Biography
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Members
- Hardrock Gunter
At the beginning of 1957 Tracy LONGSTRETH meets Dave GARLAND at the school of Santa Ana. Both like music, Tracy has a small battery and Dave a saxophone. The brother of Tracy knows a college, a pianist with the name Mike PATTERSON which joined the group. Mike in its turn brings a buddy, Steve CARMAN (Big brother of Brian CARMAN of the CHANTAYS) who takes the saxophonist and sings.
Mike MORAN and Chuck SPENCER are contacted by Mike PATTERSON. The group’s line-up; Tracy LONGTSRETH; battery, Steve CARMAN; saxophone and vocals, Dave GARLAND; saxophone, Mike MORAN; guitar, Chuck SPENCER; guitar, Mike PATTERSON; Piano and vocals and John LONGSTRETH; congas
First they were called The FUGITIVE but by making some recordings with the studio Garrison de Long Beach, it realize that this name is already taken. They become the LETTERMEN then. They record under this name “Lady Of Spain” and 'Standin '' on the Moonglow label in May 1960. But a group more important than them on Liberty Records bears also this name, it changes some once again for The RHYTHM ROCKERS.
The RHYTHM ROCKERS obtain occasionally to play. They play surf, rythm' blues and rock' roll. They take again titles of B.B. King or John Lee Hooker. Mike MORAN plays blues and Chuck SPENCER surf. The popularity of the group remains local.
The change occurs when Dick DALE & The DEL-TONES leave the Ballroom Appointment. The RHYTHM ROCKERS take its place and become the house group at the end of 1961. They will remain it until their rupture in 1963. In same PATTERSON time and some members of the group whose Tracy, play behind Righteous Brothers and appear even on his recordings.
In 1962, The RHYTHM ROCKERS record their first sample with the fruits of their work with Go Ballroom. “Foot Cruisin/Get It One” on the label Wipe Out becomes a local hit. In March 1963, they recorded “Battle Of The Bands” in Deauville Castle Club of Santa Monica (with the CHANTAYS).
In March 1963, the group records their first album “Soul Surfin” for Challenge Records.
At the end of the summer 1963, they add a singer to their group: Penny Prichard. A few months later, Penny and Mike MORAN marry. Mike MORAN and Chuck are accustomed to going to Beach Length to play behind artists like Jan & Dean, Chris Montez, The Rivingtons or The Hollywood Argyles.
At the end of 1963 the group stops.
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