I intuited what I was really looking for, but didnt know if it was out there, or even had a name. One of the venerable cultural institutions in the history of Regina was the Trianon Ballroom at 1850 Smith Street. Whenever they held a battle of the bands, the Andantes always, always won! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They were good friends with Brian MacDonald who happened to be the nephew of Clapton. As of July 1967 following the first live global television linked program Our World they found a new opening to their show one that not too many bands could pull off. Most of the drawings were done in pen and ink with a separate overlay for an additional colour. There seemed to be musicians everywhere. He took out two sheets of paper with the lyrics written on them. But we kept hearing about this other group and how wonderful they were especially their singing. All band members had indulged in teenage drinking from time to time, but they had shied away from excess. Sams Go Go Club operated with a different philosophy an ongoing string of one-nighters, and mostly local bands. While we were performing, he would come back to me indicating to give him an extra stick, which I did. Personnel: Don Gutheil, Don Young, Bob Deutscher, Daryl Gutheil He said both he and the board of directors of the centre were looking forward to the event, rather than fearing it. I ordered their album when I got back to Regina. He worked with many of the greats in blues: Big Bill Broonzy, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon, Otis Spann, Freddy King, Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, J.B. Lenoir, Koko Taylor, and Buddy Guy in jazz: Ahmad Jamal, Ramsey Lewis, Oscar Peterson, Terry Clark, Sonny Stitt, Gene Krupa, and Marian McPartland and in popular music: Louis Prima, Keely Smith, Mel Torme, The Turtles, The Dells, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Anka, Vic Damone, and Mahalia Jackson. There were two groups in particular that wanted to disrupt the gathering, and use the national media to get their messages disseminated. Finally, Donnie phoned his dad who wire the money to us via Wells Fargo, of which I made sure the band paid back in installments, and which apparently put me in impressive stead with Mr. Gutheil. This is borne out by their exceptional repertoire. And the gig went really wellsurprisingly. The group has recorded in Chicago and has played on several shows with other groups including Vanilla Fudge.. Late August concerts were booked for Winnipeg, Lac du Bonnet and Gimli. As it happened there was no problem. And while the fact of his living on the prairies affected his writing, it was never to the fore: the impact of where I lived surfaced more subtly in landscape references and feels to the song., The chief characteristics of Graingers songwriting were that it was bountiful, consistent, exploratory and never forced. Reginas happening place was Oscars Last Chance located on Highway #1 as one headed east towards Winnipeg (last chance of course for coffee, food, and bladder emptying). This was unbelievable for young guys like us. The audition did not go welland so I started to concentrate on my graphic work instead., Montague has a slightly different memory: Donny told me he got a call and Dinni and Ray had quit. The station capitalized on this seemingly kooky stunt and followed it up with promos and a recording by the Chevrons, local group, called The Kidnapped Johnny Onn. He even met and talked with Fireballs guitarist George Tomsco at the Uptown Caf (A real highlight!). Let me just say that the Trianon in about 1961-62 one could dance to Gene Dloughy and his Canadians was it? I sucked it all up. There are four Mick Grainger songs: Hello Stranger, I Need a Rest From the Music, Jonah Give Your Mind Up, and Happy Love Day. And they had a large helping of Bob Deutscher original material Twenty Nine One Nighters, Party In The Country, It All Depends On You, Patience, Hey Joan, and Blues No. Copyright 2023 It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine. He has only played with the Chevrons once before for a short Thursday afternoon rehearsal, but the show came off well. Indeed, he was a super nice guy! They were also in demand for dances at the downtown Y.M.C.A. Montague agrees his drum solos were a selling point for the band. He ended up burying the knuckles of one hand into the plaster wall of the kitchenWe got him down to the rumpus roomHe fell into challenging anyone so he could demonstrate what he could do (presumably without harm). They dressed in matching gold jackets, and covered songs by the Butterfield Blues Band, various Stax artists, Marvin Gaye (Dock of the Bay), Jimi Hendrix, and Cream (by then Clapton was my hero). Nelsons was a beautiful acoustic recording, but way too simple in content. Their horns also allowed them to do tunes such as Herb Alperts Lonely Bull and South of the Border. Even though this was only a small part of their repertoire, local DJs needed a distinguishing label and thus called their act Tijuana rock. He would shortly be joined in his endeavours by Johnny Onn of CJME, Howard Green (known as the Jolly Green Giant) who left CKX Brandon and joined CKCK in June 1965, and by the end of the year they added to their ranks a young dynamic DJ Terry David Mulligan. She had a leg-up: she was well-known (with her own fan club), and was already a recording artist. Thats everything I know he replied. He was never moody that I can remember, and was enthusiastic So he didnt take it well. They continued to travel throughout the province through April and May playing in Wynyard, Swift Current, Humboldt, North Battleford, Katepwa Beach, Donavons on 8th Street in Saskatoon, and return gigs at Reginas Attic Teen Centre and the Curlodrome. The first recording session with the new lineup took place in the summer of 1969 at the CKCK Studio in Regina. We want to work out of Regina and well be here next winter said Padwick., Hughes summed up: Theyre short on experience, but tall on enthusiasm and talent. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The gigs increased, audiences multiplied, and everybody wanted to hear more from The Andantes. With a little bit of money to cover gas and meals, the band headed back north the following day. He remembers: I had heard so much about them, but actually hadnt heard them. The Hello People were a bizarre and short-lived influence on the band. He recalls: I first heard the Chevrons around 1967 and was very impressed, especially with Bobs guitar playing. 8 x 10 glossy autographed by Lucky Moeller Mc Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Trianon Ballroom 1949. He made a lot of money playing the Minot Air Force base and the State Line on the border of ND and Montana. Also I tended to be a little more introverted than most of my then colleagues and songwriting fit as an expressive outlet., Graingers lyrical topic range and even styles of music ranged broadly. Deutcher and Peaker were considered the hippest guitarist and bassist combination in Regina for the next two years because they were perceived to have a direct line to God (a.k.a. Statham: I remember it being shot at the U. of R. [University of Saskatchewan Regina Campus], and that we were also interviewed for print media, possibly the Leader-Post. My husbands parents went t often during the months Bob Wills intertained at the Trianon Ballroom. It made me feel pretty good. The Club 62 Andantes took the top prize. Ken was one of 120 musicians chosen from Canada and the United States to tour Europe a year ago. Of course, we got good local play. To further their originality, they also hooked up with one of Saskatchewans few pop songwriters of the period. Bobby Colomby was the drummer I wanted to listen to: precise, versatile and fluid. Joe was a short man. The original Dynamics line-up was Joe Vargo (bass), Ken Folk (vocalist and later bass as well), Richard Slouch Lautsch (guitar replaced by Jimmy Mann), Andy Goulet (keyboards), and Jim Pauk (drums). The Trianon started to get a reputation for the not-so-friendly competition for eligible young girls. Total investment in Grapevine Terpsichore may reach $40,000 exclusive of food facilities. Their early image six white guys with short hair and short-sleeved shirts with buttondown collars was not at all attractive to teens in 1967. A December newspaper advertisement listed eighteen bands in the stable including the Bod Squad, Checkerlads, Chevrons, Crosstown Bus, Dickery Docks, Impalas, Motley Crew (NOT the Vince Neil/Nikki Sixx band), Shandermen, and Stonehenge Slum Clearance. Happy Love Day version 2 (M. Grainger) Cmon, get Daryl in the band, he can cut it No, hes too young I think Don wanted me in, he knew I could cut it musically, but it was majority rule.. Owned by the Abdullah Brothers, it was not only a restaurant, but a general entertainment facility. As a guitarist I sure learned a lot from him. The local scene had changed again in their absence. Montague had stayed home as much as possible to be with her, and the band played only a handful of gigs between January and May. Whatever else it was, The Rat was also a true piss-tank. Claptons half-sister would send him the early Yardbirds and Bluesbreakers singles and albums, and The Chevrons quickly integrated the new material before any other prairie band. The trip would be a waste of time and money, and their reputation would undoubtedly take a hit. He explains: I did this one poster for the Andantes. I was stunned . We were anonymous. That autumn saw a number of impressive touring acts stop in Regina. Lady though a fine song in its own right was relegated to the B-side. My grandmother who was the head of the family ran the business and never advertised. However, it quickly acquired additional importance by hosting weddings, bingos, conventions and fashion shows. He was on one hand a mainstream businessman and yet he liked to support local artists and musicians. Each member was accorded an individual in-action portrait and a three or four line biography. We explained what we were up to and possible dates; if he could arrange a gig(s) and if that worked out perhaps we could work together again. Andante returned to Regina at the end of March 1970, exhausted and quibbling amongst themselves. We played 6 nights and Saturday matinee every week all summer. Stathams first band was called The House of Blue. But hey, it was a black studio and we were white It was located on the edge of the black ghetto, not far from Chicagos Old Town. They had it all together on the music, very professional sound, very energetic on stage thrilling! It is labors of love such as this well written and well researched article which will survive the horrors of the post-truth era. The microphone volume was poorly adjusted for him, however. There were two radio stations playing popular music: CKCK and CJME. Conradi gives some of the credit to Canadians: We loved the Canadians and the four day holidays that sent them packing to Coeur dAlene. Hey Joan (B. Deutscher), Copyright Brock Silversides & psychedelicbabymag.com, Well done Lots of research and interviews Those were the Halcyon Days of music and I was fortunate to be a part of it " Once an Andante always an Andante" Don Young. If it isnt one the teeney-boppers like, then survival in the dog-eat-dog world of wax can be a treacherous experiencetake The Confederation for instance. The post-New Year period until Easter 1966 saw the club scene take off in Regina. Lewis had shown up earlier, listened to something like a half a tune, stood up saying something like, No, no, its all wrong, all wrong! and stomped out. Engineer: Wayne Allen Says Statham:It just seemed to end at one pointI dont know why. Montague: One day he received a call from Joe Vargo. Its proprietor was Gene Ciuca (the owner of Genes Chicken on the Way, Genes On the Avenue, Genes On the Highway, as well as Sammys Pizza the first pizzeria in Regina). A troubled relationship with Schlegel had been percolating for some time. Up to this point I was playing guitar and some horns, but we wanted to expand the sound. THE RUSH CHRONOLOGY is available at:. They are booked almost steady until mid-summer. As Statham recalls with a chuckle a blues band in Moose Jaw in 1964 was reallywellout there. In the face of marked audience indifference, they managed to last a miraculous 12 months. The winners were chosen probably by ballot from the crowd, in which case, it was good to get as many friends in attendance as you could. She remembers one of their rare gigs at Arthurs: I also heard Gary Montague play at the Hotel Saskatchewan solo drums if you can imagine. We played in a big old dance hall and drew crowds from Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer. Personnel: Mick Grainger, Daryl Gutheil, Drew Lawrence, Bob Deutscher, Don Gutheil We rearranged it a bit, added some vocal harmonies, and recorded it . Gerry was drunk and informed us of his new karate lessons. and we have a big sound. He said. We had a four bedroom house booked for the week. ), the Happy Roaming Rangers, and Slim Wilson. MOBE planned two large but traditional marches for August. Some of Browns memorable local clients included the Canadian Downbeats doing Surf Party (1965), Mel West and the Meteors Sad and Blue (1966) and the Checkerlads Shake Yourself Down (1966). Montague: Todays Fool, which had the better melody and title, went A side. Theyve recorded one record to date which they hope will be released soon; have another planned for later on; and are also formulating plans for a long play album in the fall. And as an unintentional afterthought he administered the kiss of death: If anything parents will go for them in a big way. Gary has performed in three Shriners concerts as a guest artist. Especially notable among his many classic recording sessions were Chuck Berrys Johnny B. Good and Maybelline, and Howling Wolfs Killing Floor. Chisholm would later go on to teach sound engineering at Chicagos Columbia College, and be a regular contributor to Mix Magazine. His first introduction to the Devils music came from three of the American bands passing through Moose Jaw and performing at Temple Gardens. The next major gig was the second CKCK Battle of the Bands in October 1966. A former RCMP officer, he was the first radio announcer who was cool, hipHe could speak like the kids, made you giggle listening to the radio; a emerging brandnew style, refreshing, versatile, funny on-the-spot new idioms. We sold a few hundred copies, and got some local airplay [CKCK] so I guess it was worth the experience. My father was out of town. Title proper. We were rested and anticipating each night, often after which there was a party gathering in our residence, the detached cabin beside the hall. Last updated: 29 Apr 2023, 14:31 Etc/UTC. But it could have been by a panelcant remember. Upon leaving high school, Statham started working as a staff photographer for the Moose Jaw Times Herald. Composed of three rhythm and blues female singers Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow and Louvain Demps, they were an important, if unsung, element of Berry Gordys Motown Sound. We saw things in the same lighthad the same approach. Donnie went frontman and we then got Dinni Wilkie on bass and backup vocals, an original member of the longtime Regina band, The Impalas, after the Chev car, who were recently defunct. Daybreak (R. Zehringer) A couple of doors down was a stylish boutique full of expensive hippy clothing and jewelry. This band hails from Regina and though they are not a familiar name in these parts yet, lets hope they soon will be as these guys see no limit when it comes to being good. There really was only one choice Bob Deutscher. It was the social centre for all returned soldiers, soldiers on leave, or recruits at Reginas air force training school. All instruments, amps, mics and voices were silent props, so we could hear the music itself a direct feed into the video. We had a good grounding in music, so he knew we were serious. Additionally Daryl was a great keyboard player and often played trumpet with his right hand while comping chords on the keyboard with his left. Under the direction of Sister Mary Bertrand, the group performed songs like The Happy Wanderer and If I Had a Hammer. They even issued an LP as The Melody Lad Graduates in 1966, recorded in Earl Browns studio and released on his Soundaround label. In some weeks we received the cheque via the union. Victor Aloysius Meyers (September 7, 1897 - May 28, 1991) [1] was an American jazz bandleader and politician. Metro Pavlik of Yorkton), while the other three temporarily drifted, jamming with friends and exploring different types of music. After the second overnight session my parents lost their enthusiasm for my hobby! The above three songs and four others by Grainger were incorporated into the Andantes repertoire during 1968 and 1969 Hello Stranger, Holy Woman, I Need a Rest From the Music and Jonah Give Up Your Mind. You know I want you so bad, youre not there. Our guitarist Gerry Schlegel had a song called Lady which we wanted to record, but we werent really actively writing songs. He had short black hair, slavic features and a definite accent (which Donnie could mimic well); he had a soft voice, and didnt speak a lot. Rod McDonald recalls the club and its owner: To me it was a hippie/beatnik/artist/musician/coffee shop with a few political people thrown in and a draft dodger now and again. Id love to have it. Don Edwards found them a producer in the person of Dave Purple, guitarist from the Chicago band The Crying Shames who had recently had an American hit with Sugar and Spice. The engineer (and mixer) was a legend although neither the band nor the wider world of music fans would have recognized his name or body of work.