Jolly Time Roller Rink June 26, 1965
June 26, 1965 – after the show Terry, Roger and Donnie left to Villa Acuna, Mexico at 4:15 AM, returning home later than they expected on Monday causing some trouble on what was Terry’s 18th birthday.
July 9, 1965
July 17, 1965
July 31, 1965 – last Motovators show at the Jolly Time
The Motovators at Jolly Time A Go Go, July 1965
Terry Lee Hungerford would join Jerry Williams & the Epics in 1966. Starting in the 1970s he would be part of several bands including Ripe Chops, the Freedom Band, the Other Brothers Band, No Respect, Road Crew, and the Terry Hungerford Blues Band. He worked for Pacific Bell and even opened his own BBQ restaurant, Hungerford’s Finest in Watsonville.
Terry passed away on February 20, 2019.
Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.
Another shot of the Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965. Note what appears to be Terry Lee’s Gretsch “bikini” bass with a teardrop body.
Jon was formed around October 1966 (possibly even early September) after Stuart Cowell left Gass. He’d previously worked with Ralph Denyer in The Rockhouse Band.
Tom Tierney had been a member of Lulu’s backing band, The Luvvers while Jim Toomey had been in The Arthur Brown Union and The Union (with Brown’s replacement Dave Terry) and finally The Uptown Band.
Image may be subject to copyright
Chris Simmons was the band’s original lead singer but he’s not pictured in either of the adverts featured in Melody Maker, to promote the release of Jon’s debut 45, which was issued in June 1967.
A second 45 appeared in August before Simmons departed and Stuart Cowell assumed lead vocals.
Notable gigs:
19-20 September 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 November 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
14 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
27 January 1967 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with The Great Expectations and Mood Indigo (West Surrey Advertiser)
23 February 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with Episode Six (Melody Maker)
2 June 1967 – Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Hastings & St Leonards Observer) Billed as John
Image may be subject to copyright
23 June 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London plus supporting group (South East London Mercury)
Advert in Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
8 July 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)
An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group is nine months old and are residents at the Cafe des Artistes in Fulham
22 September 1967 – New Trades Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
Image may be subject to copyright
24 September 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as John
Image may be subject to copyright
7 October 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, London (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Robert Hirst & The Big Taste (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 November 1967 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
11 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound (Melody Maker)
6 January 1968 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with Canal Street Philharmonic (Luton News)
23 January 1968 – North Park Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
1 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Marmalade (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 February 1968 – Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)
Image may be subject to copyright
In late February, the band changed name to Still Life
After changing name, the group released a lone 45 as Still Life in February 1968 before Tierney switched over to rhythm guitar and Con Byrne joined on bass.
Image may be subject to copyright
2 March 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Thackery (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)
9 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Open Mind (Melody Maker)
On 25 March, Still Life performed at the Marquee (supporting The Nice) where they were spotted by singer Warren Davis, who invited the band to joined forces with him in a new version of The Warren Davis Monday Band soon after.
1 April 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Watford, Herts with The Foundations (Harrow Observer & Gazette) This may have been under The Warren Davis Monday Band performing under this name
Although the gig below was billed as Still Life, this was in fact performed by The Warren Davis Monday Band.
Image may be subject to copyright
20 April 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Web Foundation (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)
There’s not much information on the Hi-De-Ho Dancing night club, also known as the Hi-De-Ho Lounge. It was located at 3406 Azle Ave in Fort Worth, and as of 2020, the building still exists as the Rodeo Tavern.
The Motovators auditioned with manager Andy Anderson on December 4, 1964, then played ten shows at the Hi-De-Ho Lounge between December 5, 1964 and January 1, 1965. They received $10 per person except for New Year’s Eve, at $25 each.
On December 24, Jimmy Moore left the Motovators, and Dale Morgan joined on lead guitar. Terry Fagan moved to rhythm guitar.
I have no photos of the interior. An ad to sell the business appeared on July 27, 1965 in the Star-Telegram.
Le Joli Roger Lounge, also known as the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth
The Motovators played the Jolly Roger Lounge on May 29, 1964. It was one of the band’s first live shows, with the original lineup of Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Terry Fagan, and Jimmy Nobles.
The sign in the photo reads Le Joli Roger Lounge, but one ad I’ve seen lists it as the Jolly Roger, located at 4016 White Settlement Road on the west side of Fort Worth. I believe it has since been demolished.
A December 25, 1964 classified ad to sell the business.
The East Coastmen, from left: Don Newsome, Mike (surname unknown), Alan Partin, Spiller Anderson, Charlie Harbrook, Thom Clement, Dave Herndon, and Bob Kerwin. Photo submitted by the estate of Joanne Tluchak, Virginia Beach
The East Coastmen were not a garage band, but a revue or pop group with horns, listed in Billboard’s Campus Attractions issue of 1971.
Don Newsome commented with the names of the members, so I’ll add them here:
Don Newsome – Bass Mike (surname unknown) – Sax Alan Partin – Drums Spiller Anderson – Trumpet Charlie Harbrook – Trombone Thom Clement – Keyboards Dave Herndon – Frontman, lead singer Bob Kerwin – Lead guitar Gary Ricks – Trumpet, trombone
Personal Manager was D.C. Auman. They were booked by Attractions Ltd in Hampton.
Bob Kerwin sent in songs cut on a two track machine at D’Arcy Studios on 21st St in Norfolk, version of Ollie & The Nightingales “Girl You Make My Heart Sing” and Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’.
The East Coastmen, from left: Charlie Harbrook, Dave Herdon (wearing hat), Bob Kerwin, Thom Clement, Alan Partin, Mike (unknown last name), Spiller Anderson, and Don Newsome. Missing is Gary Ricks, trumpetThe East Coastmen, from left: Bob Kerwin, Spiller Anderson, Alan Partin, Charlie Harbrook, Dave Herdon, Thom Clement, Mike (unknown last name), and Don Newsome. Missing is Gary Ricks, trumpet
Playboys guitarist Mick Rogers, keyboard player Trevor Griffin and bass player Brian Peacock split with singer Normie Rowe in late October, according to Go-Set’s 25 October issue, page 3.
By mid-November, former Librettos drummer Craig Collinge completed the new group named Procession.
17 December 1967 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Debut performance
19-26 December 1967 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
27-31 December 1967 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
Clockwise from front: Brian Peacock, Craig Collinge, Mick Rogers and Trevor Griffin
1-17 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Procession were supported by The Trap on 5 January
11 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
12 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Valentines (Go-Set) Bon Scott was the lead singer with The Valentines
13 January 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria with The Groop, Phil Jones & The Unknown Blues, The Party Machine and Issy & Adrienne (Go-Set)
13 January 1968 – Tom Foolery, St John’s Hall, Camberwell, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Running Jumping Standing Still (Go-Set)
13 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Andy James Asylum (Go-Set)
14 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
19 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
21 January 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
25 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
26 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Max Merritt & The Meteors (Go-Set)
26 January 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Christopher Nickelby Action and The Sounds of Silence (Go-Set)
27 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
28 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
1 February 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
4 February 1968 – 3XY & Outdoor Happening III, Veldrome, Olympic Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Johnny Young & The Word, The Loved Ones, Somebody’s Image, The Masters Apprentices and The Ram Jam Big Band (Go-Set)
5 February 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
8 February 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
9 February 1968 – The Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Questions, The Chelsea Set and The Basin St Blues Band (Go-Set)
10 February 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert and Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Larry’s Rebels (Go-Set)
13 February 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
15 February 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Ross De Wylie & The Uptight 5th Hour and The Sounds of Silence (Go-Set)
17 February 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Jeff St John & The Yama (Go-Set)
17 February 1968 – Piccadilly, Ringwood Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Nature’s Own and The Running Jumping Standing Still (Go-Set)
18 February 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
23 February 1968 – 54321, St Mary’s Hall, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia with Jeff St John & The Yama and Chocolate (Go-Set)
24 February 1968 – Masonic Hall, St George’s Road Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
25 February 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Vibrants and Larry’s Rebels (Go-Set)
1 March 1968 – Swing into Action, Lyndale Hall, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia with The Sounds of Silence and The Vibrants (Go-Set)
2 March 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Lynne Randell, Somebody’s Image and The Young Once (Go-Set)
3 March 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
8 March 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
9 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Young Once and Gingerbreadmen (Go-Set)
9 March 1968 – Piccadilly, Ringwood Town Hall, Victoria, Australia with Dave McCallum Power Set, Carmel Chayne and Skippy La Roche (Go-Set)
10 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
13 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
14 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
15 March 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with Jeff St John & Yama and The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)
16 March 1968 – Penny Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Outlaws, Carmel Chayne and Tony Barber (Go-Set)
17 March 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Max Merritt & The Meteors and The Groove (Go-Set)
20 March 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
21 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
22 March 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)
23 March 1968 – Albury, Melbourne, Victoria (Go-Set)
27 March 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
28 March 1968 – The Catcher Ball, Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)
29 March 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with The Wild Cherries and The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)
30 March 1968 – Shepperton Youth Centre, Shepperton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
3 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
4 April 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
6 April 1968 – Stonehenge, Beaumaris Civic Centre, Beaumaris, Victoria, Australia with The Valentines, The Rondells and April Byron (Go-Set)
6 April 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Wild Cherries, The National Breakouts, Compulsion and The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)
7 April 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The James Taylor Move and The Wild Cherries (Go-Set)
8 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
10 April 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
13 April 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Masters Apprentices, Compulsion and The Revolution (Go-Set)
13 April 1968 – Swinger, Coburg City Hall, Coburg, Victoria, Melbourne with The Bobby James Syndicate, April Byron Sensation, Gentle People (Go-Set)
14 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
19 April 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Dream and Ross D Wylie & The Uptight 5th Hour (Go-Set)
27 April 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Mixtures, The Perfection and The Wild Cherries (Go-Set)
27 April 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The System and Larry’s Rebels (Go-Set)
28 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Says last performance before Australia-wide tour
3 May 1968 – 54321 Club, St Mary’s Dandenong, Victoria, Australia with The Andy James Asylum (Go-Set)
4 May 1968 – Sandringham Memorial Hall, Sandingham, Victoria, Australia with The Henry Brothers, Janice Smuggett & The Pennsylvania Fly Bight and The Push (Go-Set)
12 May 1968 – Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Wild Cherries, The Masters Apprentices, Dream, Somebody’s Image, The Vibrants, Larry’s Rebels, The Mixtures and many others (Go-Set)
14 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and The Floor Show (Go-Set)
15 May 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
21 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
24 May 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The La-De-Das (Go-Set)
24 May 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with La-De-Das (Go-Set)
25 May 1968 – Keepout, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with others (Go-Set)
25 May 1968 – Penny Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Dave McCallum Set and Henry Bros (Go-Set)
26 May 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Ram Jam Big Band and The Compulsion (Go-Set)
28 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with others (Go-Set)
30 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
2 June 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Larry Rebels, The City Stompers and Grantley Dee (Go-Set)
5 June 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert and Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Levi Smith’s Clefs (Go-Set)
5 June 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Levi Smith’s Clefs (Go-Set)
12 June 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)
14 June 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Iguana and Bazaar (Go-Set)
15 June 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The David Bentley Trio (Go-Set)
15 June 1968 – Opus East, Camberwell Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Robbie Snowden, Ross De Wylie & The Upright 5th Hour and The Rondells (Go-Set)
16 June 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert and Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Ram Jam Big Band (Go-Set)
18 June 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Floor Show and The Joke Man (Go-Set)
18 June 1968 – Royal Ballroom, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Twilights, The Party Machine and The Virgil Brothers (Go-Set)
19 June 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Final performance in Australia before leaving for the UK
During July, the band headed to the UK
Go-Set, 15 June 1968 issue
There is a photo of the band (and short story) in the Wakefield Express and its 14 September 1968 issue on page 22 (see below)
The Birmingham Evening Mail ran a spread (plus pic) on the recently arrived band in its 18 September 1968 issue on page 2 under the title ‘No place in the world like Brum’, which contains an interview with local lad Trevor Griffin.
There is a great Procession article in Bracknell News, 19/9/68, page 2 (see below)
The Widnes Weekly News ran a short caption on the band plus a rare photo of the band in its 20 September 2020 issue on page 22
12 November 1968 – Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, Kirkcaldy, Scotland with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Herd (Dundee Evening Telegraph)
13 November 1968 – Market Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria, England with The Herd, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Love Affair and Susan Richards (Fabulous 208) Cumberland News has The Emeralds instead of Richards and also Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
15 November 1968 – Dundee Ice Rink, Dundee, Scotland with The Herd, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Love Affair and Susan Richards (Fabulous 208)
15 November 1968 – Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk, Scotland with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Haze and Brian Marshall Foundation (Fabulous 208/Grangemouth Advertiser)
22 November 1968 – Regal Ballroom, Bonnyrigg, Scotland with The Puppets and Spiders Web (South Midlothian Advertiser)
15 January 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Yes (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
6 February 1969 – Red Lion Hotel Blues Club, Leytonstone, Essex, England (Melody Maker)
8 February 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
22 February 1969 – Royal Links Pavilion Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk, England with Kiss (Eastern Evening News)
During mid-March, Craig Collinge left to join Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg in Emanon, which became Manfred Mann Chapter 3. Chris Hunt joined on drums from Pendulum.
22 March 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
Photo: Melody Maker
26 March 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Rainbows (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
Ross Wilson (ex-Party Machine) arrived from Australia and assumed lead vocals.
Photo: Melody Maker
5 April 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Shoo String Band (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
12 April 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Octopus (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
13 April 1969 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
28 April 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London, England (Melody Maker)
3 May 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Marmalade (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald)
Photo: Melody Maker
10 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Mandrake Paddlesteamer (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
17 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Pegasus (Melody Maker)
24 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
26 May 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London, England (Melody Maker)
31 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Eyes of Blue (Melody Maker)
7 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Kippington Lodge (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
14 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Audience (Melody Maker)
16 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Audience (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
Photo: Melody Maker
21 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Joint (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
28 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Octopus (Melody Maker)
8 July 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England (Melody Maker)
30 July 1969 – Speakeasy, Margaret Street, central London, England (Melody Maker)
It is unlikely the band played the following British gigs even though they were advertised. They left England on the Greek cruise ship, Aurelia, in early August bound for New York, returning later that month and breaking up.
10 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England (Melody Maker) Unlikely they played this
21 August 1969 – Pilgrim Cellar, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with The Double Sounds (Mid Sussex Times) Unlikely they played this
25 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England (Melody Maker) Unlikely they played this
25 August 1969 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, west London, England (Marylebone Mercury) Unlikely they played this
Procession split up in September 1969, according to Go-Set (see below)
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
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
