Sunday, March 23, 2014

Chalets - Black & Blues - Anderson


Dateline 1965, Anderson, Indiana - the Chalets stick their toes into the music szene. Armories, VFW's, teen clubs, and school dances kept many bands working and doing well. Info about the vast majority of these bands is scarce, but that's why we do this!

The Chalets were:
Bob McDonald - guitar - lead vocals
Greg Kopko - lead guitar
Dave Robinson - drums
Rick Lundgrew - bass

The Chalets don't come up often in the legends of 60's Indiana bands, although they are rumored to have competed and performed well in the Indiana State Fair battle of the Bands. I have to find that article.........

But as always it seems, the band members go their separate ways and the band is lost to time. Bob had other plans.


 1967, Bob McDonald regroups and forms the Black and Blues.

Bob McDonald - guitar - lead vocals
Craig Davis - lead guitar
Kim Kopko - drums
Gary Redic - bass

Yep, another Kopko, what's the odds of that? Kim is the brother of Chalets member Greg. The Black & Blues played in Anderson and hit the east and west coasts touring. And thankfully, they left two 45's for our listening pleasure!

Come To Me / Bye Bye Baby (Nov. '67?)

Candy Castles / Mid Summer Night's Dream (early '69?)

I'll go out on a limb and say the Bye Bye Baby was a Chalets tune since it is credited to both Greg and Bob. The remainder are penned by Bob. There may also be some connection between Kim and Steve Miller (Fly like an Eagle, etc) that needs exploring.





Saturday, March 8, 2014

Olivers - Le Scene - unreleased LP and more!

Great, where do I start? I asked that question in February 2007, when I started this blog. I had no idea where it would lead, or if I could even do it for any period of time, or more frightening, if anyone would look or listen.
Welcome to post #200! Starting year #8!

Today I present a special video I cobbled together. The Olivers are no strangers to the Indiana 60's fans or of this blog, and many have witnessed the band as they performed at the legendary club Le Scene in Fountain Square, Indianapolis. Luckily some wonderful soul photoed the band! For the first time anywhere, here are some interior photos of Le Scene, with the Olivers!
And that music, you ask.....
In late '68, the Olivers ventured to Minnesota to record their original songs. The deal was made, photos taken, but the record was never pressed and sold, but thankfully an acetate made it out of the studio. The Olivers had NEVER heard their own recordings until that acetate (one of a kind!) had surfaced. Seven songs (of  twelve recorded) survive, and in very safe hands! What you hear is a clip that was presented for sale, that i forwarded to the band members, and asked......is this you? Incredibly, the answer was YES!

So enjoy the music, look back into Le Scene, and keep the 60's flame burning!