The Starlight Ballroom, Crawley

March 29, 2020 Nick Warburton 13 Comments

The Who with Jo Jo Gunne, 11 February 1968 (Surrey Mirror)

Located on the high street, the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex was a significant music venue in the UK during the 1960s. Peter Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlite Ballroom in Greenford, London.

I have started to compile a list of artists that were advertised at the venue between 1966 and 1968 and would welcome any additions/corrections. I have noted down the sources.

It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in local papers or on posters so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’ve tried to note them down where they are confirmed.

1965

29 October 1965 – The Animals (Record Mirror)

4 November 1965 – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Record Mirror and Beat Instrumental)

2 December 1965 – The Small Faces (Record Mirror and Beat Instrumental)

9 December 1965 – Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas (Beat Instrumental)

1966

6 January 1966 – The Hollies (Beat Instrumental)

13 January 1966 – Dave Berry & The Cruisers (Beat Instrumental)

27 January 1966 – The Swinging Blue Jeans (Record Mirror)

3 February 1966 – The Moody Blues (Beat Instrumental)

10 February 1966 – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)

18 March 1966 – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)

21 April – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and The Fleur De Lys (Caterham Weekly Press) Beat Instrumental had The Small Faces on this date

5 May – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, The Gobbledegooks and The Cadalacks (Caterham Weekly Press)

15 May – The Manchester Playboys (Caterham Weekly Press)

19 May – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds (Caterham Weekly Press)

26 May – The Action and The Powerhouse Six (Caterham Weekly Press)

1 December – The Bunch of Fives (Mid Sussex Times)

1967

12 March – The 1^st Lites (Surrey Mirror)

26 March – The Iveys (Surrey Mirror)

31 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Crawley Advertiser)

2 April – Zoot Money and His Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)

23 April – Pink Floyd and The Doves (poster)

5 May – Shell Shock Show and The Gods (Crawley Advertiser/Surrey Mirror)

7 May – Alan Bown Set (Crawley Advertiser/Surrey Mirror)

19 May – Lunar II and The Honey Band (Crawley Advertiser)

21 May – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set and Prince Buster & The Bees (Crawley Advertiser)

26 May – Alan Bown Set (Surrey Mirror)

28 May – The Shell Shock Show (Surrey Mirror)

4 June – Ray King Soul Band and The Gods (Crawley Advertiser)

11 June – Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement and Craig King & The Midnight Train (Crawley Advertiser)

18 June – John Lee Hooker and The Hip Hooray Band (Crawley Advertiser)

25 June – Alan Price Set with support groups (Crawley Advertiser)

2 July – The Outer Limits and support group (Crawley Advertiser)

29 July – The Kindred (Surrey Mirror)

30 July – Sam and Bill with Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement and The Gas Company (Surrey Mirror)

5 August – The Cornermen (Surrey Mirror)

6 August – Winston’s Fumbs and Geranium Pond (Surrey Mirror)

13 August – Cats Pyjamas and Geranium Pond (Surrey Mirror)

16 September – Aubrey Denny & The Cornermen and The Kindred (Surrey Mirror)

17 September – The Tiles Big Band and Gentle Madness (Surrey Mirror)

23 September – The Exits and The Visitors (Surrey Mirror)

24 September – The Small Faces and Modes Mode (Surrey Mirror)

30 September – The Exits (Surrey Mirror)

1 October – The Move and Jo Jo Gunne (Surrey Mirror)

7 October – The Exits (Surrey Mirror)

8 October – Dantalion’s Chariot and The Kindred (Surrey Mirror)

14 October – The Exits and The Mover (Surrey Mirror)

15 October – The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Jo Jo Gunne (Surrey Mirror)

Henry Turtle, singer/songwriter and guitarist with The Doves, says Jo Jo Gunne didn’t turn up and The Doves were parachuted in at the last minute. A poster confirms The Doves with Jimi Hendrix for this date without Jo Jo Gunne listed.

21 October – The Exits (Surrey Mirror)

22 October – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Surrey Mirror)

28 October – The Exits and The Mover (Surrey Mirror)

29 October – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend) (Surrey Mirror)

4 November – The Exits and The Mover (Surrey Mirror)

5 November – Long John Baldry (with Bluesology) and The Deadly Nightshade (Surrey Mirror)

11 November – Fascination (afternoon). The Exits and The Mover (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

12 November – Jo Jo Gunne and Modes Mode (Surrey Mirror)

18 November – Fascination (afternoon). The Exits and The Mover (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

19 November – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The All Night Workers (Surrey Mirror)

25 November – The Exits (Surrey Mirror)

26 November – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Surrey Mirror) and The Army (Melody Maker)

2 December – The Exits and The Mover (Surrey Mirror)

3 December – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics) and The Army (Surrey Mirror)

9 December – The Exits and The Mover (Surrey Mirror)

10 December – The Foundations (Surrey Mirror)

Jo Jo Gunne may have been on the bill with The Foundations but needs confirmation

16 December – The Kindred (afternoon) and The Exits (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

17 December – The Vibrations (Surrey Mirror)

23 December – The All Night Workers and The Exits (Surrey Mirror)

24 December – Jo Jo Gunne and The Exits (Surrey Mirror)

30 December – The Exits and The Tony Strudwick Orchestra (Surrey Mirror)

31 December – Jo Jo Gunne and Precisely This (Surrey Mirror)

1968

6 January – Dave’s Dimensions (afternoon) and The Exits (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

7 January – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Surrey Mirror)

13 January – Jason Crest (Surrey Mirror)

14 January – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds with support band (Surrey Mirror)

20 January – The Taste (afternoon) and BBC’s Stuart Henry and The Army (Surrey Mirror)

21 January – The Human Instinct and The Summits (Surrey Mirror)

27 January – BBC’s Stuart Henry and The Age with Rice Milton (Surrey Mirror)

28 January – Desmond Dekker & The Aces and The Inspiration (Surrey Mirror)

3 February – Purple Dream and The Taste (Surrey Mirror)

4 February – Edwin Starr (Surrey Mirror/New Musical Express) and Gin House Blues (Surrey Mirror)

10 February – Jo Jo Gunne and The Doves (Surrey Mirror)

11 February – The Who and Jo Jo Gunne (Surrey Mirror)

17 February – The Mike Stuart Span and The Memphis Gents (Surrey Mirror)

18 February – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Surrey Mirror)

Henry Turtle says that The Doves opened for Jimmy James & The Vagabonds at this venue. It might have been on this occasion or another time.

24 February – Damson Flies (afternoon) and Misty Romance and Exploding Orange (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

25 February – The Human Instinct and Jo Jo Gunne (Surrey Mirror)

2 March – Size Five and The Race (Surrey Mirror)

3 March – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Surrey Mirror)

9 March – Surprise group (afternoon) and Jo Jo Gunne and Modes Mode (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

10 March – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics) and Jo Jo Gunne (Surrey Mirror)

16 March – Surprise group (afternoon) and Zoot Money (aka Dantalion’s Chariot) (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

17 March – The Small Faces and Kristan Young & The Reflections (Surrey Mirror)

23 March – Surprise group (afternoon) and DJ Pete Drummond and The All Night Workers (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

24 March – The Skatalites and The Extreme Sound (Surrey Mirror)

30 March – Sulphate of Ammania (afternoon) and Tony Strudwick & His Band (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

31 March – The Original Drifters and Jo Jo Gunne (Surrey Mirror)

Drummer Paul Maher of Jo Jo Gunne says he covered for the drummer in the backing band for The Original Drifters as he was ill.

6 April – The Fascinations (afternoon) and Miss Gatwick 1968 competition and Tony Strudwick & His Band (evening) with Colin Berry and Size Five in the upstairs lounge (evening) (Surrey Mirror)

7 April – Modes Mode and Ffolley & The Rainbow (aka Rainbow Ffolley) (Surrey Mirror)

13 April – The New Breed (Surrey Mirror)

14 April – Peter London’s Rock and Roll Band and The New Breed (Surrey Mirror)

27 April – JJ Jackson (Evening Argus)

1 June – The Equals and The Motion (Surrey Mirror)

23 June – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch (New Musical Express)

FINAL NOTE:

Henry Turtle says that The Doves also opened for the following artists at this venue but I haven’t been able to find listings: Amen Corner, The Small Faces and Wishful Thinking

Categories: England, London

Mr Mo’s Messengers

March 26, 2020 Nick Warburton 27 Comments

There is absolutely no information on this group and its personnel on the internet beyond the release of this lone UK single in February 1967.

The group played regularly at the Whisky A Go Go in Wardour Street in Soho, central London between 1967 and 1969. It also played at the Mistrale in Beckenham, south London a fair bit too among other venues.

Photo from John Wilders. Left to right: John Wilders, Ken Gray, Mo Umansky, unknown guitarist, unknown drummer, John Eldred and (front) Mick Timlett

There are rumours that Mr Mo’s Messengers evolved into Sketto Rich & Sonority (see entry on this site) but this seems very unlikely (as both bands were gigging simultaneously in the late 1960s).

However, there is a slight possibility that the musicians in the latter formation also used the name Mr Mo’s Messengers briefly, as both groups came from the southeast London/Kent borderlands.

If anyone can provide further information on the group’s history and its personnel, we’d be interested to hear from you (see comments section for what has been submitted so far).

Acetate from 1968/1969. Thanks to Lewis Anderson

I have found the following gigs for the group:

1 July 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

25 July 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

17 August 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

1 October 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

8 October 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

19 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

27 January 1968 – Penthouse, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard) Billed as Mr Mo’s

25 February 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

4 April 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

19 April 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Dantalion’s Chariot (Melody Maker)

26 April 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

8 May 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Marmalade (Poster)

22 May 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

1 June 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with The Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival Show (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

4 July 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Cliff Bennett (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

18 July 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Cliff Bennett (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

24 August 1968 – Stage Door, Oxford (Oxford Mail)

31 August 1968 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent with Fire (East Kent Times & Mail)

26 October 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Sweet Rain (Poster)

30 November 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

17 January 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)

18 January 1969 – Fellowship Inn, Bellingham, south London (Melody Maker)

25 March 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

5 April 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

15 May 1969 – Pilgrim Cellar, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with Double Sounds (Mid Sussex Times)

1-2 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Poster)

15-16 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Poster)

29-30 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Poster)

Categories: Arlington Heights, Illinois, Mount Prospect, Sizzle

The Shandells “Caroline” and “Mary, Mary”

March 11, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

Shandells IL photo — The Shandells, from left: Sean Ryan, Joe Stanley, Tom Nyquist, and Tom Blomquist

The Shandells came from Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, Illinois, adjacent suburbs about 20 miles northwest of Chicago. The Shandells cut one treasured record, “Caroline” / “Mary, Mary” on Sizzle SS-5130 in August, 1965. The label reads “That Fabulous Four Sean, 2 Toms, Joe”. Members were:

Joe Stanley – lead guitar
Sean Ryan – bass
Tom Nyquist – guitar
Tom Blomquist – drums

Crypt Records included “Caroline” and “Mary, Mary” on Back from the Grave volumes 3 and 6, respectively.

A feature in the Chicago Tribune on August 5, 1965 includes three photos of the group in the studio (which goes unnamed, unfortunately), and even quotes a verse of “Caroline” a little different to what was on the record:

The last time I saw her she said to me
She’d be mine if I wanted her t’ be
I said ah-Hey! Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
YA-A-A-OWWW!

The band downplay rock music in the article, presenting a wholesome image.

An article from Arlington Heights Herald notes how they would regularly fill the Knights of Columbus Hall. It goes on to say that Sean Ryan was leader of the group and primary writer of their original songs, and that he was an Irish citizen. He was a senior at Prospect High School.

Joe Stanley also wrote for the group, was a sophomore at St. Viator High and “has a B average.”

Tom Blomquist was class president at Arlington High School, wrote “Caroline”, and also averaged Bs in school.

Tom Nyquist is “lead rhythm guitarist” and a sophomore at Prospect High School.

When they cut their single, the group were 15 years old, except for Sean who was 17.

Thank you to Mikael for alerting me to the photo of the group, and to Mike Markesich for pointing out the articles.

Categories: England, London

Rasputin, 70 New Bond Street, London

March 10, 2020 Nick Warburton 6 Comments

This little known rock club was opened around late June/early July 1967, according to Disc & Music Echo, which noted in its 1 July issue (page 2) that the venue had opened recently. Ginger Baker from Cream and Mike Wilsher from The New Vaudeville Band appeared at the club reception.

One of the earliest dates I have is 14 July 1967 when Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede, The Ford Foundation and The Survivors appeared late in the evening (see poster).

I would welcome any additional information about the club, which was located at 70 New Bond Street, including details of acts that played over the years.

I have found the following and included the sources:

1968

23 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

24 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

25 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

26 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

27 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

30 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

31 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

1 February – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)

13 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

14 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

15 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

28 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

19 March – Cliff Bennett (Melody Maker)

25 March – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

26 March – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

27 March – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

19 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

20 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

29 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

30 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

1 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

2 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

3 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

5 May – J J Jackson (Melody Maker)

12 May – Edwin Starr (Melody Maker)

17 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

24 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

5 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

7 July – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ diary)

15 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

16 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

17 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

18 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

19 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

6 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

7 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

8 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

9 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

10 August – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

According to The Stroud News, Gass played Rasputin not long before 14 September

6 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

7 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

8 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

12 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

13 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

17 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

18 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

19 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

24 September – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

9 October – Ferris Wheel (Time Out/Fabulous 208)

18 October – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

19 October – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

21 October – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

15 November – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

1969

20 February – My Dear Watson (Melody Maker)

21 March – Black Velvet (Time Out)

1 April – Girl Talk (Melody Maker)

29 April – Milwaukee Coasters (Fabulous 208)

12 May – The Shades (Melody Maker)

29 August – Glass Menagerie (Time Out)

11 September – Sonority (Jack Drew’s diary)

12 September – Sonority (Jack Drew’s diary)

30 October – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

Categories: Arkansas, E&M, Little Rock

Paul Allen “Cash for Your Trash”

March 7, 2020 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

Here’s a great rocker from Paul Allen. According to his daughter, Paul Allen was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Little Rock. He later moved to Malvern, Arkansas.

“Cash for Your Trash” has a great wild sound, and the guitar break is top-notch.

The flip is a recitation, “From Viet Nam With Love”, telling his mother not to worry.

This was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas, the base for the E&M Recording Company, which had a studio there. E&M put out close to 20 singles, including one by the Light Brigade. Rain Music published much of the original songs out of Little Rock, including songs by the Romans.

I notice there sounds like a jump in the track about 40 seconds into the song. I’ve heard it on both this video and also my copy of the 45, so it may be a flaw in the original tape or mastering.

Paul Allen contacted me in 2023, sending me an account of his career, which I’ll excerpt here and answering my questions about the record.

Paul Allen:
I guess you can say it all started on July 4th, 1957. That was the day I traded my horse, “Rex”, along with my saddle to my cousin for a Buescher True Tone, silver alto saxophone. It was a sax that my grandfather had purchased for my uncle in 1926. I played that wonderful 92 year-old sax until I retired completely in 2018.
My grandfather, who had purchased the sax for my uncle Jim, was a true cowboy from the old west who used to help drive herds of cattle to Dodge City, Kansas. He and my grandmother had lived in Osage County, Oklahoma before moving to Kansas City, Missouri.
1957 was also the year that I met the love of my life, Joyce. I was only sixteen and she was only fifteen but knew after knowing her only a couple of weeks that she was the one I would spend my life with.
I played cornet in the high school band so getting started with the sax was pretty easy. Our school band was very small and only had one saxophone player. It wasn’t long before I was playing sax in the band.
I was contacted by Chuck Brooks who had a band called Chuck Brooks and the Sharpies. He had a record out: “Spinning My Wheels” and “You Make Me Feel Mean” on the Dub label. Chuck asked me if I would be interested in playing for him. I was thrilled and, of course, the answer was yes.
I asked him when he wanted me to start. This was on a Wednesday and he wanted me to start that Friday night. He wanted a tenor sax player. I didn’t have a tenor sax; in fact I had never played one. No problem – I borrowed one from the high school and played my first job that Friday night.
Later, I formed a band of my own, “The Fortunes”. The Fortunes consisted of myself, sax, trumpet and vocals; Tommy Taylor, piano and organ; Kenny Davis, guitar; and Pat Gibson, bass and guitar.
We played all over the region. We played the major places like Little Rock Air Force Base, The Top of the Rock, the Skyway Room and others.
We moved to the Chicago area where I played on the south side until Joyce and I decided we would be better off to move back south. Sometimes, I played seven nights a week for seven and a half hours each night. I always said, “The only way to have a better edge on your horn than playing six nights a week is playing seven nights a week.”
We lived in the Chicago area during the Viet Nam War. To do something in support of our troops, I wrote a recitation called “From Viet Nam With Love”. I needed a “B” side for the record so I used “Cash For Your Trash”. I had written it after taking some songs to publishing companies in Nashville. It was futile and it seemed to me that they were only looking for trite trash.
The Fortunes were not the musicians on the record. Chuck Brooks played bass on the record. I don’t remember who the other musicians were.
Earl Fox, owner of E & M records had a small recording studio in Little Rock. The song was recorded there and Earl wanted to put it on his label.
When we left Chicago, we moved to Nashville, Tennessee and it wasn’t long before I was working with a group. I was playing a regular “house band” job at the Derby Club. We went next door to audition at the Embers Gourmet Room which was one of the finest establishments in Nashville.
I played several tunes for Bob Carney who was the manager at the Embers and they hired me on the spot. They got me into the Nashville Musician’s Union and made me buy clothes to perform in that cost more than the car I drove to work. I soon found myself doing three shows a night with Roy Hamilton, a recording superstar who was Elvis Presley’s idol.
I also held down a daytime job as Chief Programmer at the Mid South Baptist Medical Center in Nashville. Joyce and I had four wonderful and very young daughters. I quit the job in Printer’s Alley and gave up a pretty sure shot at “stardom”. I have never regretted it for one second. I thank God for helping me realize that I already had everything I needed.
For over fifty years, I went to work with my three tools: my Buescher alto, my Selmer Paris tenor and my trumpet. Commercially, the three horns were an advantage. Musically, I would have been better off to have chosen one and concentrated on excelling with it.
Paul Allen 

Thank you to Paul Allen for sending me the account of his career in music.

Categories: Roanoke, Unknown, Virginia

The Tempests on Dominion “Midnight” and “Count Down”

March 5, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Tempests cut two great original instrumentals for the Dominion Records label of Salem, Virginia, just outside Roanoke.

Dewey Anderson wrote “Midnight” and Anderson – Gordon wrote “Count Down”. Other than the song writing credits, I can’t find any info on the group.

Released in 1961 on Dominion Records 1006 with SO 1064/5 and a Sheldon stamp in dead wax. Both songs published by Powhatan Music Company.

Any info on the group would be appreciated.

Categories: Mark VII, Rosebud, Texas

The Steps Beyond “Go on Your Way, Girl”

March 3, 2020 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

The Steps Beyond came from Rosebud, Texas, a small town east of Temple. The group cut one signle on Mark VII D-1021 in late 1967 or early 1968. Their version of “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” has a relaxed moodiness to it. The flip is an original song, “Go on Your Way, Girl”, by Holtman, Surovik, Holtman, published by Ramsgate Music.

One member of the Steps Beyond was James Holtman, and the other Holtman on the credits may have been his younger brother Tommy Holtman.

Surovik turns out to be Bruce William Surovik who drummed for Kenny & the Kasuals among others, and who passed away in November, 2006.

An April 11, 1968, a Rosebud News page profiling local teens notes James Michael Holtman “now plays second, or rhythm guitar, in the Steps Beyond, who, by the way, recorded a record a few months ago.”

However, almost a year before, in May of ’67, the Rosebud News wrote “Ray Welch, Alan Pelzel, Steve Slovacek and Fred Borden (The Steps Beyond) made the long trip to Lake Texoma last Saturday to play at a dance”.

To make things confusing, a clipping from April 4, 1968 includes Alan Pelzel and Fred Borden among a list of teens who went to hear the Steps Beyond at the Catacomb Teen Club in Cameron. So were Pelzel and Borden out of the band by the time the group recorded their single?

As Mikael points out in his comment below, it seems the Rosebud News made a mistake, and that Welch, Pelzel, Slovacek and Borden were actually in the Gestures, not the Steps Beyond. The only mention of the Gestures comes from a Waco paper, and I don’t believe they recorded.

Steps Beyond, C.J. and the Jewels, Roy Robinson and the Availables, Wullables Ltd, Rosebud News March 23, 1967 — The Steps Beyond first news notice, a Hootenanny in March, 1967, with C.J. and the Jewels, Roy Robinson and the Availables, and the Wullables Ltd

The earliest mention of the Steps Beyond I can find is from March of ’67, when they play a “Hootenanny” at the Rosebud school gym with Roy Robinson and the Availables, C.J. and the Jewels and the Wullables, Ltd.

I can find several ads for other Steps Beyond appearances, including June 24, 1967 at the Westphalia Hall, at a Christmas Dance on December 23, 1967 on Main St., and on March 1 and 8, 1968 at the D. Brown Library.

If you have any photos or info on the Steps Beyond other local Texas bands of the ’60s, please comment below or contact me.

Steps Beyond Cameron Herald, March 28, 1968 — At the Katacomb Teen Club on 1st and Houston in Cameron, TX

Categories: Alamo Audio, Roun Soun, San Antonio, Texas

The Fugitives on Alamo Audio, San Antonio TX

March 1, 2020 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

The Fugitives are a San Antonio band that recorded two singles. Their first, I believe, is “Louie Go Home” backed with an original by Fugitives guitarist David Fisher, “You Know She’s a Woman”, recorded at Alamo Audio and released in the spring of 1967 on Alamo Audio 45-108. “Louie Go Home” made #28 in KTSA’s Top 30 of May 6, 1967.

An article on teens working summer jobs profiled David Fisher as a guitar & banjo teacher at Platter Palace. I don’t know who else was in the group.

The Fugitives had a second single, also from 1967, “Till The End Of The Day” / “Ferry Cross The Mersey” that I haven’t heard yet. Produced by Fisher – Alexander for release on Roun Soun Records 69/70-FK, with the address 5506 Keystone, San Antonio. There was a Roun Soun label out of Houston, but that seems like a different company.

I found an ad for the Fugitives at a “Teen’s Day Dance” at the McCreless Shopping City on May 27, 1967 with the Spidels and Laughing Kind, and also a June ’67 “rock and roll show and dance” at Turner Hall in Yoakum, about 100 miles to the east of San Antonio, with DJ Ricci Ware and a few other bands: the Laughing Kind, the Configurations, the Mad Mods and the Burbons (Bourbons).

Anyone have a photo of the group, or good scans of the Roun Soun single?

More info on the Fugitives or other local bands would be appreciated.

Fugitives KTSA San Antonio Express and News May 6, 1967 — “Louie Go Home” reaches #28 in KTSA’s Top 30, May 6, 1967

Categories: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Pot Records

Omnibus “Take Your Only Chance” from Lancaster, PA

February 27, 2020 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

Omnibus came from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The psychedelic styling on the B-side, “Take Your Only Chance” led me to think this single was from about 1970, but it seems to come a few years later, 1973 or 1974.

Omnibus members were:

Dan Glasse – vocals and percussion
Jeff Morrison – lead guitar
Jimmer Pontz – bass, guitar and vocals
Kenny Kaye – keyboards, guitar and vocals
Biair King – drums and vocals
Gail King – vocals and hand percussion

A good summary of the band come from Blair King’s Youtube channel:

Central Pennsylvania’s Omnibus had its origins in 1970, while Jeff Morrison and Jimmer Pontz formed a band called San Juan Hill, playing throughout their sophomore years at Hempfield High School, Kenny Kaye was touring with Store Records’ Geoffrey Stoner Band supporting a regional hit with a reinterpretation of The Bee Gee’s “To Love Somebody” and Blair King, a sophomore at JP McCaskey High, was performing with another local favorite “Exit”.
In February of 1972 the high school musicians were asked to audition for a new band in its infancy. Founded by keyboardist Kaye it also had vocalist Dan Glass, a recent transplant from Nashville, and Gael King, King’s folkie sister.
The band recorded it’s only single “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise” b/w “Take Your Only Chance” on the POT label out of Philadelphia, taping at Virtue Studios under the helm of Central Pennsylvania producer and Pee Vee Records label owner, Pancho Villa.
Omnibus was to be the last act to be signed to the Pee Vee label before the company moved to Delaware in 1974. The 45 single … was a minor regional hit and afforded the band the opportunity to tour in their funky converted delivery truck gigging from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Lowell, MA.

Dan Glass’s name is spelled Glasse on the label of the single. I’ve also seen Blair King as Blaine King, and Gail King instead of Gael, so maybe someone could clear up the correct spellings.

Kaye and Morrison wrote “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise”, which includes harmonica and was designated the A-side. I prefer the flip, “Take Your Only Chance”, written by Glasse and Morrison. Released on Pot Records P-100, a “Farr-Vil Promotion”; it seems to be rare now.

Both songs published by Pan-Vil Music BMI.

Kenny Kaye wrote “Let’s Go Steady” for the Shaynes, who were produced by Pancho Villa (Charles Miller), like Omnibus, but I don’t believe he was ever in the Shaynes.

Categories: Colgems, Fredericksburg, Texas, Tower

The Crossfires (aka the Fountain of Youth) early photo and feature

February 22, 2020 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

The Fredericksburg Standard of July 7, 1965 published a photo and profile of the Crossfires, a band that would go on to become the Fountain of Youth.

The Crossfires won seventh place among 78 groups at a battle of the bands at the Surfers A Go Go club in Dallas. They were all students at St. Mary’s School in Fredericksburg.

Gary Itri – bass guitar
Gary Jenschke – lead guitar
Jimmy Panza – drummer and vocalist
Kenneth Molberg – rhythm guitar

Two bands from Dallas won the top prizes: the Green Men, (I believe that would be Johnny and the Green Men) won first place and the Soul Rockers second. The Briks from Denton came in third.

The article notes that the Crossfires were the youngest group in the contest, and placed ahead of the LaVelles. The Crossfires started in March 1964 as the Fugitives, and had guidance from KNAF DJ Johnny Almon.

Although the article states that the Soul Rockers “have cut several best selling records”, I am unaware of any by that group name.

The Crossfires cut a version of Robb London and the Rogue‘s “Who’ll Be the One” / “Making Love Is Fun” on Tower 278 in 1966. I’ve seen a copy with a stamp from the Itri Record Shop in Fredericksburg!

The band relocated to California and with a name change to the Fountain of Youth, had four singles on Colgems. Billboard ran a full-page ad titled “Fountain of Youth has been discovered in Texas” to promote their first Colgems single, “Livin’ Too Fast”.

I’m a big fan of the B-side of their second Colgems single, “Don’t Blame Me (for Trying)” from June of 1968, by a somewhat obscure song writer, Ken Walker. “Day Don’t Come”, the B-side of “Sunshine on a Cold Morning” is also a standout.

Ken Molberg had left the group by the time of their last single. “Witness People” is the only recorded song that the band wrote themselves, by Itri, Panza and Jenschke. It’s one of their best, with a heavier sound than the earlier singles.

The group had a Kickstarter campaign to remaster & reissue their singles on CDR and vinyl, which has some additional info about the group.

Gary Itri passed away in January, 2014.

If anyone has photos or info on any of these groups please contact me. This photo from the Fredericksburg Standard is not bad by microfilm standards, but better quality photos must be out there.

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