Dennis Girard of the Ruins sent in these great photos of the Blue Feeling, a band who had been widely known in the Detroit area as the Satellites.
Dennis writes:
These pics show the Satellites in 1968 when they changed their name to the “Blue Feeling”. Note that Ann Marston was representing them.
They were possibly the best group in the Downriver area. At any of their gigs, the front row of the audience was made up of local musicians.
You can see all of their Vox equipment. Several Beatle amps and the infamous Vox T-60 are visible. They even used two Vox Beatle amps for their PA. In fact I bought a Beatle chrome amp stand from them.
The Satellites did the sound track for Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons (“Wait a Minute”).
Dave Fero……lead guitar
Frank Schiavulli….drums (deceased 01-23-97)
Ken Sipos……guitar
Carl Sweets….bass
Frank Vargo….lead vocalsI had kept in touch with Frank Schiavulli up until his death. Dave Fero is still playing and lives in Ann Arbor.
The Satellites were freshmen at Allen Park High School. They signed with Ann Marston in October, 1965, partly because she liked their wholesome appearance. Ann Marston was a former archery champion, TV personality and Miss Michigan of 1960, who started managing bands after promoting live concerts with WKNR’s Frank Sweeney.
Ann booked them into venues including the Chatterbox teen club in Allen Park, the Southgate Teen Center, the Harbor Theater in Lincoln Park and the Grosse Ile Naval Base, getting them regular work. Around this time Ann produced a demo of the band at Pioneer Studios, “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” and “You Really Got a Hold on Me”.
Dave Fero and Frank Schiavulli had been part of the group backing Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons on their huge local hit, “Wait a Minute”, an unusual blend of doo wop with a contemporary rock sound. Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons were six vocalists who also met at Allen Park High. Rick Wiesend (Tim Tam) was lead vocalist, along with Danny Wiesend, Don Grundman, Nick Butsicaris, John Ogen and Earl Rennie. If you haven’t heard “Wait a Minute”, search it out on the internet and you’ll hear why it was such a sensation.
‘Wait a Minute” was released in February of 1966 on Palmer Records 5002, selling 30,000 copies in the first month of release. Frank was interviewed on the air by WKNR DJ Scott Regan about playing drums on “Wait a Minute.” Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons would release three more 45s on Palmer. Rick Wiesend passed away five years ago today (on October 22, 2003).
I’m not sure who is playing on the flip side, the fine surf instrumental “Opelia”, songwriting credited to Morton Patlow. Is this the Satellites?
Tim Tam & the Turn Ons next single was the very doo-wop sounding “Cheryl Ann” b/w a vocal with garage backing, “Seal It With A Kiss” (Palmer 5003)
On June 13, 1966, the Satellites went to United Sound Studios to record another demo of two songs, “I Believe” and “Midnight Hour”. These were mixed by Les Cooley who would soon engineer Bob Seger’s “Persecution Smith”.
The band won WXYZ-TV’s Talent Town competition, hosted by Rita Bell. The stereo console they won went into Frank Vargo’s basement where the band practiced.
The band clashed with Ann when they gave up their straight image, but nevertheless she continued to manage them into 1968. I’ve never heard any of their demos, I don’t know if they still exist or not.
Sources include: Shooting Star: The Amazing Life of Ann Marston by Alana Paluszewski, and the Tim Tam & the Turn Ons entry on myfirstband.com.
Special thanks to Dennis Girard for the scans of the photos and for sending me a copy of Shooting Star.
Ann Marston’s busy and unusual life is chronicled in Shooting Star. Those interested in her interactions with bands will find about seven pages on her time managing the very young MC5, a few pages on the Satellites, and mentions of other bands she worked with, like the Lower Deck, the Renegades, Julia, and Tom & the Fugitives. There are also photos of Ann with the Beatles and the Dave Clark Five.
Shooting Star lists Frank Vargo as the drummer on “Wait a Minute” and as the member of the Satellites interviewed on-air by Scott Regan, but this may be a mistake. Dan Wiesend, who was at the session, recounts Frank Schiavulli as the drummer.
I just wanted to say how cool this is that I can type in my name seeing that I share the same name as my father and read and learn stuff about my dad and his musical backround.I know that if he was here today there would be a smile from ear to ear!
Frank – I was reading about some of the local Michigan bands from when I was at AP (class of 1970), and stumbled on this site. Quick story: I was a student at North Junior High in AP when I saw the Satellites play (don’t remember where). Absolutely blown away and I’ve never forgotten that experience. It was probably a few months later that AP had a huge snowstorm and I was walking home from Weaver Music in downtown AP (I’m a sax player) and I stopped to help a guy whose car was stuck in the snow. It was your dad. I recognized him immediately and gotta say, I was thrilled that I not only got to meet him, but I got to help him push his car out of the snow. What I remember most, though, was what a nice guy he was. He was very thankful and told me to say high at the next concert. Anyway, so sorry to hear he’s not with us any more, but he sure had an impact on me! Not sure if you’ll ever see this, Frank, but I hope so. George Farkas, Novi, MI.
It is indeed The Satellites on “Opelia.” I don’t recall the source, but i confirmed that a few years back.
the flip side of wait minute was done by a studio band. tom deAngelo was was ricks partner in crime by ripping off the original band and putting something else on the flip side. Just a heads up for any one who might read this.
I don’t know if you know this name bit if you do I am doing research for my husband denny gorlock his grand father was joe gorlock of club 22
found you on the internet, been in my thoughts for 40 years. I live in kalamazoo. I wish you well, would like to hear from you.
– ‘Fast’ Arty Orzel (melvindale)
Dave – Note my message to Frank above. I must add, you were one of my earliest guitar gods. Man you were good! And, you guys were a really really good band. I may have missed it here, but do you know if Frank Vargo is still around? What a set of pipes!
When MI radio station WHND (previously WNHE, no idea why the change) used to be active, they’d play “Wait A Minute” on occasion, and I have the single. Good stuff. WHND was also known to play great classic soul and primo garage and fuzz-pych hits, too. Too bad such a resource is gone.
I would say that The Satellites and Lower Deck were on an even par but you are correct, Dave Fero was and still is the best Lead Guitarist.
Tom
I was a classmate of Dave Fero grades K thru 9 at Cabrini,he got booted out because of sideburns and hair over his collar. The Satellites were the best band of alot of really great bands in our neighborhood .They could win any battle of the bands Frank V was a great vocalist, Dave the best lead player, Carl was a solid bass player, Ken (Bela)with the first Rickenbacker on rhythm. And Frank S a powerful drummer and a really nice guy . To young Frank in previous comment your father as you know had a great sense of humor and smile I will never forget.
They were the best of the best and the sock hops at APHS, Cabrini, K of C, Southgate rec and Wyandotte Teen Center would fill to capacity whenever they’d play.
Frank was a good friend, he was the house band at a bar I owned in the Rouge until shortly before he passed.
I miss him
There is a single on Mar-Vel’ label credited to Rick Reason & The Satellites (I Feel So Bad / I’ll Always Remember – Mar-Vel’ 3300).
See it here:
http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=reas5000
Song writing credits on both sides go to Rick Wiesend and Tom Deangelo.
So, based on this, I assume that Rick Reason = Rick Wiesend. Right?
I really enjoy seeing these old school pictures of my late husband and the band..Although I am a little bit younger (LOL) I became a part of that era through Frank.I miss him and know he is playing those Ludwig double bass drums in the best band ever..Love You
The group practiced in my basement for a couple few weeks,on the corner of Pinecrest Dr. and Larme St. in Allen Park. I remember them well.
the band rehearsed WAIT A MINUTE in my basement on Regina and i played piano
Dan
Thats correct
I met Ann in ’69 or ’70. I was at her home with members of a band I roadied for. I remember she was nearly blind. When I saw all her archery trophies the irony made a lasting impression on me. Ann had a watch that opened up so she could ‘feel’ what time it was. I never saw that before or since.
true story
I’m 110% sure these pictures are from inside the Lincoln Park Bandshell. It’s the same place that features Santa and Fantasyland at Christmastime. The first picture is taken from right about where Santa is up in the balcony and the stairwell (behind the band and to the left) is where you come down from after you see the jolly fat man. Ho! Ho! Ho!
You are 110% correct…….It is the Lincoln Park Bandshell….I took those photo’s
Frank Schiavulli was my cousin. Although my brother John and I lived in Detroit we would ride our bikes to Allen Park to watch the Satellites practice in my Aunt and Uncles garage. We were very proud of him and also became very popular in school because of the Satelites. I continued to be a fan of Franks and went to watch his awesome drumming abilities up until he became ill and could no longer play. His talents were amazing and I still get goose bumps and teary eyed whenever I hear “Wait A Minute”. Our family lost a true jewel when Frank passed away and he is still so very much missed by his mom… She was so proud of him in every way.
Remember seeing the band Julia and loved the way they did Crosby , Stills, Nash songs. I remember it was Bill Mueller, and Cal Hughs, not sure about the spelling of the names and don’t recall the other members. Anyone else remember this band? Also saw Frigid Pink at Arlanes (?) store on Southfield rd behind Sears store. So many bands at Aquinas high school too. Good memories!!
I saw this website a few years ago and was so happy and proud that it existed. I am Frank’s oldest daughter Kristina and have never commented on here although I see a few of my family members have (and that is also nice to see) These pictures you have are priceless in many ways! Not only do we get to see my dad on his drums which he loved to play so much but they are his precious Ludwigs that he lost in a fire! I am proud to say and THANKFUL that I got to see my dad play his last show. He was extremely ill and had already lost his eye sight but damn if he didnt still play an entire set! This was at a bar in Wyandotte as I remember. You would never have known he was sick OR blind by listening to him play. That is one thing he also never forgot even later on before he passed. Any question about his music or how long he had been playing. I miss him so much and am beyond proud to have him as a dad. He was a fantastic drummer and musician. He was a true musician who could play any instrument he picked up. He actually played guitar before he played the drums. Thank you for this website and thank you for honoring him and Dave and all of these wonderful musicians.
Kristina Schiavulli Sanford
Yes, I remember listening to the Sattelites at the Naval Air Station in Grosse Ile round 194-65. They were fantastic and really played many of the Beattle’s sounds very well. I also remember they had to stop at an early hour, like 9 or 10 pm because of their ages. They were very young and the enlisted men’s club where they were playing had restrictions on how late a band could play with kids under 16 years old. As I recall, some of them were like 12-14 years old and had been playing for quite some time. For some reason, I was thinking they were mostly from Allen Park MI. But, I am nearly 70 years old and my memory isn’t as fresh on all of the details, except remembering they were fantastic.
Is Frank Vargo still around town?
I truly enjoyed listening to the Satellites while in high school at Allen Park High class of 69. My favorite song was Summer time by the lead singer.
Satellites eventually became known as The Tacklebox by 1970-71. They played at the Michigan State University Auditorium on 2/5/1971 with The Byrds & James Gang. Site listed as Jenison Fieldhouse but it actually went down at the MSU Auditorium. Joe Walsh with James Gang; Roger McGuinn with The Byrds; Dave Fero, Frank Schiavulli and another guitarist of The Tacklebox.
Dave and Darlene Fero visited us for a weekend and we went to a concert at the Lincoln Park band shell. Some guy was selling homemade miniature slide guitars and picked one up and played a few riffs. The guy selling them was staring at Dave and asked are you Dave Faro from the Satellites? He was in awe of Dave and it was then it truly hit me how fortunate I was to be his friend and a part of his family