The 70's

[Meridenborn]

Anybody remember how much fun it was in the 70's?

[Meridenborn]

Anybody remember how much fun it was in the 70's?

I guess not.....blackouts?

[Modica]

I guess not.....blackouts?
I was too young to remember the 70's very well.

[Meridenborn]

I was too young to remember the 70's very well.

I remember. It was alot of fun. Bars with live bands everywhere. It was great until Disco, then it went downhill. All in all, it was a blast!

[Jim N]

I remember. It was alot of fun. Bars with live bands everywhere. It was great until Disco, then it went downhill. All in all, it was a blast!
If you remember the 70's you weren't really there. Probably applies to most years. What year is this????????????????///

[iwantwallingfordbetter]

If you remember the 70's you weren't really there. Probably applies to most years. What year is this????????????????///


jim n meriden born is right if you can remember then were weren;t there.....car fill up 6 bucks...30 cent hambergers....yea man far out

[wallyworld resident]

Not to mention $5 for a CASE of beer, not a six-pack, AND you could buy it at the age of 18...how did we ever survive??

[Meridenborn]

Not to mention $5 for a CASE of beer, not a six-pack, AND you could buy it at the age of 18...how did we ever survive??

We are survivors. Alot didn't make it. It was wild times, that's for sure.

[cherrybarbs]

The 70’s disco era wouldn’t have ever come about without the Bee Gees [staying alive] I can remember everyone walking out of theater and looking for their album.

[wallyworld resident]

Yes, the movie "Satirday Night Fever" definitely launched the days of Disco. But the sight of all the Disco Boys and Girls trying to navigate the icy streets in Boston's Kenmore Square while wearing platform heels and rabbit fur jackets in 1976-77 was hilarious to say the least. I was NOT one of them. As the disco days started, the days of classic rock and roll as I knew them ended. Thank goodness some bands like the Kinks, the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Yes, the Who, and the Mothers of Invention (to name a few) survived.

[UNiRAC]

Yes, the movie '' The Graduate launched the days of Discontent . , , , the days of classic rock and roll as I knew them ended in the 70's. [ED.] Thank goodness some bands like the Kinks, the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Yes, the Who, and the Mothers of Invention (to name a few) survived.The 70's was just Military time for me, but the 60's !!!! I remember ! My Honda CB160, a Merc 386-4 barrel convertible, pettie-pants, a 'DIME', playing Rock with the 'Young Rascals' in Greenwich, taking the 'milk train' to NYC to see Folkz down at Greenwich Village , Draft notice, Mom filing for divorce, Bro' runnin' away back home, Dad commiting suicide, marrying my High school sweet-heart [for just 30+ yrs]. Demmit, that just brought me BACK to the PRESENT!
as alwayz, all Flamez welcome . [BBS talk circa 1988]:confused:

[Modica]

The 70's was just Military time for me, but the 60's !!!! I remember ! My Honda CB160, a Merc 386-4 barrel convertible, pettie-pants, a 'DIME', playing Rock with the 'Young Rascals' in Greenwich, taking the 'milk train' to NYC to see Folkz down at Greenwich Village , Draft notice, Mom filing for divorce, Bro' runnin' away back home, Dad commiting suicide, marrying my High school sweet-heart [for just 30+ yrs]. Demmit, that just brought me BACK to the PRESENT!
as alwayz, all Flamez welcome . [BBS talk circa 1988]:confused:
many of the people on these forums are much older than I thought.

[bigbassdrum]

Check this one out!

http://pages.cthome.net/stack_family/UKnowMeriden.PDF

[artnjazz]

Living in South Meriden in the 70's, the early 70's anyway is still a blur, but I'm sure I had a ball. Actually I do remember those long ago years well.
The Platt High parking lot on Friday nights, the smoking area out back during lunch, the battle of the bands at Hubbard Park and so many other memories and not the least of which were the many friends I hung out with.
I often wonder what happened to them all.

[Sparky]

Every Friday a band would play at the Hubbard Park Bandshell. You would sign up for one of those Fridays at the Park and Rec Department. There would be weekly write-ups in the newspaper about each band that played. Then on Labor Day Weekend (I think) all the bands would play on that Sunday for an all-day affair called the Battle of Bands. The first 3 bands won monetary prizes. There was an extreme amount of talent in the Meriden area. Not only did we learn about musicians from the other side of town, but more importantly we respected each other with music being the common bond. Ah, the good ole' days, when life was simpler. :cool:

[Deb]

Seventies...ahhh let's see. I remember going to Hubbard Park on Wednesday evenings to see the City Band play. A friend of mine played clarinet. Then over to Greenbackers on Murdock Ave for ice cream.
I remember shopping in Genungs downtown and Harry Israels. Catching a movie at the Meriden Theater. The bowling lanes on Grove. Going down to Johnny's on Grove for their delicious stuffed shrimp on Friday nights. Katz's downtown for ice cream. I think Mayor Abe Grossman was from the 70's. He made the newspaper well worth getting. Politics aside he always did something that was funny. My brother was in Vietnam. Other brother was getting wasted in Hartford. For some reason Honky Tonk Woman comes to mind LOL. Wild Horses. You can tell I was a Rolling Stones fan. Place up on the turnpike called Emersons Wild Animal Farm. Then there was Ripple and Boones Farm wines. Brookside Park had a cement childrens wading pool, swings, slides and a tennis court where the city tournements were played. Verdolini's pizza was good. The newspaper had a morning edition called The Morning Record and the evening edition was the Journal. Meriden had a good Symphony Orchestra made up of mostly local musicians. The Meriden Expo had it's start in the early 70's. They blocked off Colony and West Main streets for a weekend. Had food and craft booths etc. It was really good the 1st couple of years. Meriden Square was being built and the Meriden Mall was open. Walgreens had a lunch counter at the Mall which was later called the Hub. 2 Cinemas there. Stop and Shop had a store there. Grants then Barkers were there. Good chinese restaurant called China Yum was there. I think that was the only chinese restaurant in town back then. Anderson Little was in that mall.
Lots of interesting memories indeed. Happier times for me. More care free anyway. Can probably chalk that up to youth.

[CMNSNC]

Some of the best years of my life.
Proposed to my girl in '65, got married in '72 after I did my military service. (No, I wasn't in NAM) Still married to the same girl by the way.
No kids, but then again, she says I never grew up!
Some of the best music ever.
I know disco got a bad rap, but truthfully there was some good Disco tunes back then. Can't remember which ones, but I'm sure there were some.
Stuff as mentioned was cheap, but so was the pay, so it's all realtive.
We weren't 'connected' back then. What we did was get together regularly and 'rap' about things. We'd talk face to face and laugh out loud (LOL to those who need a translation) about our daily lives.
Someday somebody will look upon these days as 'the good ole days'.

[whitey495]

Around 1972, you had a few concerts (battle of the bands) at Ceppa field. Long Sunday Drive, Surprise, Crystal Ship, Steed (featuring soon to be Grammy winner Gary Burr). Also at the local bars, The Scratch Band (featuring G.E. Smith and Cristine Ohlmann). Ahhh, to be young again. Those were great times with great local music.

[Sparky]

Can't say I remember the concerts at Ceppa Field, though all the groups you mentioned, Whitey, do bring back memories. I think they were from the west side of town.

We should invite others to join and start a neat little game by naming area performers who went on to bigger things. You began with Gary Burr. Now I'll add eastsider Rob Hyman. Without looking him up, who's able to list his claim to fame?

[Deb]

If we're not stuck in the genre of Rock I will mention Ray Mase. Brilliant trumpet player from Meriden who went on great things. I had the privilege of hearing him play with the Meriden Symphony at Maloney High School while he was still in high school. This was back in the early 70's.

Trumpeter Raymond Mase has been a member of the American Brass Quintet since 1973 and is responsible for many of the ABQ’s performance editions and recordings of 16th-, 17th-, and 19th-century brass music. He is also a founding member of the Summit Brass and principal trumpeter of the New York City Ballet Orchestra. Mr. Mase can be heard on well over one hundred recordings, including as soloist on the Albany, Deutsche Grammophon, Summit, Koch, Cambria, Troy, MHS, and Furious Artisans labels. In addition to his performing and teaching, Mr. Mase is Chair of the Brass Department at The Juilliard School, a member of the Aspen Music School faculty,and has served on the Board of Directors of Chamber Music America.

[Deb]

Hmmm lets see. Rob Hyman.....Rob Hyman.
Was he with the band The Rolling Stones?
Oh...wait...that was Bill Wyman.
Nevermind.

[Sparky]

Thanks for the update on Ray Mase. An exceptional talent way back then from the east side.

You're right, Deb...for the game rules, we should include all music genres and also individuals in the acting and art world. To be fair, readers should mention those Meriden kids successful "behind the scenes" in fine arts, too.

Still waiting for any takers on Rob (Robby) Hyman. No fair looking up his info.

[jaxma]

Thanks for the update on Ray Mase. An exceptional talent way back then from the east side.

You're right, Deb...for the game rules, we should include all music genres and also individuals in the acting and art world. To be fair, readers should mention those Meriden kids successful "behind the scenes" in fine arts, too.

Still waiting for any takers on Rob (Robby) Hyman. No fair looking up his info.

He was in the Hooters and co-wrote Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time".

[Sparky]

He was in the Hooters and co-wrote Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time".

Sure did, jaxma. Was up for a Grammy, too. Now he owns a recording studio in Philly. I can remember hearing him play at Maloney dances (Light My Fire) and he was a monster on the keyboards. Rob can be found on Wikipedia and also has his own website.

Next personality: Ron Kroll. What is his claim to fame?

[tjohnl]

i know he sang, but didn't he do a commercial for waffles or pancakes?? he had a great voice, he sang at Washington Jr, High once...1967 - 68??

[don'tcareattitude]

Can't say I remember the concerts at Ceppa Field, though all the groups you mentioned, Whitey, do bring back memories. I think they were from the west side of town.

We should invite others to join and start a neat little game by naming area performers who went on to bigger things. You began with Gary Burr. Now I'll add eastsider Rob Hyman. Without looking him up, who's able to list his claim to fame?


easy. He was a member of The Proteens and The Trolls here in murdin- went to college where he met his future colaberator and formed Baby Grand, then The Hooters- the band he plays with to this day.
Maybe a few might remember his return to murdin for the Bicentenial concert series at Hubbard Park. Local singer Frank Critelli opened the show and The Hooters were fab. Rob wrote the American classic song "Time After Time" for Cyndi Lauper and it has been recorded by many other artists.

[don'tcareattitude]

First- Ray Mase was from the west side- went to Platt. Anyone remember any of his local bands? who was his favorite local drummer? Who played the sax in his local act? (sometimes two or three at once).

Ron Kroll was the lead in Oliver on Broadway. The cast appeared on Ed Sullivan one of the times that the Beatles also did. His older brother Paul was also in the cast- and was understudy for the leader of the gang of thieves. He recently (well, couple of years ago) sang with Gary Burr at a Burrstock show at the 4 Points. 350 people filled the room to over capacity.

Gary, by the way, was just on stage for Ringo's 70th birthday party at Radio City Music Hall along with Sir Paul, Yoko and Keith Richards. Check the liner notes on Ringo's last few albums and see Gary all over them- co-writing, playing guitar and singing backup vocals.

[bigbassdrum]

Rob and Ray are among others listed on the Maloney Band Alumni page found here:
http://www.maloneyband.net/Content/Alumni.asp

[Sparky]

Thanks, dca, for the clarification on Ray Mase. I thought him to be from Platt, but he is (erroneously) listed on the Maloney website that bbd posted the link for. I went to Maloney and don't remember him from the school. However, my memory has faded from 40+ years ago.

Fill us in on Ray's local bands and bandmates. I will take a shot and say that Jimmy Rozelle played drums with him.

Anyone else have news about other Meriden kids that made good? I can think of another, but he will be too easy.

[don'tcareattitude]

King Isaac and The Soul Servants
Midney (the name of the band AND the incredibly talented Paul Midney-)

and yes, the fabulously strong drummer Jim Roszelle (now passed) was the drummer.

Mat Rhode is a newer addition to music guys make good from a podunk town.

[Sparky]

King Isaac and The Soul Servants
Midney (the name of the band AND the incredibly talented Paul Midney-)

and yes, the fabulously strong drummer Jim Roszelle (now passed) was the drummer.

Mat Rhode is a newer addition to music guys make good from a podunk town.


My cousin was the drummer for King Isaac and the Soul Servants. I first met Isaac Crooms in the late 60's when I went to his house in Middletown, across the street from Home Depot. Didn't he recently pass away? Didn't realize Rozelle left us, too.

I had the honor of playing a gig with Matt Rohde about 12 years ago. He filled-in at a 5-hour wedding reception at Wethersfield Country Club. Very quiet, understated, flawless player. Whenever he soloed, our mouths dropped. Here's Matt's website. Click on his amazing bio. http://www.mattrohde.com/

Maybe others can offer names of talents that came from Southington, Wallingford or Cheshire. I'm still holding out on one other musician.

Meanwhile: There were 2 huge horn bands playing soul music back then, King Isaac and the Soul Servants and the other was.........?

[tjohnl]

Sparky - didn't Crystal ship have some horn players?

what happened to the Long Sunday Drive members? if memory serves, Brother Julius broke them up

[don'tcareattitude]

Crystal Ship was Jeff Crooms band- Isaac's brother- also sadly, gone.
Jim Roszelle died a few years back.
Motor City was a horn band- but after King Isaac.
sparky- surely we are acquainted.
Long Sunday Drive's members are all alive- one still hangs with the julius crowd. The others smartened up. Their singer remains in fine voice.
I'm at a loss as to who the other "person" you mention could be.

Connecticut is still a hotbed of fine musicians- both people from here and those here for a short college stay. No less than three radio shows play all Connecticut tunes-Local Bands on WPLR on Sunday night at 10.(99.1FM) Connecticut Rocks on WPKN on Mondays from 2-6am (89.5FM). Homegrown- on WESU on thursday at 5pm.-(88.1FM)

the so-called homegrown on a major station once a week for 15 min focuses on heavier music. not worth mentioning the numbers or call letters on that one.

[Sparky]

Crystal Ship was Jeff Crooms band- Isaac's brother- also sadly, gone.
Jim Roszelle died a few years back.
Motor City was a horn band- but after King Isaac.
sparky- surely we are acquainted.
Long Sunday Drive's members are all alive- one still hangs with the julius crowd. The others smartened up. Their singer remains in fine voice.
I'm at a loss as to who the other "person" you mention could be.

Connecticut is still a hotbed of fine musicians- both people from here and those here for a short college stay. No less than three radio shows play all Connecticut tunes-Local Bands on WPLR on Sunday night at 10.(99.1FM) Connecticut Rocks on WPKN on Mondays from 2-6am (89.5FM). Homegrown- on WESU on thursday at 5pm.-(88.1FM)

the so-called homegrown on a major station once a week for 15 min focuses on heavier music. not worth mentioning the numbers or call letters on that one.


The other band playing soul music back in the 60's and 70's was The Royal Knights of Soul. They were based out of Wallingford. I played with them for about 5 weeks when a couple of members left, but then they decided to rejoin the group. Johnny Herowzick (sp) was the leader and sax player.
Carl Miller (still gigging) played the Hammond organ.

We might have gotten more bites on this topic if it was retitled and stood alone as its own thread.

The last musician I had in mind is Jay Azzolina. That should be easy for you pros.

[whitey495]

Speaking of the 70's, in the Hartford Courant today, there is a 40th anniversary exhibit on July 31 for the Powder Ridge Rock Festival (that wasn't officially held). Anyone remember being there? At one point they estimated around 80,000 to 100,000 people were there. Even tho the Town of Middlefield stopped it at the last minute, some stars did show up. Too bad it was stopped, a year after the original Woodstock, with the line up of bands they had, it could've made history.

[don'tcareattitude]

The other band playing soul music back in the 60's and 70's was The Royal Knights of Soul. They were based out of Wallingford. I played with them for about 5 weeks when a couple of members left, but then they decided to rejoin the group. Johnny Herowzick (sp) was the leader and sax player.
Carl Miller (still gigging) played the Hammond organ.

We might have gotten more bites on this topic if it was retitled and stood alone as its own thread.

The last musician I had in mind is Jay Azzolina. That should be easy for you pros.

Of course I remember the Royal Knights of Soul and thought there was a thread on them here once- Pete Miller was the young guitarist for them for a spell. 2 drummers- Dom Clemente singer. what did you play? Carl was also the keys for Long Sunday Drive-

Jay was a pal of mine too- don't know why I forgot- have some of his music. He played in several local acts, all ell supplied from his Dad's store-where I bought my first 45rpm single and albums.
Name your murdin bands and I'll bet I'll think of your name.
Paul Ossola was a Maloney guy who was in several great bands here in town prior to his stint in the Scratch Band- he played on Saturday Night Live for a few years with his old bandmate and Yalesville resident-G.E. Smith. Christine still sings with the SNL band.

[Deb]

Dan Rychlec just came to my mind. Here is a brief background note from a playbill in NY.

DANIEL RYCHLEC A Connecticut native, Dan has toured extensively with the Washington Ballet, Ballet Met of Columbus, OH, and the Atlanta Ballet. He has made appearances on “The Joe Franklin Show,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and probably, eventually “Cops”! Have a great day!

Dan has been in Phantom of the Opera on broadway for about 10 years and left recently due to an injury. To my knowledge he is now touring Europe dancing in a less demanding capacity. Great talent. He is also a good artist which must come from his mother's side who is also an artist.

As a side note, his father Tom Rychlec played professional football a ways back for the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos and I think one other team. He was a tight end.

[whitey495]

He also played semi-pro football for the Meriden Shamrocks.

[Sparky]

Of course I remember the Royal Knights of Soul and thought there was a thread on them here once- Pete Miller was the young guitarist for them for a spell. 2 drummers- Dom Clemente singer. what did you play? Carl was also the keys for Long Sunday Drive-

Jay was a pal of mine too- don't know why I forgot- have some of his music. He played in several local acts, all ell supplied from his Dad's store-where I bought my first 45rpm single and albums.
Name your murdin bands and I'll bet I'll think of your name.
Paul Ossola was a Maloney guy who was in several great bands here in town prior to his stint in the Scratch Band- he played on Saturday Night Live for a few years with his old bandmate and Yalesville resident-G.E. Smith. Christine still sings with the SNL band.


Years ago, I subbed for the guitar player in the Royal Knights of Soul. Karl Raskovy (sp) and the drummer (only one back then) left, but they soon rejoined the group. I played in a garage band with Carl Miller when he first started out, but he was too talented and eventually gigged with the Royal Knights.

I graduated from Maloney with Jay. He spent a year at Hartt and then transferred to Berklee. We would go up to Boston to see his guitar teacher, Mick Goodrick play with Gary Burton and Steve Swallow. When Jay graduated from Berklee, I think he played on a cruise ship and eventually joined Spyro Gyra. He also recorded with Michael Franks. Now he teaches college at SUNY.

What a set-up Azzolina's Music Box was. The newer store had 3 floors with an elevator. Jimmy Azzolina had all the exclusives on the franchises. I took lessons from Jimmy Fetta. Azzolina's competition came from down the street, Carl's Electronics. Carl held the franchise for Vox.

I've got to search for some old newspaper clippings in my basement about the Battle of the Bands and get back to you all. Somebody really should write a book on all this performance history.

[don'tcareattitude]

Remember The Good Time?- it was an all day concert at Hubbard park- 10 local bands and a crazy guy named Sweet Pie who played piano and sang risque material. We convinced the priest at St Joes to loan the piano by saying he sang gospel blues. we convinced 'ol Abe Grossman that if he let us throw the concert he could address the crowd and gain some newly enfranchised voters. He came up- half pint in his suit pocket and the RJ ran an arial photo the next day estimating the crowd at 5-10 thou.
Sweet Pie mooned the crowd and was arrested- as the promoter, I had to sneak out in a wheel well of a station wagon to avoid the same- it all blew over and he was released.
Some complained that we didn't have enough police and safety coverage- but who new so may would show?

[cpboy1231]

I remember it well. Colt 45 helped alot of us overcome fear ha ha!

[Kielbasa]

Yes I do remember the 1970's.

I remember when I was about 5 years old and my mom took me shopping down to the hub. I think we were coming out where Anderson Little was and someone was getting out of our 1963 Chevy Impala. It was the beginning of the end for Meriden!

[CMNSNC]

Once upon a time Jacoby's back in the late 60's used to be a night club for teenagers. No alchohol was served, there was a cover and live bands. Kind of sorry to see that place go. Good food later in its life.
And every Wednesday night was SRO!
Anybody remember the Wild Weeds with Big Al Anderson as the front man?
They were a local band but did get a lot of coverage on the radio.
Cut a few good selling albums. Yes, that was way before CD's and I-pods and the like.
There was another group, (and I'm really testing my memory here) that performed at the Cherry Shack. I think it was in Branford or Guilford. Any help here from you older folks?
What I remember most was the blind bass player. I can still remember his name after all these years. Bobby Dudek. Man could he carry the rythm. He didn't overwhelm the tune, but you knew he was there. Kind of like Mick Fleetwood, only with strings. Mick was and still is one of the best drummers ever!
Just thought I would toss that into the music pile and see what brews!
Speaking of brew! 'Strange Brew'. Cream with Clapton! Yummm!:cool:

[don'tcareattitude]

The teen club was actually in the back portion of where K Lamays (formerly Hot Dogs Plus and a couple other failed eateries) and In The Mood.
The SHERRY Shack was in Branford on rte 1. Loved that joint. Pals had a teen band and a manager with a van so we got to go all over the state to teen clubs.

[Sparky]

The big hit for the Wildweeds was No Good to Cry. Big Al still lives in Windsor, CT, where I teach school. When his kids attended my school, he could be seen in the auditorium during Open House night. He's made more money lately writing and recording in Nashville. A few months back, Big Al performed on The Green in Windsor Center to celebrate the town's 350th birthday.

Here's the link for the Wildweeds website: http://www.puddingbench.com/weeds.htm
It was their bass player that was blind. The band's drummers were shared by the Lepak brothers. The Lepaks are mucho famous in Windsor. There were 11 kids and nearly all the boys played or are still playing drums today. The father was Al Lepak, Sr., who died about a year ago. Al Lepak taught at Hartt and performed on many Hollywood scores. He wrote the bible on tympani instruction.

The Sherry Shack in Branford was actually a dance studio that was turned into a club on the weekends.

Another big name club back then was the College Inn. The buildings used to change every so often. I would go to the one that was across from the entrance to Powder Ridge in Middlefield. It was always crowded.

Still another club was in the basement of the old Tom and Pat's Steak House on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington. It was in the vicinity of where Ruth's Chris Steak House now stands.

[don'tcareattitude]

ahhh yes- went there often- you too sparky? My friends bands played there frequently in the 60's.
Bill Millers Dance Barn still stands and is used for weddings and events- and singles gatherings to this day. The place on rte 17 in N Branford was the Trapezoid- remember that one? high tech for the time- DJ booth and psychedelic llights.
extra points if you remember the big light effect at the Dance barn- hint a ballon was involved.
do you have any records from the bands of that era? would love to play them on a local staion

[Sparky]

ahhh yes- went there often- you too sparky? My friends bands played there frequently in the 60's.
Bill Millers Dance Barn still stands and is used for weddings and events- and singles gatherings to this day. The place on rte 17 in N Branford was the Trapezoid- remember that one? high tech for the time- DJ booth and psychedelic llights.
extra points if you remember the big light effect at the Dance barn- hint a ballon was involved.
do you have any records from the bands of that era? would love to play them on a local staion


I was a little young to hang out at Tom & Pat's, Sherry Shack and the Trapezoid. I remember hearing radio adds and I saw an add for the Trapezoid while I was browsing the Wildweeds website. Back in the mid 80's, I visited Bill Miller's to see about landing some weekend work. By then, the place was catering to the singles crowd.

I played at Tom & Pat's as the "break band" when I was about 12. The owner hired the headline band for the main riser, while a break band played on the floor against another wall. If the break band was good enough, chances were the owner would hire you for the headliner at a later date. Truthfully, we weren't that good to be asked back. However, the headliner band that night had guitar players all playing Rickenbacker guitars. Their sound made a lasting impact.

Sorry to say that I don't have 45's from local bands of that era, only my 45's that I bought at Barker's for 69 cents.

[Sparky]

Looked at my newspaper articles about the Battle of Bands. 1968 was the 4th annual battle. 2,000 "well-behaved" kids spent 6 hours listening to bands starting at 2:30pm.

The bands performing in order were: The Infantry, Pacification Era, Royal Knights of Soul, BMF, Soul Servants, The Stuph, Soul Inspiration, The Gig, Act of Contrition, and Milton's Trinity (formerly Back Door Blues.)

There was an extra blurb mentioning 15-year old Jim Rozelle, who played with 2 groups (Soul Servants and The Gig.) He was teaching drums at Carl's Electronics. He mentions Jim Oblon as his mentor.

Judges were Eddie Bramird, drummer for Van Weiner's Group and the other judge was Ed Gerosa, ex-guitarist/singer for The Roadrunners. Bill Bruneau was the emcee and might have been the third judge.

Al Kelly and Iris Rodriquez placed 3rd in the dance contest ($10.) 2nd place were Thomas Bacote and Juanita Wise ($30.) 1st place went to George Rosado and Dorothy Pavloski ($50.)

Band winners: 3rd place ($25) to The Infantry...Tony Decusati, Mike Durso, Phil Lebov, Lenny Zichichi and Pat Cukierski.

2nd place ($50) to The Stuph...Allan Macri, G. Smith, Paul Gallo, Carl Miller, and Bob Gonzalez (Carlos -aka Chico-, the Meriden fireman is still performing in the Meriden area.)

1st place ($100) to The Soul Servants...Jim Winner, Tony Hudon, Ray Mase, Jimmy Rozelle, Dave Moslow, Paul Midney, Nick Stargu, Al Mongum, and Harry Bolden. (Isaac Crooms and others had left the group by then.)

[Sparky]

1800 kids attended to see 6 bands from Meriden and 2 bands from Wallingford compete. There were also 3 guest bands that performed.

Four dance prizes were awarded:
Dorothy Pauleski & Ray Douglas ($5)
Mary Ellen Toussaint & Bob Dingwell ($10)
Roxanne Redy & Jessie Howell ($25)
Debbie Crossley & Al Shelton ($50)

Four band prizes were awarded ($100) ($75) ($50) ($25):
4th place- The Glass... Jim Kahl (drums), Milt Kahl (bass), Dennis Murphy (organ), and Mark Riotte (guitar.)

3rd place- The Stuph... G. Smith (drums), Paul Gallo (guitar), and Dennis O'Neal (bass.)

and then a tie for 1st place--

The Roadrunners... Lou Terricciano (organ), Tony Erdos (guitar), Jerry Faulkner (drums), and Billy Pallman (bass.)

The Stormtroopers... Ken Nessing (lead vocal), Nick Stargu (keyboards), Ralph Collazo (guitar), Ken Stabach (drums), and John Mengual (bass.) These guys soon changed their name to Surprise.

The other groups competing were Fellowship of the Ring, Grand Design, Breaking Point, and Laminated Lyte.

The guest groups were the Soul Servants, the Royal Knights of Soul, and a group from the New Britain/W. Hartford area called Elijha... John Barbarrian (sax), Sal Linarin (vocals), Jimmy Macoan (guitar), and Marty Zebsta (bass.)

[Sparky]

I have no newspaper article; just a list of the 9 bands that competed.

1st place- 1845
2nd- Laminated Lyte
3rd- 100 Proof

three bands tied for 4th- Tower, Spice of Life, Eli

5th- Rhythmic Energy
6th- Purple Mongoose
7th- Why

[don'tcareattitude]

nice archives! I rode to that '68 gig with Jim Roszelle in his Dad's station wagon. Those all preceeded "The Good Time". I have the arial photo of that show- a sunny sunday after many rainy days. thousands on the hill- the RJ even said 10,000 in one account.

[whitey495]

Once upon a time Jacoby's back in the late 60's used to be a night club for teenagers. No alchohol was served, there was a cover and live bands. Kind of sorry to see that place go. Good food later in its life.
And every Wednesday night was SRO!
Anybody remember the Wild Weeds with Big Al Anderson as the front man?
They were a local band but did get a lot of coverage on the radio.
Cut a few good selling albums. Yes, that was way before CD's and I-pods and the like.
There was another group, (and I'm really testing my memory here) that performed at the Cherry Shack. I think it was in Branford or Guilford. Any help here from you older folks?
What I remember most was the blind bass player. I can still remember his name after all these years. Bobby Dudek. Man could he carry the rythm. He didn't overwhelm the tune, but you knew he was there. Kind of like Mick Fleetwood, only with strings. Mick was and still is one of the best drummers ever!
Just thought I would toss that into the music pile and see what brews!
Speaking of brew! 'Strange Brew'. Cream with Clapton! Yummm!:cool:
Oh yeah, I knew it as "The Sherry Shack". Not sure of the right pronunciation. I believe it was off rte. 80 in Nth. Branford. Saw the "Wild Weeds" there. Had to be around '70 or '71.

[OBceanSanDiego]

Can't say I remember the concerts at Ceppa Field, though all the groups you mentioned, Whitey, do bring back memories. I think they were from the west side of town.

We should invite others to join and start a neat little game by naming area performers who went on to bigger things. You began with Gary Burr. Now I'll add eastsider Rob Hyman. Without looking him up, who's able to list his claim to fame?
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Songwriter/Band Member for Cyndi Lauper, I think he's credited with "Time After Time". He lived around the corner & was a couple years older than me, but we were acquainted.

Also knew Ralph Collazo from "Surprise" & "Oreo", my brother played drums in his basement with Ralph & his cousin John Mengual (he passed away quite a few years ago) when they were kids.

I'm live in Ocean Beach in San Diego, home to Slightly Stoopid who recently toured with Snoop Dog.

[OBceanSanDiego]

Seventies...ahhh let's see. I remember going to Hubbard Park on Wednesday evenings to see the City Band play. A friend of mine played clarinet. Then over to Greenbackers on Murdock Ave for ice cream.
I remember shopping in Genungs downtown and Harry Israels. Catching a movie at the Meriden Theater. The bowling lanes on Grove. Going down to Johnny's on Grove for their delicious stuffed shrimp on Friday nights. Katz's downtown for ice cream. I think Mayor Abe Grossman was from the 70's. He made the newspaper well worth getting. Politics aside he always did something that was funny. My brother was in Vietnam. Other brother was getting wasted in Hartford. For some reason Honky Tonk Woman comes to mind LOL. Wild Horses. You can tell I was a Rolling Stones fan. Place up on the turnpike called Emersons Wild Animal Farm. Then there was Ripple and Boones Farm wines. Brookside Park had a cement childrens wading pool, swings, slides and a tennis court where the city tournements were played. Verdolini's pizza was good. The newspaper had a morning edition called The Morning Record and the evening edition was the Journal. Meriden had a good Symphony Orchestra made up of mostly local musicians. The Meriden Expo had it's start in the early 70's. They blocked off Colony and West Main streets for a weekend. Had food and craft booths etc. It was really good the 1st couple of years. Meriden Square was being built and the Meriden Mall was open. Walgreens had a lunch counter at the Mall which was later called the Hub. 2 Cinemas there. Stop and Shop had a store there. Grants then Barkers were there. Good chinese restaurant called China Yum was there. I think that was the only chinese restaurant in town back then. Anderson Little was in that mall.
Lots of interesting memories indeed. Happier times for me. More care free anyway. Can probably chalk that up to youth.

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You bring back many memories.
I lived on the east side, was a Candy Striper at Memorial Hospital, my friend Sandy O'Brien's father owned the golf course across the street, Saturday's we'd to to Greenbacker's - my fav was their Blueberry Sundae - I think it cost 40 cents! Stores were closed on Sundays & my mother woud buy milk from the milk machine at Greenbackers.

Summers we spent at the Ceppa Field Pool, 30 minute shifts. When we weren't in the pool, we had make-out sessions next to the snack stand.

I remember grocery shopping at Grand Union on the corner of E. Main & Paddock Ave. with a flashlight when we had a power outage that lasted over a week.

I remember the Air Raid Siren that used to go off Saturday's at noon at the corner of Elmwood Drive (where I grew up) & Miller Ave.

Vanilla cokes at Katz, JayBee's, Sweet Tarts for a nickel at Variety News, Ted's Steamed Cheeseburgers. We'd put 50 miles on the car driving to the parking lot hang outs - East Side Grand Union to West Side Friendly's . . . with our friends-Colt 45 & Boones Farm. And, the best dive in town THE SPOT!

I only wish I knew then, what I know now!

[whitey495]

Ahhhh, The Spot ! Spent many years and dollars there. Got a picture of it just before they tore it down.

[Shannonjmacri]

When everyone spoke English in Meriden and were NOT on welfare.

[catnap]

@Shannonmacri - this is nice thread - take the negativity elsewhere please..


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and to the rest of you THANKS FOR THE FLASHBACK!!!! lol (puts on Janis Joplin Rose Colored glasses......)

**sigh** - the seventies, to grow up in the sixties and seventies - we were lucky kids...Good TIMES! :)