The Mob (Chicago band)

Last updated

The MOB
Origin Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Rock, rhythm and blues
Years active19661980, 2011present
Labels Cameo-Parkway, Toddlin Town, Mercury, Daylight, Twinight, Colossus, MGM, Private Stock, Odyssey
Members Jim Holvay
Mike Sistak
Al Herrera
Artie Herrera
Jimmy Ford
Robert Ruffino
Gary Beisbier
Albert Maligmat
Past membersDave Heidelberg
Eric Collins
Tom Howard
Guy Shoeb
Larry Brubaker
Tony Nedza
Michael Cavanugh
Jim Ryan
Rob Swenson
Cordell Thompson
Dwight Kalb
Joe Farell
Eric Guthman
Website mikebaker45s.weebly.com

The MOB is an American rock and rhythm and blues show band from Chicago, Illinois. The band formed in January 1966 and earned headline status in every major showroom in Nevada and across the country including Canada, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. The MOB disbanded in 1980, and reunited in 2011 to perform together on stage as they were inducted into the South Dakota Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. [1]

Contents

History

Growing up around Chicago in a teen rock band with horns, Gary Beisbier and Jim Holvay continued their musical experience charting the instrumental “Beatle Time” on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey as The Livers. [2] After the Caravan of Stars tours, The Chicagoans and The Executives, Holvay watched the 1951 movie "The Mob" [3] and visioned a mob of musicians from a gangster town with pinstripe suits, black shirts, white ties and carnations. [4] [5] The MOB formed in 1966 with Mike Sistak, Gary Beisbier, Jim Holvay, Dave Heidelberg, Tony Nedza, James Franz and Dwight Kalb. By mid-1966, Big Al and Little Artie (from the group Kane And Able and Little Artie and The Pharaohs) along with Bobby Ruffino (from The Executives) joined The MOB.

Their original manager was Joe DeFrancisco. They were the first group from Chicago to include a full horn section (the Chicago horn rock sound). [6] [7]

Dick Clark's Young Worlds Fair

After the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tours, members of The MOB were used to backing up other entertainers. Dick Clark's Young Worlds Fair was held at the International Amphitheater in the stock yards, Dick Clark was the master of ceremonies April 22 through May 1, 1966. [8] The MOB played on the Dr. Pepper stage and backed-up artists like Freddie Cannon and others. Opening day featured Paul Revere And The Raiders, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, The Knickerbockers, Billy Joe Royal and Freddie Cannon. Appearing the following days were Lou Christie, The Mamas & the Papas, The Young Rascals, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, The Vogues, The Turtles and more. [9]

Ravinia Festival Jazz-Folk Series Mod Night

Ravinia Festival ventured into a new event within its jazz-folk series titled Mod Night. [10] "Mod" is a term used in the 60s and 70s for young people's subculture who liked British rock and American soul music. The first Mod Night was held on Wednesday, August 2, 1967 featuring The MOB the first hour followed by The Association the second hour. The Rolling Meadows series for teens "Happenings" bussed 43 senior high school students. [11] The first Mod Night set an attendance record at Ravinia of 17,320 breaking the July 24, 1959 attendance record of 14,142 featuring the Kingston Trio and Gerry Mulligan. [12]

The Inaugural Concerts 1973

The second Inaugural of President Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew expanded the Inaugural Concert into three separate concerts: American Music Concert, The Inaugural Youth Concert and The Symphonic Concert. Held on Friday, January 19, 1973, it was the first to be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the first to have multiple simultaneous concerts. The first Inaugural Youth Concert held at The Eisenhower Theatre of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured pop, rock and soul groups including The MOB. [13]

On Saturday, January 20, 1973, The Inaugural Youth Ball, also a first, was held the same time as the Inaugural Ball. Both The Inaugural Youth Concert and The Inaugural Youth Ball featured many MGM recording artists including The MOB.

South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On October 2010, Don Fritz, President of the South Dakota Rock And Roll Music Association announced that The MOB was selected under the category "bands". Inducted April 16, 2011 at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls, SD, more than 2,000 people in attendance saw and heard The MOB at their first reunion in 35 years. [14]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Animals</span> English rock band

The Animals are an English rock band formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1963. The Animals' original lineup consisted of deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon, guitarist Hilton Valentine, bass guitarist Chas Chandler, keyboardist Alan Price, and drummer John Steel. Known for their gritty, bluesy sound, they balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm-and-blues-orientated album material, and were part of the British Invasion of the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLS (AM)</span> Radio station in Illinois, United States

WLS is a commercial AM radio station in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by Cumulus Media, through licensee Radio License Holdings LLC, the station airs a talk radio format. WLS studios are in the NBC Tower on North Columbus Drive in the city's Streeterville neighborhood. The station's programming is also available in the Chicago metropolitan area via a simulcast on the HD2 digital subchannel of sister station WLS-FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy James</span> American musician

Tommy James is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, widely known as frontman of the 1960s rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, who were known for their hits including "Mony Mony" and "Crimson and Clover", and "I Think We're Alone Now".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NRBQ</span> American rock band

NRBQ is an American rock band founded by Terry Adams (piano), Steve Ferguson (guitar) and Joey Spampinato (bass). Originally the "New Rhythm and Blues Quintet", the group was formed circa 1965. Adams disbanded it for a time, and the group re-formed in 1967. The quartet is known for its live performances, containing a high degree of spontaneity and levity, and blending rock, pop, jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley styles. Its membership comprises the quartet of pianist Adams, bassist Casey McDonough, guitarist Scott Ligon, and drummer John Perrin. Some of the members in the band's long history are singer, writer and bassist Joey Spampinato, guitarists Al Anderson and Johnny Spampinato; drummers Tom Staley and Tom Ardolino; and vocalist Frank Gadler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCIU-TV</span> CW affiliate in Chicago

WCIU-TV is a television station in Chicago, Illinois, United States, affiliated with The CW. It is the flagship television property of locally based Weigel Broadcasting, which has owned the station since its inception, and is sister to two low-power stations: independent outlet WMEU-CD and MeTV/Heroes & Icons flagship WWME-CD. The stations share studios on Halsted Street in the Greektown neighborhood; WCIU-TV's transmitter is located atop the Willis Tower in the Chicago Loop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Loughnane</span> American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter

Lee David Loughnane is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter who is a founding member of the rock band Chicago. He is best known for being one-third of Chicago's brass/woodwind section alongside James Pankow and Walter Parazaider.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ides of March (band)</span> American rock band

The Ides of March is an American jazz rock band that had a major US and minor UK hit with the song "Vehicle" in 1970. After going on hiatus in 1973, the band returned with their original line-up in 1990 and has been active since then.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roll Over Beethoven</span> Original song written and composed by Chuck Berry

"Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 song written by Chuck Berry, originally released on Chess Records, with "Drifting Heart" as the B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to be as respected as classical music. The song has been covered by many other artists, including the Beatles and the Electric Light Orchestra. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 97 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Buckinghams</span> American pop band formed in 1966

The Buckinghams are an American pop band from Chicago. They formed in 1966 and went on to become one of the top-selling acts of 1967, charting their only five top 40 hits in the U.S. that year. The band dissolved in 1970, but re-formed in 1980 and as of 2022 they continue to tour throughout the United States.

George Bruno Money is an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader. He is best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band. Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles, he was drawn to rock and roll music and became a leading light in the vibrant music scene of Bournemouth and Soho during the 1960s. He took his stage name 'Zoot' from Zoot Sims after seeing him in concert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam the Sham</span> American rock and roll singer

Domingo Samudio, better known by his stage name Sam the Sham, is a retired American rock and roll singer. Sam the Sham is known for his camp robe and turban and hauling his equipment in a 1952 Packard hearse with maroon velvet curtains. As the front man for the Pharaohs, he sang on several Top 40 hits in the mid-1960s, including the Billboard Hot 100 runners-up "Wooly Bully" and "Li'l Red Riding Hood".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kind of a Drag</span> 1966 single by The Buckinghams

"Kind of a Drag" is a song written by Jim Holvay and recorded by the Buckinghams. It was the title track of their debut LP. The single reached #1 on the U.S. Hot 100 in February 1967, becoming the first #1 single within the new calendar year, remaining in the top position for two weeks, earning a gold disc.

The Cryan' Shames are an American garage rock band from Hinsdale, Illinois. Originally known as The Travelers, the band was formed by Tom Doody ("Toad"), Gerry Stone ("Stonehenge"), Dave Purple ("Grape") of The Prowlers, Denny Conroy from Possum River, and Jim Fairs from The Roosters, Jim Pilster, and Bill Hughes. The band's most successful song was their cover of The Searchers' "Sugar and Spice".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Colony Six</span> American soft rock band formed 1964

New Colony Six is an American garage and later soft rock band from Chicago, formed in 1964. Original members were Ray Graffia Jr. (vocals), who was born March 28, 1946; Chic James (drums); Pat McBride (harmonica); Craig Kemp (organ); Wally Kemp (bass); and Gerry Van Kollenburg (guitar), who was born June 26, 1946. Ronnie Rice replaced Craig Kemp in 1966. There were numerous changes in the lineup over the years. Richie Unterberger characterized the group's sound as "a poppier American Them with their prominent organ, wobbly Lesley-fied guitar amplifications, and rave-up tempos", later devolving into "a cabaret-ish band with minor national hits to their credit by the end of the 1960s." Like Paul Revere & the Raiders - with whom NC6 shared a two-flat before either band hit the charts or knew that the other had nearly identical stage wear, they wore colonial outfits on stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Rook</span> American radio programmer and executive

John Harlan Rook was an American radio programmer and executive, most known for his tenure in Chicago. Under his guidance in the 1960s, 50,000-watt ABC-owned WLS became the highest rated station in the Chicago metropolitan area, known as one of the greatest Top 40 stations in America. After leaving WLS to form a radio consultancy in 1970, WLS' rival, WCFL-AM, beat WLS in the ratings after retaining Rook's services. Throughout his programming career, Rook won numerous national radio awards and was repeatedly singled out for his ability to pick hit records. He would later own his own radio stations before founding the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, the only foundation that bestows awards on popular performers based upon the votes of the general public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur's Tavern</span> New York City nightclub

Arthur's Tavern is a nightclub in the West Village, New York City. It has been located in a designated historic building for more than 60 years. Arthur's Tavern street address is 57 Grove Street.

Colossus Records was an American record label founded in 1969 by Jerry Ross, who had also founded Heritage Records the year before. Like Heritage, Colossus was distributed by MGM Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mauds</span> Musical artist

The Mauds were an influential band in the 1960s, 1970s Chicago jazz rock, blue-eyed soul, blues rock, garage rock scene that included The Buckinghams, Chicago, Shadows of Knight, and The Ides of March. The Mauds was founded in 1964 by Bill Durling, rhythm guitar. Bill knew Jimy Rogers from 1964 and convinced him to start singing lead for Bill's band. Jimy and Bill then asked Billy Winter, bass, Robert “Fuzzy” Fuscaldo, lead guitar and Craig Baumgard, drums to join and the Mauds were born. These musicians built the Mauds unmistakable Chicago Blue-Eyed Soul Sound c.1965 to 1967. The name Mauds was a play on the 1960s British slang expression "mod", which meant modern. Bill Durling went off to college in Storm Lake, Iowa and was replaced by Timmy Coniglio on rhythm guitar and brass. Then, Craig Baumgard was replaced by Phil Weinberg on drums, and later, Denny Horan replaced Weinberg, and Bill Winter was replaced by Bill Sunter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Holvay</span> American rock singer-songwriter and musician (b. 1945)

James Steven "Jimmy Soul" Holvay is the American rock singer-songwriter and musician who wrote "Kind of a Drag", a number one hit for The Buckinghams. He is one of the founding members of The MOB, the first rock band to perform at a Presidential Inaugural Concert & Ball.

Gary Duane Beisbier is an American rock music songwriter, arranger and musician who co-wrote hit songs for The Buckinghams. Gary is a founding member of the rhythm and blues horn rock band from Chicago, Illinois, The Mob.

References

  1. South Dakota Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. "The MOB – South Dakota Rock And Roll Hall of Fame" . Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  2. WLS Radio, WLS Silver Dollar Survey 4-17-1964, WLS Radio
  3. IMDb (September 21, 1951). "The Mob (1951)". IMDb . Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  4. "Club Pop House - Beloit, WI - 1941-1973".
  5. Rick Simmons, Carolina Beach Music: The Classic Years, The History Press
  6. Chicago Reader. "The MOB pioneered Chicago's horn rock sound-and wore dark pinstriped suits with carnations". Chicago Reader . Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  7. "THE MOB - Chicago band". THE MOB - Chicago band. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  8. Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune 4-10-1966 Section 5 Page 11, Chicago Tribune
  9. Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune 4-12-1966 Section 2 Page 1, Chicago Tribune
  10. Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune 7-30-1967 Section 5 Page 10, Chicago Tribune
  11. Daily Herald, Daily Herald 8-4-1967 Page 74, Daily Herald
  12. Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune 8-3-1967 Section 2 Page 9, Chicago Tribune
  13. Richard Nixon Presidential Library And Museum. "The Inaugural Concerts – January 19, 1973" . Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  14. South Dakota Rock And Roll Music Association. "South Dakota Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame - The MOB Inductees" . Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  15. 1 2 Billboard. "The MOB – Chart History - Billboard". Billboard . Retrieved January 31, 2017.

External References