Joe Davis - Featured Drummer ( The Guilloteens ) Laddy Hutcherson- We the People - The Nightcrawlers - Royal Guardsman - 1967
Michael Welch / Notes from an old drummer
It was the [“Summer of Love”] 1967...I got my first full time professional gig. I write about it with detail in my book “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969”
There I was...on a bandstand with topless go-go girls dancing 3 feet from me-and-my drumset. [1967...on The Space Coast was an exciting period. Astronauts––Rocket Launches––Cape Canaveral everything was booming. It was the 60s with The Right Stuff.
My gig was at ironically...a club called...The Missile Lounge. It was also known as, “Moes” Missile Lounge. Moe was usually there...counting the money and keeping the staff in line.
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I was hanging out at Jimmy Heads music store––Discount Music Center––in Sanford, Florida {Summer-1967} when 2 older musicians came in. They happened to need a drummer...I played the drums...I got the gig...I was only 17...but nobody ever questioned my legality to play in a club as a musician / drummer.
I enjoyed my week on this gig. I loved the music. The whole scene was out-a-site. My casual romantic affair with a 21-year old beat chick was a [17-year old boys] dream. BaDaBoom
During my gig at Moe’s Missile...I got an offer to be in a house show band...[which I accepted] The club was on the historic 520 Merritt Island Causeway. It was called The Cork Room. There was cork all over the interior on the walls. The gig paid $125 a-week for 6 nights.
The photo on my books cover “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969” was taken there...on that bandstand. That’s a 17- year old me in a pinstripe coat–bowtie–suede Beatle boots in front of my ZimGar Drumset. My mom paid $250 for that drumset from Jimmy Head at Discount Music Center.
I loved those ZimGars {though I concealed their Japanese heritage and put a Ludwig head on the bass drum} My cymbals were Krut or some off brand. New Zildjians were financially out of the question. That photo brings back memories. I see my Marlboro cigarette pack on the towel––on my bass drum. Those screw on cymbal sizzles are classic 60s.
I look back and find it interesting that I had only been playing for a year. I was now a professional making a decent salary for my craft...$125 a week playing the drums at the age of 17.
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I was playing music---playing the drums---living in the adult world instead of High School. I failed 7th and 9th grades. I could have been in High School...till I was 21.
I’ve heard stories from several American and British musicians that came through a similar social environment. –Juvenile delinquency, single parent homes and financial hardship–
___Music gave us a chance in life to survive___
I wish I had tapes or recordings of myself from the 60s. That 17- year old kid in the photo...must have had some God-Given natural talent. Capable enough to cut a professional gig...with a band of experienced musicians.
I believe what and how I played was simple...solid time. I didn’t have any rudimental chops or technique...but I had good ears and feel. I’d been rehearsing everything in my mind since the age of 7. Executing the physical technique with 2 drumsticks and feet wasn’t that difficult.
My time practicing on our open-air back porch...neighbors complaining (That Gene Krupa kid is beating the skins again!) A Seminole County Sherriff repeatedly drove 12 miles from Sanford to Geneva. “Can you tone it down? ___Yeah, that’s 17- year old me on that bandstand...
___I look confident...proud and ready to go___
There I was...playing in a professional “show band” with experienced musician’s...in their 20s and 30s. [Oh-Yeah]...there was a covey of topless go-go girls on stage.
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My experiences playing so many varieties of music in different stage...club and social environments was the best music education I could ever have.
At the age of 16...I had heard of Berklee School of Music...Bars- lounges-go-go rooms-honkytonks...were my formal education...not Berklee School of Music.
(I guarantee there wasn’t a Berklee 101 [class in 1967] that taught you how to back up a stripper---comedian---top-less dancer)
My memories of those few months I experienced in Cocoa Beach and Melbourne, Florida are fantastic. Migrating through The Summer of Love, 1967, I celebrated my eighteenth birthday, that September. I felt like I was a semi-adult.
The 1967 {music and entertainment scene} on the Space Coast was dominated by show clubs, lounges and topless bars. It was a tourist location...with the main employer being “The Cape” (aka) Cape Canaveral. With the Space Race full go...the rocket business was open 24/7 for those employees.
My gig at The Cork was a reputable position. The leader, LarryD had a name with a good following. Clubs employing musicians and paying a decent living wage in 1967...was not unusual. Marquee Signs all up and down US1 and A1A along the coast advertised...live entertainment. Various clubs and motels were theme based like Moe’s Missile, Starlite Motel, Astro Court, Satellite Motel, Polaris Motel.
The hippest nightclub for the 21 and up crowd was The Vanguard Lounge. It was connected to the Vanguard Hotel. Located right on the beach...A1A.
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I went there with my Cork Room bandmates for the Sunday afternoon jam session. The drinking age was 21...but at age 18 they let me in. ___I Was A Musician!___ The doormen...bouncers were strict about under age fake ID users. It took some wheeling and dealing to convince the gatekeeper to let me in.
The house band at The Vanguard was The Guilloteens. (Spelled Guilloteens) The drummer’s name is Joe Davis.
___I’d heard about them and their local folklore rock n roll stardom past___
The Vanguard was the most high profile club on the beach. This is where all of the beautiful people went. It wasn’t a show room...piano bar lounge-lizard club with an accordion trio. (I love accordion) The Vanguard was a place to hook up and
connect---drink---see---be seen and have a good time.
The Sunday jam session was interesting. I heard and watched The Guilloteens play a set. They were a guitar...bass and drums trio. This was unusual [nightclub] instrumentation. (Before...Cream and Jimi Hendrix Experience)
I heard The Guilloteens play a cover of Neil Diamond’s, Solitary Man.
They sounded good. Before my visit to this event...I’d heard some tales about how fast Joe Davis could play the drums. I’d only been playing a year...but I had seen several impressive drummers.
The Vanguard---club is attached to the Vanguard motel. There are old vintage photos available to view...if you do a Google search. Even in 1967...the place seemed like it was old. Maybe it was the daily hammering from the ocean wind and sea.
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There was a good crowd that afternoon...just for a jam session. The bandstand was elevated about 6 feet above the floor. There was a tall vertical ladder to climb...to get on the bandstand. {Crazy}___Maybe there were go-go girls...but not that afternoon.
Watching...Joe Davis...play the drums was a unique experience. He was very animated...bobbed his head...shook his mop top haircut to the rhythm and beat. It was showmanship and the audience liked it. His posture behind the kit was similar to Ringo. His playing was very dramatic, but effective. He played a double mount tom kit with 2 cymbals. I don’t remember what brand. They sounded good.
When The Guilloteens finished their set and came off the bandstand, there was a break. I was very nervous...but I sat in and played. I climbed up the ladder and behind the drumset.
Being a lefty, I switched the high hat...snare and floor tom. This is never a welcome event for the house drummer. I don’t think it was a problem. I have zero memory of what happened...what songs we played or the audience reaction. I felt ok about it.
I always returned the kit to its original position. I climbed down from the bandstand.
There was no friendly drummer conversation from Joe Davis. I don’t think he said a single word to me. I may have warned him... was it ok to switch some things around? He was older and a veteran...maybe he was familiar with left-handed drummers.
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Hearing and seeing The Guilloteens was an interesting experience. Being in that environment...with that age group of young adults was a different scene. It was like a teen-club with smoking and alcohol. The Guilloteens image-music and charisma was impressive.
Joe Davis had a unique style. He played with confidence and seemed to have zero stage fright. He was probably the strongest personality in the band. I’d heard (rumor) The Guilloteens were getting paid $250 a week...in 1967. I was making $125 on my gig.
I mentioned earlier about their previous stardom. They had performed on American Bandstand and had a hit record. Their two singles were Memphis regional hits, “I Don’t Believe”
and “Hey You”
I’d never heard their songs on the radio. The Guilloteens played “I Don’t Believe“ while I was at The Vanguard.
In Orlando, even Florida, there were groups with regional hits. We The People
and The Nightcrawlers come to mind.
The Royal Guardsmen had more than a regional hit. In 1966... “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron” was certified gold and reached #2 in the Billboard Top 100.
The history of The Guilloteens as recording artist and a band is very interesting. I don’t know how they arrived at The Vanguard. The original members are from Memphis. Laddie Hutcherson (lead vocals, lead guitar)
Louis Paul (bass guitar, backing vocals)...Joe Davis...drums...backing vocals)
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With the popularity of The Guilloteens in Memphis, they were discovered and relocated to Los Angeles. The Guilloteens played on Shindig...American Bandstand...Hullabaloo and Where the Action Is. As a teenager-drummer-these were must see television shows for music...and [to see] bands.
I believe some of The Guilloteens success was due to the mutual management with the group...Paul Revere and the Raiders. As a teenager I remember seeing them on Dick Clark’s shows every week. They had numerous national hits and a large following.
I’ve discovered many vintage 60s TV shows on Youtube.
The Guilloteens have several featured appearances. It’s a matter of opinion and personal taste...when it comes to a popularity contest in music {The Guilloteens...TV performance videos on Youtube...start in...1966}
Most of the video TV performances are The Guilloteens performing their record (I Don’t Believe) [They play “Hey You”] on a show called The Shivaree Show. It’s a West Coast show...I never saw it in Florida.
Watching...Joe Davis...play [Hey You] in the video from The Shivaree Show...you can see the style and showmanship he had as a drummer. The tune {Hey You} is kind of like The Kinks...You Really Got Me...not as gritty...but it has some energy.
He has a little Keith Moon thing...with some repeated cross overs. It’s impressive for 1967.
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When I saw Joe Davis play at The Vanguard...he was behind a 5-piece kit. (Maybe a Ludwig Hollywood Set) In The Shivaree video...it’s a standard 4-piece kit...maybe Rogers...from the tom mounts. The recorded track is good. It’s busy...but clean.
(There are several Youtube videos with audio only) There’s a tune called “I Sit And Cry” and you can definitely hear that Joe could play some fast rolls around the set.
Another tune from 1967...called “I Love That Girl” sounds quite typical of 60s guitar-bass-drums with vocals.
My favorite song and production is the record Wild Child. It is very much like a Paul Revere and the Raiders tune...with more high energy drumming. Joe Davis plays very nice on this track. He really drives the 12-string guitar and vocals. He genuinely played with confidence and energy.
There’s a Shindig...(1966)...Youtube show with The Guilloteens. The bands usually fake playing. (The vocals are live) Some of the 60s...Shindig Shows are very good.
If you can find it...you’ll see Joe Davis playing drums as The Guilloteens and The Searchers share a song. [All very entertaining...with a few gems of actual music]
The Guilloteens recording label was Hanna-Barbera. They were founded in 1957 and produced classic animated cartoon shows including: Tom and Jerry, Huckleberry Hound, The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs and more.
(A very impressive resume of hits)
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I certainly don’t understand the mystery of success in the music business. It’s documented that The Guilloteens were on the cutting edge of success while in Los Angeles. Getting on those Television shows took the right management.
How...The Guilloteens ended up playing Top40 on a house gig at The Vanguard? (It’s a Mystery) seems they had a lot going on as recording artist. Competition was tough...still is.
Maybe they had a shot and there wasn’t enough interest to get them to the next level. When their Hanna-Barbera contract ended...they released music on Columbia {not a minor player}
Much has to do with record label and management. That’s always a topic of conversation from popular musicians when they discuss their success and failure.
That was my only visit to the 1967 Vanguard Lounge. When my gig ended at The Cork Room...I would head back to my little home - town of Geneva...and begin my search for another gig. (Winter 1967)
I enjoyed the excitement that Sunday afternoon in 1967 to hear The Guilloteens. It was a music lesson to see and hear Joe Davis play drums. Revisiting the Youtube videos...I have much more appreciation for his talent. I never thought about getting to know other drummers back then or take a lesson from him.
Notes From An Old Drummer
Michael Welch – Michael Welch Publications
(Notes # 4)
(Featured Drummer-Joe Davis / The Guilloteens)
(Notes # 4)
(Summer of Love-1967-Notes of a Young Drummer-go go girls-1967-Space Coast-60s- The Right Stuff-Missile Lounge-Jimmy Head-Discount Music-Sanford-Cork Room- ZimGar-Krut-Zildjian-Gene Krupa-Beating The Skins-Geneva-Sherriff-topless-show band-Berklee School of Music-Stripper-Comedian-Cocoa Beach-Melbourne-Moe’s-Cape Canaveral-Space Race-Larry-Marquee Sign-Cork Room-US1-A1A-Merritt Island Causeway-Vanguard Lounge-BaDaBoom-House Band-Guilloteens-Piano Bar-Lounge Lizard-Jam Session-Cream-Jimi Hendrix-Florida-Neil Diamond-Solitary Man- Bandstand-Ringo-Lefty-American Bandstand-I Don’t Believe-Hey You-Orlando- Florida-We The People-Royal Guardsmen-Snoopy vs. the Red Baron-The Nightcrawlers-Accordion-Billboard-Top 100-Laddie Hutcherson-Louis Paul-Memphis- Where The Action Is-Shindig-Hullabaloo-TV-Dick Clark-Youtube-Paul Revere and the Raiders-House Drummer-West Coast-Shivarre Show-The Kinks-Keith Moon-Ludwig Hollywood-Rogers-I Sit and Cry-I Love That Girl-Wild Child-Crossovers-God Given-The Searchers-Hanna Barbara-Tom and Jerry-Huckleberry Hound-The Flintstones-Yogi Bear-The Jetsons-Scooby Doo-The Smurfs-Top40-House Gig-Columbia-21 and Up- Animated-Bobbed His Head-Showmanship-Bandstand-1957-gig