Categories: Unknown

The Mockers EP “Don’t Let Me Down” on Tyro Records

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Mockers Tyro Records EP side AThe Mockers made this very rare EP released on Tyro Records TR-1A.

I’d date it to late 1964 because of the added sounds of a crowd of screaming girls on all the tracks, and Ringo’s response to the “are you a mod or rocker” question in A Hard Day’s Night.

The group are completely unknown to me. Three songs are originals by Leary or Leary-Owens, plus there’s a version of “Tequila”.

“Don’t Let Me Down” is an exciting performance with a good guitar break. “Don’t You Know” by Leary and Owens and “If You Want Me” by Leary are both slow ballads.

Tee Pee Music Co, Inc. was a large publishing company owned by Teddy Powell, a former band leader who had been based in Newark, New Jersey. This may be a vague clue to the band’s location. Jat Music Inc was the publisher for “Tequila”.

The indentation near the center hole is somewhat similar to a Rite Press, but there’s no indication of Rite on the labels or in the dead wax.

Mockers Tyro Records EP side B

Categories: Chelle, Florida, Key West, Miami

The Cave Men of “It’s Trash” – interview with Bob Jabour

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Bob Jabour of the Cavemen at Mallory Square Key West
Bob Jabour of the Cave Men at Mallory Square, Key West

The Cave Men cut one of the wildest singles of the 1960s, “It’s Trash”, released on the B-side of ‘Chelle PH 148 in August, 1966.

Claus Rosenblad interviewed bass guitarist Bob Jabour of the Cavemen, who also sang the lead vocal on “It’s Trash”

What was your musical background?

I played trumpet, tuba and my parents were dancers.

How did the group get together and where did the practice take place?

The band I was in before the Cavemen was named the Coachmen. Paulie Walterson was the drummer for the Coachmen. He quit the Coachmen to form the Cavemen. Tony Rey was brought in to replace Paulie in the Coachmen. When the Coachmen broke up because of the draft, I went to California. I got a phone call from Paulie to come join the Cavemen when they changed bass players and I came back to Key West.

The Coachmen personnel:

Singer: Chuckie Ward
Lead guitar: Ross Kilgore
Rhythm guitar: Bobby White
Bass guitar: Bob Jabour
Sax: Leonard Rojas
Sax: Austin Roberts
Drums: Paulie Walterson
Drums: Tony Rey

The Cavemen:

Drums: Paulie Walterson
Drums and vocals: Tony Rey
Lead guitar and vocals: Andy Johnson (deceased)
Rhythm guitar and vocals: Sergio Roche
Bass guitar: Robert Tiff (deceased)
Bass guitar and vocals: Bob Jabour

How long time did the Cavemen exist before they split?

Maybe 3+ years.

Where did the Cavemen play live, and what was your best gig?

Lived and played mostly in Key West; played road gigs in the Keys and Miami; recorded in Miami.

Best gig… probably the Miami shows and recording for an appearance on the Rick Shaw show in Miami which did not happen because the band broke up.

What is the story behind “It’s Trash”?

I wrote the lyrics about a relationship that I was in which went bad. I am the lead singer on “Trash”.

The flip called “The Pillow Bit” is a ballad. Mostly Andy’s (guitar player, solo on “It’s Trash”). I contributed some of the lyrics.

What other big acts were your musical inspiration, (or genres)? Please name some of it.

I came up through R&B: Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, James Brown, Sun Records, Chess Records, Motown, funk…

The Cavemen were very much a show band… so were the Coachmen. The Coachmen did the entire James Brown at the Apollo album. The Coachmen were very much a rhythm and blues group. The Cavemen were more of what we would call “punk” today.

How did the record come to be made?

Rhythm guitar player’s father sponsored the 500 copy pressing of “It’s Trash” and “The Pillow Bit” on the label ‘Chelle which was our manager/engineer’s label, Steve Kimball.

Which studio did you record the songs in?

Our band manager Steve Kimball built and was the engineer for the studio. I forgot the name of the studio. Criteria was in business at the same time as the studio we recorded in. They were big competitors at the time and both studios had 4 track capabilities. If the Novas recorded at Criteria, it was because the other studio went out of business.

Any fun facts and stories from the making of the record?

We would pile in the VW van and drive to Miami and spend the weekend in the studio and playing gigs that Steve had set up for us. We recorded about a dozen cover tunes, and a few originals for appearances on the Rick Shaw dance show which never happened because the band broke up.

What other groups in that area did the Cavemen compete with?

Miami: The Kollektion, top Miami group featuring a guitarist that went on to play for Iron Butterfly.

Or make friends with?

The Hustlers, another group managed by Steve. We split recording time with them. [The Hustlers cut a great single on ‘Chelle 145, “My Mind’s Made Up” / “If You Try” – ed.]

Did you ever do any battle of the bands?

Yes. Every weekend in Miami. Once did a two band gig with Wayne Cochran & the CC Riders featuring Jaco Pastorius on bass in Key West.

Do any other recordings exist?

There were at least two acetates: a 12 tune one of cover material; and a five tune one. The 12 tune one was destroyed by overplaying before it was lost. The five tune one survived and was copied to the internet. There are tape copies of it around. “Mustang Sally”, “Talk Talk” (best cover), “That’s How Strong My Love Is”, two more I forgot right now.

What happened to you and the other band members after the band split up?

Went four different ways:

Serge, rhythm guitar, formed another group.

Tony, drummer, went back to playing guitar, his primary instrument. Resettled in Fort Lauderdale. Played the Miami / Ft. Lauderdale nightclub scene with various latin and rock bands. Tony was from Cuba.

AJ (Andy, lead guitar) was hired out of a Key West bar by Eric Andersen and went on to record and tour with Eric for about two years. Then he got hired by Sister Kate Taylor (James Taylor’s sister) and recorded and toured with her.

I went on to play Key West bars. First putting together house bands, then eventually doing pick up gigs on bass. In my house band days, I worked with Vinny [Vince Martell] for a few months before he returned to New York to become part of the Vanilla Fudge (guitar player).

Thank you to Claus Rosenblad and Bob Jabour.

‘Chelle discography (any help with this would be appreciated including scans of all but the Cavemen, or audio of A Pace of Change’s single).

PH-145 – The Hustlers – “My Mind’s Made Up” (McNicol) / “If You Try” (1966)
PH 148 – The Cavemen – “The Pillow Bit” / “It’s Trash” (both by A. Johnson, B. Jabour, T. Rey)
PH-162 – The Novas – “Please Ask Her” / “Whenever You’re Ready” (Bob Calaboro) January 1967
CK-301 – A Pace of Change – “Sync Higher” / “Death Comes Sweetly”

The Hustlers were: Bob Leavitt guitar, Johnny McNicol guitar, Joe Romeo bass and Nick Fresca drums.

The Novas were: Bill Campbell vocals, Kenny Wynn lead guitar, Rick Calaboro guitar, Jim LeFevre bass, and John Bernard drums.

Categories: San Antonio, Texas

The Spidels from San Antonio

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Spidels Photo Outcasts Cave Dwellers Ones Trolls Teen Canteen San Antonio Express and News Dec 26, 1965
The Spidels featured in a Teen Canteen ad including the Outcasts, the Cave Dwellers, the Ones and the Trolls

I have a poor-quality photo of the Spidels from an ad for a show at the Teen Canteen at Wonderland Shopping City in December, 1965. The band is regularly cited as being from Sam Houston High. At least one member, Kurt Linhof attended Randolph High School.

Spidels Fan Club San Antonio Express and News Feb. 19, 1966Kurt Linhof supplied some information to the now-defunct website Mikes Band Archive:

The Spidels were a great Stones cover band, from late ’64 through ’66, the original lineup was: Sammy Vilnes – vocals, percussion, Jerry Osborn – lead guitar, Jesse Samudio – rhythm guitar, Gene Coleman – drums, Terry Patton, then Kurt Linhof – bass, Terry was the best bass player I ever heard in San Antonio, but left near the end of ’65, I think to make real money with a country band. I played with them from late ’65 through ’66. We had a fan club in Seguin with about 75 high school girl members, and played LOTS of gigs there. We always came in second to the Outcasts in Battles of the Bands, but were a good band, Sammy had the look (and the lips) to do an amazingly good Jagger. Jesse got drafted in ’66, Gene was still playing, in Dallas, a few years back, but the rest of their stories are a mystery to me.

The Spidels performed frequently including at the Teen Fair of Texas at Joe Freeman Coliseum. An August 31, 1967 article notes the Spidels would be playing at the Villita Assembly Hall, and that the band were students at San Antonio College.

Gregg Cheser took over on lead vocals from Sammy Vilnas at the start of 1967, and after personnel changes, the group became the Swiss Movement, retaining Gregg Cheser and Gene Coleman on drums.

As far as I know, the Spidels never recorded.

Spidells Catalinas San Antonio Express And News Oct 31, 1965
drum heads designed by Nancy Saffold, art teacher at Sam Houston High

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

Spidels Catalinas Ambassadors Inn Crowd Cave Dwellers Aggressors Great Unknowns Traydwins Forget-Me-Nots Trochais San Antonio Express and News Apr 16, 1966
Sam Houston High band bust with the Spidels plus the Catalinas, the Ambassadors, the Inn Crowd, the Cave Dwellers, the Aggressors, the Great Unknowns, the Traydwins, the Forget-Me-Nots, and the Trochais, April 1966
Categories: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Shane Records

The Blue Beats “Bad Girl” on Shane Records

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Blue Beats Shane 45 Bad Girl

The Blue Beats made one single with two fine sides on Shane Records 100 out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The top side is “Bad Girl” with a snarling female vocal accompanied by a band and male chorus. The flip “Am I the One” is also good.

Paul Cappell wrote both songs, published by San-Dee Music ASCAP. The only other listing for San-De Music I can find is probably an unrelated company with a registration, “Lucky Baby” by Alan Lee & Mildred Phillips from 1964.

Shane Records had an address of 511 North Broad Street in Philadelphia. The release date may be as late as 1969. I’m not familiar with the TBB-1 / TBB-2 code on the labels.

Blue Beats Shane 45 Am I The One“Bad Girl” seems to be a cover of a 1968 single by Connie Little with B.G. Ramblers “Bad Girl” / “Don’t Mess with Cupid” on Rambo IV Records of Secor Road in Toledo, Ohio. According to Buckeye Beat, the B.G. Ramblers members included Billy Price, Bob Koons, John Ahlfors, Jerry Ahlfors and Peter Mousoulias.

Although that release is firmly in a soul style, Connie Little (real name Connie Mierzwiak) had recorded earlier singles as Connie Little and the Cashmeres and Connie and the Cytations with a gruff child voice that could match this Blue Beats single.

Buckeye Beat has an entry for her, noting that she had a group called “Connie and the Blu-Beats who sprayed their hair blue and who may have had a member named Paul Cappelletty”.

Could this be Connie Little singing on the Blue Beats single? It’s definitely the same song, though the song writing credits have been changed from Mierzwiak-Mousoulias on the Connie Little single to Paul Cappell on the Blue Beats. Connie Little and several of the B.G. Ramblers have passed away, so we’ll probably never know.

Categories: Springfield, Springfield Records, Virginia

The Roaches “Someone With a Heart” on Springfield

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Roaches Springfield PS
Picture sleeve for the Roaches 1964 single on Springfield. Scan courtesy of Beat Behind the Dykes.

Roaches Springfield 45 Someone With A HeartThe Roaches came from Springfield, Virginia in Fairfax County. The band’s members were:

Leon Norton, Jr. – vocals
Tony Taylor – vocals
Craig Mossman – lead guitar
Johnny Holiday – rhythm guitar
Tom Kelly – bass guitar
Perry Hoisington – drums

The Roaches made one single in 1964 with the fine vocal “Someone With a Heart” backed with an instrumental, “Night Life”.

Roaches Springfield 45 Night LifeBassist Tom Kelly wrote “Night Life”.

Oru Braymer is on the label as writing “Someone With a Heart”, but he was not a band member. The picture sleeve for the single has the credit “Produced by Braymer Music”. The Library of Congress shows an April, 1964 copyright registration for “Someone With a Heart” by Orville S. Braymer. From what I could find, he lived in Alexandria and was a piano technician, born 1928 and died 1993.

Released on Springfield Records RI 1664, the RI indicates this was pressed by Recordings Incoporated in Baltimore. George Graves took the photo on the picture sleeve.

In 1965, photographer Charles Parry documented the Roaches and other groups at an American Legion hall in Springfield, VA. From the notations on the 3.5″ x 3.5″ color prints, there were 28 photos of the Roaches in his files, but I am missing six of them.

American Legion and Pi Alpha Gamma banners appear behind the group. Photos of the Londoners and Beau Havens also have the Pi Alpha Gamma banner, so those bands may have shared the billing that night.

One photo from possibly a different show has a Sigma Tau Delta honor society banner behind drummer Perry Hoisington Holiday, along with the American Legion banner.

The order of the photos suggests WPGC DJ “Tiger” Bob Raleigh (real name Paul Carmen) was at this show. Two other photos show WEAM DJ Terry Knight at the American Legion, possibly at this show. However, I don’t believe this is the Michigan DJ and singer Terry Knight. For one thing, it doesn’t look like him. For another, WROV DJ Jack Fisher wrote about how he was asked to call himself Terry Knight when he was at WEAM. Like WPGC, WEAM seems to have had house DJ names that could be impersonated by any jockey.

Several other DJs from WPGC and Arlington’s WEAM appear in photos with bands from other evenings.

I would like to post other group photos from this collection of Charles Parry but have not yet been able to locate him or his family.

Thank you to Craig Mossman for noting the location of the American Legion hall in his comment below.

Roaches Photo 01 Johnny Holiday and Craig Mossman
Johnny Holiday and Craig Mossman
Roaches Photo 02 Leon Norton and Tom Kelly
Vocalist Leon Norton with Tom Kelly on bass
Roaches Photo 03 Tom Kelly and Tony Taylor American Legion
Tom Kelly on bass with vocalist Tony Taylor
Roaches Photo 04 Perry Holiday at the American Legion
Perry Hoisington Holiday of the Roaches
Roaches Photo 05 American Legion
The Roaches: Johnny Holiday, Craig Mossman, Leon Norton, Tom Kelly and Tony Taylor
Roaches Photo 06 Leon Norton American Legion
Leon Norton at the American Legion

Roaches Photo 08 American Legion

Roaches Photo 09 both vocalists American Legion
Leon Norton, Jr. and Tony Taylor
Roaches Photo 10 Perry Holiday at the American Legion
Perry Hoisington Holiday with Sigma Tau Delta banner
Roaches Photo 11 Leon Norton at the American Legion
Leon Norton with tambourine at the American Legion
Roaches Photo 12 Tony Taylor and Leon Norton
Tony Taylor (left) and Leon Norton (foreground)
Roaches Photo 19 Craig Mossman and Johnny Holiday
Craig Mossman (center) and Johnny Holiday
Roaches Photo 20 Johnny Holiday American Legion
Rhythm guitarist Johnny Holiday
Roaches Photo 21 Leon Norton and Tom Kelly
Leon Norton with tambourine and Tom Kelly on bass
Roaches Photo 22 Tom Kelly Bass
Tom Kelly of the Roaches

"Roaches

Roaches Photo 28 American Legion
Leon Norton and Tom Kelly of the Roaches

Roaches Photo 24 American Legion

Roaches Photo 26 American Legion

WEAM DJ Terry Knight at the American Legion
WEAM DJ Terry Knight at the American Legion
WEAM DJ Terry Knight at the American Legion
WEAM DJ Terry Knight at the American Legion
WPGC DJ Tiger Bob Raleigh aka Paul Carmen at the American Legion
WPGC DJ Tiger Bob Raleigh aka Paul Carmen at the American Legion
Bob Parkinson WEAM Roaches Londoners American Legion
Bob Parkinson of WEAM at the American Legion

This link goes to a number of unidentified photos from the same photographer – if you know who these bands & people are, please let me know.

Categories: Fort Worth, Texas

The Skyliner Ballroom, Jacksboro Highway, Fort Worth

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Skyliner Ballroom sign Shindig A Go Go Red Hearts Jerry Williams, 1966
Skyliner Ballroom sign for Shindig a Go Go, 1966, with the Red Hearts and Jerry Williams & the Epics

The Skyliner Ballroom was located at 2238 Jacksboro Highway, on the northwest side of Fort Worth, part of the “Thunder Road” strip of restaurants, bars, liquor stores, and motels.

The huge nightclub opened in the late 1930s. By the mid-60s, the Skyliner was on its last legs.

A February 25, 1964 show advertised the “All New Skyliner” with Jimmy Washington, Becky Sharp, and Ida Sneed. Little Richard headlined some shows, as did Ray Sharpe.

A couple ads in July of ’64 call the club “Jack’s formerly Skyliner”, and advertise the Raiders “Stick Shift” with Walter crane, vocalist and the Seven Gables

The Motovators played there three times in May and June, 1965. On the first occasion, bassist Terry Hungerford had his family car stolen from the parking lot. The next day they recovered the car on the north side, undamaged.

Terry Hungerford would play there again as part of Jerry Williams and the Epics, with the Emeralds, on August 20, 1966. Another Jerry Williams show at the Skyliner on August 7, 1965 was billed as Shindig a Go Go, and the other band on the marquee is the Red Hearts.

An ad included in the Motovators scrap book kept by Terry Hungerford’s mother shows Bobby Crown & the Capers opening for Ray Sharpe. Bobby Crown’s band was something of a rival for the Motovators, and a couple of their members would leave to join Crown’s band. The Infinitives is another band I’m not familiar with, and Ray Roger filled out the artist list.

The Skyliner’s New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 1965 had “The Texas Arthur Shindig a Go-Go” with Freddie King, Bobby Crown & the Capers, James Brown Jr., plus exotic dancers Tammi True, Gale Raven and Miss Galore.

The Ballroom closed in 1966, and was demolished in 1969.

Check out the Texas State Historical Association site for more history on the Skyliner Ballroom.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.

Categories: Texas, Victoria

Rozy Saenz Double R Enterprises of Victoria, TX

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Chessmen Zakary Thaks Larry and the Premiers Victoria Advocate March 31, 1967The Victoria Advocate had this interesting article about a promotional company, Double R Enterprises, Inc, announced by Rozy Saenz, a local musician.

It’s first show would be on April 8, 1967, featuring Larry and the Premiers from San Antonio, Ronnie and the Calientes, Ernest Zepeda and the Continentals, and the Rozy Saenz Combo.

He also planned to feature national and state-wide acts such as the Chessmen, the Zakary Thaks, and Leo and the Cymbals (Leo and the Prophets?).

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

Categories: Texas, Victoria

Victoria TX Battle of the Bands: Winds of Change, Under 21, Glass Stairway and Love Street

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Winds of Change, Under 21, Glass Stairway, Love Street Victoria Advocate Apr 5, 1968The Victoria Advocate ran this notice of a battle of the bands at the armory on April 8, 1968. Bands included the Winds of Change, Under 21, Glass Stairway and Love Street, none of whom I’ve heard of before, and I don’t believe any of them recorded.

Interesting name for the act at the American Legion that same evening, “Nasty & the Premiums”!

Fred Shields wrote to me with some information on the Glass Stairway:

The simple story is The Glass Stairway was originally named The What (very original, huh?) and we formed up in Victoria, Texas sometime around Fall/Winter of 1967/1968. We were a classic “garage” band because that’s where we practiced, along with living rooms during the winter months. Since the venues where we played were dance halls, country clubs, YMCA’s, and church sponsored youth events, our music was current tunes with a dance beat. “96 Tears”, “Gloria”, “Brown Eyed Girl”, Animals, Stones etc. Later on we started playing Doors, Jimmi Hendrix, Yardbirds, Mitch Ryder, etc. Our signature song for a long time was “Light My Fire” with very extended keyboard and guitar solos.

Originally there were five of us, me on keyboard, James on bass, Rob singer/rhythm guitar, Bobbie lead guitar, and Frankie the drummer. Frankie and I had formed a band with no success when we were approached by James and Rob who were currently in a very successful Country & Western band called The Zebras. James and Rob wanted to play Rock & Roll, which was unheard of in the local scene at that time although it was coming alive after the Beatles success. We became very popular playing in little dance places all up and down the South Texas Coast. The dream ended in the summer of 1969 when I had to leave Victoria and go to boarding school.

James and Rob and I all share the same strong memories of that time. Everyone else had different performing paths later on in life. James continues to play professionally around the Austin, Texas scene.

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

Categories: Bridge Society, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The Legends first single “Why” / “Baby Get Your Head Screwed On”

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Legends Up 45 Baby Get Your Head Screwed On“Why” / “Baby Get Your Head Screwed On” was the first single by the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania group the Legends, who are best known for their devastating 1969 psych single “High Towers” / “Fever Games”.

This lineup of the Legends was:

Larry Swartzwelder – lead guitar
Dan Hartman – keyboards
Derek Parsons – bass
Ralph Schwartz – drums

Earlier members of the band included Dave Hartman guitar and vocals and Denny Woolridge bass; later members included Gene Brenner guitar, Joe Caloiero bass and vocals, Dave Cope on bass, and Larry Sadler on drums.

The Legends story is told elsewhere in some detail, but there is little about this release on the internet.

The A-side is an original by Dan Hartman, “Why”, featuring a soulful vocal over a backing dominated by the organ.

The Legends probably found “Baby Get Your Head Screwed On” from the version by the Double Feature, a British duo from Birmingham, Bill Hall and Brian Lake. Double Feature had two singles on Deram, both of which saw release in the US. It’s also possible the Legends heard the song on its composer Cat Stevens’ first album, Matthew and Son which also had a US release in 1967.

Legends Up 45 WhyJohn Ulrich produced the single, and published “Why” through John Ulrich Music. Gene Eichelberger engineered the single, released on Up Records 2202-7-13. The single is styrene, with X-5291/2 etched in the deadwax.

Dan Hartman designed a picture sleeve with a crude b&w drawing very similar to the sleeve for the Blues Magoos “Pipe Dream”. It was not used for the single until many years later, when Billy S. reproduced the drawing with a discography on the back to sell a small amount of copies of the original single. Thank you to Thomas Grosh for sending in the scan.

Legends UP later PS Baby Get Your Head Screwed On
PS made years after the original release.

Up Records was part of Bridge Society Records which had some other fine releases including:

The Shan-Dells ‎”Chimes” / “Little Girl” and their soul classic ” I’ve Got To Love Her” / “Idle Excursion”
The Evil “I” – “Love Conquers All” / “Can’t Live Without You”
The Legends second single, “Keep On Running” / “Cheating”

Info on band lineups from the Arf! Arf! compilation High Towers [1965-1973].

The site for '60s garage bands since 2004