Rock & Roll on campus 1966-

First, in the Fall of 1966, we were the Embryos ("Not a Fetus Can Beat Us" - I'm not making this up) because Steve Calvert always wanted a band with that name. We came back in the Fall of 67 with a seriousness of purpose and a new focus. Also a new name: The Night Watchmen.

And our fearless bassist showed up with a 1956 Cadillac hearse! We wuz in heaven.

Mostly we continued to play fraternity and high school parties, for dancing and entertainment. Also to make some money. The alternative for some of us would be working in the DDA (Dartmouth Dining Association) serving food to our classmates. Nothing wrong with that, but playing music was a lot better.

The band became more creative in our arrangements, although not yet ready to write original tunes. By the Winter and Spring, we began to think of staying together for the summer, and began auditions in New York City, upstate New York, and other places. We also enjoyed the friendly competition with other bands on campus, and getting to know some of the local guys who played: musicians like Ken Aldrich and Skip Truman.

The spring and summer of 68 was playing in the Aerodrome in Albany, New York, the Hampton Manor upstate, and the Cafe Bizarre in Greenwich Village.

There is more to the story of this band, and Tracks band that arose from it. I wanted to get a post going on the new blog, and look forward to sharing/reading from those I know and those I hope to get to know.

Peter Logan (drummer)

I'm interested in learning more about two bands -- Fox Chase and Stone Cross. Anybody want to pitch in?

I have gotten some tantalizing tidbits about Fox Chase (Eddie Kistler, Steve Tyler, Don Soloman, and others?) from Ed Malhoit, Ken Aldrich and Gerry Wolf, but I really know next to nothing about them. This band, which I don't think stayed together too long, is of special interest to me because Eddie joined Tracks shortly after I left that group. The buzz I get is that this band was extremely talented...look at the names above, you could figure that one!

I have also gotten some good tidbits about Stone Cross from Ed, Joy Moffat, Carey Lee Rush Pete Shackett and a couple other folks. One recurring theme is the "quadra sound" P.A. system the band had. The other theme is how good they were. Gardner Berry, wanna brag on yourself and your old 'mates?

I don't think I ever heard either band play, though my memory is not at all clear on whether I might have heard Fox Chase one weekend at Dartmouth College. Anyway, these two bands sound like excellent candidates for chapters in the book, but first I need more info....thanks...PHW

Ladies and Gents,

Welcome to this blog about all things "Old Times, Good Times, A Rock and Roll Story" -- the book you all are helping me write about our lives and times back in that amazing rock and roll era. Entry onto this blog site will be intentionally more restrictive than onto my Facebook page, which should eliminate a number of distracting posts with subjects like college football, potty training and government conspiracies. Just those of us who want to talk about our rock and roll music and its ancillaries.

Please feel free to "Ramble On" (Hey, Shackett!) at any length about any topic pertinent to our mutual salad days or the book. I plan to ask some fairly specific questions about people, places and bands, as part of my research, that I am certain you contributors will be able to assist me with.

After two whiffs at a blog title -- Old Times, Good Times (taken) and All Along The Watchtower (taken), I hit it out of the park on the third pitch with the title to the terrific Tracks tune penned by Dr. Russell Pinkston, who also needs to get the credit for revving me up to start this blog when I was initially reluctant. Sample the final verse as I exit this initial post:

"If someone is lonely, we'll sing you the blues.
And if someone wants to boogie, got a lot of songs for you.
The one thing I ask, is to have a good time.
And I'll try to sing your songs, if you let me sing mine.
I just dig our music, on it I stand,
with a Mexican Bird in my hand."