The Sultans Five were based out of Racine, Wisconsin, originally a three-piece when they formed in 1963. Original members were Len Juliano guitar, Tim Michna on bass and Vic Weinfurter, Jr. on drums. With the addition of Ray Plauske from the Sensations on lead guitar they became the Sultans IV. Farfisa organist and saxaphonist Ken Allen made them the Sultans Five.
Their recording career consisted of all or nearly all original songs, with Victor Weinfurter the main contributer along with Ray Plauske and Tim Michna.
Their earliest releases include two on the RAL label “Tonight Is the Night” / “Hey Little Girl” and “Walk with Me” / “Who’s at Fault”. Of these I’ve only heard “Tonight Is the Night” from its later release on Raynard. The flip of that release is “With You”, an original by Ray Plauske.
Their second on Raynard was a good rocker, “Daisy” that features a raucous, booming guitar sound on the breaks. It was backed with “Life Is Like a River”. Both were Vic Weinfurter originals.
Both Raynard 45s, along with their last, came with custom sleeves reading “Enterprise Thirteen presents the Sultans Five”, along with the band’s first names, song titles and composers, the Baker Building address and the optimistic message “more to come”.
Enterprise Thirteen would be the label for their last and most famous release, the fabulous “You Know, You Know” a song that would grab everyone’s attention whenever my pal DJ Bossy Boots played it out in clubs. The flip is the gentle “Calico”, a fine moody number written by Weinfurter and Ray Plauske.
After the recordings Tom Zager joined on bass and Butch Kieffer on organ. The band broke up in 1968.
Thanks to JP Coumans for the scans and transfers of the Raynard 45s. If anyone has good transfers of their RAL releases, please let me know.
Update, November 2009
Ken Allen, who played Farfisa organ with the group wrote to me about his time with the band, and sent in the photo at top:
The picture I sent you was taken from the Racine Journal Times, advertising for us playing at Ligits Beach Bar at Browns Lake, Wisconsin.
Vic called me and asked if I would play organ for the Sultans and I said yes, but I would have to order a portable organ first. I ordered a brand new Farfisa Compact Duo, with two Gibson Saber Reverb amps. It was a great high tech fold up organ for the day. I had to wait for a month and a half for it to come over to the USA on a boat. I was told that my Farfisa was the second one sold in the USA.
We played at Earls Club in Kenosha, The Nitty Gritty in Racine, The Kraut Festival in Franksville, Wisconsin. We also would play for private parties etc.
Yes I was on our records. The records were recorded at the [Dave] Kennedy Recording Studio in Milwaukee. King Sabornick a D.J. at WRIT Radio was one of the arrangers we had and the other one was from New York, but I can’t remember his name.
To make a long story short… Tim Mickna and I resigned from the Sultans Five, and that is when Butch Keifer replaced me on keyboard and Tom Zager replaced Tim Mickna on bass. I can’t remember all the details, 44 years is a long time. We had a great time while it lasted though.
Ken Allen
Awesome – I’m loving this record!
I’m from Racine, WI. I asked my dad, who is in his late 50s, if he remembers Sultans Five and he does. One of the guys definitely still lives there and repairs lawnmowers. Let me know if you want me to try to follow up for more info.
Thanks for posting these hometown gems!
Victor Weinfurter is my cousin and lives in Kenosha, WI. I remember these songs from when I was a little girl. Thanks so much for saving them.
My son called me one night and gave me this web address. I have to give a huge sincere Thank You for putting this on the web. I used to own all these singles and I still have a couple group photos of the band somewhere. I never thought I’d hear these songs again. Thanks again, Ray
Hey Ray,
We’d love to see the photos of the group when you find them. “You Know, You Know” is a classic 45!
Chris at Garage Hangover
chas_kit@hotmail.com
Chris, there is one photo of the band in “Do You Hear That Beat” (p.334), but I don’t know if I have it in a format that I can send to you.
Gary Myers
The DJ mentioned by Ken Allen is spelled Zbornik and he had a release on Parade which was reissued on USA. He was from Iowa and he previously recorded as Jerry Martin on Fredlo and R. He had involvement with several Milwaukee bands, even after he relocated to Nashville.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777
This is so cool, my dad called me up and said he found his band. I couldn’t believe that I actually heared the songs they wrote. Thanks Chas.
We have to be related lol
Beau, your dad’s name is included in the coverage of the Sultans 5 in my book “Do You Hear That Beat”. Please LMK if you’d like more info on the book.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777
My dad is Victor. We were extremely excited about this when we found it too. All of us kids and the grandkids LOVE listening to their songs. For some reason, the little ones like You Know, You Know. It’s really quite funny. Beau, I’ll let my dad know that you posted. It would be nice for them to keep in touch somehow. Talk to you soon!
I and a few friends wonder if your dad remembers the name of the dance hall the Lucky Cue was renamed. I was right accross the street from the Nitty Gritty. Thanks for the help.
My Grandpa is Vic Weinfurter. I heard “You Know You Know” As their first song to me! Becky is my aunt! Hi Aunt Becky!
When was this great photo taken of the group?
The band members would know the dates much better than I, but I’m guessing the 1st photo circa ’65-’66, the 2nd circa ’67-’68.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777
thanks to my good friend sandee i was able to see pictures ive never seen before of my dad (butch) i though i had most of his old band photos, now i have one ive never seen before. since i havent been able to see him i at least can have some memories. thanks again sandee and garagehangover. leslee magbee (kieffer)
Hi, I am an old Park High classmates of your father. I manage our class web-site and wonder if your father is still living and where or if he passed away and when. I would like to put that information in our class database and the web-site. The web-site is: http://www.classcreator.com/Racine-WI-Park-1964
Many of our old classmates would be happy to have the information.
Thanks so much . . . Great to see this old picture, etc. Brings back a lot of memories.
Lynne(Manke)Eaton
Burlington, WI
I was able to hear my Uncle Vic with these guys few times growing up when I was very very young. Good stuff from days long past.
My name is Lennie juliano I played in the band I still have some records of the songs we recorded. It was the best times of my life. Would love to go back
I have a sleeve from these same band members, but my sleeve has their name as the “SULTANTS” five.