The Phantom Five left one 45 and no other evidence of the band exists. Said to have hailed from South Bend, even that is conjecture at this point. Even the writers credits espouse "Phantom Five", with no name to track down.GRAVEYARD
COOL-IT!
Obviously a custom label and the numbering even defies sleuthing. Said to be from 1966, but the surf sound is dated by that time frame.
Any help here appreciated!!!
EU numbers refers to the copyright numbers allocated by the Library of Congress to "unpublished musical compositions by U.S. authors or domiciliaries registered before 1978" (whatsoever that's mean).
ReplyDeleteThese numbers are rarely printed on labels.
817002 put the copyright date around March 1964.
That is cool info. Early '64 sounds about right for the style.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, First time I have every heard the group. They had a nice sound
ReplyDeleteI've got all of the names directly from the band's submitted copyright certificate. The 45 was pressed in early '64. I would have thought the group had been located in the past, given the amount of unplayed copies that surfaced from a few dealers I know!
ReplyDeleteContact me directly with a PM (you know where you can find me!) and I'll gladly send my info. I don't publish people's names without permission (privacy and alla that stuff)....
Does anyone have any information on the Fort Wayne In. group The Ravens?
ReplyDeleteI have the Ravens pic and names, but don't have the 45 yet.
ReplyDeleteI was an original member of The Phantom Five. Those who appeared on the recording were: Tom Davis, lead guitar; John Bolling, bass;
ReplyDeleteLani Allen, drums; Bill Johanson, saxophone; and me, Dick Fortin, rhythm guitar. Both of these tunes were collaberations among all the members and sheet music and copywrite work was done from the tapes of the recording sessions and writing sessions in Mr. Allen's basement in 1963 and 1964.
They used to play this on WRVU 91.1 FM, Vanderbilt's college station in Nashville back in the late 90's.. i think there was even a local band of little or no prominence named the same at the time, they played surf music during the short lived 90's surf renaissance brought about by groups like Los Stsrightjackets & Man or Astroman and, of course, the soundtrack from Pulp Fiction.. i seem to recall that they did a nice cover of, "I Want My Woman" by The Emporers, which i liked better than the original and have never been able to find a copy of or any record of anywhere online. I had it on a cassette I recorded from one of the over the air broadcast back in like 96'-97' but it was unfortunately destroyed in a flood in 2005.. :(
DeleteCorroborate what Dick Fortin said. He modestly avoids mentioning that he wrote the chord structure (basically, the song) and bridge and played the intro on the record. The rest was obviously ad libbed, although Davis' part could be considered the "melody" and remained a constant in performances. The band is referred to elsewhere as a garage band, but that's not the case. We played dances, proms, some bars (underage), and had bookings as reliable and often as a working musician could want. L. Allen was a fine manager. The group had several incarnations, with most personnel changes caused by members going off to college or getting drafted. Yep,we were young. John Bolling.
ReplyDeletePicked up a copy of this record at a record show in Michigan back in the 90's from a record dealer. He had several copies that he said he got from a band member. All un-played. Also said they were from Indiana. In my opinion, a better than average record.
ReplyDeleteI cant add details only memories of the Phantom Five. Going to my very first dance....perhaps 1966. I believe it was at the brand new Penn High School... in Mishawaka. We called them sock hops and were usual fare after a basket ball game. I went to South Bend Adams and was there to see a Penn girl...to get my very first real kiss and fall madly in puppy love. And there was the Phantom Five. Loud. Bigger then life. Real home town heros. Practically Gods. They had a sign post with their name on it and a couple of skulls. In the grand theme of things I guess it was nothing...but for me I will never forget being there. With Linda.... and the Phantom Five~
ReplyDeleteI'd like to find an original 45. My father was a member of the band and I'd like to have it as a piece of memorabilia. If anyone know where I can find an original please let me know. rfortin@outlook.com
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHOW SOUTH BEND'S PHANTOM FIVE BAND ACQUIRED A SAX PLAYER IN 1962
ReplyDeleteBill Johanson: Fall '62, when I first met business-like-but-likable-drummer Lani Allen in IU South Bend's speech class and learned he was in a rock band and was auditioning an experienced sax player (Dave Martin) and bass player (really, a great lead guitarist, Tom Davis) "this Sunday," I gathered my courage and asked if I might audition on sax, too. I was pretty rusty and, actually, sucked greatly during the audition but no one (because of the loud band amps in Lani's parents' small living room) could really hear my squeaks and squawks. That day, Martin didn't show for the audition; I did, and Lani offered me the vacant sax player job.
John Bolling: This is just too easy, Billy Jo. Just begging for a comment as to how great it would have been if Dave had only showed up, what a great band we would have been, that kind of stuff. Just too easy. Although, Dave was a good guy, a good musician, and sang. Oh - I guess that leaves it open for picking on Dobecki & Davis now. Oh well, that would leave it open for "if only BJ had taken up bass." Oh - wait - Davis was auditioning for bass? That's the first I heard of that, too. Touch - did you play bass (yeah, it's real hard) or even have a bass?
Tom Dobecki: From experience, Dave would have quit after a few months; with BJ we got talent, longevity and dedication.
Bill Johanson: Thanks, Tom. You humble me, especially as I recall how the Phantom Five experience spring-boarded my rock musician-ness... leading up to my 50 years of annoying audiences. Regarding John's comments about Davis possibly playing bass, a big reason I asked Lani to audition was that I'd heard years earlier from a local "rock hero" -- Johnny Goheen -- about this "great" guitar player performing with him at Clear Lake, wherever that's at. I never forgot Davis's name. And so, when Lani said that Tom Davis was auditioning to play bass, of all things, I figured the Phantom Five had to be something outstanding. And, it was.
Tom "Touch" Davis: Ahh yes, Johnny Goheen... He was the consummate cool guitar slinger with Buddy Holly glasses and with an Elvis delivery. Clear Lake was in Buchanan, MI where we played to a background of thieving club owners and nightly knife fights.
Man, i really dug The Fantom Five and 13th Floor Elevators from that era above all other similar bands.. even The Ventures and Dick Dale!
DeleteI only know this. I went to Adam of South bend and dated a girl from Penn, both in the South bend Indiana area. I remember going to sock hops. The band had a totem with skulls hanging from a post and I felt they were gods. Im 70 now but will never forget the few times I saw them after basketball games. If any of the 5 are left.... thank you guys. You had a huge impact on my life.... on my first kiss and first dances and sock hops. Returning to the area after 34 years with the Navy... I still remember those moments
ReplyDeleteand those innocent times... and thank you for precious memories. From my heart. Hank
If anyone has any current information on the Phantom Five I am writing a book and including this song in the book and would love to get more information on them! Please email me at
ReplyDeletebeyondthemonstermash@gmail.com
Thanks!