West Michigan Mid-Sixties Bands

I remember seeing these guys a few times. One was about the same time ('70-'71)that the band I was in, Bad Manor, was playing at the Westgate Bowling Alley on Alpine. Seems like there was 2 places to play there. There was a little bar called the Bucket Pub and a larger nightclub/bar in the same complex. Kingtones were playing in the larger room when I saw them and they had these metal tubes set up on the ends of the stage with fire shooting out of them! They were playing more relaxed, easy going, quieter stuff than the average bar band was kicking out, as best I can remember.

Also: I'm really interested in discussing The Place with someone who remembers it.

I was very sadened to hear about the sudden death of Jeff Boughner. He is the only person I ever had taken guitar lessens from, and although it was only for about 3 months (at Carl's guitar studio), I always admired him. He probably wouldn't have remembered me because I was only 13 and he was around 18 and playing with the Soulbenders. I still have their 45 with "Hey Joe" and "I Can't Believe In Love Anymore". What a great person and guitarist.
Rest In Peace Jeff.....

I remember the place on Ball avenue well . Was a great place to see bands Soulbenders, Ju Ju's , Lynn and the Invaders .

Actually "The Place" was located at 632 Plymouth N.e.Still some great bands played there, I was too young to go though, really missed out!

Ahhh yessss.....The place...an old roller rink converted into a nightclub/sock hop place...stage was at the east end of the building...there was a fence on the outside of the dance floor...guys would hang out there to watch the girls....some great local bands would play there along with the playing of the late top 40 songs....good times and yes it was on Plymouth just north of Michigan....the good old days

I forgot to mention it before....next to Jimi...I thought the Soulbenders did the best rendition of "Hey Joe" I've heard...just my opinion

Thanks for address correction . We came in from Rockford and we as kids do knew how to get there but not streets well . We did not live in G. R. so we did not pay attention . I stand corrected i just loved the music . Also nothing to do in Rockford.

i remember "the place". think i was in high school and my girlfriends and i snuck in there. while we were there my girlfriends dad walked in and busted us! what were the band members names?

I was born in 1957,and grew up in the little town of Byron Center,a little south of GR.I guess i was about 11 years old when I heard this song for the first time on a little transistor radio tucked under my pillow. WLAV am! It was my favorite station. Recording old music is a pastime of mine.And Ive been looking for this version of Hey joe for years.

I have the original 45s of the soulbenders in mint condition. I ran a DJ Business in the late 70's to the 93 called the CJ's I taped the records and then stored them, and played them all the time. people went wild over them.

I played in a battle of the bands event at The Place back in '67 (just guessing).We came in 2nd behind The Soul Benders.I was in The Shackleforsts out of Muskegon.

Julian Casarez could you contact me at: WMMusicHystericalSociety@yahoo.com or leave your E-mail on our contact page of our website: wwwWestMichMusicHystericalSociety.com Thank You

Hi,
Looking for info on Ted Jones member of a band called The Frogs, ran an under ground radio station and a recording studio. Trying to find his Les Paul. Any info appreciated.