West Michigan Mid-Sixties News

I grew up in Michigan and remember that a group called ME & DEM GUYS recorded a song I really liked, but I can't remember the tune....is there anywhere I can go to here a "snippet" of any of their music to see if I can find what song it was?
Would greatly appreciate a LINK......

Pat in Colorado

hi pat i was the singer in the band and have all the recordings on c.d get with me,keith

Keith,
I was John Hopkins son (please don't hold that against me). I still have my 45 of Black Cloud but had always heard that an album was released. Would love to hear some of the old songs.
Thanks,
Dem

please e-mail me i was the little girlin red at russos with the tambourine

please e-mail

I lived in kalamazoo in the '60's, and loved Me and Dem Guys. Didn't they put out an album that had a version of Ruby Tuesday? Is there any site I can go to , to see the album covers? I am interested in purchasing a couple, if they are still available. Thank You!

I was the lead singer in the Clouds. I heard that Tomorrow went to the top 10 in five states but I don't know if that's right. We recorded four songs in Nashville. The band broke up after our drummer Danny Sirtak drowned. The band reconstituted and went to Africa. I finished college. I've always missed the music. I did love it so.

Mike Kanak
Belleville, IL
mkanak3@charter.net

hi

2 of the original group is back playing again. frank eimer band with john jennings (sax player)and also with the group is rob volkers and fred ploughman. they are playing every friday and saturday nite at the charlevoix club (new name is the cinnabar) new signs have not gone up yet. 3030 charlevoix s.e., grand rapids, mi going east on 28th turn right charlevoix about 3 blocks down on left side of the street.part of the club is a fitness.if you want to hear black cloud again to the the club.the sound great. good music to listen to and great dance music.

hope to see you there.

mrs. frank eimer

ps the best band in town, come listen for yourself

BLACK CLOUD was even covered by MIKE ROGERS from Germany on a now very much sought after 45 that was produced, and released by the Swiss ELITE SPECIAL label in around 1965.

MIKE's version of BLACK CLOUD was sung in German - and was called SCHWARZE WOLKE (=BLACK CLUD in German). He has possibly picked up BLACK CLOUD while playing at the famous Peppermint Lounge in New York City.

MIKE ROGERS main hit song from the early 60s was called LET'S SLOP, and this song was actually so big that it was even covered by TONY SHERIDAN of THE BEATLES!

I still like ME AND DEM GUYS original version of BLACK CLOUD best!

Hi Rolf,
It's nice that you still have such fond memories of the band!
Believe it or not I even have a copy of Black Cloud by none other than Chubby Checker.

I remember Me and Dem Guys very well. We used to go see them all the time at Coral Gables Bar in Detroit. It was on Woodward near (now a fruit market, I think), next to a Janet Davis Cleaners.Then we would go to the Egg and I for breakfast. I remember I brought bagels to the group one night. We were there constantly and loved them.We went crazy over Black Cloud. I was listening to a song on the radio 10 minutes ago called Black is Black .I thought of Me and Dem Guys.

You know Joy they say if you remember the 60's you weren't there!
I was the singer in the band,glad you have fond memories,I have a 17 track c.d available of all the Guys recordings,if you're interested drop me a line at limey58@hotmail.com.

My name is Mike Johnson. I own the Coral Gables in Saugatuck, Mi. My father Tom Johnson actually produced Me & dem Guys 45 "Black Cloud". I was in High School but saw them play for us in East Lansing, and Saugatuck, and later at The Coral Gables in Kalamazoo. We are having our 50th Anniversary Party in Saugatuck on July 26th. Please, Please, if anyone knows how I can contact any of the members call me at 269-857-2162, or e-mail me at maj@datawise.net Thank You.

This is totally awesome that people are posting about a band they remember from the 60's.
NIce lane that: nostalgia.
Thanks all!
~Judy

A nice surprise to see Fred Ploughman's name mentioned here. I played bass with Fred, going back to his first endeavors on the keyboards. He originally played drums for a ridiculous band we were in in the late 60's called "The Inquisition". Fred and I evolved into "The Blues Machine". That was about as far as I went with it all, but Fred was fantastic on keyboards. Glad to hear he is still in the game. I drive big truck for a living & continue to write and play acoustic Americana music posted at www.myspace.com/davidrbantasingersongwriter.

Peace,
David R Banta

I too still have the Black Cloud 45 from the Coral Gables in East Lansing.
I am amazed to see so many remembering the band.
My father did some of the carpenter work at the East Lansing club.

Hi Gary,
Don't forget to log on to Michiganrockandrolllegends.com and vote for the guys!
Thanks

Used to see Me & Dem Guys at Coral Gables in Berkley on Woodward. Greatest "house" band in the world back then. Sax man did the best cover of "Yackety Sax" ever--could play so fast you couldn't keep up. Just found this page on a whim of nostalgia. I'm 64 now--where did the time go? Ha!

Anyone remember Carl Parker? Out of the Battle Creek area and played at The Crow in the early 60's. Used to bring the house down with closing song: M.I.C.K.E.Y. M.O.U.S.E. What happened to Parker?

Hi Jan,
I believe Don Rodgers still keeps in touch with Carl,drop him a line at drmusic244@msn.com.

Hi Jan,
I believe Don Rodgers still keeps in touch with Carl,drop him a line at drmusic244@msn.com.

Thanks for the information, Keith. I'll write Don and hope that he knows something about Carl.

Hi everyone, Its great to read some of the comments, I would love to hear from any of you, and yes I still keep in touch with Carl Parker and Doug Cassens and of course Keith....drmusic244@msn.com

trying to post message... unable to....test

I have a 45 rpm 7'' rcord on Pyrenees Records ''mercy, mercy'' b/w ''smiling phases''- cover of Traffic song from the ''Mr. Fantasy'' LP.GM Recording Detroit Scribed in the dead wax .

my email is wplath@yahoo.com if intrested in the record . thanks

Hi Wally,I sang and played on the record and would love to talk to you about getting it,would you please give me a ring at 616-957-0214,thanks

Writing from New York City. Can anyone tell me what is in the space that used to be the Coral Gables in Kalamazoo?

TNX AnsisVallens@fairpoint.net

I'm writing a book about Tom Johnson/Coral Gables and the '60's. Anything to share? Contact me, please.

Jan, you left no way to get in touch with you?