A couple years ago I posted some business cards from the Los Angeles area music scene, including two cards from the Starfires. I assumed these were from the Downey group that had six singles, including the famous “I Never Loved Her”.
Chris Robere sent me the photos and scans seen here with a little info on the group.
In 1965, the band members included:
Pete Wilson – lead guitar
John Cameron – bass and rhythm guitar
Don Schraider – sax
Dave Christopherson – drums
The band seems to have been popular with the Naval base in Long Beach. They had at least one recording session, as an acetate demo exists from the Garrison Recording Studio in Long Beach. I haven’t heard of “No Hair McCann” before so I expect that must be an original song.
John Irvin Cameron passed away on September 15, 2015.
The other Starfires, from Downey, deserves to be covered on this site. That group included Chuck Butler lead vocals, Dave Anderson lead guitar, Sonny Lathrop rhythm guitar, Freddie Fields bass guitar, and Jack Emerick on drums. Freddie Fields seems to have done most of their song writing.
The name Sonny Lathrop is familiar. I think he might have later worked w/a friend of mine. I’ll see if I can find any info.
Any updates? I’m trying to shoot a documentary on these guys but can’t find any info
I interviewed most of the Downey based Starfires back in the 1990s when I tried to jump-start a compilation of all their 45s plus some other tunes.
Sonny’s dad was their acting manager. They played Las Vegas every so often, that is how their Live At Teenbeat A Go Go LP came about
hello, I would like to contact the members of the Starfires from Downey. When the drummer, Emerick, was drafted in 1965, I joined the band and played with them until I enter the Marine Corps in Jan. 67. They were all in my wedding and Chuck sang at the wedding.
You can contact me at TomLaCroix@hotmail.com
Thanks
John Cameron was my Dad. If anyone wants information about his life, you can contact me at denisemcameron@gmail.com. I miss him dearly.
Hi Denise, I just found this Garage Hangover website. My name is Dave Christopherson and your dad was our rhythm guitar player with the Long Beach Starfires. I would love to hear from you. How is your mom, Linda? Dave
Sonny Lathrop and I were great friends and neighbors in Yorba Linda, California as kids. In College he was on the water polo team. When he was first with Sweet Marie I had tried to contact him, however, never heard back. If Sonny sees this I hope he contacts me out here in Colorado Springs. Friends forever Sonny…Kenn. ..aka KC. KEichler1@aol.com)
Guitar player, John Cameron, is my Dad! Denise Cameron (above) is my half-sister. I was born in 1963 and remember being sat in a chair/couch and watching the band at shows when I was a little girl! My Dad, John I. Cameron, served in the Navy ⚓️ and was a great guitar player! ❤️