The Male Men performing on WPTA Channel 21’s 1965 Christmas show
Wallace Geller sent in the photos and story of a Fort Wayne, Indiana band called the Male Men. The group didn’t release any records, but did make a demo at WGL Radio in 1967. Malemen guitarist Rick Johnston with drummer Jim Brickley.
I was the lead singer of the Fort Wayne Malemen. Members of the band were: Rick Thomas, lead guitar; Rick Johnston, rhythm guitar; Dave Armstrong, bass guitar; and on drums was Jim Brickley. Rick Thomas and Dave Armstrong also did back up vocals.
I became the lead singer April 1965. June of 1965 we participated in a battle of the bands at Northcrest Shopping Center. There were about 10 bands involved. We came in second place but I received the Best Male Singer Award. I still have the plaque.
The summer of 1965 was very busy for us. We performed at the water ski club every Saturday through the summer at Lake George, Michigan. Fall 1965 we were seniors at Northside High School Fort Wayne.
October 1965 we were picked to be the house band of a TV show called 21 A Go Go on the ABC affiliate WPTA Channel 21. We were on every week and we had other local bands and singers on the show. We video taped the half hour show on Tuesday nights and finished on Wednesday nights. The show was on Saturday afternoons at 4 PM. The show ended February 1966 because of union complaints. We were all non union on the show. The station couldn’t get a sponsor. The show was then terminated. The station told us there was about 40,000 people watching the show. That was very considering Fort Wayne was about 180,000 at that time.
The station would let us come in and their sound people recorded us. We had a good recording of “Stand By Me”, made after the band broke up.
The Malemen broke up when the lead guitar player, Rick Thomas was drafted. It was a fantastic time while in the band. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end.
Wallace Geller of the Male Men
Rick Johnston joined the Marines with me in March 1967. Rick Johnston later became a medical doctor. Rick Johnston and Dave Armstrong are both retired and still live in the Fort Wayne area.I lost touch with the drummer Jim Brickley and the lead guitar player, Rick Thomas.
After I got out of the Marines I became a Phoenix Arizona Police Officer for 28 years. I retired May 1999. After I retired my wife Ann got me a karaoke machine for Christmas. I then started performing with my Karaoke machine.
Wallace Geller
Thank you also to Rick Johnston for sending in two of the wphotos seen in this article.
Malemen guitarists Rick Thomas and Rick Johnston. Photo courtesy of Rick Johnston
4 thoughts on “The Male Men of Fort Wayne, Indiana”
They were fantastic times. We were seniors in High School and were on TV. When I saw the movie with Tom Hanks called That Thing You Do, that band in many way reminded me of us. I’m so blessed to have experienced being in the band and knowing the great guys who took me in as their lead singer. Thanks for the memories.
That photo of the Malemen with the bat pattern in the background was the dance at Northside High School called Bat Man Capers late 1965 or early 1965. It attracted a good crowd.
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October 1965 we were picked to be the house band of a TV show called 21 A Go Go on the ABC affiliate WPTA Channel 21. We were on every week and we had other local bands and singers on the show. We video taped the half hour show on Tuesday nights and finished on Wednesday nights. The show was on Saturday afternoons at 4 PM. The show ended February 1966 because of union complaints. We were all non union on the show. The station couldn’t get a sponsor. The show was then terminated. The station told us there was about 40,000 people watching the show. That was very considering Fort Wayne was about 180,000 at that time.
Those were great times Wally!!
They were fantastic times. We were seniors in High School and were on TV. When I saw the movie with Tom Hanks called That Thing You Do, that band in many way reminded me of us. I’m so blessed to have experienced being in the band and knowing the great guys who took me in as their lead singer. Thanks for the memories.
That photo of the Malemen with the bat pattern in the background was the dance at Northside High School called Bat Man Capers late 1965 or early 1965. It attracted a good crowd.
Great photos and story.