The Bedlam Four (Lejac)

The Bedlam Four were from Minnesota . The group formed in 1965, they were originally called the Echomen. As the Echomen they released one 45 in 1966 on the Fox record label. The band would change their name to the Bedlam Four in late 1966. They have that cool Yardbird  R/B sound.

The Peppermints (Peppermint)

Here's another interesting 45 that I would like feature on the blog. Originally when I first listen to it I was thinking this band could be a possible early 1960's UK group . To me  "Now I Cry' has a slight hint of the mersey sound on the vocals, it also has a nice guitar solo.  Thanks to MTM from the G45Central the mystery was solved. Here are the facts: The Peppermints were  actually an American band  from Michigan, the bands record was release in 1963. The flip to this record is a Doo-Wop/ Teen Ballad song which I decided not to post.

The Trophies (Golden Sound)

In October 1965 The Trophies release this catchy garage sounding song "C'Mon Little Lady". I like the moody flip side "With A Love" as well..

Al and Doc (Dalco)

Hello everybody. I would like feature a very cool obscure 45 by Al and Doc on the Dalco label. They recorded a great surfy version of "This Train", (Wrote by PeterYarrow and Paul Stookey of Peter,Paul and Mary). The Flip side, "The Crowd" has a haunting moody folk vibe. I would like to have more information about group. Maybe someone can share band's story.

                                                                                Al and Doc - This Train

                                                                              Al and Doc - The Crowd

I would also like to say thank you for the comments that many of you have made regarding some of the groups featured on the blog. I appreciate that very much. When time allows, I'm hoping to update some of the post with the additional information. Again thanks.

Aramis (New)

I would like to step out of the 1960's for this next post. Aramis (Air'-ah-mis) was a  1970's group that recorded  one 45 on the NEW record label. Lead singer Gary Hurt was kind enough to provide information about the group , which I feature for you today.

Gary Hurt (in window), Fernando Mirelez , Mike Hall (Center) Steve Brown, Marty Cain (far right)

Aramis formed in 1972, We originated in the small town of Pittsboro Indiana, which is 12 miles west of Indianapolis. The band members were Steve Brown (Guitar,Keyboard), Fernando Mirelez (Bass) , Mike Hall (Guitar), Marty Cain (Drums) and myself with the Vocals, Lead Guitar and Keyboard. The ages of the band members ranged from 16 to 22 years old. We were influenced by groups such as Jethro Tull, Grand Funk Railroad and the Beatles. The group performed at community gatherings and many after school activities. Aramis was popular locally , In 1974 the band was awarded winner of the Hendricks County Battle of Band's contest. Soon after, we recorded some of our original songs formatted for eight track playability." Innocent Lady" was one of those songs chosen to be released on a 45. I don't remember exactly how many were pressed but I believe it was less than 300.  The single received  air play on the local radio stations for a brief time. The photograph of the group was taken of us standing on the roof of an old farmhouse.  After the tragic death of  Steve Brown the group disbanded. On occasions some of the band members will perform together.

Aramis -  Innocent Lady / Images    1974 45rpm
Gary Hurt - Plenty for Everyone     2000  solo CD album


         

More-Tishans (Peak)

The More-Tishans recorded only one 45 which has appeared on different compilation albums. I saw a photograph taken of the More-Tishans standing by their hearse , and I thought , "I doubt you would find any bands today traveling from gig to gig driving such a vehicle". That's what made 1960's so unique. The More-Tishans were Chris Nelson, Roy Herschleb, Dick Schreier and Hugh Kraemer

Gary and the Knight Lites (Kedlen)

Here is a cool record from Gary and the Knight Lites. They would reach the top of the charts with the song "Bend Me Shape Me" as the American Breed few years later.

The Creations (AFCO)

In 1965 The Creations released this Hang on Sloopy sounding 45 on the Afco  label which was located in Union, Kentucky.  Nice organ on this one, I wish they would have included a guitar solo., never the less a nice garage pop song.

Marrell's Marauders ( Fan Jr )

Hi everybody, today I feature Marrell's Marauders aka Robin and The Three Hoods. This 45 has the band's wonderful garage/surf instrumental song " The Marauder" as well as "I wanta do it". The Garage Hangover website has a really good history and photo of the group. There are two reasons why I posted this 45 from this outstanding band . First of course its a great record, second the vocals and the guitar work is a little different on "I wanta do it". Seems to be a little tamer version, let me know what you think.

The Liverpool Sound of The Royals (Monumental)

Once in a while you come across a record that surprises you , I would put this one in that category. The Royals "Your Sweet Love" is a great uncomped garage classic. Outstanding record!

                                                      The Liverpool Sound of the Royals - Your Sweet Love

Billy and The Kids (Liniphone)

Here is neat jangly mersy sounding record. The Kay Bank Custom Pressings website list The Billy and The Kids on the Liniphone label as being a North Carolina group and the 45 was pressed in 1969.

                                                                         Won't You Love Me Please

The Shoremen (Wynwood)

In the mid 1960's The Shoremen from Baltimore, Maryland released  three 45's on the Wynwood record label.This was the Shoremen's last release.

The Thunderbirds (Delaware)

The Thunderbirds released a total of three 45's on the Delaware record label. The record  featured on the blog is from the group's second release in July, 1965.

  Delaware 1704       I Need Your Love / Hey Little Darling     Oct 1964
  Delaware 1708       Take A Look At A Fool / Is It Wrong     Jul 1965
  Delaware 1710        Your Ma Said You Cried / Before It's Too Late   Nov 1965

The Webs (Lite)

The Webs were a group of youngsters from Dothan Alabama who formed a band while they were in high school. The great Bobby Goldsboro was a member of the Webs. In 1961 Lite records release a couple of the bands recordings on a 45 which I feature for you today. Additional information of the group can be found here photos here

The Group (ADCO)

The Group release this crude but very cool moody  record on the ADCO label in December 1965.  "What could I do" was comped on Psychedelic States Ohio Vol 3.

The Renaissance (Toddlin Town)

Here's a catchy two sider from The Renaissance. It was released on the Toddlin Town label in 1966.

Mr. Roberts and The Rhodesmen (Aircap)

Here's a nice garage record from 1966 by a group called  Mr. Roberts and the Rhodesmen. Both sides are great . They did a very good version of "my little red book".

The Only Ones (Sight)

The Only Ones were from Hutchinson, Minnesota. The group released this 45 on the Sight label in 1965.

The Castels (IGL)

The IGL (Iowa Great Lakes) record label released several cool 45's in the 1960's. Most of these groups were from Mid-Western states. Arf Arf did an outstanding job compiling many of these recordings, and well worth having in your collection. The Castels,was a group that was not included on those compilation albums. This 45 by the Castels is from 1966. More information about the group is desired. Maybe someone can share there their story.

The Shenendoah Three (Goal)

The  Shenendoah Three released a wonderful  song  "The Ballad of Marilyn Monroe" on the Goal record label. Its not Rock 'n' Roll  but it is an outstanding example of folk music. I found an interesting video on youtube about folk music worth checking out LIVERPOOL FOLK MUSIC SCENE 1960's.

Manuel and The Renegades (Piper)

Manuel  and The Renegades were a surf band  from San Bernardino California. They released this smokin'  hotrod instumental 45 on the Piper label in 1963. The group consisted of  Manuel Rodrigues (lead Guitar), Johnny Alves (Rhythm Guitar), Corky Ballinger (Drums), Roger Anderson (Drums) and Mike LeDoux (Sax).

The Chateaus (Boss)

The Chateaus were originally called the Shadows . Soon after, they would change the name of the band to The Chateaus. In 1965 they recorded this killer 2 sider on the Boss record label out of Louisville Kentucky . 

The Bleaters (Guyden)

Here's a nice rocker by The Bleaters. It was released on Guyden Records in early 1964. I'm gonna be a wheel some day has a cool guitar and a good beat to it. The flip side is not bad either. A good record overall.

The Minets (Rock It)

Peter Glossop       Harry Kotchie                 Bobby Allen       George Warne       Ashton DeMello 

 The Minets were originally from Surrey UK. The popularity of the Beatles and other English groups dominated the Billboard charts. The band traveled to Boston and were instantly popular. They recorded two 45's. Their first record, which I feature for you today was released on the Rock It label in 1964..The group  released their final 45 in 1965 as the Minets of England.

Secret Of Love

Together

The Memories (K.O. Recording Studios Inc.)

Wisconsin was home to several great rock and roll groups in the 1960’s. Many local bands were inspired by these groups. The Memories were from Appleton Wisconsin. From 1964-1966 the group performed at various events in Wisconsin. including opening for several national acts including the Turtles. The band was dubbed "Appleton;s own Rolling Stones" in Lost and Found magazine. The Memories released one 45 on the K.O Recording Studios Inc. label in 1966  

 Chuck Reitzner                     Bob Fusfeld                                          Chuck Posniak             George Baer                          

                                                           The Memories - Thats how strong my Love is

                                                                        The Memories - Mercy Mercy

 I was pleasantly surprised when I was contacted by Memories band members Bob Fusfeld and Chuck Posniak. Both shared interesting stories and thoughts about their time with the Memories, of which I feature for you today.

Chuck Posniak

  My older brother was leader of a band (The Catalinas; aka The Golden Catalinas). He was the showman of the family, but I had the voice. I was somewhat shy, but he got me on stage a few times to sing with his group. My friends, Chuck Reitzner and George Baer suggested we start a band; even though none of us had ever had any music training. Reitzner picked up a drum set. Baer picked up an electric guitar. I had a piano at home. I have only one useable hand from birth, so I started learning rhythm piano (just playing chords, no leads). Meanwhile Fuzzy (Bob Fusfeld) had been playing guitar for a few years and followed the Catalinas. The 3 friends met Fuzzy thru my brother. There was also another friend (Dennis Becker) who wanted to play in a band. So we started out as a 5 piece band. Bob didn't have a great voice, but he could carry a tune and was a good front man. George couldn't carry a tune, but we eventually got him to sing a song or two. Dennis had a decent backup voice. Reitzner sang one song (Surfin' Bird). He did a great job on it. I was officially the lead singer. But I was the only one who could sing harmony; and I didn't relish being the center of attention.
  So here we are, a group of untrained musicians, with no experience, limited vocal talent, no uniforms, no choreography; and almost overnight we became a local sensation. This infuriated the real musicians in the area. One day we got a call from a local booking agent. We didn't usually work with him, but he needed someone for that night in northern Wisconsin. We took the job and headed north. We got into town early and so we each took off in a different direction to check out the 3 block long downtown area. In a short time each of us was suddenly being followed by packs of screaming teenagers. They had never seen us. They had never heard of us. But to them we were celebrities. The place we were playing at was an 18 year old beer bar. That night there were more people outside, glaring in than there were people in the tiny bar. Good times.
   After I left the Memories. Doug Yankus asked me to join his group "The Strangers". Instead I suggested to Doug that we start a new band with better music and vocal talent. I knew I had no music talent. Doug was still in High School and I was a few years older; but he was as talented a musician as they come. Not a great singer. He was a big fan of the Memories. We ended out with Private Property of Digel. Not quite the talent either of us was looking for. I was with the group for about 1.5 years. I was 23 and looked like I was seventeen. But I knew I needed to use my brain, not my voice if I was going to do anything with my life. I left the music business and found a computer trainee job in Chicago. I worked full time and went to college at night, finishing in three years.. I am now retired; have 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren.  By the way, I sing karaoke and get standing ovations. My voice has actually improved and I do a great job on the Righeous Brothers and Roy Orbison

Bob Fusfeld

  Appleton was a pretty interesting music spot back then, it produced some great bands and musicians. Doug Yankus probably became the most well known , performing in Tracy Nelson's and John Hiatt's groups. He was the leader, guitarist, and writer for Soup which performed at the Fillmore. Al Posniak’s band the Catalinas were my idols, they were absolutely fabulous. I sang “I fought the law” with the Catalinas one night. I met Al Posniak's brother, Chuck. and started hanging out. The Catalinas had this old bus, Dennis Becker who was the original Memories bassist, George Baer and Chuck Reitzner who were Chuck's neighbors would also sit in the bus and sing songs. One night I brought my guitar at Chuck Reitzner insistence. I was the only one who could play even a modest guitar.  We started singing folk songs but the Beatles were supreme and the Stones performed in Hollywood. George Baer decided to learn guitar and he truly became a very accomplished player with the help of Harry Wheelock the Catalinas guitar player. Harry was truly unknown and quite underrated, besides his guitar ability, he was one fine voice and human being. Eventually we formed the group. George did not want to play initially, so Vic Wendt's music store Concerto Music. brought us Tom Noffke. The group started with Dennis Becker (Bass), Chuck Posniak (Piano), Chuck Reitzner (Drums), Tom Noffke (Lead), and myself (rhythm). 
  We began building a repertoire consisting of 50's rock tunes and current 60's stuff. We started playing in the late spring at parties The group  really hit their stride in front of my dad's store during a sidewalk sale, that lead to another sidewalk sale performance in Menasha and some more parties. Then the biggy, our first engagement at Xavier High School. W rocked it and we got a return, like this was great. The Appleton School District really helped us out by showing us the door because of our hair. Chuck Reitzner had the longest and his photo sitting in a barber's chair being shorn made us a "talent”, this type of publicity really did us well. Tom Noffke had to leave the group and George Baer was now ready to play and he joined the band. It was the fall of 64 and we started getting gigs all over playing at high schools and beer bars.
  The group wore uniforms until the riot at the Wbay Auditorium..We did some silly shows within the show. One of them for fun I put on a dress and we did a song called Go Gorilla, well they shut the show down, the girls went ballistic. I recall someone flattened our tires. We  really had a strong Green Bay following. At another venue, the beach dances, a group of jealous men threatened us and the police were called to escort off the property,we did have a look. The group really flourished . 
  We had many musical disagreements, George was into the Searchers and Beatles, the Chucks and I were the Stones. Chuck Posniak and myself did most of the booking and song selection. Like I said George was really into the Searchers and so we did a lot of their material. Chuck Reitzner would do songs like the Kingsmens and Surfin Bird stuff. We had no real harmony so we could not do justice to the Beatles and the surf groups. In other words, once you got beyond our appeal we stunk. We played constantly out of tune but we flourished. When we got to graduation in the summer of 65, sadly George left the Memories for a group called Terry Lee and the Sonics. Though George did not like me, I was devastated, he really was a very good guitar player. Kip Krutz joined the group and The Memories continued to have fan appeal and set records for crowds but it was not the same group. When Dennis Becker left to go to college at UW-Madison, Al Posniak thought we should be a 4 piece band and I switched to bass, I stunk but we continued on. Finally when we hit the road playing nightclubs for the Al Schultz Organization. The writing was on the wall. The Memories had no business ever being a nightclub type of group, we were doomed. We played the entire summer to no one from Waukegan to Duluth, it was a horrible experience. The Memories were not a suit and tie group, we were pretty scruffy. 
  I left the Memories  for a brief period of time to joined a very good band, The Flamin' Coals, they were exceptional. I was a big fan of Gary Laabs and he liked my stage presence . I left the Flamin’ Coals and went back to the Memories which was a big mistake musically, you can never look back, The Memories were not the same, The members of the group at the time of recording session were Kip Krutz , Chuck Reitzner , Chuck Posniak and myself. The recording for the 45 was made on a cheap reel to reel tape machine. There was no booth or board, It was recorded in a bar room backroom in Kaukauna,Wisconsin. This was not even low tech, There were no individual mikes and no editing, it is what it is. The 45 receive some air play but The Memories died in in September 1966. The Gary Meyer books has some good background on the group. All the Post Crescent News accounts of the bands battle with the Appleton School Board is pretty well documented.  Al Posniak who was K.O. records which later turned into Target records. We created a nice stir in the eastern and central part of Wisconsin, it was our hair and attitude, and it was fun while it lasted.

  Where ever you may be Chuck Reitzner may you still have that incredible wit and smile, I think of you and your brother often and miss you both.  It was good to hear Chuck Posniak's voice. George Baer, I trust you are well and happy. I have no clue where Dennis Becker may be, though a very good bass player and voice, he never seemed to fit the look. He was bright and received an Evans scholarship. I would imagine he is quite successful.  I have no clue where Tom Noffke or Kip may be. As far as myself,once the Memories were done, I played with other Appleton groups and finally found a niche in honky tonk country. I love that music. Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Dwight Yokum, Emmy Lou and Gram Parson, Lefty Frizzel. As Johnny Paycheck lamented.”precious memories”, take me back to the good ole days.

Tony and the Bandits (FLO-ROE)

Tony and the Bandits had it all on this record, great vocals, outstanding guitar, all around both sides were very nicely done. The group was formed in Cincinnati Ohio. The band consisted of Tony Brazis, Bill Bartlett (guitar), Bob Dudak (bass) and Bill Albaugh (drums). They recorded two original songs written by Tony Brazis, which was released on the Flo-Roe record label in 1965. It was a instant smash, "Oh no I can't lose" reached the top 10 in Cincinnati. The single was pick up by Coral records to release nationally. Tony and the Bandits recorded one more 45 , but do to disagreements, in 1966 they parted ways. Tony Brazis joined a group called the Chosen Lot which recorded a 45 in late 1966. The remaining band members went on to have successful careers with the Lemon Pipers.