The Teaberry Scandal. Great name, unknown kids, until now!Purdue University connection, solid Indiana lead, now we have some names!
And those names:
Keith Vanderhook (?) - lead singer
Bob Leavell - Drums
Den
nis ("Turkey") Heinz - Lead guitarBob Keller - 12 string guitar
Steve Behr - Bass
And who do we thank for the info? It's right there on the photo. I wrote to Gerald Goldhaber, and he replied right away:
"Wow! We were together from 1966-70, sponsored by Clark Gum Company (who made Teaberry Gum), a division of Philip Morris. I had contacted the head of PR at Clark/Philip Morris, just to get some help with uniforms....bands wore suits, etc. in those days. Boy, was I surprised when he flew to Lafayette, IN and the rest is history. The lead singer was Keith Vanderhook (I think), the drummer was Bob Leavell, the lead guitar was Dennis ("Turkey") Heinz, the 12-string guitar was Bob Keller and the bass player was Steve Behr. We played all over the country, starting at Purdue with sororities and fraternities, then the National Candy Show (Boston, MA), competed in the Little Rock, AK National pop/jazz festival, were offered a recording contract by Capital Records (which we never signed because the band broke up). My wife, Marylynn, and I used to travel with the band to various gigs in the U.S. in a UHaul truck; we made about $200-300/gig, a fortune in the '60's...lol. The band wrote its own music in order to get ready for Capital Records, but they broke up, due to lost interest, travel schedules, graduation, etc. We used to put a 7' wooden stick of Teaberry Gum on the stage at our gigs and at the end of each set, we threw out hundreds of packs of gum to the audience....in true bubble gum fashion. Towards the end, they changed their name to "The Scandal" to be a bit more edgy."
Fabulous eh? Tons of questions as usual:
Any recordings?
Top 40 or originals?
Best gig, gig from hell?
Where are we now?
Keep 'em coming gang! This starts our 4th year!!!!!!!!
B.K. the 12-string player, here
ReplyDeleteSome gigs we made $600 or more. Not bad split 8 ways (one roady) when minimum wage was $.95 an hour. Leavell and I moved to Lompoc, CA and started an all original band called Airport. Played a few gigs and broke up after a year and a half. Leavell is in Cape Coral,FL. Turkey is in New Albany, IN. I'm in Norfolk, VA. No clue where the other three are today.
Thanks for checkin' in BK. Hope I have the info correct, and you feel free to add to the story!
ReplyDeleteGerry left out the keyboard player - John ?????. Don't remember his last name. John was a pretty boy and even in the extreme lack of good looking women at Purdue, he got the best looking ones.
ReplyDeleteI did end up one night with a visiting Chicago Playboy Girl, a friend of one of Leavell's girlfriends. Leavell and I partied some at IU Bloomington where the hunting was very good.
B.K. The 12 String Player
Keyboard player was John Kreisle, he's my brother
DeleteAnother web site said The Teaberry Scandal was the best band at Purdue "if you like top 40".
ReplyDeleteThe money was in playing for fraternity dances and the frats had lots of money for parties. They wanted to dance to top 40 music. Doors, Beatles, Sam and Dave, Hendrix, etc. We player two or three times a week. Making $100 a week each in the 60's is the same dollar figure band members make today but today's dollar if one seventh of the 60's value.
B.K. - the twelve string player.
Lead singer was Keith Vanderbosch. John krisley was on keys.
ReplyDeleteThe keyboard player was named John Kreisle, he is my brother. He was quite proud of that band and still talks about it.
ReplyDeleteI was friends with Bob Keller and he use to tell me stories about the group. Bob past away I guess about 8 years ago. I can’t remember for sure. It would be great if there are any recordings of their music I could obtain.
ReplyDeleteThis is John Kreisle - the keyboard player.It was a blast, indoors, outdoors, and in the Union Hall. I moved onto another band in the early 70's until I met my wife in 1973 in Wisconsin. Best thing that ever happended to me. She got me off the road, out of playing in a band, and straightened me out. I still stay in touch with two (2) of the band members (Steve Behr and Keith Vanderbosch). Bob K (12 string) died about 10 years ago. Turkey I think is still in New Albany and don't know where Bob Levell is. Gerry is in New York and Cape Cod. Will never ever forget the gigs and the fun.
ReplyDelete