When I bought this copy of Kenneth Rexroth’s Fantasy LP “Jazz & Poetry at the Black Hawk”, I found inside the cover hand-written notes for the session for two of the poems recorded: “Nicholas Dog of Experience” and Rexroth’s translation of Francis Carco’s “The Shadow”.
Different handwriting lists the musicians on the session. Hank Uribe’s daughter tells me this is her father’s handwriting, but the rest of the notes belong to someone else. Musicians were: John Mosher, bass; Clair Willey, piano; Dickie Mills, trumpet; Brew Moore on tenor sax; and Hank Uribe on drums.
Even though Fantasy had an entire back cover to fill with notes, they didn’t bother to list the musicians, so I haven’t seen this information published anywhere else.
Kenneth Rexroth wrote an essay called “Jazz Poetry” for The Nation magazine in 1958 discussing how he was working with a quintet that included three musicians who would appear on the Black Hawk album: Brew Moore, Dickie Mills and Clair Willey; plus Frank Esposito on trombone, Ron Crotty on bass and Gus Gustafson on drums.
I’m also including a scan of a legal release to allow photos to be taken in the Black Hawk club in San Francisco. All this may be minor history, but I know someone else besides me will be interested in it.
The collaboration of beat poets with jazz musicians is a strange and funny genre, and Rexroth’s delivery is one of the oddest:
Rexroth passed away in 1982; Hank Uribe in February 2011. Brew Moore was probably the most famous musician on this session, which would have taken place just before he dropped out of the jazz scene until relocating to Europe. Fantasy released an LP under his leadership in 1956, featuring a band that included Dickie Mills. Moore died in 1973.
Francis Carco – The Shadow, translated by Kenneth Rexroth Francis Carco – The Shadow page 3, Kenneth Rexroth at the Black Hawk, with handwritten notes by Hank Uribe Kenneth Rexroth – Nicholas Dog of Experience, with notes by Hank Uribe Kenneth Rexroth at the Black Hawk, notes by Hank Uribe. June 1960. This page lists John Mosher, bass; Clair Willey, piano; Dickie Mills, trumpet; Brew Moore on tenor sax; and Hank Uribe on drums. Fantasy Records Photo Release for the Blackhawk
Update 2022: Hank Uribe’s daughter Ann wrote to me with the information that her father “was Johnny Mathis’s first drummer in high school. He played with Vince Guraldi, Smith Dobson, Dave Lario, Bud Dimmock, Red Norvo, and so many others.” She sent in the photo seen below.
Ellis Theater, San Francisco, September 20, 1951. From left, top: Johnny Mathis, unidentified, Merl Saunders, Hank Uribe (drums), Lionel Hampton, Roy Harris (vibes), Frank Roberts (bass), Bill Hawkens (alto), unidentified. Bottom row from left: unidentified alto, Roland Mitchell (tenor), unidentified, Mel McPherson (tenor), Frank Wood (tenor)
In the first week of February 1968, Jimmy Cliff split with The Shakedown Sound and teamed up with Manchester group, Wynder K Frog.
I think the line up below is correct but I would be interested to hear from anyone that can provide more information. I think the group split with Cliff in late 1968/early 1969.
Jimmy Cliff – lead vocals Wynder K Frog (aka Mick Weaver) – keyboards, vocals Neil Hubbard – guitar Alan Spenner – bass Bruce Rowland – drums
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Image may be subject to copyright
8 February 1968 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands
10 February 1968 – Stockwell College, Bromley, southeast London with The Decision
18 February 1968 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands
20 February 1968 – Bolero, Wednesbury, West Midlands (originally billed The Shakedown Sounds as backing group earlier in the month but changed nearer the time to Wynder K Frog)
25 February 1968 – The Walsgrave, Coventry (billed as Jimmy Cliff Show with Wynder K Frogg)
26 February 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands with The Traction
4 March 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
4 March 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercers Arms, Coventry
5 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James Show
7 March 1968 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
Photo: Sheffield Star. Image may be subject to copyright
8 March 1968 – Shades, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
10 March 1968 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands
Photo: Western Gazette. Image may be subject to copyright
18 March 1968 – Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset with Wynder K Frog and Dave Illingworth (Billed as The Jimmy Cliff Show)
26 March 1968 – Bolero, Wednesbury, West Midlands (Billed as Jimmy Cliff Show featuring Wynder K Frog)
30 March 1968 – Burton’s Uxbridge, west London
1 April 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands with The Shakedown Sound and The Probe
6 April 1968 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with The Shakedown Sound, The Uglies and Locomotive
7 April 1968 – Queen’s Beat Club, Birmingham
8 April 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with Magic Roundabout
10 April 1968 – British Legion, Northfield, West Midlands
11 April 1968 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (billed as Jimmy Cliff The Shakedown Sound)
13 April 1968 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with The Idle Race, Calgary Stampede and The Shakedown Sound (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Sound)
14 April 1968 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich with The Shock Treatment and Sugar Machine
14 April 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercers Arms, Coventry
21 April 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
22 April 1968 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, Dudley, West Midlands with Jasper Stubbs
23 April 1968 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset
26 April 1968 – Mabern Club, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
27 April 1968 – Burton’s Uxbridge, west London
Photo: Western Gazette. Image may be subject to copyright
4 May 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with The Mushroom Crowd (Billed as Jimmy Cliff Show with Wynder K Frog)
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Image may be subject to copyright
9 May 1968 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands with The Imagination
12 May 1968 – South Bank, Grimsby (billed as with The Shakedown Sounds)
14 May 1968 – Hen & Chickens, Langley, West Midlands with The Shakedown Sounds
15 May 1968 – Summerhill House Hotel, Kingswinford, West Midlands
16 May 1968 – Skyline Ballroom, Hull
Photo: Stratford upon Avon Herald. Image may be subject to copyright
17 May 1968 – Drill Hall, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire
Photo: Scarborough Evening News. Image may be subject to copyright
17 May 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire They may not have appeared
18 May 1968 – Savoy, Catford, south east London (billed as just Jimmy Cliff)
19 May 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
20 May 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands with The Shakedown Sound and Sound Syndicate (possibly The System instead)
21 May 1968 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midlands
21 May 1968 – Hen & Chickens, Langley, West Midlands with The Shakedown Sound
22 May 1968 – Summerhill House Hotel, Kingswinford, West Midlands
23 May 1968 – James Finegan Hall, Eston, Middlesbrough with The Shakedown Sound, The Steve Brown Soul Sect and The Chelfont Line
Photo: Middlesbrough Evening Gazette. Image may be subject to copyright
23 May 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire with The Shakedown Sound
3 June 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire
Photo: Gloucester Citizen. Image may be subject to copyright
5 June 1968 – Cheltenham Spa Lounge and Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
6 June 1968 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
7 June 1968 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham
10 June 1968 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
12 June 1968 – Penns Hall, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield
13 June 1968 – Durham College, Durham
14 June 1968 – Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester
15 June 1968 – Southampton University, Southampton
20 June 1968 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
29 June 1968 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands
2 July 1968 – Droitwich Winter Gardens, Droitwich, Worcestershire
14 July 1968 – Excel Blue Angel, Middlesbrough with The Shakedown Sound
16 July 1968 – Hen and Chickens, Langley, West Midlands
20 July 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands
20 July 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London
21 July 1968 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands
22 July 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands with Soul Syndicate
28 July 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
Photo: Scarborough Evening News. Image may be subject to copyright
2 August 1968 – Candlelight, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
3 August 1968 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with The Shakedown Sound
4 August 1968 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry with The Shakedown Sound
8 August 1968 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
10 August 1968 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with The Uglys
12 August 1968 – Queen Mary Ballroom, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands
Photo: Gloucester Citizen. Image may be subject to copyright
16 August 1968 – Blue Pacific, Bristol Hotel, Gloucester
17 August 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
1 September 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation
9 September 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands with Felix Park (billed as Mr Jimmy Cliff and The Shakedown Sound)
13 September 1968 – Victoria Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
14 September 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire with The Shakedown Sound
21 September 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London
Sources:
Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker plus posters online.
Also the following newspapers: Birmingham Daily Post, Birmingham Evening Mail, Cheddar Valley Gazette, Coventry Evening Telegraph, Crewe Chronicle, Derbyshire Times, Express & Star, Grantham Journal, Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Northwich Chronicle, Nottingham Evening Post, Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle, Scarborough Evening News, Sheffield Star, Stratford upon Avon Herald, Warrington Guardian, Wells Journal, Gloucester Citizen, Western Gazette
Jimmy Cliff – lead vocals Kevin Gammond – lead guitar, vocals (left in October 1967 to join Band of Joy) Terry (Verden) Allen – organ, vocals John Best – bass Sean Jenkins – drums
26 November 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham
3 January 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
7 -8 January 1967 – Omnibus club, Colombes, near Paris, France (see comments section and picture below)
10 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Brothers
14 January 1967 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Jimi Hendrix Experience
19 January 1967 – Black Horse, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
20 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Derek Savage Foundation
21 January 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Iveys and The Twilights
22 January 1967 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, central London
26 January 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
2 February 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
4 February 1967 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London
5 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
15 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
18 February 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
18 February 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Tonics, The Institute and Ray Bones
22 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
24 February 1967 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria with 22nd Street People
26 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
3 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (billed as Jimmy Cliff & The Sound System)
5 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
11 March 1967 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, London
12 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
15 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London
17 March 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham
18 March 1967 – Club a Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Outer Limits
19 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
24 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Top of The Tree
26 March 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Show)
26 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
27 March 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham with C G Morris & The Reaction
27 March 1967 – Kitchners, Black Horse, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
30 March 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with The Drifters, The Senate and Joe E Young & The Toniks
1 April 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester
2 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London
21 April 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Original Drifters
22 April 1967 – Southport Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire
24 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Jimmy Cliff special guest) with Lloyd Alexander Blues Band and Lee Hawkins Group
25 April 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London
26 April 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Horatio Soul and Square Deals Exposure with Yvonne
28 April 1967 – Refectory, Golders Green, north London
28 April 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Sugar Simone Programme and Moon Alexander Drive (all-nighter)
4-5 May 1967 – Omnibus club, Colombes, near Paris, France (see comments section)
10 May 1967 – Les Oubliettes, Rouen, France (see comments section)
13 May 1967 – Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire
13 May 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
14 May 1967 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria with The Chants and The Forum
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
15 May 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (billed as Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
16 May 1967 – Frank Freeman’s, Kidderminster, Worcestershire with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
18 May 1967 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Shakedown Sound
19 May 1967 – Frank Freeman’s, Kidderminster, Worcestershire with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy
20 May 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
23 May 1967 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midlands (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
Photo: Worcester Evening News. Photo may be subject to copyright
24 May 1967 – 1600, Hereford, Herefordshire
25 May 1967 – Kitchners, Black Horse, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
27 May 1967 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands with The Creation
1 June 1967 – Palais des Sports, Paris, France
3 June 1967 – The Nite Owl, Leicester, Leicestershire
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
3 June 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
4 June 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
6 June 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
7 June 1967 – Hen & Chickens, Langley, West Midlands with The Stax Movement
8 June 1967 – Black Horse, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
9 June 1967 – Drokiweeny, Manchester with John Evans Smash
9 June 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich
10 June 1967 – Digbeth Town Hall, Birmingham
11 June 1967– Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester
17 June 1967 – Shalimar Club, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
19 June 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
24 June 1967 – Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire
26 June 1967 – Wall City Jazz Club, Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with The Chuckles, The Wall City Jazzmen and The Hands
27 June 1967 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midlands
Photo copyright: Here Tis Magazine #8. The band at the Voom Voom Club, July 1967
July 1967 – Voom Voom Club, St Tropez, France
3 August 1967 – Kidderminster Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
4 August 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
5 August 1967 – Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester
6 August 1967 – Le Metro, Birmingham
7 August 1967 – Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk
8 August 1967 – Bolero Club, West Bromwich, West Midlands
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
11 August 1967 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands
12 August 1967 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire with The Script
13 August 1967 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria with The Candy Choir
15 August 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
16 August 1967 – Samantha’s Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
20 August 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands with Barmy Barrie
21 August 1967 – Staffordshire Yeoman, Stafford
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
24 August 1967 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
25 August 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Lucas and The Mike Cotton Sound
26 August 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
28 August 1967 – Mackadown, Kitts Green, West Midlands with Idle Race
29 August 1967 – Nottingham Blues Festival, Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Long John Baldry and Wynder K Frog
31 August 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
1 September 1967 – Crow’s Nest, Tamworth, Staffordshire
2 September 1967 – Plaza Ballroom, Oldhill, West Midlands
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
2 September 1967 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands
4 September 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands with The Junction and The Sharons
7 September 1967 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
8 September 1967 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Deacon Yeats Situation and Times Square
8 September 1967 – Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Wellington Kitch Band
9 September 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands
10 September 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions
13 September 1967 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
16 September 1967 – Gaiety, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Motown Trinity
18 September 1967 – The Funhouse, Worcester Co-op, Worcester
19 September 1967 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midlands
24 September 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
25 September 1967 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Dual Purpose and Barmy Barry Show
26 September 1967 – Shenley Green Youth Club, Birmingham
29 September 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands
30 September 1967 – Tinned Chicken, York,North Yorkshire with The Roll Movement
1 October 1967 – Leofric Hotel, Coventry with The Peasant Sect
3 October 1967 – Hillside Ballroom, Hereford, Herefordshire
5 October 1967 – HMS Pembroke, Chatham, Kent
6 October 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
7-8 October 1967 – Tabenacle, Southport, Greater Manchester
11 October 1967 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
12 October 1967 – Black Horse, Kidderminster, Worcestershire
13 October 1967 – Shalimar Club, Sparrow Park, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with Raymond with His Steel Band and Mr Johnny Walker with His Wild Bamboo Sound
14 October 1967 – Sheffield University, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Photo: Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian/Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Photo may be subject to copyright
14 October 1967 – Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire
15 October 1967 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London
16 October 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands with The Menders
17 October 1967 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midlands
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
19 October 1967 – Black Horse, Northfield, West Midlands
Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound #2
Jimmy Cliff – lead vocals Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, vocals Terry (Verden) Allen – organ, vocals John Best – bass Sean Jenkins – drums
29 October 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall. Glastonbury, Somerset
4 November 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation
4 November 1967 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London (billed as Jimmy Cliff)
5 November 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation
7 November 1967 – St Cuthbert’s Society, Durham
10 November 1967 – International Club, Leeds, West Yorkshire
11 November 1967 – Cambridge Hall, Southport, Lancashire
11 November 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
12 November 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham
14 November 1967 – Samantha’s Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
15 November 1967 – Scotch Club, Torquay, Devon (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
23 November 1967 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
Photo: Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Photo may be subject to copyright
25 November 1967 – Golden Disc, Keighley, West Yorkshire
27 November 1967 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Varsity Rag and Barmy Barry (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
28 November 1967 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midlands
29 November 1967 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria with The Mythology
1 December 1967 – New Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire
2 December 1967 – Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester
4 December 1967 – Wall City Jazz Club, Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with The Perfumed Garden, 4 Originals and The Wall City Jazzmen
9 December 1967 – Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire with The Funky Bunk Band (Retford Times)
10 December 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry with The Sun Trolley
13 December 1967 – Aston University, Aston, West Midlands
Photo: Yorkshire Evening Post. Photo may be subject to copyright
14 December 1967 – String O’ Beads, Bradford, West Yorkshire
16 December 1967 – Birmingham Technical College, Birmingham
17 December 1967 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
18 December 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands with The ‘N’ Betweens and Transodisque
26 December 1967 – Bolero Club, Wednesbury, West Midland with Locomotive
30 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
5 January 1968 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby Town Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Mood and Tony ‘Big’ Fry
7 January 1968 – Nottingham Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
Photo: Ipswich Evening Star. Photo may be subject to copyright
8 January 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk
12 January 1968 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
13 January 1968 – Wolverhampton College of Technology Student Union, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with ‘N’ Betweens (billed as The Jimmy Cliff Explosion)
15 January 1968 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
17 January 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands
19 January 1968 – Public Baths, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (see 45 Worlds)
19 January 1968 – Student’s Union, Nottingham Regional College of Technology, Nottingham with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Litter
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
20 January 1968 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands
21 January 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercers Arms, Coventry
26 January 1968 – Bal de l’École Centrale, Paris with Spooky Tooth (see comments section and photo below)
28 January 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Nantwich with Jaytree Organisation
28 January 1968 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands
1 February 1968 – Station Inn, Selly Oak, West Midlands
Photo: Grantham Journal. Photo may be subject to copyright
4 February 1968 – Cat Balou Club, Grantham, Lincolnshire
4 February 1968 – The Hub, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (this was probably one of the final gigs before Wynder K Frog took over)
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
8 February 1968 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands (this is an interesting gig as the Birmingham Evening Mail originally listed The Shakedown Sounds as backing band but nearer the time it changed to Wynder K Frog)
20 February 1968 – Bolero, Wednesbury, West Midlands (this is an interesting gig as the Express & Star originally listed The Shakedown Sounds as backing band a few weeks earlier but nearer the time it changed to Wynder K Frog)
Sources:
Many of the gigs are from Melody Maker and Fabulous 208 but also from posters advertised online
Newspapers: Birmingham Evening Mail, Cambridgeshire Times, Express & Star, Herald Express, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Kidderminster Times & Stourport News, Lincolnshire Standard, Manchester Evening News, Northwich Chronicle, Nottingham Evening Post, Somerset County Gazette, Worcester Evening News, Yorkshire Evening Post, Stafford Newsletter, Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian
When Jimmy Cliff split with The New Generation in late July 1966, he was backed by a series of groups between August-December 1966. Both The Soul System (which became The Attack) and Dave Antony’s Moods are often cited as support bands but I have received email confirmation from David O’List (Attack) and Tim Large (Dave Antony’s Moods), which state that neither band worked with Jimmy Cliff.
I would be interested to hear from anyone that can identify the support bands below.
9 August 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho central London (billed as Jimmy Cliff)
14 August 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (billed as Jimmy Cliff Show)
16 August 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Jimmy Cliff)
23 August 1966 – Whiskey A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Jimmy Cliff)
2 September 1966 – Kingston Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
3 September 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester
4 September 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
18 September 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (billed as Jimmy Cliff Show)
20 October 1966 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (billed as Jimmy Cliff Sound System)
3 December 1966 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, London (might be debut with Shakedown Sound)
Sources:
Most of the gigs above are from Melody Maker and Fabulous 208
The Carl Douglas Set, circa September 1966, from left: Carl Douglas, Del Grace, Danny McCulloch, Ray Beresford and Tony Webb. Photo courtesy of Ken Baxter and Tony Charman.
Jamaican-born singer Carl Douglas is best known for the 1970s international hit “Kung Fu Fighting”. During the 1960s, however, he led a series of south London groups, starting with The Charmers and culminating with The Big Stampede.
Multi-instrumentalist Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) began his career with West Dulwich outfit Sounds Five in 1963. The band changed name to The Charmers when Carl Douglas joined them in mid-1965.
By year’s end, the group’s line up comprised Carl Douglas (lead vocals), Mick Patel (lead guitar), Tony Charman (organ), Lee Hall (bass) and Nick Baxter (drums). This formation cut six tracks with Nick Baxter’s cousin, Ken Baxter, who subsequently became the group’s manager. The tracks have been picked up by UK collectors’ label Acid Jazz for a compilation that will be released in late June.
In early 1966, the band’s personnel changed when Ron Bryer (aka Ron Spence) from The Loose Ends and The Revellos replaced Mick Patel on lead guitar and Ray Beresford succeeded Nick Baxter on drums and cut two more tracks, “You Don’t Know” and “I (Who Have Nothing)”, which will also appear on the Acid Jazz compilation album.
The Carl Douglas Set #1:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals Tony Charman (aka Webb) – organ Ron Bryer (aka Ron Spence) – lead guitar Lee Hall – bass Ray Beresford – drums
Selected gigs:
5 May 1966 – Pontiac, Putney, southwest London
The Carl Douglas Set at the Pontiac Club, Putney, May 1966
13 May 1966 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, west London
22 May 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (billed as The Charmers)
Photo: Tony Charman
29 May 1966 – Seven Eleven Go Go Club, Kennington, south London
1 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London
4 June 1966 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, west London
11 June 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (billed as Carl Douglas & The Charmers)
12 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Creation
19 June 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
25 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The New York Public Library and The End
The Carl Douglas Set #2:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals Del Grace – lead guitar Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – organ Lee Hall – bass Ray Beresford – drums
Around early July, Beresford introduced his neighbour, guitarist Del Grace, who had recently returned from a Swiss tour with his group Big Wheel, after Ron Bryer left. Interestingly, Bryer took Grace’s place in Big Wheel and later moved out to Switzerland where he later worked with Barry Window & The Movements and Brain Ticket.
Selected gigs:
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
15 July 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto Club, Ilford, east London
17 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Knack
4 August 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rick ‘N’ Beckers
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
5 August 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Billed as Karl Douglas Set
6 August 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire
Photo: Nottingham Evening Post. Image may be subject to copyright
19 August 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham
22-26 August 1966 – Sibyllas, Swallow Street, central London (Lee Hall left immediately after this)
The Carl Douglas Set #3:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals Del Grace – lead guitar Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – organ Danny McCulloch – bass, vocals Ray Beresford – drums
In late August, bass player Danny McCulloch, who was soon poached for Eric Burdon’s ‘New’ Animals took over bass duties before Tony Charman moved from organ to bass and Carl Douglas restructured the band once move.
Selected gigs:
1 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Knack
9 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
16 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Otis Redding
18 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The News
Thanks to the band’s manager Ken Baxter for sharing his contracts and to bass player Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) for providing concert posters. Dates were also sourced from music papers and newspapers that include Melody Maker, Aldershot News, South East London Mercury and Nottingham Evening Post.
The Huntsmen – picture sleeve courtesy of Jim Wilson.
The Huntsmen came out of Millikan High School in Long Beach, and were friends with the Emperors and also likely the Royal Knights, as this sleeve scan and the business cards below came from the collection of one of that band’s members.
The Huntsmen had two singles on the Pam label in the early ’60s:
Pam 1001/1002: “Send Me Some Lovin'” / “Wishbone” Pam 1003/1004: “Fever” / “Big Bowl of Soul”
“Wishbone” and “Big Bowl of Soul” are band originals.
The labels list the band members, but I don’t have good scans of the labels – if anyone can provide some please contact me.
Jim Bradshaw – lead guitar and lead vocals Jerry Christensen – drums Mick Lorito – rhythm guitar Bill McKinney Don Rabish (?)
I’m not sure if this is the same Pam label that owned by Jim Aguirre and located at 150 Pamela Blvd in Monrovia, across the city from Long Beach. That Pam had a release from the late ’50s, Bill Garland’s “Lonesome Guitar” / “Guitar Blues” (Pam 45-201).
I’ve heard the A-sides of both singles and they’re excellent as this shows:
Jim Bradshaw had a long career in music after the Huntsmen, including a bi-racial band, the Disciples of Soul, and stints with Johnny Otis, Shuggie Otis, Eddie Vinson, Taj Mahal, Etta James, Junior Wells, and Henry Vestine of Canned Heat. James Bradshaw died in Oregon in 2003.
These band cards offer a glimpse of the local scene circa 1964-’65, including the Royal Knights, the Huntsmen, the Emperors and two cards from the Starfires from Downey. Did any of these other bands record?
Los Angeles band cards from circa 1962-1966, including the Vida-Men, the Coachmen, the Continentals, the Del-Links, Mikron Custom Guitar Finishes (Mike Cohn and Ron Eclit), the Starfires, The Royal Knights, the Impressions, the Ascots, the Leisuremen, the Friends (“Dances – Riots – Concerts”), the Shamrocks, and the Versitile Intruders. From the collection of Jim Wilson.
The Lost Soul, Vox promotional photo at the Hillsville Armory, ca. 1967. (l to r) Randy Conley, Donny Fields, Steve Cook & Steve Calfee
Article by Jack Garrett
While the Lost Soul is all but forgotten in their home state of Virginia, legions of fans in the UK regard their records as classics. Little has been written about the band, whose members came together in 11th grade. All but one attended Graham High School in Bluefield, Va., performing for about 18 months as The Prussians before changing their name to Lost Soul. The group featured songwriters Steve Calfee and Randy Conley on guitar, organ and vocals; Steve Cook on bass and vocals; and drummer Donnie Fields.
Early shot of the Prussians, ca. late 1965. (l to r) Steve Calfee, Randy Conley, Donnie Fields, Jimmy Johnson & Steve Cook
Calfee explains that hard rock was just coming to the fore. And while Lost Soul was responsible for the psychedelic gem “Minds Expressway,” Calfee says they were more into Motown and the R&B Memphis-type sound. The band felt “some of the music that was coming out on the hard rock side of it as not having the soul that we liked… we were gonna try and put the lost soul back into the rock and roll. Whether we actually did that or not I don’t know, but we gave it a shot.”
The Prussians, ca. 1966. (l to r) Steve Calfee, Randy Conley, Donnie Fields & Steve Cook.
With the name change, the band began looking for studio to record some original compositions.
The group did a lot of promotional dances and during one DJ Charlie Duff put them together with Gene and the Team Beats of Martinsville. That group was already recording for Raven Records in Danville and suggested that manager John Cook (the bassist’s dad) talk to Frank Koger, who owned and operated the small recording studio on the Piney Forest Road. Cook met with Koger and the band traveled to Danville in 1967 to commit two songs to wax: “A Secret of Mine” b/w “Minds Expressway”.
By all accounts, John Cook was a savvy businessman. He was a salesman for Caterpillar and taught the boys how to publicize and promote their shows and dances, how to collect fees, and even how to dress, although the dark green checked suits he bought for a job at the Fincastle Country Club bombed with the band. It was John who secured their bookings and traveled with the group, and who ultimately brought them to Danville in early 1967. Vox was just making inroads into the U.S. and he arranged for the group to receive free amplifiers and a PA system.
Calfee and Conley were the group’s two guitarists but were forced to make some last minute adjustments just prior to the recording session. Three months before they cut their first record, lead vocalist Jimmy Johnson quit for no apparent reason. About the same time, keyboard player Charlie Bassett married and left the band to attend engineering school. Rather than add a new member, the guitarists simply split the keyboard duties, although Calfee bought Bassett’s Acetone organ and plays keys and sings lead on all four Raven sides.
Calfee remembers the House of Sound studios as a small converted ice house, complete with loading dock. The control room was no larger than 6×6 with a glass window and a hole cut for a window unit. This proved a problem on their second session in the summer. The air conditioner was so noisy that it could only be turned on between takes, leaving members praying for a flub so they could get some relief from the heat. The songs were recorded directly to a two-track recorder, requiring multiple takes before an acceptable master was delivered.
A mistake on the end of the flip side was caught on tape and was incorporated into the song. If you listen to Minds Expressway, there’s a “pa-ping” sound on the cymbal. Calfee says they’d gotten “to the very end of a take and it was an accident that he did and as soon as we ended the take (producers) Ernie (Dickens) and Frank actually came out of the booth and said, ‘What was that?”
Drummer Donnie Fields took the stick and did a ping off the bell of the cymbal and Koger said, “Well that’s fantastic; it actually makes the record.” He asked Fields if he could do that every time, so the band spent “the next two hours doing take after take of him trying to do that pa-ping sound through the entire cut ’til we finally got it.”
To promote the disc, their new manager landed the band a slot on Dick Bennick’s Dance Party, a popular Bandstand-based broadcast on WGHP 8 in High Point, NC. The band arrived to light snowfall around mid-day, set up their equipment and were prepared to play when they were told they would be lip-syncing the songs. That was a first and it took the group “forever to get it right.” Whenever the cameras would roll, the director would stop the band, telling Calfee his lips weren’t moving with the music and it looked “like a Japanese movie.” Compounding the problem was the drum intro on “A Secret of Mine”. Without a count leading in to the song, it was impossible to synchronize the video, so the cameraman did a crossfade from a vine-covered trellis on the set to Fields’ drums.
They finally finished about 1:00 a.m. and left the studios to find three-feet of snow on the ground. It took them eight hours to reach their next gig, forcing the band to miss their television debut.
Each member was given two boxes of 45s and Calfee says they gave away as many copies as they sold. Koger distributed discs to radio stations and the band followed up with promotional appearances. “A Secret of Mine” was the pick of Top 40 radio, while “Mind Expressway” was played by college stations in the FM market. Along the way, Lost Soul followed or shared bills with ? and the Mysterians, the Hombres and the Fantastic Johnny C.
The Lost Soul live in 1967 at the Fincastle Country Club in Bluefield, Va. (l to r) Steve Calfee, Donnie Fields, Randy Conley, Steve Cook.
Some of the largest crowds Lost Soul played for were at the Coke plant in Danville. Workmen would use fork-lifts to clear out the warehouse and set up the stage. Local radio stations and the high school newspaper promoted the dances, which attracted thousands.
Their manager brought a Webcor reel-to-reel to record one college job. Calfee says the band decided to have a few drinks to loosen up and thought they “were just kickin’ butt and takin’ names” on the bandstand. The next day he “played the recording back for us and it was the worst crap you’ve ever heard in your life.” Calfee says it was so bad that “it literally sobered us up.” From that day forward, no one took a drink on a job.
Six months later, Lost Soul was back at Raven to record a second 45 and a demo tape for distribution to major labels. They now shared management with Archie Bell and the Drells and their new manager signed a deal with PM Distributors in Pittsburgh to press thousands of copies of “I’m Gonna Hurt You” b/w “For You”. Calfee says the company had a promotions man who got the 45 to rack jobbers and radio stations. The effort paid off, as Calfee was told the song made it to the lower reaches of Billboard’s Hot 100. (Perhaps it was the Cashbox chart, as Billboard’s Top Pop Singles 1955-1996 lists no entries by Lost Soul.) As many as 20,000 copies were pressed but the group never received any royalties and requests for an accounting were ignored. Once the record started to break nationally, Lost Soul moved from playing country clubs and frat houses to armories and auditoriums.
Several labels were interested in the band, but Calfee says they had an image problem. It seems the major labels couldn’t decide how to market a group that played both psychedelic rock and funky soul. “We didn’t know any better,” says Calfee, adding, “We didn’t know that you were not supposed to mix the genres.” Elektra liked the tapes, which included a soulful arrangement of “Day Tripper”. Their manager secured a $25,000 advance with an agreement to record two more 45s and the promise of an album, if the singles charted.
But it was not to be. About this time, the band started to implode. It was 1968 and the height of the Vietnam War. Cook was drafted, Calfee decided to go back to school, Conley left to attend trade school and Fields got married. The band went through a period of about six months with pick-up drummers and even a saxophone player before calling it a day.
Faded Polaroid of the Lost Soul performing live in 1968. (l to r) Steve Cook, Randy Conley, Lance Yost, Joe Simoncini & Steve Calfee
The later band delved further into psychedelia. The group dropped their matching suits in favor of multi-colored shirts and sunglasses and would scatter the stage with streamers. Borrowing from the Mothers of Invention, a metal trash can was also incorporated into the stage act. Calfee explains that “if you dropped a live mic inside with lots of reverb and delay, then banged on the can it created quite a bizarre sound.” The Fool had just painted Cream’s guitars in psychedelic colors, so Conley and Calfee did the same with their guitar and organ.
While national success eluded them, Calfee believes that was probably a good thing, adding, “If we had signed, as young as we were at the time and as crazy as the business was, I doubt seriously if any of us would have survived.”
Calfee later returned to music. He still plays and books entertainment for a cruise line in Little River, SC. Conley also returned to the stage, performing as E.R. Conley. And while their paths crossed occasionally on the road, Calfee lost touch will his co-writer eight years ago. Cook died about a year ago, while Fields left music and went to work for the railroad in Roanoke.
The band was all but forgotten until some Northern Soul fans in the UK discovered “A Secret of Mine”. Calfee was unaware of the renewed interest until he received a letter from an English musician he had worked with in the 80s. He learned the song was a favorite on the club scene and that their first 45 was selling for huge sums in England.
Two of the group’s songs were recently reissued on compact disc (Aliens, Psychos & Wild Things, Vol. 3) and videos of the band draw thousands of views on Youtube. But Calfee has yet to capitalize on the new audience and has received no songwriting royalties. While Calfee is “amazed” by the band’s resurgence in popularity, Cook recognized their potential. Shortly before his death, he told Calfee: “We never realized how good we were and what a great opportunity we had.” And while he won’t rule out a reunion, Calfee says it hasn’t happened yet and believes things worked out for the best, adding, “We were just trying to make music and have a good time.”
The last line-up, ca. 1968. (l to r) Steve Cook, Randy Conley, Lance Yost, Joe Simoncini. Steve Calfee is out of the camera frame.
Planned Obsolescense comes from a scene I haven’t written about on this site before, the area around Santa Barbara, CA. The band had this one 45: “Exit Sticky Icky” starts out something like Creedence, then shifts to a quicker pace. The flip is a cover of the Beau Brummels’ “Still in Love With You Baby”.
Note the band’s name is Planned Obsolescense, not Planned Obsolescence – whether intentional or not I don’t know. There are no credits on the labels, but the California Gold Coast Dreamin’ site writes:
Members:
Bill Lipscombe – guitar, vocals Joe Rodriguez – bass Doug McGuinn – drums Harold Irving – keyboards Tom McGuire – vocals
This band met while attending high school in Santa Barbara and played local battle of the bands shows, dances, and club dates, eventually attracting the attention of The Sufaris’ management team.
The b-side of their sole 45, “Exit Sticky Icky”, was originally written as an advertisement for a soft rubber toy (the toy manufacturing company eventually backed out of the idea). To promote the 45 the band spent a couple of months touring Southern California. Their gimmick was playing with bags over their heads, and black capes.
Jet Set announced in Billboard, Sept. 16, 1967
At a concert at UCSB they played the world’s longest song, literally hour after hour of Exit Sticky Icky, with members of Giant Crab and other friends helping out.
A notice announcing the formation of Jet Set Records and Publishing (ASCAP) in Billboard dates to September 16, 1967, and lists Doug McGuire as president.
The Jet Set label would have two more releases that I’m aware of, one of my favorite ’60s singles, “I’ll Take It Back” / “Ryan 5” by the Calliope on Jet Set JSR-45-3 from February of 1968 and the Blue Wood doing “Turn Around” / “Happy Jack Mine”. Calliope recorded their single at Whitney Studios in Glendale with Tom Lubin as producer and Frank Kejmar as engineer. Frank engineered many of the hundreds of Christian records recorded at Whitney and released on the Angelus label.
Calliope’s release on Jet Set would be picked up for national release by Epic in July of ’68, listing Doug McGuire as Executive Producer. The Calliope would have two more releases on Shamley in 1969. Flower Bomb Songs has an excellent interview with Calliope songwriter Jim Andron.
The Jet Set release of the Calliope’s “I’ll Take It Back” runs a full 2:42, as noted on the label, while the Epic release cuts about 10 seconds of the ending, despite listing 2:43! A great song with a beautiful, mystical ending, I savor the extra 10 seconds on the Jet Set release.
No connection to the Jet Set label from Washington, DC that released soul records.
If anyone has a photo of the group or more info on them or the Jet Set label, please write to me.
The Coachmen at Grannys Teen Club, Opp, Alabama, 1965. L-R: Steve Folmar, Paul Williams, Gordon Dodson & Ron SimsThe Coachmen at Grannys Teen Club, Opp, Alabama 1965, L-R: Ron Sims, Gordon Dodson, Bill Saunders & Steve Folmar
Rodney Dodson – lead vocals / rhythm guitar Gordon Dodson – lead guitar / vocals Bill Saunders – bass guitar / vocals Coley Sullivan – drums John Runkle – organ Billy Scott – lead vocals
The Barons, formerly The Coachmen, from Ozark, Alabama, were formed in 1964 by guitarist Gordon Dodson and bassist Bill Saunders. The Coachmen soon added school friends guitarist Ron Sims, vocalist Paul Williams, and drummer, Steve Folmar.
Gordon Dodson & Billy Scott of The Coachmen, Fort Rucker, Alabama, 1965
By early 1965, The Coachmen were playing the popular Opp, Alabama Teen Club known as Granny’s and the Ft. Rucker, Alabama Teen Club. 1965 also saw the first change of band members. James Childers replaced Steve Folmar on drums and Billy Scott replaced Paul Williams on vocals.
1966 saw additional member changes as Coley Sullivan replaced drummer James Childers. Rodney Dodson, Gordon’s brother, replaced guitarist Ron Sims. John Runkle was added as the organist.
The Coachmen were renamed The Barons. The Barons played local teen clubs and recreation centers, as well as the Officers and Enlisted Clubs at Fort Rucker, Alabama and several fraternity parties at Troy State University.
The Barons L-R: John Runkle, Gordon Dodson, Rodney Dodson & Bill Saunders. Coley Sullivan and Billy Scott are not shown.
During the summer of 1966, The Barons recorded their only single 45rpm record at WOOF Radio Station in Dothan, Alabama. “I’m The One Who Cares” and “I Needed You”, were written and sung by The Barons’ lead singer, Rodney Dodson with his brother Gordon singing harmony. Bassist Bill Saunders, composed the keyboard introduction and lead break on “I’m The One Who Cares”.
The recording was done with one microphone hanging in the center of a sound proof room using a two track reel to reel recorder; no overdubs. The recording “engineer” unfortunately kept the recording level in the red, distorting the overall sound quality. The high volume playbacks sounded good in the studio, so the master tape was sent to the pressing company. Because of limited funds, only 250 records were pressed. The label name, Red Wave, was taken from the local Troy State University Trojans football team, which was known at that time as, The Red Wave. The record sleeve was a stock light brown paper.
John RunkleJohn Belcher and Jerry Williams of Ozark distributed the record through John’s dad’s appliance and record store. The record was also placed on a few local jukeboxes. Although the record received a fair amount of play from the jukebox distribution, it was seldom heard on radio due to the poor sound quality. The Barons disband near the end of 1967 due to the Vietnam war. All Baron members served in the military with three serving in Vietnam. The remaining boxes of records, were unfortunately, used as clay pigeon substitutes during an afternoon of target practice by the two Dodson brothers and their older brother, Claude.
The Barons of Ozark, Alabama. Standing L-R: Rodney Dodson, Bill Saunders, Coley Sullivan. Seated L-R: Gordon Dodson, Billy Scott, John Runkle
Baron members known to have stayed musically active are:
Rodney Dodson was the founding member of the popular 1980’s southeast Alabama band, The Fairlanes. A school teacher by trade, Rodney once invited his friend and fellow musician, Sara Evans, to perform at his school. Rodney put together a small group of musicians, including himself, brother Gordon, and sister Celia to accompany Sara. Sara went on to become the 2005 Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year.
Gordon Dodson played guitar with the late 1970’s southeast Alabama band, Kingfish, which included notable saxophonist, Jay Scott. (Jay played the saxophone on Lynard Skynard’s recording of “What’s Your Name”, as well as Alicia Bridges, “I Like The Night Life”.) Gordon is listed in the Alabama Steel Guitar Hall of Fame as the 2010 recipient of the Bill Simmons Horizon Award. Gordon taught guitar in the southeast Alabama Junior College system for many years.
Coley Sullivan played drums with the early 1960’s instrumental combo, The Ecstatics, one of Ozark, Alabama’s first rock and roll bands. The Ecstatics, also included lead guitar player, Ron Hilburn, who eventually became the lead guitarist for the 1960’s band, The Chains, referred to as, The Beatles of El Paso. The Chains are known for their version of “I Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Any More”. Coley also played briefly in the 1960’s popular southeast Alabama bands, The Webs, The Puppets, The K- Otics and The Disciples of Blue from Panama City, Florida.
The Ecstatics, Ozark, Alabama, L-R: Pete Bonnasso (rhythm guitar), Ron Hilburn (lead guitar), Coley Sullivan (drums) and Frank Kingsley (bass)
Johnny Christian, friend and fellow musician, though not a member of the Barons, played the woodblocks on “I’m The One Who Cares”. Johnny retired as Band Director from Dothan, Alabama’s, Northview High School. His son, Wynn Christian, guitarist and vocalist of the popular blues band, Spoonful James, composed “Seven Mile Breakdown”, recorded by the 2006 American Idol Winner, Taylor Hicks.
Gordon Dodson 2014
The Barons, Doug Tew Recreation Center, Dothan, AL. From left: Rodney Dodson, Billy Scott, Gordon Dodson, Coley Sullivan, Bill Saunders & John RunkleJames Childers, drummer for the Coachmen of Ozark, ALThe Coachmen, Fort Rucker, Alabama, 1965, L-R: Ron Sims, Billy Scott, Gordon Dodson & Bill Saunders
Jeff Curtis & the Flames, the Undertakers, at Marcam Hall, Fenland, from the Cambridgeshire Times, July 17, 1964
Marcam Hall in March, Cambridgeshire was an important music venue in the early-mid 1960s and hosted many of the top bands of the day.
I have started to compile gigs that I have found in the Cambridgeshire Times and would welcome any additions plus any memories of this venue below.
30 March 1963 – Emile Ford and Bobby Patrick & The Big Six 6 July 1963 – Dave Anthony & The Druids 17 August 1963 – James King & The Farinas (later morphed into Family)
18 January 1964 – Mike Dee & The Moquettes 25 January 1964 – The Zephyrs and Billy Storm & The Falcons 18 April 1964 – James King & The Farinas 2 May 1964 – Mike Dee & The Moquettes 4 July 1964 – Johnny Mike & The Shades and Guitars Incorporated 18 July 1964 – Jeff Curtis & The Flames 15 August 1964 – Cyrano & The Bergeracs 29 August 1964 – The Pretty Things and The Blobs 19 December 1964 – The Hollies
22 January 1965 – Fourmost and Jeff Curtis & The Flames 5 February 1965 – Simon Scott & Five Dimensions 19 March 1965 – Mike Sheridan & The Nightriders 9 April 1965 – The Escorts and Cyrano & The Bergeracs 8 May 1965 – The Honeycombs 22 May 1965 – The Birds 19 June 1965 – Carl Wayne & The Vikings 2 October 1965 – The Walker Brothers with Quotations and James King & The Farinas 16 October 1965 – The Checkpoints and The Penny Blacks 6 November 1965 – The Yardbirds and The Walker Brothers (needs confirmation) 27 November 1965 – The Spencer Davis Group and Gary Freeman & The Contours 11 December 1965 – The Clayton Squares and The Kobalts
15 January 1966 – Gerry & The Pacemakers (needs confirmation) 19 February 1966 – Peter B’s Looners and Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds 26 February 1966 – The Fenmen and The Tribe 5 March 1966 – The Who 21 May 1966 – Jimmy Cliff & The New Generations (straight from the Flamingo, London) with B&3 15 October 1966 – The Alan Price Set (replaced Moody Blues who had just disbanded)
The Fourmost with Jeff Curtis & the Flames at Marcam Hall, Fenland, from the Cambridgeshire Times, January 2, 1965
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
When I bought this copy of Kenneth Rexroth’s Fantasy LP “Jazz & Poetry at the Black Hawk”, I found inside the cover hand-written notes for the session for two of the poems recorded: “Nicholas Dog of Experience” and Rexroth’s translation of Francis Carco’s “The Shadow”.
