The King’s Ransom – Allentown, PA

The King’s Ransom – Out of the Garage

The King’s Ransom formed in 1965 out of Allenstown, Pennsylvania. Original members were Danny Roth (drums) – Vince Homick (rhythm guitar) – Ronnie Galland (keyboards) – Bob Dougherty (lead vocals) and Bob Wesley (lead guitar).

Later members would include Scoobie King – Glenn Zoski and Chuck Hoey.

They were regulars in the Allenstown area at the Lord’s Estate, the King’s Court and the Purple Owl to name three. They cut their first tracks in 1966 in a church. Not long after they released their single “Shame” b/w “Here Today Gone Tomorrow” which would be released in 1967.

Band members would compose three of the four tracks they recorded.

“Shame” would manage some local radio station air play but fell short nationally. The group would break up in mid 1968. A new “King’s Ransom” was formed by Mike Homick but there were no members of the original group involved

The King’s Ransom musical journey was short – and probably more typical of the seemingly infinite number of garage bands who popped up during the mid 1960’s across the land.

The King’s Ransom Discography

45 – Integra – Shame b/w Here Today, Gone Tomorrow – August, 1967

45 – Integra – Shadows of Dawn b/w Street Car – March, 1968

45 EP – Calico – Various Artists – Psychedelic Unknowns – with “Shame” by the King’s Ransom – 1979

LP UK – Calico – Psychedelic Unknowns with “Shame”

The Count Five – San Jose, CA

The Count Five (out of the Garage)

The Count Five formed in 1964 in San Jose, California. The nucleolus of the group was Roy Chaney and John Michalski who had attended high school together and were in California bands “The Citations” – a surf combo, the “Squires” for a very short time and then becoming the Count Five. (They took their image from – yes – the “Count” himself!

Count Number 6?

Other members were Jean Byrne from Ireland – lead vocalist, Kenn Ellner – harmonica, and Craig Atkinson on drums.

Record labels were hesitant to sign the group and several turned them away before they landed a contract with Double Shot Records out of Los Angeles.

They only placed two songs on the charts before calling it a day in 1969 – Most members of the band had elected to enroll in college and give up music.

The Balloon Farm were truly a ‘one hit’ wonder out of the garage – a garage in New Jersey with ties to the Big Apple

October, 1966 – Torrance, California

July 7th, 1967 – Sunnyvale, California

July 15th,1967 San Jose, California

The Count Five Discography

45 – Psychotic Reaction – Number 5 Hot 100 – b/w They’re Gonna Get You – September, 1966

45 – Peace Of Mind – Number 125 Music Vendor b/w The Morning After – December, 1966

45 – You Must Believe Me b/w Teeny Bopper, Teeny Bopper – February, 1967

45 – Merry-Go- Round b/w Contrast – July, 1967

45 – Revelation In Slow Motion b/w Declaration of Independence – January, 1968

45 – Mailman b/w Pretty Big Mouth – June, 1969

LP – Psychotic Reaction – 1966

CD LP – Psychotic Reaction Live! – 1993

45 – France – 1966

45 – Mexico – 1966

45 – Germany – 1966

45 – Italy – 1966

45 – New Zealand – 1967

45 – Belgium – 1967

The Balloon Farm – New Jersey

The Balloon Farm (out of the Garage)

The Balloon Farm were truly a ‘one hit’ wonder out of the garage – a garage in New Jersey with ties to the Big Apple

The Balloon Farm nightclub has an interesting history.

It resided in a very old structure dating way back in the city’s history – and at one time housed the “Dom Restaurant” along with “Stanley’s Bar” owned by Stanley Tolkin – this being in New York’s East Village. An early group to play at Stanleys was the Fugs.

The bar began to feature a light show in the mid 1960’s called the “Theater of Light”. Andy Warhol (who else?) would become involved with the goings on and brought in his group to be the house band – They were the Velvet Underground.

Andy’s presentation would become known at the “Exploding Plastic Inevitable”.

It’s Electric!

Then in 1966, music industry mover and shaker Albert Grossman would acquire the club and call it “The Balloon Farm”. Less than a year later it would change hands once again, this time taking the name “The Electric Circus Company” and with a new house band, Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys.

Cat Mother and Newsboys

So that little bit of trivia sets the stage for the band who gave us “A Question of Temperature”.

Onto The Balloon Farm

The Balloon Farm formed in 1966 out of New Jersey with a band consisting of Don Henny and Ed Schnug called “Adam”. They recorded a 45 on Mala that year. All four members of the band would go by the name of “Adam”. There were two real Adams in the group – Adam Taylor and Adam London. London would record a single on Karate Records in 1965 as Jimmy London.

They broke up after one recording and then Don and Ed would join up with Mike Appel and Jay Saks forming “The Balloon Farm”. No doubt that some member or all had probably frequented the Electric Circus or Balloon Farm at some point in time.

Mike Appel was born in Queens, New York and had played with a local band called “The Camelots” in the early 1960’s cutting singles on the independent record labels Comet and Portrait.

The ‘hit’ quit coming after “Temperature” and by 1968 the group had changed once more, this time as “Huck Finn” recording on Kapp Records – again one single.

That would mark the end of the Balloon Farm. They did leave us with one very intriguing – psychedelicized number!

Mike Appel continued on in the world of pop music. He worked with the band “Sir Lord Baltimore” from Brooklyn – He then became involved with Bruce Springsteen’s early bands including “Child”, “Steel Mill” and then the Bruce Springsteen Band. Appel was instrumental in bringing Springsteen to the attention of Clive Davis and Columbia Records. Mike would pen the Partridge Family’s “Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Wanted”.

Appel also worked with song writer Wes Farrell and recorded solo a few times.

David Saks later made his mark producing the Red Seal division for RCA Victor Records. After that he produced the Metropolitan Opera and the the Richard Wagner Opera. He was a vice president and producer at Sony BMG for 31 Years!

Producer – Opera Guy David Saks

Adam Schnug

The Balloon Farm’s producer, Peter Schekeryk, went on to manage Melanie and became her husband.

The Balloon Farm Discography

45 – The Comets (Dave Appel) – Thirsty b/w By Josh – December, 1961

45 – The Devrons (Mike Appel Composer – Battle Hymn b/w Brand X – January, 1962

45 – The Camelots (with Mike Appel) – The Chase (Part 1) b/w The Chase (Part 2) – September, 1962

45 – The Camelots (with Mike Appel) – The Bunny Hop – June, 1963

45 – The Camelots (with Mike Appel) – Charge b/w Scratch – July, 1963

45 – The Un Four-Given (Mike Appel Composer) – Love Me To Pieces b/w Cry, Cry (Cry Little Girl) – October, 1966

45 – Adam – Eve b/w Where Has My Little Girl Gone – November, 1966

45 – A Question of Temperature – Number 37 Hot 100 b/w Hurtin’ For Your Love – February, 1968

45 – Farmer Brown b/w Hurry Up Sundown – April, 1968

45 – The Huck Finn – Two Of A Kind b/w We’ll Catch The Sun – December, 1968

45 – Mike Appel – I’m Gonna Give You Good Lovin’ b/w Lady Love – May, 1970

45 – Mike Appel – Non Stop U.S.A. b/w Honky Tonk (She Gets It Right On) – December, 1970

45 – The Partridge Family (Mike Appel composer) – Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Loved – Number 6 Hot 100 – February, 1971

45 – Mike Appel – A Love Song – October, 1972

The Rationals – Ann Arbor, MI

The Rationals (Out of the Garage)

The Rationals formed in 1964 – coming out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. They enjoyed a very brief ‘time in the sun’ nationally but were very popular in their home State with their big hit “Respect” spilling out onto the play lists of many other states.

When the Rationals began recording they were all still in high school in Michigan.

“Respect” was a redo of the Otis Redding hit. DJ’s didn’t simultaneously begin spinning the record across the land. If they had it would have achieved a much loftier ranking (only number 92 on the Hot 100).

They first signed with a Michigan label A² Records owned by Jeep Holland, cutting a handful of tracks. “Respect” was soon picked up for distribution by Cameo-Parkway, a label that occasionally ventured outside their comfort zone of musicians in Philadelphia (think “? and the Mysterians”).

The Rationals – Creem Magazine 1969

Members of the Rationals were:

• Scott Morgan (vocals, guitar)
• Steven Correll
• Terry Trabandt
• Bill Figg
• Johnny Eppinga (drums)

The Rationals Ride the Charts!

Scott Morgan would join or form many groups during his career including Guardian Angel, Brothers of the Road, Dodge Main and others.

Morgan was offered a spot with Blood Sweat and Tears but passed on the opportunity. Many tracks recorded by Morgan and others were finally released in the new millennium.

Steven Correll now resides lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Terry Trabandt is living in working a delivery driver. Bill Figg is living in Dexter, Michigan now retired from a welding career,

Guardian Angel with Scott Morgan – 1971

Sonic’s Rendezvous Band with Scott Morgan 1974-1980

Scott’s Pirates with Morgan and Eppinga – 1985-1995

The Hydromatics with Scott Morgan- 1999-2007

Power Train with Scot Morgan – 2002-2008

The Solution with Scott Morgan – 2004

Solution was a band from Sweden – Morgan traveled to that country to record with them.

Sweden’s Solution

The Rationals Discography

45 – Look What You’re Doin’ (To Me Baby) b/w Gave My Love – September, 1965

45 – Feelin’ Lost b/w Little Girls Cry (Deon’s Song) – March, 1966

45 – Feelin Lost b/w Respect – September, 1966 – September, 1966

45 – Leavin’ Here b/w Respect – September, 1966

45 – Respect Number 92 Hot 100 b/w Feelin’ Lost – October, 1966

45 – Hold On Baby b/w Sing – January, 1967

45 – Turn On b/w Irrational – April, 1967

45 – Leavin’ Here b/w (Had You Had It Like It Was It Wouldn’t Be Like It Is On No) Not Like It Is – June, 1967

45 – I Need You – flip by The Old Exciting Scot Richard Case – November, 1967

45 – I Need You b/w Out In The Street (Sing!) – January, 1968

45 – I Need You b/w Out In The Streets – March, 1968

45 – Guitar Army b/ Sunset – 1969

45 – Handbags and Gladrags b/w Guitar Army – March, 1970

CD LP UK – The Rationals

45 – Japan – 1970

45 -UK – 2010

Scott Morgan Related Selective Discography

45 – Lightnin’ – Rainbow Records – Hi-Jackinl’ Love b/w First Time I Saw You Baby – 1973

12-Inch EP – Lightnin’ – Jojacq Records – “Lightnin” – 1976

CD LP – Scots Pirates – Schoolkid’s Records – “Scots Pirates” – 1993

CD LP – Scots Pirates – Schoolkid’s Records – “Revolutionary Means” – 1995

LP – Dodge Main – Alive Records – “Dodge Main” – 1996

LP – Sonic’s Rendezvous – Mack Aborn Rhythmic Arts Records – “Sweet Nothing” – 1998

12-inch 45 – Sonic’s Rendezvous – Mack Aborn Rhythmic Arts Records – “City Slang” – 1999

CD LP Europe – Hydromatics – White Jazz Records – “Parts Unknown” – 1999

CD Single Netherlands – Rocketdog Records – “Dangerous” b/w “Heaven” – 1999

CD Single – Powertrane – American Ruse Records – “Beyond the Sound” & “Otta Sight” – 2004

CD LP – Brothers of the Road (and others) – Motor City Rockin’ Records – “Motor City Rockin!” – 2005

Six tracks by Brothers of the Road

CD LP UK – Guardian Angel – Easy Action Records – “Into Lightnin'” – 2014

Double LP – Scott Morgan’s Powertrane – Grown Up Wrong! Records – “Ann Arbor Revival Meeting” – 2019

Syndicate of Sound – San Jose, CA

The Syndicate of Sound (out of the Garage)

“Little Girl” was sort of a garage rap of sorts…. But it was unique and found its way onto the nation’s charts in the spring of 1966.

The Syndicate of Sound formed in 1964 out of San Jose, California. They were an amalgamation of two San Jose bands – the Pharaohs and Lenny Lee & the Nightmen.

Original members were

• Don Baskin (vocals, guitar)
• Bob Gonzalez (bass)
• Johnny Sharkey (keyboards)
• Larry Ray (lead guitar)
• John Duckworth (drums)

After winning a battle of the bands contest in the San Francisco area a contract was extended to them from Del-Fi Records. Their Del-Fi release went nowhere and so it was onto Hush Records in San Francisco where they would record “Little Girl”.

1967 Concert

It gained the attention of Bell Records clear out in New York and was picked up for national distribution. There were some personnel changes – then came an LP and a national tour accompanying the Paul Revere and the Raiders and others in the summer of 1966

Their single went top ten on both Cash Box and Billboard.

The Syndicate of Sound made an appearance on American Bandstand and Where the Action Is. New members included Carl Scott who replaced Duckworth who joined the armed forces. Jim Sawyers joined a guitar player and then Sharkey quit due to inner group conflicts.

2002 Movie Sorority Girls – with Syndicate of Sound

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized the Syndicate and their hit in a “One Hit Wonder” category.

Syndicate of Sound Web Site (click on image)

Castaways Discography

45 – Prepare For Love b/w Tell The World – July, 1965

45 – Little Girl b/w You – February, 1966

45 – Little Girl – Number 8 Hot 100 b/w You – April, 1966

45 – Prepare For Love b/w Tell the World – July, 1966

45 – Rumors – Number 55 Hot 100 b/w Tell The World – August, 1966

45 – Good Time Music b/w Keep It Up – October, 1966

45 – Mary b/w That Kind Of Man – April, 1967

Flexi – (Hip Pocket Records) – Little Girl b/w Rumors – June, 1968

45 – You’re Looking Fine b/w Change the World – February, 1969

45 – Brown Paper Bag – Number 73 Hot 100 b/w Reverb Beat – February, 1970

45 – Mexico b/w First To Love You – July, 1970

45 – Who’ll Be The Next In Line b/w The Spider and the Fly – 1986

LP – Little Girl – August, 1966

45 – Germany – 1966

45 – Netherlands – 1966

45 – Iran – 1966

45 – Japan – 1970

45 – Norway – 1970

The Nightcrawlers – Daytona Beach, FL

The Nightcrawlers (Out of the Garage)

The Nightcrawlers will maybe be remember for one song: “The Little Black Egg”.

The band formed out of Daytona Beach, Florida in 1965 – Members were:

• Tommy Ruger (drums)
• Sylvan Wells (lead guitar)
• Pete Thomason (rhythm guitar)
• Rob Rouse (vocals)
• Charlie Conlon (bass)

The Nightcrawlers left us with one semi-memorable musical moment “The Little Black Egg”. The song was penned in 1965 and the group performed it when opening for concert with the Beach Boys. “Little Black Egg” was released on the Lee record label and was their second release.

Two years later, after the song was released for the third time, “Little Black Egg” finally dented the Hot 100, stalling out at number 85.

The second release had crawled into the ‘Bubbling Under’ charts in 1965 for one week at number 135. “The Little Black Egg” charted in local markets including in Florida, California , Pennsylvania and Ohio. The song went as high a number 6 in Miami.

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  Little Black Egg – Number 6 In Miami November, 1965

Charlie Conlon would record a single as part of a duo with Daytona musician Charles Vickers, released on the Tropical Records label in 1965 and a three recordings on his own on Marlin in 1967 and a release on Warner Bros. later on.

Vickers fronted the group “Charles Vickers and the Three Bears” recording in 1960.

The Nightcrawlers Discography

45 – Cry b/w Marie – May, 1965

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45 – The Little Black Egg b/w If I Were You – August, 1965

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45 – The Little Black Egg – Number 135 Bubbling Under 1965 – Number 85 Hot 100 1967 b/w You’re Running Wild – January, 1967

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45 – A Basket Of Flowers – Charted Number 22 WFUN Miami b/w Washboard – April, 1966

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45 – I Don’t Remember – Charted Number 19 WLOF Orland b/w What Time Is It August, 1966

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45 – A Basket of Flowers b/w Washboard – 1966

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45 – My Butterfly – Charted Number 81 on WOR New York b/w Today I’m Happy – May, 1967

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45 – Chuck Conlon and the Crawlers – I Won’t Tell b/w You’re Comin’ On – March, 1967

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45 – Chuck Conlon – Won’t You Say Yes To Me, Girl b/w Midnight Reader – August, 1967

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45 – Chuck Conlon – I Wish I Could Have Told You b/w Mighty, Lighty Moon – September, 1975

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LP – Kapp – The Little Black Egg – May, 1967

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LP – France – 1985