Categories: Country, London

Ray Dell & The Rocking Deacons

January 27, 2019 Nick Warburton 29 Comments

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/)

8 February 1964 – King’s Hall, Hackney Baths, Hackney, north London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Hackney Gazette)

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)

6 March 1965 – The Loyola Hall, Tottenham, north London with Blue Aces Show Band (Melody Maker)

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

Categories: Country, England, Surrey

Jeep Rongle

January 27, 2019 Nick Warburton 10 Comments

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 early 1969 before splitting.

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

Ron Prior, who continues to front bands in Cornwall, next played with Ironbark Junction, a skiffle/funk band that was influenced by Mungo Jerry.

Ironbark Junction. L-R: Joan Bennett (guitar); Mike King (washboard); Paul Mattocks (flute/sax); Ron Prior (guitar/vocals); Pete Chandler (guitar); and Colin Howell (banjo). Photo: Ron Prior

Jeep Rongle selected gigs

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

27 October 1966 – Stereo Club, Legion Rooms, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

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

January 27, 2019 Nick Warburton 4 Comments

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)

Patrick Dane with The Mark 7, Record Retailer, 17 April 1968, page 20

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

January 27, 2019 Nick Warburton 14 Comments

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 (replaced by Terry May)

Alan Wherry – tenor saxophone

Don Stuart – tenor saxophone

Ken Hendy – 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

January 22, 2019 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

The 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.

Categories: Brass, Kansas City, Missouri

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

January 21, 2019 Chris Bishop 4 Comments

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.

Categories: Bridgeport, Connecticut, Randall

The Satyrs “Zodiac Zoo”

January 18, 2019 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

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.

Their 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.

Categories: Columbus, Ohio, Sure

The Shilos “Let’s Go Again”

January 14, 2019 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Shilos had only one single, featuring the fine r&b sounds of “Let’s Go Again”, released on the Sure Records label in the second half of 1965.

The Shilos became the Four Winds, and one member recalled those groups lineups as including:

Jeff Pharion – lead vocals
Roger Riley – guitar, replaced by Bob Hill
Walt Edry – bass, replaced by Bob Blackburn
Dave Smith – drums
Russ Geis – saxophone (on occasion)

Other than Jeff Pharion on vocals, I don’t know exactly who plays on the record. The flip is the lighter “You’re Leaving Sunday” featuring a trumpet player. It was an RCA custom press, with master numbers 754S-5932, SK4M-5932/3.

Chuck Howard, a country singer well-known throughout southern Ohio, wrote both songs.

I’m sorry to report that Jeff Pharion passed away January 6, 2019.

Buckeye Beat has photos of the Four Winds and more info on that group.

Categories: Ace Recording Studios (Boston), Coachmen Record Company, Concord, Decca custom 200,000 series, New Hampshire

The Royal Coachmen “Lollipop” / “Bama-Lama”

January 13, 2019 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Royal Coachmen cut two fine, fratty rockers for their own Coachmen label in June of 1966. “Lollipop” sounds like it could be an original, while “Bama-Lama” is a rewrite of Little Richard’s “Bama Lama Bama Loo”.

A friend of the band commented on social media that Joe Labontee sang and played rhythm guitar, Alan Parker played bass, and John “Pudgy” Alosa played drums. They were students at Bishop Brady High School, class of 1967, in Concord, New Hampshire. He added that “the lead guitar player on those recordings was a hired gun named Dick Clark, I believe”.

A. Parker is credited for both songs. ASCAP has both songs listed in their database, but mixed in with the compositions of British soundtrack composer Alan Frederick Parker.

The numbers 200,914 and 200,915 on the labels refer to the Decca custom pressing code, often used for New England records, but there were pressings for groups from Pennsylvania and beyond. The Sea Music Pub. (ASCAP) was located at 1 Boylston Place in Boston, MA.

1 Boylston Place was also address of Ace Recording Studios, owned by Milton and Herbert Yakus, with William F. Ferruzzi chief engineer.

Thank you to Jim M. for forwarding info on the group to me.

Categories: California, Calmis, Jackson, Mississippi, Unknown

Apperson Jackrabbit “That’s Why” and “Shadows Falling”

January 11, 2019 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

The Apperson Jackrabbit have remained a mystery despite the quality of their single on Calmis. One side is the brooding “That’s Why” which has long been a favorite of mine after hearing it on Tony the Tyger’s Fuzz, Flaykes, & Shakes Vol. 4: Experiment in Color. The flip is the intense “Shadows Falling”.

Both songs were written by Steve Curtis and Mike Simmons, and it was released on Calmis 45-001 in the first half of 1967. The record is most often found in California, but a contributor to 45cat, Deadwax, found an address for the song publisher, Sival Music at 335 N Southland Dr. in Jackson, Mississippi 38212 in the The Musician’s Guide: The Directory of the World of Music (1980). If this seems an unlikely connection, it makes much more sense when looking at the label name, Calmis (Cal-Mis, get it?). What that connection is, I have no idea at this time. Nothing else was released on Calmis that I know of.

The band was named after a stylish line of autos manufactured in Kokomo, Indiana in the early twentieth century.

There is another 45 by the Apperson Jackrabbit, “Candy Cane Sound” (John R. Bicknell) and “More Than Just Friends” (Stan Smith), on Steamer Records 001 with publishing by Club Miami. I don’t have this record, but I suspect it is a different group as the credits are completely different and the pressing was done at King instead of an RCA custom.

I did find one listing for a group called the Apperson Jack Rabbit with Smokey playing at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, CA in 1973, but that seems to be too many years out to be this group.

Garage Hangover