Jane Cunningham ('63)
and I really had a great time each Saturday night co-hosting “Spin and
Chin” Live from the Pla-Boy Drive-In on KFRU
radio. During the week fellow Kewpies would give us their requests
for music and dedications to play on the Saturday show. We remember
the guys in their Chevys and Hemi’s just waiting until Jane and I were
on a live cut-away to do a fine “burn-out” on the driveway at Pla–Boy for
all of Columbia to hear over the radio!
Mentors of mine thru the 60’s
were
Ross Dickerson('57) – jazz/rock
guitarist
and Willie
Craig – keyboardist with the
"Krazy
Kats"
These artists played regularly
at Jim Romano’s dad's
place - Romano's lounge,
below Romano's Bowling Alley
at Hitt & Broadway
and at Gaye Burton’s (’63)
dad’s place – The Den,
on Cherry Street, just around the corner from the Hall
Theater and Bouches.
I would be remiss to not mention
Frankie Williams, Jr. (’62)
who could play about any instrument
placed in front of him!
Along the way
it was an experience learning from and working with many musicians that
attended Hickman. Jerry Benedict (’64)
who has jazz and blues drumming running through his veins, Jeff Glenn (‘65)
our rock drummer, Bill Ballew (’63)
with his fine Fender fret-work, and my keyboard played as the "Love
Lights."
Later, as the "Down
Beats", Chellie Shelburne (’65)
whose father managed the Tiger Hotel gave us our first public appearance
in ’63 at the Tiger Hotel ballroom,
after
backing up Pat Eng, Jerome Mathis, Mark Holsinger, Charley Blackmore and
Richard Wilson on (Kewpie Line)
to the tune of the Beach Boys' hit "409”
for Homecoming assembly.
David Akin('69)Steve
Brooks (’70)
Bill Merideth (’69)
David Miller (’69)
Mike Smarr (’69)
and I were the "Box
Lunch" from ’69 to ‘70.
I worked with
the "Comic Book Society"
from ’70 until ’72.
Rodney Southard (‘69)
Danny Jacobs (’69)
Glen Golson (’68)
David Edmondson (‘67)
Mike Edwards (’68)
and we played favorites byThree
Dog Night, Chicago,
Steppenwolf,
Santana,
Otis
Redding, Sam
& Dave, Wayne
Cochran, Clarence Carter,
Spirit,
Etta
James, Smith
and many others.
We played at the
Corn Crib, Stephens
College, the Black
and Gold, Ron’s
Town House every summer at Lake of the Ozarks,
and pool parties at Gate House Apartments,
all great venues.
As Charley can attest, listening to or providing
music for others is one of the most satisfying pastimes anyone can enjoy.
Larry Bedford (May
2005)
Comic Book
Society @ Ron's Town House, Lake of the Ozarks - 1970
Larry Bedford - Glen Golson
- Danny Jacobs - Rodney Southard - Mike Edwards
Dave Edmondson - Mike Edwards
Glen Golson - Larry Bedford
The Comic Book Society
Rodney Southard
Dave Edmondson-Mike Edwards-Glen Golson
Danny Jacobs
Larry Bedford
Larry Bedford - Danny Jacobs
Sharon & Larry at Annual
Class of 1963 Picnic
@ Rock Quarry Park, June 26,
2004
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