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Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

THE WISCONSIN ROCK SCENE OF THE 60's

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

On That Beat book Wisconsin Bands Album Cover Jack and the Beanstock Love Society The Shags

Back with another Garage Band column this week, and I thought I would cover the Wisconsin area which had a ton of talent back in the 50's and 60's when rock was being born. While covering these garage bands in my past articles, I received a very nice email from another writer of classic vinyl sixties bands who has a wealth of knowledge in this era of musical birth. He has sent me 2 volumes of his past publications "On That Wisconsin Beat" and "Do You Hear That Beat" in the 50's & 60's..

Both these books written by Gary Myers who has written stories for Goldmine, Discoveries, Directory of American 45 rpm Records and Joel Whitburn's Record Research series. He started playing drums at age of nine, joined his first band in high school, and his second band included guitarist Dickey Betts---his 3rd band got bookings through Milwaukee's A.C.A agency in 1962 which put Gary in the Wisconsin music scene for the next several years. In 1975 he began writing articles for record collectors' publications and has made contributions to major reference books in Rockin Records Price Guides, Stak-O-Wax and many more---both books are pictured in this week's column.

"On That Wisconsin Beat" published by Music Gem 2006 large softcover with 343 pages of info on more than 500 bands and artists, discographies, label discographies and 275 photos and label scans.

"Do You Hear That Beat" is published by Hummingbird 1994 another large softcover book with 383 pages of classic band information--over 350 bands and artists and 125 photos along with discographies. I highly rec commend both of these books for many hours of great reading.

This weeks first garage band is Wisconsin's "JACK AND THE BEANSTOCKS" "Don't Bug Me/So Many Times" recorded on the Le Ron Label 1966---Jack Tate/rhythm guitar, John Conrath/lead guitar, Robert Kennedy/bass and John Lyons/drums---lots of vocal harmony, harmonica and guitar to round out a great 60's sound--shades of Stones and Yardbirds in these 2 cuts---the band also played gigs as the Thunderbirds but never recorded .

LOVE SOCIETY "You Know How I Feel" released on Target Records 1969--Dave Steffen/lead guitar, Mike Holdridge/organ, Keith Abler/rhythm guitar, Steve Gilles/bass and Mike Deliger/drums---this is one of the better impressions of a Bob Dylan song complete with droning harmonica playing. Love Society hit their peak when they won a local battle of the bands-- in '68 they hit #1 on Green Bay's WDUZ with The Beach Boys "Do You Wanna Dance" a remake of Tobacco Road and a later contract with RCA, recorded "Don't Worry Baby" they also recorded on the Mercury label "America/Wanda" another great 60's garage band worth checking out.

THE SHAGS "Stop and Listen" Capitol Records 1967--John Sahli/guitar, Mike Lamers/rhythm/drums, Don Luther/bass and Paul Greenwald/drums/flute/piano. The Shags were one of the best-known bands to emerge out of Milwaukee. formed in 1964, (inspired by the Beatles) played at all the local art parties---sets complete with smoke bombs, costumes and energetic danceable music. They opened for the Blues Project in New York '68 and played the Whisky in Hollywood, then the band began to split---you can hear all of this weeks bands sounds on High in the Mid Sixties vol. 10 Wisconsin vinyl records.

A big thanks to Gary Myers for his hard work on compiling all the information on classic bands and helping out with some of the info in this weeks column, and if you would like to know more about them or buy them, log onto http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777/ and grab these great editions of Classic Rock History

Check out this weeks youtubes The Shags "Stop and Listen" a visual viewing GREAT GARAGE SOUND http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izglMClMNPk&feat...ure=related also I had this clip emailed to me and I found it to be the most thought pr evoking statement made in quite sometime. You will never find peace around the world in politics---only in music, that is where the peace sign was established and that is why 10's of 1000's of people can gather in peace and harmony to listen to music----check out this clip that was 10 years in the making "Stand By Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&fe...ature=email

Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.