The Total

Many thanks to Steve Sheldon for providing the information below and all of the photos

Formed in Worthing, West Sussex in early 1965, the original line up comprised:

Ian Gander – lead vocals

Pete Wadeson – lead guitar

Steve Sheldon – rhythm guitar

Pete Cushion – bass

Paul Jordan – drums

With the exception of Jordan, who had previously played with Le Bambas and Peter & The Zodiacs, and former Thunderbolts, Sabres and Zabres member Pete Cushion, the core members came from local band Pythagoras and his Theorems.

In late 1965, former Guilty Party drummer Charlie Pert replaced Paul Jordan.

Then, around July 1966, Ian Gander departed and singer (and multi-instrumentalist) Raymond Thompson, briefly joined and shared lead vocals with Sheldon.

Summer 1966. Left to right: Charlie Pert, Steve Sheldon, Pete Cushion, Raymond Thompson and Pete Wadeson

Thompson had recently moved to the south coast after his former band, west London outfit Malcolm & The Countdowns split. The Countdowns, incidentally, featured future Sweet bass player Steve Priest.

The new singer, however, didn’t stay long and soon moved to Toronto, Canada with his parents, where he subsequently formed the duo Stillwater.

Summer 1966. Left to right: Charlie Pert, Raymond Thompson, Pete Cushion, Steve Sheldon and Pete Wadeson

With Thompson gone, Sheldon assumed lead vocals and the quartet continued to gig locally and along the south coast of England. During 1965 and 1966, The Total backed national acts like The Hollies, The Kinks, The Who, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, The Zombies and others at top Worthing venues like the Assembly Hall and Pier Pavilion.

In early 1967, the band expanded its line-up with keyboard player Jim Denyer.

With Cushion unable to get time off his work, the band – Steve Sheldon, Pete Wadeson, Charlie Pert and newcomer Jim Denyer – did an audition at Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street in Soho, central London during 1969.

The band at Regent Sound, 1969 with new member Jim Denyer (bottom right)

Not long afterwards, The Total (with Pete Cushion joining the others) recorded three tracks at Regent Sound with producer Shel Talmy. The track “Think” appears on Ace Records’ compilation CD Planet Mod.

1969 line up

However, in 1971, The Total split up and the individual members briefly worked with local bands.

Cushion, Sheldon and Wadeson subsequently reformed The Total later that year with new drummer Quentin Allen.

The Total in 1972. Left to right: Quentin Allen, Pete Cushion, Steve Sheldon and Pete Wadeson

The band continued into the mid-1970s but underwent a number of significant changes.

The Total, 1972

Sheldon moved to South Africa in 1975 but returned to the UK in 2017. While in South Africa he formed the band Easy Street and made some recordings.

The final Total line up in the mid 1970s. Bass player is Robert Elliott (far left)

The posters below have all been supplied by Steve Sheldon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eddy and the Upsets “I Got News” / “Cry Cry Cry”

Eddie and the Upsets, with Eddie on left, and Jesus Escoto on right

Eddy and the Upsets Dektr 45 I Got NewsEddy and the Upsets had a number of singles beginning in 1966, sometimes as Eddie Dimas & the Upsets. Most of their singles are Mexican guitar instrumentals or ballads, but “I Got News” sounds very garage. Recorded at Audio Recorders in Phoenix, it was released on Dektr ARA-41668 in 1966 with the ballad “Cry Cry Cry” on the flip.

The band formed at Phoenix Union high school. Eddie Dimas played lead guitar and sang some lead vocals. His older brother was Benny Dimas of the Majestic Five.

Eddy and the Upsets Dektr 45 Cry Cry CryJesus Escoto is on bass in the black & white photo and wrote “So Long”.

I don’t know the names of other members of the ’60s version of the band.

Dave Rivero wrote “I Got News” and the ballad “Don’t You Ever”.

Eddie Dimas at the Id Club on South Central Ave in Phoenix
Freddie Brown sings lead on “No Me Tengas Compacion”, the B-side to a single on Christy as Eddy Dimas and the K-Men. Freddie Brown had his own releases on Christy.

Arthur Castro co-arranged “El Mitote”, and Benny Dimas co-arranged “La Vieja Seca”. Ross Benavidez produced a 1970 single on the Lance label.

Johnny Collins produced the Dektr singles, while G.G. Hardin gets production credit for most of the Cristy singles. Christy collected a number of instrumentals for an album El Mosquito on Christy CR 5007.

Edward Dimas passed away on March 8, 2013, and his brother Bennie Dimas on April 12, 2018.

Thank you to Francisco Candia for suggesting this post and for providing info, photos, and scans of the singles.

Eddie and the Upsets at the Id Club, Phoenix

Detroit’s The Free “Decision for Lost Soul Blue” / “What Makes You,” 1968

Free Marquee 45 Decision for Lost Soul BlueAccording to guitarist Joe Memmer, this psych-driven single, which features Dave Gilbert on lead vocals, was recorded in 1968 at Ralph Terrana and Al Sherman’s Tera Shirma Studios. The band paid for the sessions, themselves. Carl Cisco, who managed the career of CKLW DJ Tom Shannon, earned his production credit on the single as result of his bringing in Motown’s horn section for the sessions. Shannon, in partnership with Carl Cisco and Nick Ameno—both of the Antiques, the Buena Vistas, and the LaSalles—operated the Detroit-based Marquee Records.

Free Marquee 45 What Makes YouCarl Cisco’s production assistance resulted in “Decision for Lost Soul Blue” being issued on the Marquee label around December of 1968, with the B-side, “What Makes You.” Making the regional sales charts via airplay on CKLW Toronto and WKNR Detroit, the single went on to have a three-week run as the “Pick of the Week” on CKLW. Impressed with the sales and airplay, Atco/Atlantic picked up the record for national distribution, issuing the single in March 1969. (The label variations of the Atco version are result of different pressing plants manufacturing the record. On those releases, the A-Side title was expanded to “(Day of) Decision for Lost Soul Blue.”)

The Free remained together for about a year, until Dave Gilbert left to become the lead vocalist for Ted Nugent in January 1971. While he doesn’t appear on the album, Gilbert toured Nugent and the Dukes’ fifth release, Survival of the Fittest (1971). According to Memmer, Dave’s hard partying lifestyle conflicted with Nugent’s anti-drug stance (which caused him to dissolve the Amboy Dukes in the first place); that, in addition to Dave’s desire to start a band proper with his brother Marc, resulted in Gilbert’s departure.

Clean Records Billboard October 9, 1971
Shadow signing announced in Billboard, October 9, 1971

Joe Memmer and Dave Gilbert starting writing songs again and, along with Gilbert’s brother, Marc, formed Shadow. The band recorded a pair of singles in 1972 for Clean Records, an Atlantic subsidiary operated by Robert Stigwood and Rolling Stone Records’ Earl McGrath; the label’s other signings were the commercially-successful soft-rockers America and Starbuck. According to Memmer, Gilbert’s drug use, compounded with his reluctance to work with Stigwood’s suggestions for the band (adding string orchestrations; remembering Stigwood managed-produced the Bee Gees at the time), soured the deal.

New Order with Dave Gilbert at the mic

By 1974, Gilbert moved to Los Angeles and joined the Stooges’ guitarist Ron Asheton and MC5’s drummer Dennis Thompson in New Order; the band also included KJ Knight from the Amboy Dukes. Marc Gilbert’s next band, the hard-rocking Adrenalin formed in 1977, recorded two albums issued through MCA Records in the early-to-mid ‘80s.

Joe Memmer became a non-recording member of Detroit’s Pendragon from 1977 to 1981; Pendragon eventually recorded two 7” singles with Rick “The Lion” Stahl, formerly with the Wilson Mower Pursuit and Sincerely Yours.

The late Dave Gilbert achieved national success as the frontman for the Rockets, which he joined in late 1975. Comprised of ex-members of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Rockets’ biggest hit was their cover of the early Fleetwood Mac tune, “Oh, Well.”

Today, Joe Memmer serves as the lead guitarist for the nationally, critically-acclaimed Doors tribute band, the Detroit Doors.

There are more photos to be discovered of all of Dave Gilbert’s bands—including rare images of Shadow (but none from the Free)—on The Rockets Singer Dave Gilbert Facebook.

Article written by R.D Francis.

Cesar’s Club, Bedford

Cesar’s Club in Bedford was a significant rock venue in the 1960s that hosted a number of notable bands, including early Pink Floyd, Family and Ten Years After.

This is the start of an entry on listed artists, advertised in the Ampthill News & Flintwick Record and/or Bedfordshire Times. There are lots of gaps and we would welcome any additions.

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 June 1967 (Friday) – Freddie Mac & The Mac Sound

10 June 1967 (Saturday) – The Merseys

Photo may be subject to copyright

16 June 1967 (Friday) – Marmalade and The Alex Read Sound

17 June 1967 (Saturday) – The Family and The Clew

23 June 1967 (Friday) – Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas with The Minor Portions Roll Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 June 1967 (Saturday) – Pink Floyd (they either replaced The Skatterlights and The Contax or were replaced by them)

30 June 1967 (Friday) – The Chevells and The Peapots

 

1 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Dellroy Good Good Band and The Jamboree Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

7 July 1967 (Friday) – Elkie Brooks & The Scotch & Soda

8 July 1967 (Saturday) – Amen Corner

14 July 1967 (Friday) – Bag-o-Nails (ex-The Blue Flames)

15 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Move

21 July 1967 (Friday) – Wynder K Frog

22 July 1967 (Saturday) – Sonny Childe & The TNT

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 July 1967 (Friday) – Gass with The Niteshades or Nite Train

29 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Original Dyaks with Reaction

 

4 August 1967 (Friday) – TD Bachus & The Powerhouse and The Teapots

Photo may be subject to copyright

5 August 1967 (Saturday) – John Evans Smash and Minor Portion Roll Band

6 August 1967 (Sunday) – Minor Portion Roll Band

There is a gap in gigs advertised

Photo may be subject to copyright

25 August 1967 (Friday) – Freddie Mac & The Mac Sound

26 August 1967 (Saturday) – Tiles Big Band

27 August 1967 (Sunday) – The Kontax

There is a gap in gigs advertised

Photo may be subject to copyright

8 September 1967 (Friday) – Family and Flower Children

9 September 1967 (Saturday) – Floribunda Rose and Nite Train

10 September 1967 (Sunday) – Stuart James Inspiration

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 September 1967 (Friday) – The Kool and The 100w Carnation

16 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Lloyd Alexander Blues Band and The Courtelles

17 September 1967 (Sunday) – The Jambourie Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 September 1967 (Friday) – Amorous Prawns and The Paper Blitz Tissue

23 September 1967 (Saturday) – Hamilton & The Movement and Scotch of St James

24 September 1967 (Sunday) – The Maze

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 September 1967 (Friday) – The Soul Caravan and The Power

30 September 1967 (Saturday) – Geranium Pond and Roscoe Brown Combo

 

1 October 1967 (Sunday) – Craig King & The Night Train

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 October 1967 (Friday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Locomotion

7 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Trax and The Jamboree Band

8 October 1967 (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and Plastic Dream Boat

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 October 1967 (Friday) – James Royal and The New Breed

14 October 1967 (Saturday) – Pink Floyd and The Tecknique

15 October 1967 (Sunday) – The Human Instinct and Modes Mode

Photo may be subject to copyright

20 October 1967 (Friday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Triads

21 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Lemon Line and The Garden

22 October 1967 (Sunday) – Ten Years After and The Mead

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 October 1967 (Friday) – The Orlons and The Paper Blitz Tissue

28 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Gods and The New Jump Band

29 October 1967 (Sunday) – The Derek Savage Foundation and The Pink Champagne

Photo may be subject to copyright

3 November 1967 (Friday) – The Alan Price Set and The Taylor Upton Big Band

4 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Survivors (or The Healers with Spectre Powerhouse)

5 November 1967 (Sunday) – Pesky Gee

Friday (and most Sunday) gigs appear to be missing from now on

10 November 1967 (Saturday) – The New Breed (According to Graham Sclater’s diary, The Manchester Playboys played on this date)

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 November 1967 (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas and Geranium Pond

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Skatelites with The Minor Portion Roll Band

25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Marmalade and The Vivas

Photo may be subject to copyright

2 December 1967 (Saturday) – Milton James and the Harlem Knock Out

9 December 1967 (Saturday) – Catch 22 (aka Katch 22)

16 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Skatelites

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Human Instinct

Photo may be subject to copyright

30 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Lloyd Alexander Blues Band

 

13 January 1968 (Saturday) – Copper Pot

20 January 1968 (Saturday) – Workshop

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 January 1968 (Saturday) – Simon K & The Meantimers

The Bedfordshire Times stopped advertising gigs in 1968 after the above date

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author

400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon

This is the start of an entry on a popular music venue located in Torquay’s harbour that hosted many important visiting bands during the 1960s.

The gigs below and images are all from the Herald Express newspaper

For most of the year, gigs are only on Fridays and Saturdays with occasional gigs on other days in the week, such as Mondays and Wednesdays

2 October 1964 – The Secrets

3 October 1964 – The Master Sounds

5 October 1964 – The Dictators

9 October 1964 – The Telstars

10 October 1964 – The Mon-Keys

12 October 1964 – The Hunters

16 October 1964 – The Cyclones featuring Johnny Carne

17 October 1964 – Kevin & The Kinsmen

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 October 1964 – The Townsmen

23 October 1964 – The Fortunes

24 October 1964 – Mike Allard & The Tremors

26 October 1964 – The Buccaneers

30 October 1964 – The Tycoons

31 October 1964 – The 007

 

1 November 1964 – The Southbeats

2 November 1964 – The Harlequins

6 November 1964 – The Telstars

7 November 1964 – The Avengers

9 November 1964 – The Cossacks

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 November 1964 – The Vikings

14 November 1964 – The Soul Agents

16 November 1964 – The Starfires

20 November 1964 – Steve Bradley & The Sounds Unlimited

21 November 1964 – The Impact

23 November 1964 – Tony Just & The Orbits

27 November 1964 – The Bossmen

28 November 1964 – The Chevrons

30 November 1964 – Bobby & The Blue Diamonds

 

3 December 1964 – The Buccaneers

4 December 1964 – The Master Sounds

7 December 1964 – The Harlequins

11 December 1964 – The Buccaneers

12 December 1964 – The Initials

14 December 1964 – The Starfires

18 December 1964 – Steve Bradley & Sounds Unlimited

19 December 1964 – The Companions

21 December 1964 – The Harlequins

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 December 1964 – The Jellys

26 December 1964 – The Southbeats

28 December 1964 – The Ebonies

31 December 1964 – Dek Dooley & The Dominators and The Buccaneers

 

1 January 1965 – The Plymouth Sounds

2 January 1965 – Dek Dooley & The Dynamic Dominators

8 January 1965 – The Merry Knights

9 January 1965 – Four Hits & a Miss

15 January 1965 – The Better Days

16 January 1965 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks (future Slade guitarist/singer Noddy Holder was a member until late 1965)

22 January 1965 – The Starfires

23 January 1965 – The Master Sounds (replaced by The Impacts)

29 January 1965 – The Better Days

30 January 1965 – The Strollers

 

5 February 1965 – The Tycoons

6 February 1965 – The Blues Syndicate (Bass player Geoff Penn says that the group opened for The Yardbirds this evening).

12 February 1965 – The Telstars

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 February 1965 – Les Fleur De Lys

17 February 1965 – The Montanas

19 February 1965 – The Royals

20 February 1965 – The Southbeats

26 February 1965 – The Better Days (replaced by Gary Kane & The Tornados)

27 February 1965 – Ricky Vernon & The Pathfinders

 

1 March 1965 – The Montanas

5 March 1965 – Four Steps Beyond

6 March 1965 – The Tallmen (replaced by The Dynacords)

8 March 1965 – The Secrets

12 March 1965 – The ‘N Betweens (this band evolved into Slade)

13 March 1965 – The Nite People

15 March 1965 – The Better Days

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 March 1965 – The Better Days

20 March 1965 – The Soul Agents (Rod Stewart was singer at this point)

22 March 1965 – The Better Days

26 March 1965 – The Better Days

27 March 1965 – The 007s

29 March 1965 – The Buccaneers

 

2 April 1965 – Tony Just & The Orbits

3 April 1965 – The Freebooters (replaced by The Palmer James Group)

5 April 1965 – The Tacits

9 April 1965 – The Emeralds with Daniel Boone

10 April 1965 – The Emeralds with Daniel Boone

12 April 1965 – Clive Richie & The Couriers

17 April 1965 – Zuider Lee (could be Zuyder Zee, a popular Dutch band)

19 April 1965 – The Southbeats

23 April 1965 – The Better Days

24 April 1965 – The Hoboes

26 April 1965 – The Guild

28 April 1965 – The Emeralds

30 April 1965 – The Condors

 

1 May 1965 – The Big T Show

3 May 1965 – The Better Days

5 May 1965 – The Guild

7 May 1965 – The Tac Tics

8 May 1965 – The Riots

10 May 1965 – The Better Days

12 May 1965 – The Telstars

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 May 1965 – The Undertakers

15 May 1965 – The Primitives

17 May 1965 – The Tic Tacs

19 May 1965 – Peter & The Wolves

21 May 1965 – The Applejacks

22 May 1965 – The Cougars

24 May 1965 – The Hunters

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 May 1965 – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates

29 May 1965 – The Diplomats

30 May 1965 – Robin & The Four Hoods

Photo may be subject to copyright

4 June 1965 – The Loose Ends and The Buccaneers

This is roughly the start of the summer season each year (the same applies for subsequent years) when certain artists play the entire the week from Saturday through to Friday. However, it’s not always clear whether they also played the Sunday

5 June 1965 – George Washington & His Congress Men

7-11 June 1965 – George Washington & His Congress Men

12 June 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

14-18 June 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

19 June 1965 – Mike Raynor & The Condors

21-22 June 1965 – Mike Raynor & The Condors

23-25 June 1965 – The Dynamos

26 June 1965 – The Emeralds

28 June-2 July 1965 – The Emeralds

 

3-9 July 1965 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

10-16 July 1965 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

17 July 1965 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

19-23 July 1965 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

23 July 1965 – The Dowlands and The Sound Tracks

25-30 July 1965 – The Dowlands and The Sound Tracks

31 July 1965 – The Marauders

 

1-3 August 1965 – The Marauders

4-6 August 1965 – The King Pins with Roy Grant

7 August 1965 – The Spectres (this may be the same group that evolves into Status Quo)

9-13 August 1965 – Plain & Fancy

14-20 August 1965 – The Emeralds

21-27 August 1965 – The Quiet Five

28-31 August 1965 – The Big T Show

 

1-3 September 1965 – The Big T Show

4-10 September 1965 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks (Noddy Holder is still a member at this point)

11-12 September 1965 – Bern Elliott & His Clan

13-14 September 1965 – The Emeralds

15-16 September 1965 – The Rock-A-Fellows

18 September 1965 – The Emeralds

20-24 September 1965 – The Emeralds

25 September 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

27-30 September 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

 

1 October 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

2 October 1965 – Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob

4-6 October 1965 – The Hi-Jackers

8 October 1965 – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four

9 October 1965 – The Alleycats

11 October 1965 – The Better Days

15 October 1965 – Sounds Incorporated

16 October 1965 – The In-Sect

Photo may be subject to copyright

18 October 1965 – The Cherokees

22 October 1965 – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

23 October 1965 – The Condors

25 October 1965 – The Prophets

29 October 1965 – The Checkmates

30 October 1965 – The Kingpins

 

1 November 1965 – The Telstars

5 November 1965 – The Applejacks

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 November 1965 – The Hellions

8 November 1965 – The Blackjacks

12 November 1965 – The Swinging Blue Jeans

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 November 1965 – The Emeralds

15 November 1965 – Gary Kane & The Tornados

19 November 1965 – Rob Storm & The Whispers

Photo may be subject to copyright

20 November 1965 – The Wheels

22 November 1965 – The Cordettes

26 November 1965 – Eden Kane with supporting group

27 November 1965 – Pete de Witt & The Magic Strangers (Dutch band)

29 November 1965 – The Spartans

 

3 December 1965 – The Dedicated Men’s Jug Band and support

4 December 1965 – The Montanas

6 December 1965 – The Telstars

10 December 1965 – The Mojos

11 December 1965 – The Montanas (replaced by Trendsetters Limited)

13 December 1965 – The Royals

17 December 1965 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs with support

18 December 1965 – Finders Keepers (replaced by The Candles)

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 December 1965 – The Deltas

27 December 1965 – The Riots

31 December 1965 – Dave & The Diamonds

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 January 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

7 January 1966 – The Power House Six

8 January 1966 – Zuyder Zee (a popular Dutch band)

14 January 1966 – The Emeralds

15 January 1966 – The Symbols

21 January 1966 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways

22 January 1966 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich

28 January 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks (Noddy Holder had recently left)

29 January 1966 – The Cougars

Photo may be subject to copyright

4 February 1966 – The Nite People

5 February 1966 – The Manchester Playboys

11 February 1966 – The Quiet Five

12 February 1966 – The Trendsetters Limited

18 February 1966 – The Meddyevils

19 February 1966 – The Condors

23 February 1966 – The Maurice Price Seven

25 February 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

26 February 1966 – The Vibros

 

2 March 1966 – The Trendsetters Limited

4 March 1966 – The Symbols

5 March 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

9 March 1966 – The Trendsetters Limited

11 March 1966 – The Hot Springs (formerly The Riots)

12 March 1966 – The Majority

16 March 1966 – Carnaby 1 Plus 4

18 March 1966 – The Tennessee Teams

19 March 1966 – Ray Anton & The Profoma

23 March 1966 – The Couriers

25 March 1966 – Cops ‘N’ Robbers

26 March 1966 – The Vogue

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 April 1966 – The Alan Bown Set

2 April 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

9 April 1966 – The Bystanders

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 April 1966 – The Emeralds

15 April 1966 – Kris Ryan & The Questions

16 April 1966 – The Big Sound with Karol Keyes

22 April 1966 – The Statesmen

23 April 1966 – The Kingpins

29 April 1966 – The Couriers

30 April 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

 

6 May 1966 – The First Lites

7 May 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

13 May 1966 – Carnaby 1 Plus 4

14 May 1966 – The Deltas

20 May 1966 – Peter Fenton with Him & The Others

21 May 1966 – George Bean & The Runners

27 May 1966 – The Silhouttes

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 May 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex

30 May 1966 – The Gaylords (this band became Marmalade)

 

3 June 1966 – The Anzaks

4 June 1966 – The ‘N Betweens (Noddy Holder may have joined by now)

6-10 June 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

11 June 1966 – The Vogue

13-17 June 1966 – The Vogue

18-24 June 1966 – The Bystanders

25-30 June 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

 

1 July 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

Photo may be subject to copyright

2 July 1966 – John Bull Breed (Bass player John Lodge joined The Moody Blues in October 1966)

4-8 July 1966 – John Bull Breed

9 July 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

11-15 July 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

16 July 1966 – The Nite People

18-22 July 1966 – The Nite People

23 July 1966 – Ray Grant & The Kingpins

25-29 July 1966 – Ray Grant & The Kingpins

30 July 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

 

1-5 August 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

6 August 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

8-12 August 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 August 1966 – The Noblemen (Guitarist Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull in late 1968)

15-19 August 1966 – The Noblemen

Photo may be subject to copyright

20 August 1966 – Ray Anton & The Proform

21-22 August 1966 – The Symbols

Photo may be subject to copyright

23-24 August 1966 – The Quiet Five

25-26 August 1966 – Trendsetters Limited

27 August 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

29 August-2 September 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

 

3 September 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

4 September 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

5-9 September 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

Photo may be subject to copyright

10 September 1966 – Cops ‘n’ Robbers

12-16 September 1966 – Cops ‘n’ Robbers

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 September 1966 – The ‘N Betweens (this Wolverhampton band later became Slade)

19-23 September 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

24 September 1966 – The Beau Oddlot

Photo may be subject to copyright

26-27 September 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

 

28 September 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

29-30 September 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

 

1 October 1966 – Giorgio & Mario’s Men

Photo may be subject to copyright

7 October 1966 – Listen (possibly Robert Plant’s band)

8 October 1966 – Blaises

14 October 1966 – The Voids

15 October 1966 – The Combine

21 October 1966 – The Anzaks

22 October 1966 – Mr Hip Soul Band

28 October 1966 – The Onyx Set

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 October 1966 – The Palmer James Group

 

4 November 1966 – The Rage

5 November 1966 – The Kingpins with Ray Grant

12 November 1966 – The Lonely Ones

19 November 1966 – The Raging Storms

26 November 1966 – The Talismen

 

2 December 1966 – The Reason Why

3 December 1966 – The Palmer James Group

Photo may be subject to copyright

10 December 1966 – Grand Union

16 December 1966 – Guest Group

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 December 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 December 1966 – The Onyx Set

24 December 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

Photo may be subject to copyright

30 December 1966 – Lord Caesar Sutch & The Roman Empire

31 December 1966 – Mr Hip Soul Band

 

7 January 1967 – Trendsetters Limited

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 January 1967 – The Albert Square

20 January 1967 – The Undertakers

Photo may be subject to copyright

21 January 1967 – The Bystanders

27 January 1967 – The Onyx Set

28 January 1967 – The Upliners

 

4 February 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

10 February 1967 – The Jaguars

11 February 1967 – The Ziggy Turner Combo

18 February 1967 – The Lonely Ones

25 February 1967 – The Raging Storms

 

4 March 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 March 1967 – The Palmer James Group

17 March 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

18 March 1967 – The Shannons

Photo may be subject to copyright

25 March 1967 – Paul Young’s Toggery

27 March 1967 – The Anzaks

31 March 1967 – Johnston McPhilby Five

 

1 April 1967 – The Measles

7 April 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

8 April 1967 – Heart & Souls

14 April 1967 –The Jaguars

15 April 1967 – The Vogues

21 April 1967 – The Jigsaw

22 April 1967 – The Delroy Good Good Band

28 April 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

29 April 1967 – The Sunspots

 

5 May 1967 – The Hoboes

6 May 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 May 1967 – The Onyx Set

13 May 1967 – The Outer Limits

19 May 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

20 May 1967 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

26 May 1967 – The Jaguars

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 May 1967 – The Lemon Line

 

2 June 1967 – The Hoboes

Photo may be subject to copyright

3 June 1967 – The Worrying Kynde

9 June 1967 – The Children

10 June 1967 – The Ray King Soul Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

16 June 1967 – The Parchment People

17 June 1967 – The Five Proud Walkers

23 June 1967 – Omega Plus

24 June 1967 – Dual Purpose

30 June 1967 – Pentworth’s People

Photo may be subject to copyright

1-7 July 1967 – The Mike Stuart Span

8 July 1967 – The Raging Storms

10-12 July 1967 – The Raging Storms

Photo may be subject to copyright

15-21 July 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

22-28 July 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

29 July-4 August 1967 – Wellington Kitch Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

5-11 August 1967 – The Heart and Souls

12-18 August 1967 – The Delroy Good Good Band

19-21 August 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 August 1967 – The Tremeloes and The ‘N Betweens

23-25 August 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

26 August-1 September 1967 – The Ziggy Turner Combo

 

2-8 September 1967 – The Real McCoy

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 September 1967 – The Colour Supplement

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 September 1967 – Wynder K Frog

15 September 1967 – The Jaguars

16 September 1967 – The Strange Fruit

23 September 1967 – The Shame (Greg Lake was the band’s bass player)

30 September 1967 – The Workshop

 

7 October 1967 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 October 1967 – Scots of St James (rebooked for 17 November)

14 October 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

21 October 1967 – The Dreaded Spectres

28 October 1967 – The Omega Plus

 

3 November 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

4 November 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

11 November 1967 – The Vogues

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 November 1967 – The Scots of St James

18 November 1967 – The Shiralee

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 November 1967 – The Cat Soul Packet

25 November 1967 – The Shame

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 December 1967 – The Shell Shock Show

2 December 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

8 December 1967 – The Foundations

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 December 1967 – Robert Plant & The Band of Joy

15 December 1967 – The Lamb Bros & Co

16 December 1967 – Dual Purpose

22 December 1967 – Sounds Incorporated

23-24 December 1967 – The Mike Stuart Span

Photo may be subject to copyright

26 December 1967 – Pinkerton’s Colours

29 December 1967 – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

30-31 December 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

 

5 January 1968 – The Calgary Stampede

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 January 1968 – The Maze (singer Rod Evans and drummer Ian Paice co-founded Deep Purple)

12 January 1968 – The Clockwork Orange

13 January 1968 – The Go Show

19 January 1968 – The Tremeloes

20 January 1968 – John Drevar’s Experience

26 January 1968 – The Gods

27 January 1968 – The Purple Dream

 

2 February 1968 – Purple Art

3 February 1968 – Heart & Souls

9 February 1968 – The Vigilantes

10 February 1968 – Blossom

16 February 1968 – The Albie

17 February 1968 – The ‘N Betweens (the band became Slade)

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 February 1968 – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

24 February 1968 – Cat Soul Show

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 March 1968 – The New York Public Library

2 March 1968 – The Firestones

8 March 1968 – The Bunch

9 March 1968 – The Maze

15 March 1968 – Freddie Mack Show

16 March 1968 – Lamb Bros & Co

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 March 1968 – Status Quo

23 March 1968 – The Shell Shock Show

29 March 1968 – The Big T Sound

30 March 1968 – The Vogues

 

5 April 1968 – The Onyx

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 April 1968 – Wishful Thinking (formerly The Emeralds)

13 April 1968 – The Ebonites (no Friday artist)

15 April 1968 – Locomotive

19 April 1968 – New World

20 April 1968 – John Drevar’s Experience

Photo may be subject to copyright

26 April 1968 – The Shy Limbs (Greg Lake on bass)

27 April 1968 – Delroy Williams & The Sugar Band

 

3 May 1968 – My Dear Watson

Photo may be subject to copyright

4 May 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

10 May 1968 – The Late

11 May 1968 – Fanny Flickers Rock ‘N’ Roll Band

17 May 1968 – The Firm

18 May 1968 – The Extreme Sound

20 May 1968 – The Mike Westbrook Band

25 May 1968 – Gerry Temple & The Storm (no Friday artist)

Photo may be subject to copyright

31 May 1968 – The Penny Peep Show (Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull)

 

1 June 1968 – The Epics

3 June 1968 – The Ebonites

8 June 1968 – George Bean & The Runners (no Friday artist) (says they are Lulu’s backing band)

10 June 1968 – Breakthru

14 June 1968 – The Merseys

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 June 1968 – Floribunda Rose (John Kongos was singer)

17 June 1968 – Locomotive

21 June 1968 – Mud

22 June 1968 – Traction

24 June 1968 – Youngblood

25 June 1968 – Marmalade

28 June 1968 – Pepper

29 June 1968 – Cat Road Show starring US Flattop

There may be missing gigs during July as it wasn’t clear if artists played for the entire week

1 July 1968 – The Ebonites

3 July 1968 – The Ebonites

5 July 1968 – The Ebonites

6 July 1968 – The Jasper Stubbs Gloryland Band

8-10 July 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 July 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

13 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

15 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

17 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

19 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

20 July 1968 – The Shiralee

22-24 July 1968 – Lamb Bros & Co

26 July 1968 – Lamb Bros & Co

27 July 1968 – Spectrum

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 July 1968 – Spectrum

30 July 1968 – Reperata & The Delrons, Clouds and Spectrum

31 July 1968 – Spectrum

 

3 August 1968 – The Californians

5-9 August 1968 – The Californians

10 August 1968 – The Light Fantastic (formerly The Vogues)

12-16 August 1968 – The Light Fantastic

17 August 1968 – Wishful Thinking

19 August 1968 – The Onyx

20-23 August 1968 – Wishful Thinking

24 August 1968 – Bubblegum

26-27 August 1968 – Bubblegum

30 August 1968 – Bubblegum

Photo may be subject to copyright

31 August 1968 – The Gods

 

2 September 1968 – The Gods (they may play all week but it is not clear)

6 September 1968 – The Gods

From this point onwards, it looks like gigs only took place on Saturdays

7 September 1968 – Traction

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 September 1968 – The ‘N Betweens

21 September 1968 – Jason Cord and First Chapter

28 September 1968 – Mike Raynor & The Condors

 

5 October 1968 – The Luddy Sammes Soul Packet

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 October 1968 – Scrugg (formerly Floribunda Rose)

19 October 1968 – Scrugg

26 October 1968 – Finders Keepers

Photo may be subject to copyright

2 November 1968 – Mud

9 November 1968 – Hopscotch

15 November 1968 – Indiana Highway (Friday)

16 November 1968 – The Swamp with Jon & James

23 November 1968 – Breakthru

30 November 1968 – Ebony Blush

 

7 December 1968 – Cardboard Replica

14 December 1968 – Palmyra Stock

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 December 1968 – Bandwagon and The Grand Union

21 December 1968 – Bubblegum

24 December 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

26 December 1968 – Mud

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 December 1968 – The Epics

31 December 1968 – The Ebonites

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author

The Kwintels 1963 to 1968

The Kwintels with Paul Revere and the Raiders; Jerry Zubal, standing left

Kwintels Photo 1According to guitarist Jerry Zubal, the Kwintels started out as the Quintels, eventually dropping the “Qu” for a “Kw” for the sound-the-same-but-spelled-differently, more “rocking” handle. Jim Baranowsky, who also managed Tom Carson’s the Lazy Eggs, served as their manager.

Ad for the Kwintels, We Who Are, the Thyme and Harmon Street Blues at the Silver Bell Hideout, April 8, 1967

The Kwintels were regulars at the Punch Andrews-managed the Silver Bell Hideout, the Clawson Hideout, and the Birmingham Palladium. Their major gigs were the Southfield Pop Festival in July 1967 alongside SRC, Bob Seger and the Last Heard, the Rationals, and the Mushrooms featuring Glenn Frey. The Kwintels also opened for, and loaned out equipment to, according to Jerry Zubal, Paul Revere and the Raiders during their Detroit stop in 1965. Around that same time, the Kwintels, when Jerry Zubal was only 15, served as Freddie Cannon’s backing band during a Detroit stop in Lake Orion. Impressed with the teens, Cannon offered the Kwintels the slot as his permanent band; they turned him down to concentrate on original tunes. As was the course of bands in those days, they recorded covers of popular songs as singles, but those acetates were never pressed for release.

Later, Zubal joined the harder-rocking Tea, which was known for a time as Poetic Justice when Joe Aramini (Bob Seger’s later road manager) managed the band. Signed to Punch Andrews’s Palladium Records, which issued Seger’s early albums, Andrews felt “Tea” carried a detrimental “drug image,” so the band became 1776. Those 1971 sessions, overseen by Pampa Studios’ Jim Bruzzese and Greg Miller, who also engineered Bob Seger’s early catalog, resulted in the band’s lone, self-titled album. Featuring the Andrews-chosen singles: covers of Dave Mason’s “Only You Know and I Know” and the Bryds’s rearrangement of the Art Reynolds’ Singers’ “Jesus Is Just Alright,” only the latter charted on Detroit radio: the limited success of 1776 was usurped by the Doobie Brothers’ version, released a year later.

After the Kwintels, and prior to Tea, Jerry Zubal and Glenn Frey, he of the recently disbanded the Mushrooms and a co-writer on Bob Seger’s early songs, formed a creatively unsuccessful band. Frey, of course, relocated to the west coast and joined the Eagles. Jerry Zubal also relocated to Los Angeles.

Upon meeting guitarist Brian Naughton, formerly of Rock Candy (who issued one, Montrose-inspired, heavy-metal progenitor on MCA Records in 1970), the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and the Grass Roots, the duo formed the hard-rock concern Rockits. Renamed by their new management, The Toby Organization (also handled Quiet Riot and Angel), in 1974, Rockicks issued the album, Inside, on RSO Records in 1977. That album, along with later demos and unreleased RSO and MCA-era recordings, were compiled in the 2018 release: Keep on Rockin’: A Retrospective Anthology.

The Kwintel’s core members (who later became Tea):
Jerry Zubal
Mike Roush
Bryan Barnes

Other members:
Greg Ballard
Bob Hinshaw

Tea of Rochester, Michigan: Left to Right: Bryan Barnes (G, V), Phillip Bliss (G, Steel Guitar), Jerry Zubal (G, V), Eggmahn (B), and Bill Doral (D).

In 2010, members of the Quintels/Kwintels held a reunion show in Detroit. You can enjoy a 12-song playlist of that show on You Tube.

Through the ’90s and 2000s, Jerry Zubal and Johnny Heaton, the latter of the West End, would later form the bands Roxius, Catching Fire, Seize, and Rock Anthem. You can enjoy an 18-song playlist of those bands on You Tube.

You can learn more about Jerry Zubal’s Rockicks and his band Brian Naughton’s early years with Rock Candy with the Medium-posted article, “Sometimes you’re Kiss . . . and sometimes you’re Rockicks: Phantoms from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Oblivion.”

There are more photos of Jerry Zubal’s bands Tea, 1776, Rockicks, and Powerplay to be enjoyed on Facebook.

Article written by R.D Francis.

The Sprites “Jim’s Ballad” with Jim Wenstrup

Sprites 45 Jim's Ballad, guitar by Jim WenstrupThe Sprites were students at the Charles Springmyer school in Mack, Ohio, a suburb west of Cincinnati.

Buckeye Beat covered the Sprites first single, listing the people involved:

the schools ‘vocal director’ Donna Buel … Linda Tyra, Nancy Schunk, Janet Miller, Norma Sumner, Shirley Mangold, all 8th graders, Diane Rodenburg, Diane Schwander, Jill Lampe, Mary Schleue, Diane Spencer, all 7th graders, and Jane Labanz, a first grader … An eleventh member was added … in time for the studio ‘take’ … Melody Stinson now a ninth-grader at Oak Hills High School.

The Percussions backed the Sprites for their recording of “Little Latin Lupe Lu” / “On a Slow Boat to China”. The tape was sent to Wakefield Manufacturing in Phoenix, Arizona to be pressed, and the Wakefield code 7234 dates it to 1965.

Even more obscure is their second record, which probably features a different group of children, as the Wakefield number 14360 dates it to 1969 or 1970. “Consider Yourself” (from Oliver!) is about what you’d expect, and features backing by the Percussions (definitely not a rock group). The flip is the gentle and affecting “Jim’s Ballad” featuring guitar by Jim Wenstrup.

The Electros, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 8, 1967
The Electros, April 1967, from left: Jim Wenstrup, Frank Luckey, Gene Yuellig, Rick Clark, and Ed Holloway

This must be the same Jim Wenstrup who played lead guitar with the Electros, a group from nearby Elder High School and Oak Hills High School. The Electros included Frank Luckey on rhythm guitar, Gene Yuellig on drums, Rick Clark on bass and Ed Holloway on vocals. The Cincinnati Enquirer ran a photo of the group on April 8, 1967, and mentioned that the Electros planned to cut a record “Chase Around the World” – but if they did I haven’t seen it.

I would like to know more about how the Sprites came to record what seems to be an original song by Jim Wenstrup.

Ill Bred Mind “How Can You Be Happy Today?”

Ill Bred Mind PSL 45 How Can You Be Happy Today?

The Ill Bred Mind were high school students from Sayreville, New Jersey, making their only single in 1969. There are no credits on the label, but I believe “How Can You Be Happy Today?” is an original song. The flip is a fine version of “Walk on By”.

My copy is autographed by another member, possibly Gary Jensen. Another copy (see below) has other names & spellings: including Greg Evigan (who became a well-known actor), Garry Jenssen, George B (?), Jimmy Smokey (?). I would appreciate help with deciphering the names. Youtube comments lead me to the name of another possible member: Bruce Elacqua.

The Ill Bred Mind recorded at Photo Sonics Laboratories at 236 Walnut St. in nearby South Amboy, releasing it on P.S.L. 20171.

Ill Bred Mind Central New Jersey Home News, Thu, Aug. 14, 1969Marty Ruszala owned or operated PhotoSonics Laboratories, also known as Triple A studio, where he engineered the Jerry Rivera “Lovin’ Man” single on Kim, and Brian O’Connor “How Was I To Know” / “Missing You” on Sayne Records 20168.

I can find two notices for live shows from the Home News, on August 1, 1969 at the Emma L. Arleth School, and at the Sayreville VFW Post 4699 on August 20.

Anyone have a photo of the Ill Bred Mind?

Ill Bred Mind PSL 45 How Can You Be Happy Today?
can you help decipher George and Jimmy’s surnames on this single?

The Panics “No More” / “I Pretend” on Shoestring

Panics Shoestring 45 No MoreThe Panics started in 1963, formed at Huguenot High School in Richmond, Virginia.

The lineup was

Jimmy Sherwood – lead vocals and rhythm guitar
Bill LaRue – lead guitar and vocals
Bill Lyell – bass
John Herbig – drums

Dwyane Givens was their equipment manager.

Panics Shoestring 45 I PretendTheir only single contains two original songs by Bill Lyell and Bill Larue, the mid-tempo “I Pretend” shows some Beatles influence, and the fast-paced “No More” opens with a Lennonesque “Oh!”

It was released on Shoestring Records SHO 107 in 1965, a styrene record from the Columbia Records plant at Terre Haute, Indiana.

Clyde Atkinson of the Wild Ones and Mickey Russell of the Fugitives also went to Huguenot High. The Fugitives had a single on Shoestring.

After the Panics, Bill LaRue would form a three-piece blues band, Blue Alfred. He would have one more record that I know of as Snelson & LaRue “I’m Tired of Getting Put Down” / “Making Your Mind Up it’s Over” with David Snelson and Cynthia LaRue, recorded at Audio Communications in Richmond.

Anyone have a good photo of the group?

A couple of very small photos of the group are in the booklet to Aliens Psychos & Wild Things vol. 2.

The Creations on Top Hat “Crash” and “Don’t Be Mean”

Picture sleeve for first single, with original drummer Skip Borden
The Creations came from Milford, Connecticut, releasing two singles “Crash” / “Chickie Darlin” in July 1964, and “Don’t Be Mean” / “Forty One Willis” in April 1965. Members were:

Chuck Delaney – lead guitar and vocals
Howie Plant – rhythm guitar and vocals
Danny Gomes – bass and vocals
Skip Borden – drums, replaced in late 1964 by
Jim Burnham – drums

Danny’s surname is spelled Gomes on the records, but Gomez in some news articles and on copyright registrations.

The first notice I can find for the group comes from the Bridgeport Post on July 28, 1964:

Four local boys, members of a combo billed as “The Creations” in its first recording for Top Hat records, will make a personal appearance at Fladd’s music center in Milford on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.

The members of the combo are Howie Plant, Skip Borden, Dan Gomez and Chuck Delaney.

The group has appeared locally to play for numerous dances and are currently appearing at the Black Cat in Shelton on Wednesday evenings.

Creations Top Hat 45 Crash“Crash” is a frantic surf instrumental written by Chuck Delaney without a trace of British Invasion influence. Danny Gomes wrote the ballad flip, “Chickie Darlin”.

The band released it through New York label Top Hat Records, TH 1003. Top Hat had Rite Record Productions of Cincinnati press the records, pressing # 12699/12700.

Publishers Palais Royale Music and Marks Tey Music both seem connected to Top Hat Records, as earlier releases on Top Hat included those publishers.

A notice for a show at the Connecticut Post center for the United Fund from October 21, 1964 also includes Skip Borden in the lineup. By December 5, 1964, Jim Burnham had replaced Skip, as the Bridgeport Post ran a photo of the group with new drummer Jim Burnham after a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy fund.

Creations in the Bridgeport Post, December 5, 1964, Jim Burnham joins the group

Creations Top Hat 45 Don't Be MeanFor their second record, Danny Gomes and Howie Plant co-wrote the pounding pounding Beatles-inspired “Don’t Be Mean”, while Delaney and Gomes collaborated on “Forty One Willis”, which could refer to an address in nearby New Haven.

Released as Top Hat Records 1004, this was again a Rite pressing, using account number 1151 and Rite pressing code 13891/13892.

Like the first single, this came with a picture sleeve, very rare now. The photo on the front can be seen in the video below.

The Bridgeport Post ran a feature on the group on April 11, 1965, written by Barbara Verespey:

Members of the four-man group include Chuck Delaney, 20, who plays lead guitar and organized the original Creations and the present band, Danny Gomes, 18, bass guitarist and his father, Joseph Gomes, the group’s manager. Both boys are graduates of Milford high. Also, Howie Plant, rhythm guitarist, and Jim Burnham, drummer, are seniors at MHS, and aged 17 and 18 respectively. Jim joined the group in October when Skip Borden of Jonathan Law [High School] moved to Indiana, and feels it was his “biggest break.”

All of them sing except for Jim who “occasionally yells.”

Richard Coderre, their personal agent … “the most colorful agent in show business,” said “we’re shooting for the moon” …

Yesterday, The Creations made a return appearance on the Brad Davis show, Hartford. Their first telecast on the show was Feb. 13. Next stop, if plans work out, is a two-week engagement in Bermuda.

Creations Top Hat 45 Don't Be Mean“41 Willys” [sic] and “Don’t Be Mean,” which Chuck and Danny collaborated on, were released March 12. The following week, the group cut “And She Lied,” “Wait For Me.” and “Someone New.” Danny and Howie wrote all three.

The four boys, whose hair is styled in the “fad,” released “Crash” and “Chickie Darlin'” last July. The former was written by Chuck, and the latter by Danny, who, incidentally, hasn’t seen a barber in six months.

Since last January, the group has appeared at Milford high dances and records hops at Enfield, Holyoke, Mass., and New Britain. They have played at the University of Bridgeport, University of Connecticut, Yale, Holy Cross, Bay Path and Central Connecticut colleges. The group has also … appeared at the Actors Colony in Derby, the Ambassador in Hamden, the Statler Hilton hotel, Hartford, the Roadside Inn, Fairfield, and the Etcetera Lounge and Golden Slipper in Long Island.

The Creations have just completed a booking at the Villa Rosa in Milford …

Chuck likes … sleeping, and dislikes snobby girls and liver. Danny also is against snobs, and his favorite interest is dating. Howie has no pet peeves and has expressed an interest in medical science. Jim enjoys playing billiards and dislikes liquor.

Head of the group’s fan club at MHS is Mary Gannett, but the Creations have a bigger following at Jonathan Law. Their officers are Barbara Emmons, president; Donna Skinner, vice president; and Gale Anderson, official correspondent.

Announcing the Creations appearance on the Brad Davis TV show, from left: Howie Plant, Chuck Delaney, Jim Burnham and Danny Gomes, Bridgeport Post, April 11, 1965

Three days later the Post ran a notice that the Creations would appear on The Brad Davis Show on Saturday, April 17, 1965, with Gene Pitney. I have seen a photo of the group with Brad Davis, but only have a poor-quality xerox of it.

That’s the last notice I can find for the Creations.

On April 16, 1965, Danny and Howie registered “Don’t Be Mean” and “Wait For Me” with the Library of Congress’s Copyright Office, and Chuck Delaney belatedly registered “Crash”.

On May 27, 1965, Daniel Gomez and Howard Plant registered two of the songs mentioned in the Bridgeport Post feature, “And You Lied” and “Wait for Me”. I have to think the Creations recorded these songs, but if so, no trace of them has turned up so far. Perhaps “Someone New” also exists on a demo acetate.

Paul E. Bezanker’s Connecticut Rocks! has some more info on the band that I need confirmation on: Howie Plant replaced by Howie West of the Realms (“Baby Let’s Wait” / “All I Want” on Melody ME 105). Bobby Sheehan replaced Howie West. Delaney replaced by Frank Woodman, also of the Realms. Fred O’Brien of the Long Island Sounds comes in on bass, and Danny Gomes becomes lead vocalist.

The group changed into the New Creations with Danny Gomes, Fred O’Brien, Bobby Sheehan and Rick Simpson, which became Bone in late 1967. After more lineup changes, Bone had one single “It’s an Easy Thing” / “Everybody’s Gone Into April” on Poison Ring 712 in 1969.

The site for '60s garage bands since 2004