The Hard Times: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Rites of Spring single.jpg|right|175px]] | [[Image:Rites of Spring single.jpg|right|175px]] | ||
'''Rites of Spring''' was a pop-rock band from [[Birmingham]] which recorded | '''Rites of Spring''' (originally '''The Hard Times''') was a pop-rock band from [[Birmingham]] which recorded and toured in the mid 1960s. They were the first rock band from Alabama to make a national television appearance. | ||
Members of the group included [[Mike Gunnels]] on vocals, [[Ron Parr]] and [[Mike Pair]] on guitar, [[Ronnie Melton]] on keyboards, [[Mike Melton]] on bass and [[Daily Vandergriff]] on drums. All except Pair were classmates at [[Woodlawn High School]]. | |||
The Hard Times recorded their first single with [[Steve Norris]] at [[Boutwell Studios]], and released it on the Ultimate label. "Losing You" became a local #1 hit and the group became associated with [[WSGN-AM]]. | |||
In July [[1966]] they won a 300-band talent search organized by [[WVOK-AM]], which entitled them to a $500 cash prize, a recording contract with Cameo-Parkway, and an appearance on Where The Action Is?. Singer Terry Knight, who had just scored a hit with "I (Who Have Nothing)", was assigned to produce their follow-up record. Tthe plaintive-sounding "Why?" with the harder-hitting "Comin' on Back to Me" on the reverse, was recorded in Philadelphia and saw limited release in October [[1966]]. The single was underpromoted, and Cameo-Parkway soon went out of business. Lowery Talent of Atlanta began booking their tours and they recorded a few more tracks with [[Rick Hall]] at [[Fame Studios]] is [[Muscle Shoals]]. | |||
Because there was another band from California calling itself the Hard Times, the band changed its name to "Rites of Spring" prior to appearing on the penultimate episode of Dick Clark's ABC program "Where The Action Is", which aired on [[March 16]], [[1967]]. The group broke up around the end of the year as some of the members were drafted into military service. | |||
==Discography== | |||
* The Hard Times ( ) "Losing You" / "You Couldn't Love Me". Ultimate 31272 | |||
* The Hard Times (October 1966) "Why?" / "Comin’ On Back To Me". Parkway 109 | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Kit, Chas ( | * Kit, Chas (July 18, 2007) "[http://garagehangover.com/?q=RitesofSpring The Hard Times / The Rites of Spring]". Garage Hangover | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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[[Category:Rock bands]] | [[Category:Rock bands]] | ||
[[Category:1960s establishments]] | |||
[[Category:1967 disestablishments]] | |||
Revision as of 17:25, 29 September 2010
Rites of Spring (originally The Hard Times) was a pop-rock band from Birmingham which recorded and toured in the mid 1960s. They were the first rock band from Alabama to make a national television appearance.
Members of the group included Mike Gunnels on vocals, Ron Parr and Mike Pair on guitar, Ronnie Melton on keyboards, Mike Melton on bass and Daily Vandergriff on drums. All except Pair were classmates at Woodlawn High School.
The Hard Times recorded their first single with Steve Norris at Boutwell Studios, and released it on the Ultimate label. "Losing You" became a local #1 hit and the group became associated with WSGN-AM.
In July 1966 they won a 300-band talent search organized by WVOK-AM, which entitled them to a $500 cash prize, a recording contract with Cameo-Parkway, and an appearance on Where The Action Is?. Singer Terry Knight, who had just scored a hit with "I (Who Have Nothing)", was assigned to produce their follow-up record. Tthe plaintive-sounding "Why?" with the harder-hitting "Comin' on Back to Me" on the reverse, was recorded in Philadelphia and saw limited release in October 1966. The single was underpromoted, and Cameo-Parkway soon went out of business. Lowery Talent of Atlanta began booking their tours and they recorded a few more tracks with Rick Hall at Fame Studios is Muscle Shoals.
Because there was another band from California calling itself the Hard Times, the band changed its name to "Rites of Spring" prior to appearing on the penultimate episode of Dick Clark's ABC program "Where The Action Is", which aired on March 16, 1967. The group broke up around the end of the year as some of the members were drafted into military service.
Discography
- The Hard Times ( ) "Losing You" / "You Couldn't Love Me". Ultimate 31272
- The Hard Times (October 1966) "Why?" / "Comin’ On Back To Me". Parkway 109
References
- Kit, Chas (July 18, 2007) "The Hard Times / The Rites of Spring". Garage Hangover
External links
- "Why?" (MP3) at Garage Hangover
- "Comin' on Back to Me" (MP3) at Garage Hangover