West Michigan Mid-Sixties News

Don't see anything by Jim Head
And The Headlyters, They did a
remake of Shop Around (smokeys song)
And it was on Phalanx. 1966

This was all Doug Harper had at the time we put it together. I don't think he's found any more, but we're always looking. I had the South Haven stuff and the Shirt Tail Relation, saw them many many times the summer of 1968 when they played Bangor. The Mussies & Corner Store too.

There is now a site for South Haven bands similar to this one at
//shrockbands.weebly.com/index.html

I was drummer for a Kalamazoo Band named the Invaders. We recorded a 45 record of an original song of ours, Set Me Free and on reverse side Let's Dance (Chris Montez re-make). I actually have a copy of that 45 rpm record. It was made in 1966.

Had a few of these Phalanx 45's outta Portage, just south of Kazoo, knew you Doug, from the old record show days, locally....the Hitch Hikers and the Toronados would pop up once in great while at garage sales....along with the Chessmen & yes, the Headlyters too! The one that escapes me I found in South Haven in the mid-80's was a female lead vocal group on Phalanx (best of my memory) doing a cover of the Who's "I Can't Explain" - a real screamer. Only had one copy, long since gone. Phalanx was a real pioneer in the SW Michigan Garage Scene. Rumored to exist: The Pickwick Papers on Phalanx out of Three Rivers, MI...south of Kazoo.

I HAVE A VERY NICE COPY OF THE SOUNDSATIONS SHOUT ALBUM ON PHALANX.CAN ANYONE TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BAND? I HAVE A HUGE COLLECTION OF ALBUMS BUT I DONT REMEMBER WHERE I GOT THIS ONE.THANKS

Jim McLaughlin,

You can see and hear more on Soundsations at: www.WestMichMusicHystericalSociety.com Below is some info on the band.

Grand Rapids – Dexter Bell (RIP 1968) – lead guitar (replaced Bob Hey) (1966-68) Johnny Boggs — keyboards (1966-) Dave Clelland — drums (1966-) Tom Cordle — bass (1966-) Bob Hey — lead guitar (1966-) Patsy Stevens — vocals (1966-)

don't forget the redwoods on phalanx tell me/little lupe lu

Trying to see if the person who compiled Phalanx: Kalamazoo Rocks Too! Self made Cd is selling this Cd. Please e-mail me at the above e-mail address either way or you can forward my e-mail to him as well

Andrew Pelt: are you the producer listed on the December's Children 45 from 1967?

Where can I get a copy of Doug's Garage Sale CD?
I would love to hear it, especially the South Haven bands!