The XL's Columbus Indiana 1964

In the spirit of the "Hot August Nights" tribute to the fallen members of 60's Columbus bands, I offer the XL's circa 1964. A glass up to Jim Sparrow, who passed away earlier this year. The XL's were most likely Columbus's most long lived and successful band. The XL's lasted from the early '60s thru the metamorphosis to the Proof of the Pudding which released a lone 45 on RCA in 1967. Take a look at that equipment package, and remember that this was '64!

Pictured members:

Alan Simpson
Tirk Wilder
Jim Sparrow
Mike Moody
Dave Groves

If you are in the area, come on down (or up!) this weekend, and say hi to the guys. I'm sure Alan and Mike will be playing, maybe Tirk, who knows?

p.s. Thanks to Mike Mercer for the pic and endless info on the XL's, he's a large part of the later XL's (to be honored later!)

Calientes - Watchmen - Columbus '66

Sorry for the lousy pic, this is from microfilm, but it's the best I've got. The Calientes and the Watchmen got together for this photo in Feb. '66. Terry Green of the Calientes is one of the deceased that Hot August Nights is paying tribute to.

Band Members , left to right:

Calientes:

Terry Green
Walter Bohall
Willie Bohall
Joe Beamon

Watchmen:

Rick Waggoner
Eddie White
Craig Rust
Jeff Luzius

Two more bands, I'm sure two more great stories! Don't hesitate to share them with us.

Hot August Nights - August 4th, 2007

A large number of musicians from Columbus (Indiana) are putting on a Memorial Jam in honor of several friends who have passed on. We would like to honor:
Greg Weisner, John Arrington, Ross Hubler, Bill Taylor, Jim Sparrow,
Garry Hamilton, Terry Green and others who are no longer with us. We
would also like to thank 4th Street Bar, Coca-Cola Bottling and Brands
Lumber for sponsoring this event. Please forward this message to your
friends. We hope to see you there.

Featuring Toby Myers band, (ask him about his '67 band - Clarence Brown's Memorial String Band! Not a violin or cello in sight!)

Also the "All-Star Reunion Band" Featuring members from:

XL's
Fabulous XL's
Grub & the Gargoyles
Garry & the Twi-liters
Raven Blues
Calientes
3-Chord Monty

Come on down and pay your respects to the ones who helped blaze the '60s Rock & Roll trail in Columbus, Indiana!

Mr's - Greenwood, Indiana 1967

These kids, The Mr's were a special guest group at Greenwood Center's teen talent search (since they were not teens yet). At this time, they were 5th graders at Southwest Elementary. The Mr's combo included (back from left):

Roy Goode - guitar
Martin Wright - throat
Rich Elliott - guitar
Mark Iverson - drummer

I don't recognize any of these names in later groups, but as usual, I'm probably wrong!!

Tribu-Terrys 1965

I finally found a pic of the Tribu-Terrys. This is earlier than I thought they existed, from December '65. Still don't know why they and the Noblemen from McCordsville recorded on the Prism (Dayton, Ohio)label. I'm just glad they recorded at all. Hear Leavin' to Stay right now. Known 45 is Prism 1951 - Leavin' to Stay / My Shadow is You. I'm hoping soon I'll be able to list the band members!!!! This song is too good to be forgotten, so if you know anything, just call me!!

GT Combo - Whiteland, Indiana '66-'67

The GT Combo,first I was told they were from Beech Grove, but after talking with a band members parents last night, I believe they were from Whiteland, Indiana. Seems to be active in the circuit from late '66 to mid '67.
Band members included:
front to back,
left to right:

Paul Venter - lead
Roger Miller - rhythm & singer
Charles "Chick" Gibbs - sax
Melvin Babbs - guitar
Jim Scofield - drummer

No 45 known, no tapes rumored, but give these guys the dues for giving it a go. I'll keep you posted on how the talks are progressing!

Joys of Life - 1966 Indianapolis - Descent

The Joys of Life, circa 1966-67, Indianapolis, Indiana. Shown from top, left to right:
Jeff McMullin
Craig Gardner
Jim Albrecht
Jeff Mills
Corky Kirk
Danny McMullin

I believe that Jeff Mills is deceased. Jim Albrecht stayed in the music business, and opened a studio in the 1990's.
Two 45s that I know of:
Columbia 4-44188 - Good times are Over / Descent
Tomorrow THH 241 - Everybody wants to fall in love / Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
The Columbia 45 goes for some pretty decent coin, several have been for sale in the past few years.
Major label didn't mean major success for the Joys, but they got further than 99% of the bands out there.
Any info, please feel free to contribute!