from left: Steve Sturgil, Tom Wise, Bill Bayer, Tilo Schiffer and Charlie Jung
The Great Society were students at the University of Cincinnati, except Steve Sturgil who attended the University of Kentucky. The band’s lineup was:
Tilo Schiffer – lead singer
Tom Wise – lead guitar
Bill Bayer – piano and organ
Steve Sturgil – bass
Charlie Jung – drums
First mention I can find of them is from March 1967 at Granny’s and then at the Four Seasons’ Pirates Cove in July.
A letter to the Enquirer from fan Penny Phelps in June, 1967 mentions them playing at the Psychedelic Lollipop, Granny’s, Lakeridge Hall, Seven Hills Veterans Hall and the Round Table.
They released one single, first on the Dana Lynn label in June, 1967, then on Counterpart C-2613 in August. “She’s Got It On Her Mind” has a hypnotic keyboard sound, a great drum backing with accented beats, and a captivating vocal melody.
The flip “Second Day” is another tuneful winner, heavy on the echo like the A-side.
Lead singer Tilo Shiffer wrote both songs, published by Counterpart – Falls City Music, BMI.
A second letter from Penny in December notes that Bill Bayer and Tilo Schiffer both went into the Navy by the end of 1967, but that the three remaining members would try to continue.
In 1968 the Great Society played shows at the Coney Island water park and at LeSourdsville Lake with the Rapscallion Sircle.
The Dana Lynn label lists Ray Allen as engineer and reads “A Tom Dooley Production”, while the Counterpart lists Allen as producer.
Dana Lynn only released three singles that I know of, notably the Lemonpipers “Quiet Please” (70610), the Great Society (70611) and Tom Dooley “Talkin’ Bout Love” / “Stay By the Phone” (010).
Counterpart was also local to Cincinnati, but had greater distribution than Dana Lynn.
Thanks for the shout out. I performed with the Great Society. We appeared on TV several times with Bob Braun and Nick Clooney (WLW) and on a teen show in Dayton, OH. The Great Society appeared at Shilittos on Saturdays from time to time. On an occassion we backed up Billy Joe Royal and Twiggy (she was attempting a musical career). We were regulars at the Mug Club and Pickle Barrel near UC as well as Captain’s Quarters and the Moonlifht Gardens at Coney. Tom Dooley and Bob White, WSAI jocks, mentored us with great advice when we played for “SAI”. Penny headed up our Fan Club in Cincy. Mr. Heskamp was a great manager and we were members of Musicians Local No. 1. We all moved on by the end of ’68.
Worked the door at the Roundtable for about a year. Remember the Dingos from back then??
Hello Steve. remember our flight to Harrodsburg, KY to do a gig??
Steve Frey
Yes I do Steve…as I remember you were co-pilot on that flight. We played music then lifted off after to escape the “surly bonds of earth” …Good time. Always enjoyed performing with you my friend.
Hello Steve,I have an old handbill from Lakeridge Hall with your band listed on it.I would be happy to scan it and send it to you.I’m just a nobody here in Cincinnati that collects this stuff.
Bill
Don’t know what to say about the trip down memory lane. It was a GREAT time. I’d say lets get the band back together don’t know if I’d remember all the words…. Thanks for the best time of my life. Let me know what you’re up to.
Tilo was a great band leader and vocalist, let alone musician. Playing music and performing with Tilo was a wonderful pleasure. Miss you my friend.
After Tilo and Bill Bayer Departed.
Steve Sturgill – bass
Tom Wise – Lead Guitar
Charlie Jung – Drums
Mark Bayer – Keyboards
Steve Frey – Tenor Sax and Vocals
American Federation of Musicians, Local 1
How about those Ruth Best Agency Gigs on Johnson Party Boats, huh!!
…and all the rest of it.
Tag. back. I have some photos of this group.
OK “Dilbert” What photos do you have? Don’t recall “Blue Tater.”
Fun taking a trip down memory lane. Maybe we should all get together and jam.
Can you say…Blue Tater??
Any interested reply with eMail to me