Categories: Dot, Lebanon, MusiCenter, Nashville, Tennessee

The Valiants with Jerry Gillespie on Dot Records

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All four of the Valiants songs were composed by Jerry Gillespie. The band was probably based in Lebanon, Tennesee, east of Nashville. They definitely sound like a real group, not a studio creation.

Members included Gary Gillespie, his cousin Jerry Gillespie, Jim Ladas and Donnie Scarlett.

Their first single was “I’m Getting Tired of You” / “All Night Long” MusiCenter 3102 from 1965 (RCA custom pressing SK4M-3501), produced by label owner Murray Nash.

Both songs are listed with By-Nash of Nashville BMI, though I don’t see copyright listings for either. According to an article on Mellow’s Log Cabin site, Murray Nash had Kenny Norton cover both songs, but these do not seem to have been released. Kenny Norton was a young singer from Texas who had a single on MusiCenter 3104, “To Know You” / “Oonie, Oonie, Yah, Yah, Yah”.

Valiants Dot 45 Don't Make The Same Mistake

In May of 1966, the Valiants had their second release, “Don’t Make the Same Mistake” / “I’ll Return to You” on Dot 45-16884 (MB-20860/1).

Although “Don’t Make the Same Mistake” has song writing credits by Jerry Gillespie with Cedarwood Publishing (BMI) while “I’ll Return to You” is credited to Wayne Gillespie with Ivory Pub. Co. (Sesac), it seems likely this is the same person, Jerry Wayne Gillespie, from Decatur, Alabama who penned a good number of big country hits in the ’70s and ’80s. I suppose the Valiants were his first group, but do not have any information on that yet.

The sticker from the German division of Peer Music is interesting, however this did not see release in Europe, and even the US single on Dot is very rare now.

Produced by John E. Denny and Noel Ball as “A Jed Record Production”; they also produced the Mod Rockers “Lover’s Lane” (Kenneth Ball) / “Stop And Smell The Flowers” (David Ball) released on Dot Records 45-16907 only a month or two after the Valiants single.

John E. Denny produced the Uncalled For’s classic “Do Like Me” (by Larry Welding and Tollie Lee) for Laurie Records, as well as many country recordings.

Valiants Dot 45 I'll Return to You

Categories: Country, England, London

Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band

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Ralph Denyer – guitar/vocals

Stuart Cowell – guitar/vocals

Pete Solley – Hammond organ

Pete MacBeth – bass

Stan Sulzmann – saxophone

Dave Coxhill – saxophone

 

15 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

 

5 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

6 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Peter B’s Looners (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)

29 January 1966 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Scotch of St James and The Gass (Hertfordshire Express)

14 February 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Small Faces (Camberley News)

 

20 March 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Irma Thomas and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

23 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

 

17 April 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News)

1 May 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire (Camberley News)

14 May 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Dianne Ferraz, Nicky Scott & The Untamed and The Anzaks (Lincolnshire Standard)

 

11 June 1966 – Unknown venue, Cromford, Derbyshire (Poster)

12 June 1966 – Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey (Poster from John Treais)

19 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

25 June 1966 – Co-Op Hall, Chesham, Bucks with The Framed (needs source)

10 July 1966 – The Micronest, Swiss Cottage, London with The Pieces Fit (Melody Maker)

In mid-July Ralph Denyer split with The Rockhouse Band and linked up with The Uptown Band, who were remnants of The Arthur Brown Union 

15 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Solomon Burke (backed by Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band

16 July 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band

 

5 August 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club (Nottingham Evening Post)

6 August 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Says from Rufus Thomas tour

 

The Rockhouse Band

16 September 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express) Billed as The Original Rockhouse

I know very little about this band and would welcome any further information in the comments below

Categories: England, London

The Guests

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The original Just Four. Left to right: John Towell; Kenny Davis; Alan Chamberlain and Bernie Jory. Thanks to Alan Chamberlain

Alan Chamberlain – lead vocals

Bernie Jory – lead guitar

Colin Cookson – rhythm guitar

John Towell – bass

Hans Herbert – drums

This was as Dalston, north London band and also included two sax players, including one called Graham either before or after Herbert worked with them.

They were formerly known as The Just Four and featured a drummer called Kenny Davis. Herbert hailed from Ealing and had previously worked with The Flexmen. Before joining, he worked with The Rumours.

Herbert recalls how he came to take over from Kenny Davis: “I got a call which must have been from Alan Chamberlain,” he says. “They had a radio show to do in London in a studio on Tottenham Court Road or somewhere and they didn’t have a drummer. My name popped up somehow, probably through Jim Marshall’s shop.  I did the session and they asked me to stay with them, which I did.”

In early 1966, Herbert says he did a studio session with The Animals when John Steel left but Barry Jenkins from The Nashville Teens got the job.

The Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette ran a story on The Guests in its 24 June 1966 issue, page 2. The newspaper notes that the group recorded two tracks at Decca Recording Studios in mid-June; a cover of Ray Davies “When I See That Girl of Mine” c/w “Solitude”.  It says the single is due for release in late July/early August.

The paper says The Guests have already played at Tiles Club, Oxford Street, Wimbledon Palais, High Wycombe Town Hall, Leystonstone Baths and the Rambling Rose Club. It also says they practise at Southall Community Centre every Tuesday evening.

Herbert recalls that during his time with The Guests, the group backed Edwin Starr, and (possibly) Ben E King and The Drifters, including at the Twisted Wheel in Manchester (most likely 18 October 1966). He also says that his mother helped secure some of the gigs.

11 August 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Melody Maker)

24 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Fleur De Lys and C-Jam Blues Band (Melody Maker)

 

8 October 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Robert Parker and Wynder K Frog (website: https://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/gigs-1966.htm) Alan Chamberlain remembers they appeared backing Robert Parker

15 October 1966 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with Bluesology (Kentish Express)

16 October 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed Edwin Starr for a week around this time

 

4 November 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Graham Bond Organisation (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

In November/December 1966, Hans Herbert joined The All Night Workers and Bernie Jory joined The Mickey Finn.

Categories: Country, London

Ray Dell & The Rocking Deacons

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Ray Dell & The Rocking Deacons. Courtesy of Brian Oxley

Ray Dell (real name: Rick Mardell) – lead vocals

George Phillips – lead guitar

Brian Oxley – rhythm guitar

Rodney Runacre – bass

Dell Saville – drums

Formed in 1962, the band included former Jeff Curtis & The Flames drummer Del Saville.

30 January 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Eleanor & The Sapphires (Luton News)

2 March 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Johnny & The Starliners (Stevenage Gazette)

27 March 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Johnny & Mike & The Shades (Stevenage Gazette)

 

22 November 1963 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Valiants (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

7 March 1964 – Rex Ballroom, Cambridge with The Inmates (Cambridge News)

5 April 1964 – Starlite Club, Penge, Kent (Clapham Advertiser)

18 April 1964 – Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn, Norfolk with The Puppets and Larry Bond & The Trojans (Lynn News)

27 June 1964 – Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn, Norfolk with The Verdicts (Lynn News)

4 July 1964 – Cherry Tree Hotel, Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Herts with Annette & The Keymen (Welwyn Times & Hatfield Herald)

13 November 1964 – Polydor Club, Town Hall, Berkhamsted, Herts (Hertfordshire and Hemel Hempstead Gazette and West Herts Advertiser)

More information on the band can be found at the California Ballroom website.

Photo: Melody Maker, 1965
Categories: Country, England, Surrey

Jeep Rongle

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A very obscure band that came from the Egham, Surrey/Staines, Middlesex area, which is west of London.

According to the Staines & Egham News paper, the roots of Jeep Rongle can be found in Group Four, who came together in January 1964.

This group comprised Brian Shepherd (lead guitar), Alan Welch (keyboards), Glen Curran (bass), Jim Park (drums) and two other musicians – Phil Rodgers and Geoff Hartman.

After personnel changes, they became The Motives in early 1965 and then The Method before changing name to Jeep Rongle in January 1966.

In March 1966, the line-up comprised:

Ron Prior – lead vocals (ex-The Legends)

Roger Tinkler – lead guitar (ex-The Legends)

Glen Curran – bass

Jim Park – drums 

Later that year, Glen Curran left to form The Trendbender Band, who later recorded for Decca as Barney J Barnes & The Intro (where he was reunited with Brian Shepherd).

Pete Pentis took over bass and was with the band when they were profiled in January 1967.  The group continued to at least July of that year before splitting.

Jim Park later worked with The All Night Workers and The Kool.

Selected gigs

14 July 1966 – Roundhead Club, Staines, Middlesex (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)

 

24 December 1966 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

 

7 January 1967 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

20 January 1967 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

28 January 1967 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

 

17 February 1967 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

25 February 1967 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

 

17 March 1967 – White Hart, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

23 April 1967 – Twilight Zone, Duke’s Head, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

4 June 1967 – Twilight Zone, Duke’s Head, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

 

22 March 1968 – Inn Club, Hampton Wick, Middlesex (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

 

26 July 1968 – Apple Tree Club, Kingston Hotel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

 

2 August 1968 – Apple Tree Club, Kingston Hotel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

17 August 1968 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

 

16 November 1968 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

 

6 December 1968 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

 

3 January 1969 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

25 January 1969 – Burway Rowing Club, Christchurch Hall, Staines, Middlesex (Staines and Egham News)

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add more about the group’s story

Thanks to Sarah Minney for providing the image.
Categories: Country, England, London

Patrick Dane & The Mark 7

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Patrick Dane (lead vocals)

Pete Mizen (lead guitar)

Lawrence R (rhythm guitar/bass)

Doug Smith (drums)

Dave Doubble (trumpet)

Reggie Blake (trumpet)

John Legrand (baritone sax)

John Winterbourne (trombone)

Very little is known about this group, which I think came from Croydon in south London. Singer Patrick Dane had previously sung with The Quiet Five.

Patrick Dane & The Mark 7 recorded a lone 45 “When You Lose The One You Love” c/w “Home” which was issued on MGM in the UK on 19 April 1968. The two sides were arranged by Keith Mansfield and produced by Richard Swainson.

In late 1968, the group I believe morphed into the Front Line Band. At some point, former Warren Davis Monday Band member Bruce Usherwood played bass with the group.

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add more about the group.

Billed as Patrick Dane & The Mark 7

26 July 1968 – International Students’ House, Great Portland Street, London (Melody Maker)

28 July 1968 – Tabby’s, Ealing, London (Melody Maker)

9 August 1968 – Harrow Inn, Abbey Wood, southeast London (Melody Maker)

Billed as Patrick Dane & The Front Line Band

15 November 1968 – ICL Ltd, Letchworth (Melody Maker)

30 November 1968 – Fellowship Inn, Eltham, southeast London (Melody Maker)

2 December 1968 – Tithe Barn, South Harrow, northwest London (Melody Maker)

4 December 1968 – Blighs Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent (Melody Maker)

5 December 1968 – City of London College, Moorgate, central London (Melody Maker)

6 December 1968 – International Students’ House, Great Portland Street, London (Melody Maker)

7 December 1968 – Holborn College, central London (Melody Maker)

22 December 1968 – King Alfred, Bellingham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

26 December 1968 – Surrey Room, Kennington, Surrey (South East London Mercury)

 

9 March 1969 – Crystal Palace Hotel, Crystal Palace, south London (South East London Mercury) Billed as The Front Line Band

29 March 1969 – Greenwich Town Hall, Greenwich, south London (South East London Mercury) Billed as The Front Line Band

 

5 July 1969 – British Council Portland Place, central London (Melody Maker)

24 July 1969 – Crystal Palace Hotel, Crystal Palace, south London (Melody Maker)

Billed as The Front Line Band:

23 September 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Melody Maker)

19 October 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Melody Maker)

 

Categories: Country, England, London

Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band

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Formed as The Richard Henry Sensation around April 1966 with the following line-up:

Richard Henry (aka Richard Henry Dejohnette) – lead vocals

David O’List – lead guitar (ex-Little Boy Blues)

Colin ? – Farifisa organ

Alan Wherry – tenor saxophone

Don Stuart – tenor saxophone

Dave Aldhouse – bass

Mick Mitchell – drums

July – Café des Artistes, Earls Court, London (Tuesday nights)

30 July 1966 – Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex (Melody Maker)

Around this time, the band brought in a new keyboard player from Rickmansworth

25 September 1966 – New Crawdaddy, Casino Ballroom, Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex (Melody Maker)

15 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Blue Aces and Nite People (Melody Maker)

16 October 1966 – Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex (Melody Maker)

26 November 1966 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts (Luton News)

Soon after, David O’List joins The Soul System and renames them The Attack. Wherry joins The Harlem Shuffle (which had been formed in May 1966 by Alan Shacklock) and then Simon K & The Meantimers.

Richard Henry joins Timebox around early January 1967. He later joins The Cat Soul Packet before recording as a solo artist

 

Categories: Argee, Florida, Miami

The Burgundy Blues on Argee

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Burgundy Blues Argee 45 I'll Get You Back AgainThe Burgundy Blues were the recording name of a Miami, Florida group called the Amen. Members included:

Tim Yero – lead guitar, lead vocals
Bob Lewis – bass
Bill Sabella – organ
Keith Van Schaick – drums, replaced by Burt Compton

Tim Yero wrote “I’ll Get You Back Again” and “Nothing Without You”, published by Artrec BMI with copyright registrations on September 27, 1966.

Ron Deeb produced the band’s sessions at Dukoff Recording Studios in North Miami. They were well known locally as the Amen, but Deeb changed their name to the Burgundy Blues as more commercial; the band only played two or three shows with that name. Yero estimated a pressing run of 500 copies, on Deeb’s Argee Records 100. From what I’ve read, many demo recordings of the Amen performing Tim’s original songs exist, including a very different early arrangement of “I’ll Get You Back Again” recorded at Voice Incorporated studio, but I haven’t heard any of them.

The band broke up when Tim Yero was drafted.

Eric Sabella would join Jerald Cohn, Ronald Chassner, Ken Thomas, Rick Thomas and Alberto DeAlmar in the Leaves of Grass who cut two singles on Platinum in 1968. From that group came the Metaphysical Animation with Sabella, Alberto DeAlmar, Steve Margolis and Robbie Hansen. In 1973, Metaphysical Animation recorded about 60 minutes of music at Ben Scott Studios, which was pressed up on two LPs in a plain sleeve, now very rare.

Anyone have photos of the group?

Source: much information is available through searching in the Limestone Lounge.

Burgundy Blues Argee 45 Nothing Without You

Categories: Brass, Kansas City, Missouri

The Blazers on Brass and Melinda and the Misfits on U-Nek

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Blazers Brass 45 I Don't Need You

The Blazers cut one fine single, “I Don’t Need You” (D. Hord) b/w the more ’50s sounding”Lovin’ to Do” (H. Halter) on Brass 306 in November 1965, produced by John C. Price.

I don’t know the band members, but in BMI’s database, both songs are listed as co-written by Dennis Hord and Harold Halter, published by Mantle Music (BMI).

Brass Records at 7807 Truman in Kansas City, MO also released three singles by the Fabulous Four.

Dennis Hord and Harold Halter wrote both sides of Melinda and the Misfits’ “Don’t Take Your Love Away” / “Forever and a Day”, on U-Nek Records 711, copyrighted in March of 1967 for Velcille Music, BMI. This has a very different sound than the Blazers, a pop production with lots of echo.

Hord and Halter also wrote Melinda & the Misfits next single “Sweet Love” and “My Kind of Man” on U-Nek 712, also produced by Don Price but published by Bill Roberts Music. Bill Roberts had his own single on Brass 307 “Shout It Out” / “Please Take”, and would also release “Kansas City Chiefs” with the Fabulous Four on Cavern 2218.

That’s as far as I can trace the careers of Dennis Hord and Harold Halter.

Melinda Mendenhall would have one more release on U-Nek Records 829 “You’re the One” (an original song by her) and “Two Big Birds” (Deb Dyer) with Tom Harrison and Craig Schuemaker on guitars and Lee Waterman on drums, then join the first incarnation of Morningstar in 1969.

Blazers Brass 45 Lovin' To Do

Categories: Bridgeport, Connecticut, Randall

The Satyrs “Zodiac Zoo”

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The Satyrs released two singles in 1972 and 1974, both recorded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, but released with an address in Syracuse, New York.

Their first single “Right On” / “Sahib Sam”, is a light-hearted take on cliches of the era. It was released on Randall Records MF 10013-2514. Credits show both songs by Maceo Jefferson, Gerald Randall and Samuel Turiano; arranged by Tobias C. Frey, and engineered by Steve Csordas. Copyrights on these songs date back to December 21, 1970.

There was a Maceo Jefferson who played with Louie Armstrong as far back as 1934; it seems unlikely this could be the same person.

Satyrs Randall 45 Zodiac ZooTheir second single, “Zodiac Zoo” starts with a slow rhythm that reminds me of Traffic Sound’s “Virgin”, then doubles the pace just before the verse. The vocals are an unusual meld, a male voice sounds slowed down a little.

Released on Randall Records R-101 with an address of 1643 West Genesee St., Syracuse, New York, the labels note it was “produced, engineered and arranged by Steve Csordas” and also that it was recorded at Connecticut Recording Studios, Inc., Bridgeport, CT.

The musicians on both songs are obviously accomplished. The flip side is “I’m an Astrologer, Too”, but it is lighter fare.

Both songs were composed by Gerald Randall and Tobias C. Frey, with H & G Randall, Inc as publisher. Library of Congress copyright records show lyrics by Gerald Randall, and music by Tobias Charles Frey, registered on July 25, 1973 along with several other songs: “Two Souls in Love”, “If What the People Say Is True” and “Satyrs’ Ball”.

Registration for “I’m an Astrologer, Too” came in 1974, plus a host of other collaborations that must not have seen release, including “Bagnew Dixen”, “Be My Destiny”; “I Guess You Can Blame Me”; “Mr. Uncle, Little Yahoo”; “Mr. World War II”; “Satyrs Visit Grandma’s Pad”; “There’s One More Adventure Left in Me”; and “What’s the Shouting For”.

Other songs that seem to have been unreleased include “Why Me Blues” by Maceo Jefferson, Gerald Randall and Samuel Turiano, dated October 26, 1970, and “The Toby’s Song”, featuring lyrics by Gerald Randall and Michael Schwab, with music by Tobias Charles Frey, registered on September 8, 1972. Also the intriguing “Satyr Called Ralph” in November, 1972, and “Why is Your Love Haunting Me” with words by Gerald Randall and Sam Turiano and music by Maceo Jefferson.

These were not the Satyrs who cut the excellent “Yesterday’s Hero” on Spectrum, or the band from Asheville who cut “Don’t Be Surprised” on Wal-Mor.

Thank you to Nick M. for letting me hear the clips of the first Satyrs 45.

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