I’m still mucking about with this Louisiana rock music project. There’s a garage rock comp, Sixties Archives Vol. 3: Louisiana Punk. Turn Me on, Dead Man rates it 6 of 10, but in the giddy mood i’m in this morning, i’d give it 8 of 10. The high quality of the sound recordings has surprised me.
So far i’ve found pages on Souls of the Slain, Dr. Specs Optical Illusion, The Bad Roads, Surrealistic Pillar, The Persian Market, and Zoofs. There’s a zine out Houston called Brown Paper Sack for $6, P.O. Box 1622, Houston, TX. 77251-1622 that’s supposed to have interviews with The Roamin’ Togas (Lafayette, LA) and The Bad Roads (Lake Charles, LA.)
Dr. Spec’s Optical Illusion “Tryin’ to Mess My Mind”
Dr. Spec’s Optical Illusion “She’s the One”
The Little Bits “Girl Give Me Love” I don’t know who these guys are, or if they are really from Louisiana (as i’ve found one band on this comp called Echoes of Carnaby Street seems to be from Miami) but i found a post on the Bomp listserv archives that points out that they might not even be using a guitar. They just howl over the pounding rhythm section with an organ.
There is another lengthy piece on the Bad Roads of Lake Charles on Offbeat. I’ve seen no other mention of this Greek Fountains band until this article. It’s obviously fratrock, and it’s from Lake Charles, but i’ll keep an eye out.
The greek Fountains were a local band from the mid 60′s SJ Montelbano who owned some clubs here and I belive Cecil Vedder who owned 98.1 were in it..you can buy records from
MR Montelbano( but he does gouge) from his place Sammys record shop in the Industriplex..They play their tunes on one of the shows “Roots of Rock and Roll” Saturday AM on 90.3
The Greek Fountains were a Baton Rouge group formed around 1965. Excellent musicians and a very popular band. Members included Danny Cohen, vocals & guitar, Duke Bardwell, bass & vocals, Cyril Vetter, drums, Tommy Miceli (now Thomas Miceli, MD), guitar (S.J. Montalbano was not a member). Other groups followed in Baton Rouge in the late 60′s such as “The Inn Crowd”, “Ivy Peebles Medicine Show”, “The Basement Wall”, Bill Wray and “The War Babies”. On the R&B/blue-eyed soul side, there was ” Blues, Inc.” featuring Duke Royal(later known as Luther Kent) and “The Boogie Kings” from New Iberia.
The 5th member of The Greek Fountains was the bass player, Don Chesson, from Baton Rouge. I was in a popular north Louisiana mid-60′s band called The Spectres(La. Tech). The Greek Fountains were by far, in my opinion, the best group in the south and much ahead of their time.
Daniel – I remember the Spectres. Had the opportunity to hear you play at a club in Monroe while we were playing at the Saddle & Spur. If I can remember the name of the club you were playing in, I’ll repost. I enjoyed your band very much. I was the bass player with the Basement Wall. You are right about the Greek Fountains. By the way, after I left the Basement Wall, Duke Bardwell of the Fountains took my place, and ended up playing with Elvis in the early seventies. Google “duke bardwell elvis” and you’ll find some interesting info. Apparently Duke and Elvis did not get along.
I just remembered the name of the club where I heard the Spectres – it was the Dynasty!
During that time frame, there was also a group from Northeast Louisiana by name of the 13th Hour. The group originated from a little town in Marion, La and consisted of Jim Paine, Vocals; Billy Brantley, Sax, Richard Allen, Keyboard; Larry Allen, bass; and a lead guitarist, whose name I can’t recall, and a drummer by the name of Mike Reidenheimer.
They group were hot on the circuit from the Summer of ’67 through the Winter of ’68. On New Year’s Eve, 1968, Dick Clark, was in Monore, La with a concert goup, went to a place called “The Teenage Martini”, to check out local talent.
He offered the group a 2 week recording session in LA, all expenses paid, in return the group would give him 50% of all earnings. The group had to decline, because the drummer, was shipping out to the Marines and the guitarist was leaving for the Army within the month.
I, too, remember the Spectres. They originated off the campus of Louisiana Tech. I think Jim Steel was the vocalist and they had a keyboard player by the name of Woodie Bardin. One night, while returning to my dorm, I passed by the old gym, where some of the group were jamming. ( I think maybe Woody and Daniel were there.)
They had a complete brass section there, and they were playing heavy R & B songs by Rufus Thomas, Sam and Dave, Otis Reddin’. I remember one song that really knocked me off my feet, and that was “Harlem Shuffle”. Never will forget how good that sounded, in the gym.
Some of the sweetest sounds I’ve heard to date, and I’m 58 years old now.
Daniel, didn’t you play lead guitar?
thank you. I lost track of this project, but you are gettign me excited about this again.
[...] iana rock music thing back together. There’s been some good leads in the comments of a garage rock post and one of the Baton Rouge punk posts. I appreciate the people dropping by with more deta [...]
Logging into this website should be a requirement for anyone knowledgeable on earth these days…
Just wondering if any of you have the email address of Glen Barnett who posted above on April 15th, 2005. I am trying to locate him to make sure he survived Hurricane Katrina. Thank you very much! I am so worried!
Anne.mcconville@gmail.com
I am looking for photos of any of these Louisiana mid sixties bands:
Rogues
Rude Awakening
Sounds of Randall
Spectres
Soul Shakers
Jon Fred & the Playboys
Castaways
Different parts
Cheques
Offbeats
Ron Gray & the Coundowns
Palace Guards
Playgue
Graps of Wrath
Thanks
I collect sixties video too.
Terry Bourdier
Wow! The Basement Wall were a great band!
You are aware of all the re-issues Cicadellic Records did several years ago?
I think the Basement Wall is also on “Collectables CDs” too.
Ron
I remember the Greek Fountains, they were a great band. We played with them in a concert (Dave Clark Five) in November of 1965 along with John Fred and the Playboys and my band “The Group” later as Noel Odom and the Group we signed with Tower and recorded in Memphis with Dickie Lee and Allen Reynolds (Garth Brooks producer). We put out 2 songs- “Come on Down to Earth” and “Pardon My Complete Objection” Both are still floating out there on eBay and several playlists in Europe. Basemant Wall was a great band- 4 piece, but they could bring out horns also!!!
i’m still playing aroud Shreveport in “The Convertibles” celebrating 2o years together this August!!! Ciao!!
The Greek Fountains were a great band- wore plaid madras pants
We fronted a concert in front of them and John Fred 1965- Dave Clark Five headlined
Waht happened to Bobby Loveless?? Nite Owl
i want to find copy of tha song
What about Bobby Loveless?? Nite Owl??
I played bass in the Group, or as we were later called, Noel Odom and the Group. I remember these groups so well; almost like yesterday. Our story was much like the movie “that thing you do”, directed by Tom Hanks. Ah, what might have been! Anyone remember the name of the group that recorded on Paula records (I think) and was really popular in Louisiana/Arkansas; had a record out “all these things” and also recorded “night owl”.
The group you are refereing to is “The Uniques” with Joe Stampley
Original members were Joe Stampley, Bobby Stampley, Bobby Sims, Ray Mills, and Mike Love!!
Well, hello, Noel and Sonny ! Fancy meeting you two here…
I have no idea how I stumbled upon this site, but here I am…coffee in hand.
Sonny, I remember seeing you play back then, after the name was changed to the Bad Habits. I was impressed, dude. But then you had the smarts to finish school and alllowed me the opportunity to take your place in that band. I was a guitar player, but they needed a bassist….so off to the music store I went. Then a trip to Peavey in Meridian for a bass amp…..well…you know the rest. A few years, a 100 or more sessions and an unfinished album…then I was off to college myself. Great memories, two singles and no telling how many jingles and good music did I enjoy working on. Even played on a Lightnin’ Hopkins album, God rest his soul. I still sit in with the Bluebirds every now and then for fun. Worked out pretty well for all of us, didnt it? Been trying to put together a full reunion of all of us one night….and maybe one day it will happen.
Hello Noel. Gary Hille here. I used to be your drummer. (Nigel Olson. LOL)I’ve often wondered how you were doing these days. Lots of years have passed since we last spoke. Remember Becky and “Cottonmouth”? Back in Shreveport around 1985. I remember all of the groups you guys are talking about.
Yes I remember- we actually were “Hazzard County at the Dart in Bossier
with Danny and Becky. About a month ago I sang “You’re the reason God Made Oklahoma” with some lady in Ada Oklahoma. It reminded me of how well Becky and I sang that song!!!! Still playing in “The Convertibles” in Shrevpeort area. Good to her from you.
I was happy to find this web site. I was one of the trumpet players and founders of the In Crowd in the late sixties. We started as the Vistas in 1965 and changed our name when we signed up with Abnac records and Gene Kent in 1966 to start recording. I can remember playing dances put on by Keel radio and Gene Kent from Shreveport with the Greek Fountains, John Fred, The Swingin Medallions, the Monks and the Uniques. I still have all of the old band posters for the dances. The In Crowd became Bill Ray and the Showband Royale. I went on tho play with the Assembly Of Sound untill 1969.
Sadly, Bobby Loveless died within the last year or so. Nite Owl, great song.
Stumbled on this site somehow. Was very active in the club scene in Monroe in the late 60′s and early 70′s and you guys have really brought back some memories.
Bill Wray use to be a regular at the old Dynasty Club. His brother Jim was his guitarist and I saw him playing with Van Morrison a few years ago on an HBO special. Bill was also an all state basketball player at Byrd High School. He always had a very good horn section. He spent several years performing in Hawaii but I’m not sure what happened to him after that.
Jim Steel became a very popular DJ in the Monroe area. He actually sang a lot of his jingles and promos.
Eternitys Children was very popular in the clubs. Don’t remember any of the muscians. They broke up for awhile and then regrouped as the New Eternitys Children.
John Fred, The Uniques. and The Basement Wall use to play for dances at the old Ouachita Valley Fair Grounds in West Monroe.
Anybody remember a very good band out of Shreveport called South Paw?
At Tech in the mid sixties (and Monroe after that) I well remember the Spectres, Daniel Gilbert and others. He played a black Silvertone hollow body. Daniel moved over to drums after my Tech days, I remember him either playing with or sitting in with some bands in Monroe. As I recall, Sidney Boone (KA) was on keyboard with the Spectres, and the sax man (who had to go into the military) moved over to keyboards later…I saw him at the Saddle & Spur a few years on in his post-miliary days.
I’ve seen Noel Odom here in Shreveport—anyone know where Don Felder ended up?
There were other good bands in Monroe at that time. A road band called the Jammer Kids (played the Dynasty) ultimately settled in there, and of course Danny Rhodes’ original band was great. Interestingly, Danny also served as Northeast Student Body president at the time.
Hello,
I’ve been researching some bands from Louisiana for my site on 60′s garage:
http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=taxonomy/term/224
Daniel Gilbert- are your Spectres the same group that recorded No Good Nowhere World for the N-Joy label?
I’ve heard from Steve Tuminello, drummer for the In Crowd that released Nothing You Do on Ronn Records. Was this the same In Crowd who released the 45 on Abnak, or was that a different lineup? Maybe Wally Dingee can tell us?
There was also an Inn Crowd in Lousianna, that featured, I think, Hal Ellis (of John Fred’s band) on guitar. They cut 3 45s for the Montel-Michelle label:
You Must Believe Me / Sun Arise
Run Clarence Run / Baby You’re So Fine
Go Away / Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
Anyone know anything about this band?
And lastly, Noel, Come on Down to Earth is a classic! I haven’t heard Pardon My Complete Objection yet, I’ll have to look for it.
Thanks, great to find this discussion here
Cris, I believe I can answer your question. The In Crowd that recorded on Abnac records was “Jon and Robin and the In Crowd”. Our group(The In Crowd), of which Steve T was drummer, recorded “Nothing You Do” at Robin Hood Brians studio in Tyler Texas in Novenber 1966. It was distributed by Ronn records and reached number 13. I mistakenly metioned Abnac instead of Ronn records in my previous post. Any other questions, please feel free to ask…wally Dingee
The Monroe music scene in that era wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Randy Meeks. He played that B3 with every group in Monroe at one time or another. Was the house band at Smitty Smiths Flamingo for ever. Got an old album somewhere that he did live with Tommy Davidson at the Peppermint Lounge in Bossier. Sadly “Rudolph” died a few years back from cancer. He may have missed his calling because he was one of the funniest men I have ever been around. I remember the Jammer Kids well. They were actually out of Alabama but made the old Dynasty their second home. They used a very unusual sound system that I believe was called an equilet?
Sonny, you forgot to mention your first band, The Tremolos. Remember when you left, I took your spot. So much fun playing on stage. I never realized that you and Noel lived the “That Thing You Do” experience. I love that movie just because I was once in a garage band but you actually lived it. So great.
After you left The Tremolos, the lineup became Mike Tinsley, Tom Durr, Rocky Chalmiers, Richard White and yours truly. After I moved back to NY, I don’t know what happened to the group but I still talk to Mike T. occasionally.
Hope you are feeling all right. I know you had some surgery last year.
Don, I sure do remember the Tremolos. While I was busy with the Vistas and later changing their name to the Inn Crowd I was in Durr’s dorm at La Tech in 1965 and 1966. We all had a great time. I recently visited Tech after 40 years and the old dorm, Cottingham, is still there. What happened to Tommy Durr….
Wow, the memories come back. I was in the original Inn Crowd in Baton rouge, we later had to modify the name to Ye Olde Inn Crowd for some contract reasons. I don’t know where the rest of the originals are, Hal Ellis, Billy Johnson, Cookie, Sammy Rubin, Jim Engals, Darrel (me, I know where I am)
What a great read.
Please list any info about the actual releases by these bands.
:^)
Here are some I have found… no particular order.
Bad Roads Jin 210
Too Bad / Blue Girl 1966
Barracudas Zundak 101
Baby Get Lost / Honest I Do
Persian Market Lightning 103
Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White / ? Flash in the Pan
Nomads J&S 1002
Time Remains / I Want You Back
Surrealistic Pillar TAMM T-2027
I Like Girls / ?
Dr. Spec’s Optical Illusion Flambeau 103
Tryin’ To Mess My Mind / She’s The One
Better Half Dozen U Doe 105
I’m Gonna Leave You / I Could Have Loved Her
Zoofs Dee-Su #??
Get to Know Yourself / Not So Near
Vinyl is back and you guys are legends! Who would have thought. :p
What memories, made the club scene late 60′s mid 70′s in Monroe also used to play with Jerry k and the Soul Kings at the RedDog ballroom.
I am a student of Woody Bardin from The Spectres. We are throwing him a retirement party and trying to locate a picture of the group. If anyone knows where I can get one that would be great. By the way, Dan, we have heard a lot about you in class.
Katie, If you have not already done this. Go to the web site http://www.garagehangover.com. Click “Louisiana” and scrol down to the Spectres at the bottom of the page. Then click ‘comments”. The last post by Daniel Gilbert says that he will get some pics to Chas who owns the website. That tells me that pics do exist! good luck …
I’m at the public library in BR. We’re trying to grow our Baton Rouge Room archive and have started collecting material about bands, booking agencies, venues, record companies, musicians… The BR music scene has been vibrant and important through the years and it needs to be documented. We have a real archive that can preserve, protect, and provide access to donated materials for future generations. This is an important project. If any of you have anything you’d like to contribute or can point me to people who might be willing to contribute, I’d really appreciate it. My email: esmart@ebr.lib.la.us
Thanks for your help! Emilie
Wow ! What a joy to read this !!!! Made my day.Loved all the local bands in Baton Rouge during this era. Saw most of em at the Speakeasy,Colonel’s Club,LSU,and up at Old River.The Inn Crowd was waaaay cool.I saw them first at Tigerina…a model car race track in Tigertown…..guess I was 15 or so. thanks for the website !!!!
Does anyone know what happened to Southpaw? They were so good. I was married to a musician in the late 70′s in the Shreveport area. I wondered where the band members are now and what they are doing. They had such an awesome sound. I never had an album but believe they did one at the Strand? I can’t find anything on them or any music. It was just good to disappear forever.
Wow!
Ok,this is the lowdown on southpaw…
They split up in the mid late 80′s,and got “real” jobs..lol
Then in 96′they reformed and did some more gig,eventually hiring me on lead guitar and vocals.We put out a single in 98′ that was at the top of the local charts for 18 weeks…
It was fun,but some of the guys had settled in to the “normal” life and really were too busy to keep it going.
We sometimes still do a reunion show at the revel,but it’s been 5 years since the last one.
thanks for asking.
It was a blast reading through these posts. I grew up in Eunice La, where the Boogie Kings were sort of from. I became friendly with a couple of guys from The Baracudas (from Bunkie) while in high school through their shows at Fred’s Lakeside Lounge. I was really into the British Invasion sound of the Baracudas and the Uniques (I think from Shrereport). I was aware of the the Greek Fountains and desparately wanted to hear them. But by the time I got to LSU in 1967 I think they had broken up. Ivy Peebles, Basement Wall, John Fred, and The War Babies were big. I knew some of the War Babies in colege. I ended up knowing the Baracudas bass player, who I was in touch with recently. Found him on the internet. He’s back in Bunkie running a furniture store I think. One of the posts about asked about Baby Get Lost. He’s know the release info. Though I never heard the Greek Fountains, around 1969 Danny Cohen made it back to BR as a solo artists with a new name, Casey Kelly, which he still uses as his name. He live in California. I later move to NYC, but on a trip back to BR I also ending up meetint D ke Bardwell, who was living next to some frineds. There’s a web link about Duke’s Song Bayou Country and film with that title that is supposed to come out. I’m now a scientist in NY but my heart and soul are in R n R and I have a band, The Amygdaloids, that plays on Bleecker St everynow and then. We’ve got a couple of CDs, with the newest one coming out in the spring featuring couple of songs with Rosanne Cash. That’s my 2 cents on La Garage, and my connection to it.
Joe
Could you please tell me, do you remember when the Dave Clark 5 played in concert in Shreveport, Louisiana. I was visiting relatives in Shreveport that week and went to see them at the airport and later that evening in concert. Do you remember the approximate date and place they played and anything else memorable about that concert/visit? It was a great thrill and i’m trying to recall the event. Any remembrances?
Looking for William (Bill) Wray from Shreveport LA
Does anyone know how to find Billy Johnson. I’d like to know how he’s doing. S.J. and I were friends. Whatever happened to him.
I have a 45 by the Monks on Magnolia Records. I Remember When (Wray/Schmidt) backed with La-Do-Da-Da (Hawkins-Lewis). I’m thinking that is Dale Hawkins and Stan Lewis. Any info on the Monks?
Just did some research and answered my own question. It’s Dale Hawkins cover that I doubt Stan actually wrote. Great version here. http://vodpod.com/watch/1761681-dale-hawkins-la-do-dada-45
@ Mary Franklin
The Dave Clark Five played Shreveport on November 27, 1965. Even more exciting for me was seeing the Rolling Stones just one week before on November 20. Big week for Shreveport.
What an interesting read . Walter Shelton mentions he played with Jerry K & The Soul Kings. He might just know about this record by Jo Jo Coleman that they backed some time in the 60s.
http://www.sirshambling.com/artists/J/jo_jo_coleman.html
Does he have any information on the singer and the band?
kind regards
Greg Burgess
Wally Dingee & Donny Graves, if either of you visit this site and see this post, I would like to talk to both of you. I am the son of Randy Meek and the nephew of Richard (The Inn Crowd)…Would appreciate a conversation with both of you. Thank you
I can be reached by email: kandrmeek@verizon.net
Hi Randy,
Sorry for a delay in answering your post. I haven’t been to this site for a couple of months. I will send you an email.