THE MOB STORY
PART ONE - "The Roots"
In the late 50's and early 60's, Chicago was a hotbed for R&B music. Record labels such as Chess, VJ, and Constellation were churning out hits every month. Artists like The Impressions, Gene Chandler, Billy Stewart, and Tyrone Davis were ruling the R&B airwaves.
Johnny Pate was one of the architects of the Chicago horn sound that gave life to The Impressions' "It's All Right", Major Lance's "Monkey Time", Billy Stewart's "Summertime", Gene Chandler's "Nothing Can Stop Me", and Fontella Bass's "Rescue Me".
That bright horn sound came over WVON's airwaves; and the Chicago wind, coming off Lake Michigan, blew those sweet sounds out to the city's western suburbs.
That bright horn sound came over WVON's airwaves; and the Chicago wind, coming off Lake Michigan, blew those sweet sounds out to the city's western suburbs.
FUN FACT: Gary Beisbier started taking lessons on a clarinet in 4th or 5th grade
After hearing those records on the radio, a group from Aurora, Illinois called The MayBees added a trombone player, Larry McCabe, to their band. They already had a tenor sax player by the name of Gary Beisbier. Their goal was to capture the excitement that they'd heard on all those great R&B records that were being produced in the recording studios of Chicago.
In the summer of '63, Jim Holvay (guitar player), Gary Beisbier, and Larry McCabe left The MayBees and joined forces with Jimmy Peterson, a frontman/singer for a start-up "show band" called The Chicagoans. Already in the group were Bobby Ruffino on drums and Chuck Russel on guitar and bass. Holvay also doubled on Fender P. Bass.
FUN FACT: Bobby “The Cheeze” Ruffino had his nickname prior to joining The MOB, tagged as a member of Jimmy Peterson And The Chicagoans
In the fall of '63, The Chicagoans traveled to the Big Apple in search of fame and fortune. Upon arrival. they were immediately picked-up by a manager/publisher by the name of Mort Brown and began doing demo sessions for one of his artists.
After completing one of the many demo sessions for a vocalist (Lesley Gore soundalike), the engineer came over the squak box and informed Holvay that there were still 15 minutes left "on the clock" and asked if he had anything else he wanted to record.
Luckily the night before, Holvay and Beisbier had written an instrumental tribute to The Beatles (which was untitled), who had just arrived in New York for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Holvay responded to the engineer and said, "Yeah. We have another tune we can cut. Give us a few minutes to get it together."
After a quick run through with the band, the engineer rolled tape, and the instrumental was cut in two takes; overdubbing hand claps, horns, and another guitar and bass part to fill out the bridge.
The next day, Holvay mailed the ¼" tape back to Chicago promoter, Joe DeFrancesco, who then made the rounds to local record labels in hopes of getting a recording contract for the vocalist.
Joe's last stop was at Constellation Records with A&R Producer Bill "Bunky" Sheppard, who had great success producing Gene Chandler's "Duke Of Earl" and many other R&B records.
After completing one of the many demo sessions for a vocalist (Lesley Gore soundalike), the engineer came over the squak box and informed Holvay that there were still 15 minutes left "on the clock" and asked if he had anything else he wanted to record.
Luckily the night before, Holvay and Beisbier had written an instrumental tribute to The Beatles (which was untitled), who had just arrived in New York for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Holvay responded to the engineer and said, "Yeah. We have another tune we can cut. Give us a few minutes to get it together."
After a quick run through with the band, the engineer rolled tape, and the instrumental was cut in two takes; overdubbing hand claps, horns, and another guitar and bass part to fill out the bridge.
The next day, Holvay mailed the ¼" tape back to Chicago promoter, Joe DeFrancesco, who then made the rounds to local record labels in hopes of getting a recording contract for the vocalist.
Joe's last stop was at Constellation Records with A&R Producer Bill "Bunky" Sheppard, who had great success producing Gene Chandler's "Duke Of Earl" and many other R&B records.
Coincidentally, WLS, a Midwest powerhouse radio station, was having their annual Christmas Party. Sheppard invited DeFrancesco to go along with the Chicagoans tape in tow. While at the party, they played the tape for Clark Weber, who at the time was the Program Director for the station. He wasn't impressed with the vocalist; but, when the instrumental trak followed, it immediately caught his attention.
He asked Sheppard who the band was. Sheppard said, "It's a group called The Chicagoans". Clark said, "I like it. What's the name of the song?" There was no title, and so Clark named it "Beatletime". In order to take advantage of the British Invasion, he suggested changing the name of the band to The Livers, as in Liverpool, England.
Constellation Records immediately released the 45, and WLS began playing it.
Alas, the first self-contained horn rock band in the country was born. That was December of 1963. In April of 1964, the song charted to #15 on the Top Tunes Of Greater Chicago and to #28 on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.
He asked Sheppard who the band was. Sheppard said, "It's a group called The Chicagoans". Clark said, "I like it. What's the name of the song?" There was no title, and so Clark named it "Beatletime". In order to take advantage of the British Invasion, he suggested changing the name of the band to The Livers, as in Liverpool, England.
Constellation Records immediately released the 45, and WLS began playing it.
Alas, the first self-contained horn rock band in the country was born. That was December of 1963. In April of 1964, the song charted to #15 on the Top Tunes Of Greater Chicago and to #28 on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.
FUN FACT: The Chicagoans did two tours as Chubby Checker's back-up band (Midwest tour and Canada tour).
PART TWO -"Incubation Period"
Jimmy Ford was a young, up and coming, high register trumpet player in the Chicago area. For years, his group, Jimmy Ford & The Kasuals had been a solid 4 piece combo, performing at dances and wise-guy owned clubs in Chicago. Mike Sistak on guitar, Ron Gately on bass, Dwight Kalb on drums and Jimmy Ford on trumpet, played jazz standards and R&B instrumentals of the day.
Through Jimmy's due diligence, he built a relationship with Bob Ahlert, the head of the William Morris office in Chicago. Since Jimmy's band was all accomplished musicians that could read music, Bob secured them a job as a back-up band for an upcoming 1964 Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tour. Ron Gately, the bass player, opted to not go on the road and was replaced by Wayne Erwin, a former member in Holvay & Beisbiers' high school group, The MayBees.
Their musical skills of backing up hit recording stars on the show was a success, which secured Jimmy and his group a regular spot for more Dick Clark tour opportunities.
While performing in Nashville, they were contacted by Brenda Lee's attorney. He informed them that Brenda's back-up band was also called The Casuals and that they would have to change their name. Jimmy changed the name of the group to The Executives.
In the fall of 1964, Wayne Erwin, the bass player, left the group and was replaced by Jimmy Guercio. Dwight Kalb on drums, also left the group to pursue his art career. Danny Seraphine, who lived a few blocks away from Dwight and was being mentored by him on drums, replaced Kalb. Guerico had befriended Wally Parazadier while attending DePaul University and later brought Wally into the band. Wally, in turn, brought Terry Kath into the band to play bass.
In January of 1965, more Dick Clark tours started to come Jimmy Ford's way. Unfortunately, most of the Executives were attending college as the Vietnam War was raging and could not leave school. Jimmy needed to assemble a second Executive band to handle the road work.
Their musical skills of backing up hit recording stars on the show was a success, which secured Jimmy and his group a regular spot for more Dick Clark tour opportunities.
While performing in Nashville, they were contacted by Brenda Lee's attorney. He informed them that Brenda's back-up band was also called The Casuals and that they would have to change their name. Jimmy changed the name of the group to The Executives.
In the fall of 1964, Wayne Erwin, the bass player, left the group and was replaced by Jimmy Guercio. Dwight Kalb on drums, also left the group to pursue his art career. Danny Seraphine, who lived a few blocks away from Dwight and was being mentored by him on drums, replaced Kalb. Guerico had befriended Wally Parazadier while attending DePaul University and later brought Wally into the band. Wally, in turn, brought Terry Kath into the band to play bass.
In January of 1965, more Dick Clark tours started to come Jimmy Ford's way. Unfortunately, most of the Executives were attending college as the Vietnam War was raging and could not leave school. Jimmy needed to assemble a second Executive band to handle the road work.
Jimmy Ford recruited Jim Holvay (guitar), Gary Beisbier (sax), Rick Panzer (trumpet), Bobby Ruffino (drums), Jimmy Guercio (bass), and Kevin Murphy (organ), who were all joined together to form The Executives #2 tour band.
That unit performed numerous tours across the US and Canada as the Vietnam War continued to escalate. In the fall of 1965, after a near fatal bus crash while on tour, coupled with a much needed "time out" from the grueling road schedule, all the members of the band returned to Chicago.
Holvay and Beisbier registered for college, Ruffino joined the Marine National Guard, Guercio stayed in Los Angeles, and Kevin Murphy returned to Chicago.
After Holvay's return to Chicago and while attending a local Junior College, he called on Jimmy Ford and Mike Sistaks musical talents, along with Lee Loughne and Danny Seraphine, for recording sessions he was co-producing with Joe DeFrancesco. Joe was a local promoter who would search out groups to record and then shop them to local labels in hopes of securing a record contract.
That unit performed numerous tours across the US and Canada as the Vietnam War continued to escalate. In the fall of 1965, after a near fatal bus crash while on tour, coupled with a much needed "time out" from the grueling road schedule, all the members of the band returned to Chicago.
Holvay and Beisbier registered for college, Ruffino joined the Marine National Guard, Guercio stayed in Los Angeles, and Kevin Murphy returned to Chicago.
After Holvay's return to Chicago and while attending a local Junior College, he called on Jimmy Ford and Mike Sistaks musical talents, along with Lee Loughne and Danny Seraphine, for recording sessions he was co-producing with Joe DeFrancesco. Joe was a local promoter who would search out groups to record and then shop them to local labels in hopes of securing a record contract.
PART THREE - "The Nucleus Forms"
In November & December of 1965, Sistak and Holvay had many conversations about music and in one of those discussions, Mike posed a question to him. "Jim. If you could wave a magic wand, what kind've a group would you put together?" Holvay responded, "I'd put together an ass-kicking horn band with the best musicians I could find. We'd play soul music and have the greatest live show that ever existed. It's never been done before."
They decided the next step was to present their idea to Jimmy Ford and Gary Beisbier, who were both their music partners and best friends, going back many years.
Ford was an exceptional trumpet player and a great soloist. Beisbier was also a great jazz tenor player, soloist, and arranger. After hearing Mike and Jim's idea, they were both on board.
After seeing an old gangster movie on a late night movie TV channel on WGN, Holvay came up with the concept for the group. The name of the old movie was called The MOB. He told Mike the next day, "I've got a great idea for the name of the group. We'll call it The MOB. Think about it? Most groups today are four, maybe five, guys. Since we're going to have a full blown horn section, singers, etc., there'll be a mob of people on stage. Plus, since we're from a gangster town, we'll wear pinstripe suits, black shirts, white ties and carnations. We can't miss."
By January of 1966, the nucleus of the band was formed, but some personnel still needed to be added. Holvay suggested Bobby Ruffino on drums. Bobby's experience on the road with The Chicagoans and performances in NY had given him a boatload of experience when it came to playing R&B. When the band returned to the Windy City, Bobby had a reputation of having a heavy foot, meaning he was a funky drummer and played with a lot of intensity. So Bobby was chosen to be The MOB's drummer.
Rather than have a Fender Bass player, Holvay and Sistak were big fans of what they now called Soul Jazz. Hammond B3 Trios, like Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith, received a lot of airplay on Sid McCoy's WCFL midnight jazz show.
They both loved that sound of those Hammond bass pedals, so they opted to look for an organ player who could play solid bass lines on pedals. They found a very young Tony Nedza, who could fill the bill. Holvay commented, "To this day there haven't been many players that can split their brain like that and not miss a beat while still playing in the groove. When we switched to a Fender keyboard bass, musicians couldn't believe their ears. They kept looking for the bass player on stage, but there wasn't one. Tony was "the man". If we were doing a Motown cover tune, Tony would breakdown that intricate, syncopated James Jamerson bass line and play it note for note while playing chords with his right hand and sometimes even singing a background part, all at the same time. Tony was an incredibly talented guy."
To round out the horn section, their first choice was to recruit Larry McCabe, the former MayBees and Chicagoans trombone player. Unfortunately, he had just committed to a tour in Japan with a show group out of Dallas called The Big Beats.
They decided the next step was to present their idea to Jimmy Ford and Gary Beisbier, who were both their music partners and best friends, going back many years.
Ford was an exceptional trumpet player and a great soloist. Beisbier was also a great jazz tenor player, soloist, and arranger. After hearing Mike and Jim's idea, they were both on board.
After seeing an old gangster movie on a late night movie TV channel on WGN, Holvay came up with the concept for the group. The name of the old movie was called The MOB. He told Mike the next day, "I've got a great idea for the name of the group. We'll call it The MOB. Think about it? Most groups today are four, maybe five, guys. Since we're going to have a full blown horn section, singers, etc., there'll be a mob of people on stage. Plus, since we're from a gangster town, we'll wear pinstripe suits, black shirts, white ties and carnations. We can't miss."
By January of 1966, the nucleus of the band was formed, but some personnel still needed to be added. Holvay suggested Bobby Ruffino on drums. Bobby's experience on the road with The Chicagoans and performances in NY had given him a boatload of experience when it came to playing R&B. When the band returned to the Windy City, Bobby had a reputation of having a heavy foot, meaning he was a funky drummer and played with a lot of intensity. So Bobby was chosen to be The MOB's drummer.
Rather than have a Fender Bass player, Holvay and Sistak were big fans of what they now called Soul Jazz. Hammond B3 Trios, like Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith, received a lot of airplay on Sid McCoy's WCFL midnight jazz show.
They both loved that sound of those Hammond bass pedals, so they opted to look for an organ player who could play solid bass lines on pedals. They found a very young Tony Nedza, who could fill the bill. Holvay commented, "To this day there haven't been many players that can split their brain like that and not miss a beat while still playing in the groove. When we switched to a Fender keyboard bass, musicians couldn't believe their ears. They kept looking for the bass player on stage, but there wasn't one. Tony was "the man". If we were doing a Motown cover tune, Tony would breakdown that intricate, syncopated James Jamerson bass line and play it note for note while playing chords with his right hand and sometimes even singing a background part, all at the same time. Tony was an incredibly talented guy."
To round out the horn section, their first choice was to recruit Larry McCabe, the former MayBees and Chicagoans trombone player. Unfortunately, he had just committed to a tour in Japan with a show group out of Dallas called The Big Beats.
Gary then recruited a trombone player from Northern Illinois University by the name of Dave Heidlberg. Dave had to drop out a few months after joining The MOB due to his commitment to school.
Mike Sistak, the guitar player, had a burning desire to play trombone, so, he decided to fill that gap. Mike was an excellent musician and had no problem in learning the instrument.
It seemed like the group was now in place and began playing small, out-of-the-way, practice-type gigs around Chicago, still wood shedding and experimenting with songs and arrangements.
Mike Sistak, the guitar player, had a burning desire to play trombone, so, he decided to fill that gap. Mike was an excellent musician and had no problem in learning the instrument.
It seemed like the group was now in place and began playing small, out-of-the-way, practice-type gigs around Chicago, still wood shedding and experimenting with songs and arrangements.
PART FOUR - "The Final Piece"
Joe DeFrancesco, the promoter with whom Holvay had done numerous recording sessions, came out to see the group perform one night and made a suggestion as he stated, "Jim, the group is phenomenal, but you're still missing the final ingredient. You need a strong lead singer and front man." Up until that time, Holvay and Sistak were sharing the lead vocals. Although a little taken back by Joe's comment, Holvay conceded that he was right.
FUN FACT: Al was age 24 and Art was 22 years old when they started the duet "KANE and ABEL"
One year previously; Holvay, Beisbier and DeFrancesco had produced two brothers as "Kane & Abel". Artie and Al were from Milwaukee (transplants from Waco, Texas), and were in a band called Little Artie & The Pharaohs. They were a hard core, smokin' rhythm and blues combo. At Joe DeFrancesco's suggestion; Holvay, Beisbier, Ford, and Sistak, made the soul pilgrimage to Milwaukee, in his new 1966 Cadillac Eldorado, to see The Pharaohs perform. The group was playing at a gangster-owned club called The Scene.
Needless to say, they were blown away by Artie's performance and voice. Al, his older brother, blew scorching King Curtis/Junior Walker tenor sax and sang harmony parts. Arties performance of James Brown's "Please, Please, Please", with cape and all, brought the house down.
Holvay commented: "After seeing Artie and Al perform, we thought if we could convince them to join the band, we were going to be the next Beatles."
The following week, excited by this new concept of a super soul band, the Herrera brothers drove down to Chicago to watch The MOB perform at Dan Belloc's Holiday Ballroom on the north side. They in turn were also blown away by the group and made their decision to join the band.
That night, after the gig was over and the instruments were packed up, in the alley behind the Holiday Ballroom, a meeting was held. Artie, Al and all the other mobsters made a pact that this was going to be the band that was going to take the music world by storm. The date was in April of 1966.
Holvay commented: "After seeing Artie and Al perform, we thought if we could convince them to join the band, we were going to be the next Beatles."
The following week, excited by this new concept of a super soul band, the Herrera brothers drove down to Chicago to watch The MOB perform at Dan Belloc's Holiday Ballroom on the north side. They in turn were also blown away by the group and made their decision to join the band.
That night, after the gig was over and the instruments were packed up, in the alley behind the Holiday Ballroom, a meeting was held. Artie, Al and all the other mobsters made a pact that this was going to be the band that was going to take the music world by storm. The date was in April of 1966.
The Mob line-up was as follows:
- Little Artie Herrera - Lead and background vocals
- Al Herrera - tenor sax, lead and background vocals
- Jimmy Ford- trumpet, congas, background vocals and MC
- Gary Beisbier - tenor, alto, baritone sax, background vocals, arranger
- Mike Sistak - trombone, guitar, lead and background vocals
- Jim Holvay - guitar, Fender Bass, lead and background vocals
- Tony Nedza- Hammond B3, background vocals
- Bobby Ruffino - drums
PART FIVE - "What Ever Happened To?"
Little Artie and The Pharaohs
After Artie and Al left the group to join The MOB, The Pharaohs disbanded.
After Artie and Al left the group to join The MOB, The Pharaohs disbanded.
The Executives # 1
After Ford and Sistak left to join The MOB; Wally, Terry, and Danny hired a vocalist by the name of Chuck Madden and changed their name to The Missing Links. Holvay produced one single for The Missing Links "Makin' Up & Breakin' Up" b/w "You Hypnotize Me" which was released on Ivanhoe Records. One year later, they changed musical direction and added Pete Cetera (lead vocal), whom they recruited from a group called The Exceptions. They also added James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughne (trumpet), and Robert Lamn (B3) and renamed themselves The Big Thing.
After Ford and Sistak left to join The MOB; Wally, Terry, and Danny hired a vocalist by the name of Chuck Madden and changed their name to The Missing Links. Holvay produced one single for The Missing Links "Makin' Up & Breakin' Up" b/w "You Hypnotize Me" which was released on Ivanhoe Records. One year later, they changed musical direction and added Pete Cetera (lead vocal), whom they recruited from a group called The Exceptions. They also added James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughne (trumpet), and Robert Lamn (B3) and renamed themselves The Big Thing.
At the suggestion of their new manager and record producer (Jim Guercio), they again changed their name to CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). Having received a threatening patent infringement letter from the city of Chicago, Guercio shortened the name to simply Chicago.
FUN FACT: John Blackstone interviewed Chicago, [Lee Loughnane:] "We were initially going to be a show band in Vegas" [Robert Lamm:] "Like The MOB"
- CBS Sunday Morning July 17, 2016
- CBS Sunday Morning July 17, 2016
FUN FACT: [Robert Lamm] "Our template was a band called The MOB and a couple of other Midwest show bands that were very polished..."
- Dennis Polkow in Ravinia Magazine, The Artists July 29, 2019
- Dennis Polkow in Ravinia Magazine, The Artists July 29, 2019
The Executives # 2:
After the near fatal bus crash (Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tour), Kevin Murphy (B3 Organ) returned to Chicago to play with a group called Jimmy Stella & The Ambassadors. In 1968, Murphy played keyboard for The American Breed. He later went on to play with another local group called The Circus. After numerous personnel changes over the years (including changing the band's name to "Smoke"), Paulette McWilliams, the original lead singer, was replaced by Yvette Stevens (a.k.a. Chaka Kahn), and they became Ask Rufus. Kevin had created the name based on a column he had read in Mechanic Illustrated Magazine. They eventually shortened the name to Rufus.
After the near fatal bus crash (Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tour), Kevin Murphy (B3 Organ) returned to Chicago to play with a group called Jimmy Stella & The Ambassadors. In 1968, Murphy played keyboard for The American Breed. He later went on to play with another local group called The Circus. After numerous personnel changes over the years (including changing the band's name to "Smoke"), Paulette McWilliams, the original lead singer, was replaced by Yvette Stevens (a.k.a. Chaka Kahn), and they became Ask Rufus. Kevin had created the name based on a column he had read in Mechanic Illustrated Magazine. They eventually shortened the name to Rufus.
After that same near fatal bus crash (Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tour), Jimmy Guercio (Fender Bass) stayed in Los Angeles and became Chad and Jeremy's bass player. Later he was asked to be their road manager and eventually became their manager. As luck would have it, while in Los Angeles, Jimmy was contacted by Jon Polus and Denny Tufano of The Buckinghams. They were riding high with the #1 record in the country, "Kind Of A Drag", which was written by Holvay.
Wanting to take advantage of their recording success, The Buckinghams were looking for someone (i.e. a new manager) who could take their career to the next level. Jimmy saw the opportunity and brought the group immediately to Clive Davis at Columbia Records securing them a record contract. Guercio went on to produce the next 4 singles for The Buckinghams, all of which went Top 10. Because of his consistent track record with The Bucks, Clive Davis requested Jimmy's expertise to produce the second album for a horn group out of New York called Blood Sweat & Tears. The album went platinum and is still considered a classic today. After producing only one album for BS&T, Guercio focused his time, energy, and creativity in developing a new horn group from his hometown. His old friend from DePaul University (Wally Parazadier) had asked him to manage and produce a newly formed horn group called The Big Thing.
APPEARANCES & EVENTS
view clippings at https://mikebaker45s.wordpress.com/the-mob/
DICK CLARK'S YOUNG WORLDS FAIR – April 22 thru May 1, 1966 in Chicago, IL
Held at the International Amphitheater in the stock yards, Dick Clark was the master of ceremonies. Opening day featured Paul Revere And The Raiders, Gary Lewis And The Playboys, The Knickerbockers, Billy Joe Royal and Freddie Cannon. Appearing the following days were Lou Christie, The Mamas And Papas, The Young Rascals, Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs, The Vogues, The Turtles and more. The MOB played on the Dr. Pepper stage and backed-up artists like Freddie Cannon. Around 75,000 people passed through twenty-eight turnstiles during the ten-day event with about fifty exhibitors.
- The Chicago Tribune Section 1 Page 16 – February 15, 1966
- The Chicago Tribune Section 10 Page 2 – April 3, 1966
- The Chicago Tribune Section 2 Page 1 – April 12, 1966
- Billboard May 7, 1966
Held at the International Amphitheater in the stock yards, Dick Clark was the master of ceremonies. Opening day featured Paul Revere And The Raiders, Gary Lewis And The Playboys, The Knickerbockers, Billy Joe Royal and Freddie Cannon. Appearing the following days were Lou Christie, The Mamas And Papas, The Young Rascals, Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs, The Vogues, The Turtles and more. The MOB played on the Dr. Pepper stage and backed-up artists like Freddie Cannon. Around 75,000 people passed through twenty-eight turnstiles during the ten-day event with about fifty exhibitors.
- The Chicago Tribune Section 1 Page 16 – February 15, 1966
- The Chicago Tribune Section 10 Page 2 – April 3, 1966
- The Chicago Tribune Section 2 Page 1 – April 12, 1966
- Billboard May 7, 1966
WHERE THE ACTION IS – Wednesday, June 8, 1966 2pm on ABC
- Jackie DeShannon "What The World Needs Now Is Love"
- The MOB "Wait (Please Don't Walk Away)"
FUN FACT: In June 1966, The Association attended Wine And Roses in Schiller Park, IL when The MOB performed
UPBEAT – Saturday, August 13, 1966 5pm on WEWS-TV Cleveland, OH
- The Broadway
- Jack Carter
- The Flamingos
- Bobby Hebb
- The MOB
- Melba Moore
- Mother's Oates
- The O'Jays
- The Raiders
- The Stained Glass
- The Trade Winds
ORPHEUM THEATRE – Monday, October 17, 1966 7pm and 9:30pm in Madison, WI
- Chad & Jeremy
- The MOB
- The Standells
- Ian Whitcomb
HOLLYOKE CLUB – December 12-18, 1966 in Indianapolis, IN
- 3901 E. Washington St.
- 3901 E. Washington St.
PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOUSE – Friday, March 31, 1967 8-11:30pm in Mount Prospect, IL
- Daily Herald Page 38 – March 17, 1967
- The Vogues
- The MOB
- Daily Herald Page 38 – March 17, 1967
FUN FACT: Friday, March 31, 1967 The MOB was the backing group for The Vogues
FUN FACT: Friday, April 7, 1967 The MOB opened at the Happy Medium 901 N. Rush in Chicago with "Little Artie"
RAVINIA FESTIVAL MOD NIGHT – Wednesday, August 2 , 1967 8:30pm in Highland Park, IL
The Ravinia Festival Jazz-Folk Series created a new event titled Mod Night. "Mod" is a term used in the sixties and seventies for young people subculture and liking of the soul music genre. The Rolling Meadows Park District bussed 43 high school students to this first Mod Night event as part of their "Happenings" teens program. The entire of The MOB was described as follows: "In their black double-breasted suits, white ties, and white carnations". The MOB performed the first hour ending with "an exit number that sounded like background music for a chase scene in The Untouchables." This first Ravinia Mod Night set an all-time attendance record of 17,320 persons to the park, breaking the July 24, 1959 attendance record of 14,142 set by The Kingston Trio and Gary Mulligan. The Association performed the second hour with Larry Ramos (1942-2014), Larry joined the band earlier in 1967.
- Daily Herald – August 4, 1967
- Chicago Tribune Section 2 Page 16 – August 4, 1967
The Ravinia Festival Jazz-Folk Series created a new event titled Mod Night. "Mod" is a term used in the sixties and seventies for young people subculture and liking of the soul music genre. The Rolling Meadows Park District bussed 43 high school students to this first Mod Night event as part of their "Happenings" teens program. The entire of The MOB was described as follows: "In their black double-breasted suits, white ties, and white carnations". The MOB performed the first hour ending with "an exit number that sounded like background music for a chase scene in The Untouchables." This first Ravinia Mod Night set an all-time attendance record of 17,320 persons to the park, breaking the July 24, 1959 attendance record of 14,142 set by The Kingston Trio and Gary Mulligan. The Association performed the second hour with Larry Ramos (1942-2014), Larry joined the band earlier in 1967.
- The MOB
- The Association
- Daily Herald – August 4, 1967
- Chicago Tribune Section 2 Page 16 – August 4, 1967
FUN FACT: The first Ravinia Mod Night set an all-time attendance record of 17,320 opening with The MOB
- The Chicago Tribune Section 2 Page 9 – August 3, 1967
- The Chicago Tribune Section 2 Page 9 – August 3, 1967
EIU FIELDHOUSE (EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY) – Tuesday, September 26, 1967 7:30 to 10:30pm in Charleston, IL
- Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs with the Shamettes
- The Vogues with The MOB
- Larry Lujack The Silver Dollar Survey DJ from WLS and The LYKES of US
THE SCOTCH MIST on the corner of Rush and Delaware – January 22-31, 1968 in Chicago, IL
THE BARN – March 30, 1968 in Mary Le Lakes Starling, IL
- 7:30pm-10:30pm admission $2
- 7:30pm-10:30pm admission $2
LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL ADAMS COLISEUM – May 17, 1968 in Vincennes, IN
- 8:30pm-11:30pm "A Night In Camelot" prom
- 8:30pm-11:30pm "A Night In Camelot" prom
MOCAMBA – August 24, 1968 in Sioux Falls, SD
EMEN AUDITORIUM – September 14, 1968 in Muncie, IN
- Tommy James And The Shondells
- The Box Tops
- The MOB
CLUB GiGi – September 17, 1968 in Lyons, IL
- three week engagement
- three week engagement
ISY'S SUPER CLUB – February 7-8, 1969 in Vancouver, BC
- shows: 9pm, 11pm and 1am
- shows: 9pm, 11pm and 1am
THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW – Wednesday, February 26, 1969 11:30pm on ABC
Guests: comedian George Burns, actor Dale Robertson, comic actor Shelley Berman, singer Lou Rawls and The MOB
- Season 3/Episode 125
Guests: comedian George Burns, actor Dale Robertson, comic actor Shelley Berman, singer Lou Rawls and The MOB
- Season 3/Episode 125
KISD SUMMER HAPPENING #1 – Monday, June 16, 1969 7pm in Sioux Fall, SD
The MOB headlined the Sioux Falls Arena four hour event, advanced tickets $2.50
- KISD-AM 1230 Sioux Falls/Starr Group
The MOB headlined the Sioux Falls Arena four hour event, advanced tickets $2.50
- KISD-AM 1230 Sioux Falls/Starr Group
MARCO POLO – June 25-July 5, 1969 in Vancouver, BC
MOCAMBA CLUB – Sunday, April 5, 1970 in Sioux Falls, SD
THE BLUE ROOM – June 5, 1970 in Las Vegas, NV
- Tropicana Hotel and Country Club
- Tropicana Hotel and Country Club
FUN FACT: The Osmond Brothers got their dad to let them see The MOB perform from the Vegas Tropicana's light booth
- Reno-Journal Gazette page 29 – June 26, 1970
- Reno-Journal Gazette page 29 – June 26, 1970
GOLDEN LION – June 30-July 5, 1970 in Dayton, OH
- Forest Park Shopping Center
- Forest Park Shopping Center
CHASE CLUB – July 7-17, 1970 in St. Louis, MO
- reopening Tuesday with The MOB for an 11 night engagement Chase-Park Plaza
- reopening Tuesday with The MOB for an 11 night engagement Chase-Park Plaza
FUN FACT: July 1970, The MOB appeared at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas
THE HUMP at the Marco Polo Hotel – October 9-22, 1970 in Miami, FL
The ad read:
MIAMI BEACH'S ROCKIN' NEW DISCOTHEQUE
...WHERE YOU DO-AND-WEAR-YOUR-OWN-THING
- Oceanfront at 192nd St.- Miami Beach
The ad read:
MIAMI BEACH'S ROCKIN' NEW DISCOTHEQUE
...WHERE YOU DO-AND-WEAR-YOUR-OWN-THING
- Oceanfront at 192nd St.- Miami Beach
RUSH UP – Sunday, October 25, 1970 in Chicago, IL
The poster read:
THE FANTASTIC MOB
SUN. OCT 25TH
"THE WORLD FAMOUS"
"RUSH UP"
- 907 N. Rush (one night only)
The poster read:
THE FANTASTIC MOB
SUN. OCT 25TH
"THE WORLD FAMOUS"
"RUSH UP"
- 907 N. Rush (one night only)
AMERICAN BANDSTAND – Saturday, February 20, 1971 on ABC
- The MOB "I Dig Everything About You"
- The MOB "Give It To Me"
- Tommy Roe "Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes"
THE HUMP at the Marco Polo Hotel – March 2-20, 1971 in Miami, FL
THE DON KNOTTS SHOW – Tuesday, March 23, 1971 7:30pm on NBC
Guests: singer Barbara McNair, comedienne Edie Adams, comedian Louis Nye and The MOB
- Season 1/Episode 22 Tomka Productions Inc.
Guests: singer Barbara McNair, comedienne Edie Adams, comedian Louis Nye and The MOB
- Season 1/Episode 22 Tomka Productions Inc.
MOCAMBA – March 25-26, 1972 in Sioux Falls, SD
JUNIPER LOUNGE in the Sahara Tahoe Hotel – June 29-July 19, 1972 in Lake Tahoe, NV
THE WILLOW TREE in Topps Shopping Center – August 23-24, 1972 in Burbank, IL
- Wednesday and Thursday
- Wednesday and Thursday
THE INAUGURAL YOUTH CONCERT – Friday, January 19, 1973 8:30pm in Washington DC
This second Inaugural of President Nixon and Vice President Agnew expanded The Inaugural Concert into three separate concerts: American Music Concert, The Inaugural Youth Concert and The Symphonic Concert. With a theme of both the history and the full breadth of American music, it was the first to be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Preforming Arts and the first to have more than one concert held at one time. The first Inaugural Youth Concert held at The Eisenhower Theatre of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured (in alphabetical order): Solomon Burke, Mike Curb Congregation, The MOB, Jimmy Osmond, Tommy Roe, Miss America Laurie Lee Schaefer, Ray Stevens, The Sylvers and the Don Costa Orchestra.
"...The MOB
This exciting group was born seven years ago in Chicago and has come to be known as the number one show group in the country. Not only have they recorded such big hits as "Give It To Me" but have also written two million selling hits for the Buckinghams. These include "Kind Of A Drag" and "Susan."
The MOB composed of Gary Beisbier, James Holvay, Anthony Nedra, Bobby Ruffino, Jimmy Ford, Mike Sistak and "Big" Al Herrera have toured with such highly rated performers as Tom Jones and Paul Revere and The Raiders in a career which has led to solo performances in almost every major club in the country including the Sahara Tahoe, the Newport Lounge and Puerto Rico's famed Americana.
These M.G.M. recording stars have also made appearances on the Don Knotts Show, American Bandstand and with Joey Bishop..."
- Notes On The Performers: Inauguration Of President And Vice President The Inaugural Concerts January 19, 1973
This second Inaugural of President Nixon and Vice President Agnew expanded The Inaugural Concert into three separate concerts: American Music Concert, The Inaugural Youth Concert and The Symphonic Concert. With a theme of both the history and the full breadth of American music, it was the first to be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Preforming Arts and the first to have more than one concert held at one time. The first Inaugural Youth Concert held at The Eisenhower Theatre of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured (in alphabetical order): Solomon Burke, Mike Curb Congregation, The MOB, Jimmy Osmond, Tommy Roe, Miss America Laurie Lee Schaefer, Ray Stevens, The Sylvers and the Don Costa Orchestra.
"...The MOB
This exciting group was born seven years ago in Chicago and has come to be known as the number one show group in the country. Not only have they recorded such big hits as "Give It To Me" but have also written two million selling hits for the Buckinghams. These include "Kind Of A Drag" and "Susan."
The MOB composed of Gary Beisbier, James Holvay, Anthony Nedra, Bobby Ruffino, Jimmy Ford, Mike Sistak and "Big" Al Herrera have toured with such highly rated performers as Tom Jones and Paul Revere and The Raiders in a career which has led to solo performances in almost every major club in the country including the Sahara Tahoe, the Newport Lounge and Puerto Rico's famed Americana.
These M.G.M. recording stars have also made appearances on the Don Knotts Show, American Bandstand and with Joey Bishop..."
- Notes On The Performers: Inauguration Of President And Vice President The Inaugural Concerts January 19, 1973
THE INAUGURAL YOUTH BALL – Saturday, January 20, 1973 9pm in Washington DC
Also a first, this Inaugural Youth Ball was held at the same date and time as the Inaugural Ball. The Inaugural Youth Ball took place at the Sheraton-Park Hotel, Connecticut Avenue & Woodley Road Northwest. Both the Inaugural Youth Concert and the Inaugural Youth Ball featured many MGM recording artists including The MOB.
- The Inaugural Committee 1973 * Second and T Streets, Southwest * Washington, D. C. 20555 (packet)
Also a first, this Inaugural Youth Ball was held at the same date and time as the Inaugural Ball. The Inaugural Youth Ball took place at the Sheraton-Park Hotel, Connecticut Avenue & Woodley Road Northwest. Both the Inaugural Youth Concert and the Inaugural Youth Ball featured many MGM recording artists including The MOB.
- The Inaugural Committee 1973 * Second and T Streets, Southwest * Washington, D. C. 20555 (packet)
NEWPORT HOTEL – May 15-21, 1973 in Miami, FL
GRADY'S AQUARIUS – June 14-15-, 1974 in Milwaukee, WI
HARRAH'S CASINO CABARET – February 18-March 2, 1975 in Las Vegas, NV
- 3 show nightly
- 3 show nightly
HARRAH'S TAHOE STATELINE CABARET – October 28- November 9, 1975 in Stateline, NV
TROPICANA NITE CLUB – May 14-16, 1976 in Milwaukee, WI
- show times 9:30pm and 11:30pm
- show times 9:30pm and 11:30pm
PRIME N TENDER SHOW LOUNGE – December 13, 1976 in Chicago, IL
NAVARONE SUPPER CLUB – June 22-July 9, 1977 in Elk Grove Village, IL
DOMINIC'S – September 12-17, 1977 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada)
STATELINE CABERET – October 1, 1978 in Stateline, NV
CEASARS TAHOE ECHO CABARET – December 20-26, 1979 in Lake Tahoe, NV
CEASARS TAHOE ECHO CABARET – January 8-27, 1980 in Lake Tahoe, NV
SOUTH DAKOTA ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME – April 16, 2011 in Sioux Falls, SD
Under the band category, The MOB was inducted at the Ramkota Exibit Hall. With more than 2,000 people in attendance, The MOB also performed on stage together for the first time in 35 years.
- SDRRHF www.southdakotarockandrollmusicassociation.com
Under the band category, The MOB was inducted at the Ramkota Exibit Hall. With more than 2,000 people in attendance, The MOB also performed on stage together for the first time in 35 years.
- SDRRHF www.southdakotarockandrollmusicassociation.com
MOBSTERS
- "Big Al" Herrera – lead vocals and tenor sax (6/1966 to 12/1980 and 2011)
- "Little Artie" Herrera – lead vocals (6/1966 to 6/1967 and 2011) drafted 7/1967
- "Mike Paris" Sistak – rhythm guitar, trombone, lead and background vocals (1/1966 to 1/1978 and 2011)
- "Little Albert” Maligmat – fender p bass, guitar, lead and background vocals (1/1978 to 12/1980 and 2011) replaced Mike Sistak
- "Gary Stevens" Beisbier – alto, tenor, bari sax, valve trombone, keyboards and background vocals (1/1966 to 12/1980)
- "Jimmy Soul" Holvay – lead guitar, fender p bass, lead and background vocals (1/1966 to 12/1980 and 2011)
- Dave Heidelberg – trombone (1/1966 to 5/1966) replaced originally slated Larry McCabe
- Eric "P-Funk" Collins – fender p bass (10/1976 to 1/1978)
- "Jimmy Ford" Franz – trumpet, flugelhorn, valve trumbone, percussion, congas and background vocals (1/1966 to 8/1976 and 2011)
- Tom Howard – trumpet (1/1978 to 4/1979) replaced Jim Franz
- Larry Brubaker – trumpet (4/1979 to 6/1980) replaced Tom Howard
- Guy Shobe – trumpet (6/1980 to 12/1980) replaced Larry Brubaker
- "Tony Roman" Nedza – b3 organ, trumpet, keyboards, bass and background vocals (1/1966 to 10/1976)
- Michael “Cavy” Cavanaugh – keyboards (10/1976 to 3/1977) replaced Tony Nedza and (6/1979 to 1/1980) replaced Rob Swenson
- Jim Ryan – keyboards (3/1977 to 1/1978) replaced Michael Cavanaugh
- Rob Swenson – keyboards and lead vocals (1/1978 to 6/1979) replaced Jim Ryan
- Cordell Thompson – keyboards and background vocals (1/1980 to 12/1980) replaced Michael Cavanaugh
- Dwight Kalb – drums (1/1966 to 5/1966)
- Bobby “The Cheeze” Ruffino – drums and percussion (6/1966 to 6/1976 and 2011) replaced Dwight Kalb
- Joe Farroh – drums and percussion (6/1976 to 9/1978) replaced Bobby Ruffino
- Eric "Boom Boom" Guthman – drums (9/1978 to 12/1980) replaced Joe Farroh
R.I.P. Tom Howard
R.I.P. "Tony Roman" Nedza 5/3/2006
R.I.P. Dave Heidelberg 8/27/2017
R.I.P. Dwight Kalb 8/13/2020
R.I.P. "Tony Roman" Nedza 5/3/2006
R.I.P. Dave Heidelberg 8/27/2017
R.I.P. Dwight Kalb 8/13/2020
FUN FACT: Eric Collins played with Minnie Ripperton
|
Rock N' Roll Stories: James Holvay KLCS-TV © 2014 Season 1/Episode 9 originally aired: Monday, March 3, 2014 8pm PT Monday, March 17, 2014 8pm PT Songwriter, James Holvay shares his thoughts and insights on his experience writing 4 top ten songs for the Chicago based group , The Buckinghams, in the 1960's. He gives insight into forming what was then called the very first "horn rock band" the MOB |
NOTES
"...Also making the WLS charts in 1964 was a snappy little British-sounding single called "Beatle Time" by the Livers [Constellation 118]. The Livers were a group known as the Chicagoans, featuring Jimmy Holvay and Gary Beisber, well-known songwriters and performers in the mid-60s Chicago teen scene. Holvay and Beisber later wrote many hits for the Buckinghams ("Kind of a Drag," "Susan," "Don't You Care," "Hey, Baby, They're Playing Our Song," etc.), and were the force behind the show band called The MOB..."
- Constellation Album Discography by David Edwards and Mike Callahan www.bsnpubs.com/chicago/constellation.html
- Constellation Album Discography by David Edwards and Mike Callahan www.bsnpubs.com/chicago/constellation.html
"...Kind of a Drag" entered the Hot 100 on December 31, 1966, at number 90. Seven weeks later it was a number one, a surprising feat for a small independent label..."
- The Billboard Book of Number One Hits by Fred Bronson ISBN 9780823076772
- The Billboard Book of Number One Hits by Fred Bronson ISBN 9780823076772
"...on the road in February 1967, playing a club called the Red Velvet on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood when he first learned the news.
His song, "Kind of a Drag" had reached the top of the Billboard chart. The recording, by the Chicago-area band The Buckinghams, was the No. 1 single in the nation and would remain in that spot for two weeks..."
“…Holvay and Beisbier formed The Mob, his R&B dream band. The band toured as the opening act and backing band for Chad and Jeremy and then built a following playing nightclubs locally and around the nation...”
- Brookfield Native Jim Holvay, Hit Songwriter, Headed To LTHS Hall Of Fame by Bob Uphues Riverside-Brookfield Landmark
www.rblandmark.com/News/Articles/11-6-2012/Brookfield-native-Jim-Holvay,-hit-songwriter,-headed-to-LTHS-Hall-of-Fame/
His song, "Kind of a Drag" had reached the top of the Billboard chart. The recording, by the Chicago-area band The Buckinghams, was the No. 1 single in the nation and would remain in that spot for two weeks..."
“…Holvay and Beisbier formed The Mob, his R&B dream band. The band toured as the opening act and backing band for Chad and Jeremy and then built a following playing nightclubs locally and around the nation...”
- Brookfield Native Jim Holvay, Hit Songwriter, Headed To LTHS Hall Of Fame by Bob Uphues Riverside-Brookfield Landmark
www.rblandmark.com/News/Articles/11-6-2012/Brookfield-native-Jim-Holvay,-hit-songwriter,-headed-to-LTHS-Hall-of-Fame/
The story about The Buckinghams' song "Susan" <--- click the link
- The Buckinghams www.thebuckinghams.com
- Carl Bonafede carlbonafede.blogspot.com
- Carl Giammarese carlgiammarese.com
- Carolina Beach Music: The Classic Years by Rick Simmons ISBN 978-1609492144
- Carolina Beach Music Encyclopedia by Rick Simmons ISBN 978-1476667675
- Chicago www.chicagotheband.com
- Danny Seraphine www.dannyseraphine.com
- Dennis Tufano www.dtsings.com
- IMDb www.imdb.com/name/nm6254533/
- Johnny Pate patesplace.net
- Peter Cetera petercetera.com
- Street Player: My Chicago Story by Danny Seraphine and Adam Mitchell ISBN 978-0470416839
- The Screaming Widman by Carl Bonafede and Joel Bierig ISBN 978-1539420965
- Carl Bonafede carlbonafede.blogspot.com
- Carl Giammarese carlgiammarese.com
- Carolina Beach Music: The Classic Years by Rick Simmons ISBN 978-1609492144
- Carolina Beach Music Encyclopedia by Rick Simmons ISBN 978-1476667675
- Chicago www.chicagotheband.com
- Danny Seraphine www.dannyseraphine.com
- Dennis Tufano www.dtsings.com
- IMDb www.imdb.com/name/nm6254533/
- Johnny Pate patesplace.net
- Peter Cetera petercetera.com
- Street Player: My Chicago Story by Danny Seraphine and Adam Mitchell ISBN 978-0470416839
- The Screaming Widman by Carl Bonafede and Joel Bierig ISBN 978-1539420965
Check out "I Dig Everything About You" @ ReverbNation
For booking and press inquiries, visit us @ ReverbNation
For booking and press inquiries, visit us @ ReverbNation
THE MOB, GEORGE TORRENS AND THE MAYBEES, JIMMY PETERSON AND THE CHICAGOANS, THE LIVERS, JIMMY FORD AND THE KASUALS, LITTLE ARTIE AND THE PHARAOHS, KANE AND ABEL, JIMMY FORD AND THE EXECUTIVES, THE MISSING LINKS, THE BIG THING, THE CIRCUS, SMOKE, ASK RUFUS, RUFUS, THE BUCKINGHAMS, CHICAGO, THE IDES OF MARCH, DICK CLARK CARAVAN OF STARS, THE WRECKING CREW, JIM HOLVAY, JIMMY HOLVAY, JAMES HOLVAY, JIMMY SOUL, GARY BEISBIER, LARRY McCABE, BOBBY RUFFINO, CHUCK RUSSEL, JIMMY FRANZ, MIKE SISTAK, RON GATELY, DWIGHT KALB, WAYNE ERWIN, JIMMY GUERICO, DANNY SERAPHINE, WALLY PARAZADIER, TERRY KATH, RICK PANZER, KEVIN MURPHY, LEE LOUGHNE, TONY NEDZA, DAVE HEIDLBERG, MOUSIE AND THE TRAPS
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