Bobby Dominguez featured drummer - Bill Lowery Agency - Classics IV …….Dr. Hook/The HeadLyters/ Biloxi====Chocolate Papers 1968
Michael Welch
Notes From An Old Drummer
(Featured Drummer-Bobby Dominquez / The Chocolate Papers / Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show)
(Notes # 7)
(1968-On The Road-The Blenders-Jim Anderson-Bill Lowery Agency-Atlanta-Joe South- Billy Joe Royal-Ray Stevens-Dennis Yost-Classics IV-Spooky-Stormy-Traces-Notes Of A Young Drummer-Top 40-Martin Luther King-John Rakestraw-Jimmy Head-The HeadLyters-Biloxi-The Fiesta-House Gig-Motown-RnB-Smokey Robinson-Lounge Lizard-1965-Shop Around-Youtube-Blue Eyed Soul Brother-60s-Girl Down The Street- Vox Continental Organ-For Your Love-The Yardbirds-Boogaloo Beat-Down In The Boon Docks-Hal Blaine-Be My Baby-The Ronettes-The Wand Label-Chuck Jackson- Bobby Bland-Dee Clark-Isley Brothers-Johnny Copeland-Maxine Brown- Shirelles- Dionne Warwick-I Need You-Motown Sound-1963-The Kingsmen-Louie Louie-B Side-A Side-Austin Powers-Groovy Baby-Remix-The Fiesta-Sons Of Tyme-Keesler-1941- Gig- Go Go Girls-The Beach House-Piano Bar-Cabarets-Show Lounge-The Vapors-Gus Stevens-Andy Griffith-Mel Torme-Martha Raye-Rudy Vallee-Mamie Van Doren-Jerry Lee Lewis-Jane Mansfield-Haskell Harr-George Stone-Stick Control-Gambling Casino- Old Money-Ken Harder-House Band-Alternating Sets-5 Night A Week-Band Director- Professionals-Swing-Dixieland-Standards-Ballads-cha cha’s-Bandstand-Full Time Gig- Popeye Philips-Broadwater Beach Hotel-Chez Joey-The Chocolate Papers-Joe Morello- Rudiments-Ludwig-4 piece-Pink Champagne Sparkle-Woodstock-Michael Shrieve-2 Minute Audition-Day Gig-Cook-Soul-Jazz-Rock-Entrepreneurial-Independent musician- Low Budget-US90-Beer and Wine-Jam Band-Improvisation-Paid Dues-Around The Block-Corny-Bubblegum-Square-Biloxi-Hit Record-George Cummings-Jimmy Allen-Bill Francis-Thomas “Popeye” Philips-Ray Sawyer-Hang out-1972-Sylvia’s Mother-Rolling Stone-Dr.Hook-CBS-Clive Davis-Flying Burrito Brothers-Dennis Locorriere
For the first 3 months of 1968...I experienced life as a traveling “On The Road” musician. I was in a group called [The Blenders] Bandleader [Jim Anderson] had established a connection with The Bill Lowery Agency...out of Atlanta. They were a reputable booking agency. Bill Lowery also had success as a record producer. Some of his acts in the agency included Joe South, Billy Joe Royal and Ray Stevens. When we joined the agency... Dennis Yost & Classics IV ---- had a run of hits with Spooky, Stormy and Traces.
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The Blenders were strictly a lounge lizard...Top 40 group for Bill Lowery to book in his string of Southeastern nightclubs. The group played in Atlanta, Pensacola, Daytona Beach and Key West. I write in detail about these experiences in my book “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969”
“WE”... The Blenders were playing a club in Jacksonville, North Carolina when Martin Luther King was assassinated. The club was closed and the band returned back to Orlando.
John Rakestraw and myself would immediately join a well establish group called Jimmy Head and The HeadLyters.
“It was an offer we couldn’t refuse”
Jimmy offered us $200 a week. Something happened with his old band? Jimmy had a future booking in Biloxi, Mississippi at The Fiesta...He needed a new group.
The Fiesta was a house gig... The HeadLyters had played there before. The band would first play in Albany, New York for 2- weeks... then go to Biloxi.
(In 1968...$200 a week for an 18-years old?) That was a bundle of cash. The Blenders gigs were paying sometimes...$125 a week...On The Road. It was a cool experience...but this seemed like...I hit the jackpot.
Plus, Jimmy was a great musician, singer and bandleader.
Jimmy was certainly---in a bind. Rake and me...were at the right place...at the right time. Jimmy needed a drummer and guitar player...We were in (let’s go)
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In Albany...the band rehearsed everyday in preparation for the Biloxi gig. Jimmy’s song-list included popular Top-40 hits...but he had an attraction for Motown RnB material. Jimmy sang in the style of Smokey Robinson. Jimmy was from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
There are several___1965___HeadLyters records on Youtube. He covers “Shop Around” by Smokey Robinson. It doesn’t have the Motown production. It sounds like a nightclub band...but Jimmy sings really well. He was a Blue Eyed Soul Brother.
I never heard any of these recordings. He talked about having a couple records. There was never any conversation to be [recording artist] His record “Girl Down The Street” is interesting. You can hear his strong singing voice. It sounds like a young 60s band...with a mature singer. Jimmy was older, married...in his 20s...in 1968.
I recognize Jimmy playing his Vox Continental organ on Girl Down The Street. The drummer plays what was called the [boo- ga-loo beat] It’s very good. “Girl Down The Street” reminds me of “For Your Love” by The Yardbirds.
The drums are recorded well. There’s a classic break---I refer to as the “Down In The Boon Docks” break. You’ll know it-when you hear it. It was a popular 60s...drum thing. Hal Blaine plays it on “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes.
Another-Youtube-HeadLyters track from 1965 is “I Need You” on The Wand Label. It has more of “The Motown Sound” Jimmy sounds great. His voice really recorded well. It’s a mature track.
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The---Wand Label---had big success with The Kingsmen record- Louie Louie-in 1963. With the exception of The Kingsmen...the Wand Labels roster were reputable RnB artist including...Chuck Jackson, Bobby Bland, Dee Clark, Isley Brothers, Johnny Copeland, Maxine Brown, Shirelles, Dionne Warwick.
Hearing this version of “I Need You” I understand their production style to compete in the “Motown” market. It’s a well-produced B-Side track with background voices. Wish I knew what the {A-side} was.
There’s an alternative (remix) instrumental version of “Girl Down The Street’ without vocals. It sounds like it could be the soundtrack for Austin Powers. (Groovy Baby) I had no idea about these 45 records in 1968. Thanks again---Youtube.
I write in “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969” about my HeadLyters experience playing at {The Fiesta} in 1968. I was only in The HeadLyters for that summer of 1968. I would join a well-established local Biloxi group called Sons of Tyme. We also played at The Fiesta.
1968...in Biloxi, Mississippi was one of my most memorable experiences in music. Biloxi’s character was similar to Daytona or Myrtle Beach. The Biloxi “strip” in 1968 was a tourist spot with motels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Kessler Air Force Base has been there since 1941. The Tuskegee Airman trained at Keesler.
My gigs with The HeadLyters and The Sons of Tyme at The Fiesta were always 5-6 nights a-week. There was plenty of time to go out and hear music.
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In 1968...the Go-Go Girl attraction was still an entertainment offering. At The Fiesta...go-go girls danced on platforms in the front lounge while The HeadLyters played music in the main room. The Fiesta was an interesting gig in many ways.
There were a variety of nightclubs, lounges...piano bars... cabarets and exotic dance spots on the Biloxi strip-in 1968.
The majority of them were solo acts. With exception to The Fiesta–––The Vapors–––and The Beach House...those were the only drummer gigs...I knew of.
There was a famous show lounge restaurant called Gus Stevens. They brought in a variety of acts––comedians––singers––groups and musicians.
It opened in 1946 and closed in 1975. A few of the entertainers that performed there include Andy Griffith, Mel Torme, Martha Raye, Rudy Vallee, Mamie Van Doren and Jerry Lee Lewis. It was Jane Mansfield’s last gig...before her tragic automobile accident.
My summer of 1968...making $200 a-week...playing at The Fiesta was a fantastic experience. I had only been a professional drummer/musician for a year. Playing drums for 16 months. The HeadLyters was my 2nd full time band.
Looking back 50+ years later...I consider how I was in that position. (Age 18 - With only a few months of “On The Road” dues paying, under my belt) I didn’t think about that...at all in 1968.
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I didn’t own a George Stone Stick Control book––I couldn’t read–– I knew zero rudiments––I never played in the school band. In fact...my Junior High School’s “band director” rejected me completely. Because...I couldn’t read or play from “The Haskell Harr Book” He basically gave me the left foot of fellowship–––after my 2-minute audition.
My gig with The HeadLyters at The Fiesta was a memorable experience. The Fiesta was the gem of music gigs on the Biloxi strip. The Fiesta venue was owned by an old money Mississippi family. The Fiesta complex included a motel and restaurant. It was a well-operated business.
The physical building of The Fiesta was a Gambling Casino in the 40s and 50s.
The HeadLyters played in the large back room. The front room was a tropical themed lounge and bar. There were (two) 6- night a-week house bands. The HeadLyters played Tuesday through Sunday. Ken Harder’s band played Monday through Saturday. The 2 groups played alternating sets.
Ken Harder’s band included female vocals, acoustic piano, Drums and Ken. Ken sang---played clarinet and Tenor saxophone. They were seasoned professionals in mid-life.
I enjoyed hearing and watching the drummer. At age18...I could have formally taken some lessons from him. He could play Swing-Dixieland-Standards-Ballads, Cha-Cha’s. The classic professional drummer grooves-I’d eventually learn to play.
Watching him on a bandstand as an 18-year-old---I wasn’t thinking about playing drums when I was his age. My time was [then and now]
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I was playing popular music of the period. [Here I was] making $200 a-week-playing my drumset-in 1968. I recognize many lost opportunities---by not socializing with the many musicians...and drummers...I’ve been [face to face] with.
One of the most interesting venues on the Biloxi strip was a place called Chez Joey. There were two drummers in the band, Bobby Dominquez and Popeye Philips. The bands name was The Chocolate Papers. I knew Bobby Dominquez...a little bit.
Bobby’s mom was the singer at the Broadwater Beach Hotel. It was a full time gig. It was upscale and I never went there to check it out--I should have. I would have learned something about music and the business.
I heard Bobby Dominquez play for the first time at The Chez Joey with The Chocolate Papers. He really played great. We were approximately the same age (he may have been older) but our technique—styles--and ability were total opposite.
I was really a beginner in a professional position. Bobby Dominquez was a serious student of the drumset. He was a big fan of Joe Morello. I don’t know what books Bobby was working out of in 1968. He could talk the language of music--read [and] play rudiments.
He was a Ludwig guy and played a 4-piece Pink Champagne Sparkle set. He was very relaxed when he played. His posture- technique and sound reminds me of the 1969 Woodstock Santana drummer...Michael Shrieve. Their sound and tuning was similar.
Bobby’s playing was very methodical...but natural. He could cook and swing. He was also a dedicated musician.
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[In 1968...I never though about a day gig] Most musicians and drummers in 1968...were all similar in that respect. You may be out of work for a while...but [something] would happen. Because Bobby’s mom was a professional...single parent musician...it was in his soul.
Hearing Bobby Dominquez play with another drummer in The Chocolate Papers was interesting. Popeye Philips was also a good drummer---similar in style to Bobby. They didn’t play like Rock drummers. They played like experienced Jazz drummers playing Rock.
This group wasn’t anything like the teenage popular music bands I’d seen. Everything about The Chocolate Papers and The Chez Joey was unique. It wasn’t (1966 or 1967) [this was more like some sort of independent band—musician--- entrepreneurial experiment]
The Chocolate Papers had rented their own building space and converted it into a club. It was a low budget operation-but they were playing music. I don’t know the financial outcome... but it was a brave---music business endeavor.
I guess they had a beer and wine license and charged admission at the door. I don’t remember it being a [bottle club]...which was a popular after-hours option.
The Chez Joey location was on the gulf side of US 90...same as The Fiesta and The Beach House. Some of The Chocolate Papers band members had rooms and lived on site. It was some sort of co-op arrangement. I don’t think Bobby Dominquez had any interest in the business. His gig was to play drums.
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The Chocolate Papers played a variety of music. Rock-Country- Jazz-Blues and jam band improvisation. They certainly didn’t play anything corny...bubblegum or square. Their vibe was abstract and underground.
___These musicians were professionals...paid dues...been around the block a few times___
I admired their courage and creativity...but I couldn’t relate to that kind of commitment. I could see they were paying some dues. I had my temporary gig on [easy street] playing popular Top 40 music...making $200 a week. Their effort was a unique juxtaposition...that didn’t register with me in...1968.
The Chocolate Papers had a style that was a [hard sell] on the 1968...Biloxi scene. It was unusual for a club band to play original music. ___Unless they were playing their hit record___
The original members of The Chocolate Papers were George Cummings---Jimmy Allen---Bill Francis---Bobby Dominquez--- Thomas “Popeye” Philips and Ray Sawyer.
I went to The Chez Joey several times to hear the band. The instrumentation included 2 Drummers...Hammond B3...Electric Bass...Guitar and vocals by Ray Sawyer.
Bobby Dominquez and Bill Francis were the only members I had any hangout time with.
[Eventually...The Chez Joey and The Chocolate Papers disappeared]
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Bobby Dominquez stayed in Biloxi and continued to gig around town. He could play anything---including Jazz and Standards.
Years later...1972...I heard a record called “Sylvia’s Mother” on the radio. I didn’t pay much attention to it.
Later that year...1972...there was a song called “The Cover of The Rolling Stone”...a music magazine that I occasionally bought. To my discovery...George Cummings---Bill Francis and Ray Sawyer were “Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show” [Go figure]
___In 1973...they would be on the cover of Rolling Stone___ Somewhere along the way...they met Clive Davis of CBS records
and [got a deal]---There were several member changes.
Bobby Dominquez wasn’t in the band. Popeye Philips left the band early and recorded with The Flying Burrito Brothers. Ray Sawyer now shared the vocals with Dennis Locorriere.
(The Dr. Hook name, was inspired by the eye patch Ray Sawyer wore)
He lost his right eye in a car crash-in 1967. Dr. Hook’s self-titled album sold over one million copies...in 1972.
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side. (HST)
Notes From An Old Drummer
Michael Welch – Michael Welch Publications
(Notes # 7)
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