The Hard Times: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
mNo edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:The Hard Times.jpg|right|thumb|275px|The Hard Times, c. 1966]]
[[Image:The Hard Times.jpg|right|thumb|325px|The Hard Times, c. 1966]]


'''Rites of Spring''' (originally '''The Hard Times''') was a pop-rock band from [[Birmingham]] which was active from [[1966]] to [[1967]]. They were the first rock band from Alabama to make a national television appearance.
'''Rites of Spring''' (originally '''The Hard Times''') was a pop-rock band from [[Birmingham]] which was active from [[1966]] to [[1967]]. They were the first rock band from Alabama to make a national television appearance.
Line 8: Line 8:


[[Image:Rites of Spring single.jpg|left|150px]]
[[Image:Rites of Spring single.jpg|left|150px]]
In July [[1966]] they won a 300-band talent search organized by [[WVOK-AM]], which entitled them to a $500 cash prize, a recording contract with Cameo-Parkway, and an appearance on Where The Action Is?. Singer Terry Knight, who had just scored a hit with "I (Who Have Nothing)", was assigned to produce their follow-up record. Tthe plaintive-sounding "Why?" with the harder-hitting "Comin' on Back to Me" on the reverse, was recorded in Philadelphia and saw limited release in October [[1966]]. The single was underpromoted, and Cameo-Parkway soon went out of business. Lowery Talent of Atlanta began booking their tours and they recorded a few more tracks with [[Rick Hall]] at [[Fame Studios]] is [[Muscle Shoals]].
In July [[1966]] they won a 300-band talent search organized by [[WVOK-AM]], which entitled them to a $500 cash prize, a recording contract with Cameo-Parkway, and an appearance on Where The Action Is?. Singer Terry Knight, who had just scored a hit with "I (Who Have Nothing)", was assigned to produce their follow-up record. The plaintive-sounding "Why?" with the harder-hitting "Comin' on Back to Me" on the reverse, was recorded in Philadelphia and saw limited release in October [[1966]]. The single was underpromoted, and Cameo-Parkway soon went out of business. Lowery Talent of Atlanta began booking their tours and they recorded a few more tracks with [[Rick Hall]] at [[Fame Studios]] is [[Muscle Shoals]].


Because there was another band from California calling itself the Hard Times, the band changed its name to "Rites of Spring" prior to appearing on the penultimate episode of Dick Clark's ABC program "Where The Action Is", which aired on [[March 16]], [[1967]]. The group broke up around the end of the year as some of the members were drafted into military service.
Because there was another band from California calling itself the Hard Times, the band changed its name to "Rites of Spring" prior to appearing on the penultimate episode of Dick Clark's ABC program "Where The Action Is", which aired on [[March 16]], [[1967]]. The group broke up around the end of the year as some of the members were drafted into military service.

Revision as of 13:25, 19 April 2012

The Hard Times, c. 1966

Rites of Spring (originally The Hard Times) was a pop-rock band from Birmingham which was active from 1966 to 1967. They were the first rock band from Alabama to make a national television appearance.

Members of the group included Mike Gunnels on vocals, Ron Parr and Mike Pair on guitar, Ronnie Melton on keyboards, Mike Melton on bass and Daily Vandergriff on drums. All except Pair were classmates at Woodlawn High School.

The Hard Times recorded their first single with Steve Norris at Boutwell Studios, and released it on the Ultimate label. "Losing You" became a local #1 hit and the group became associated with WSGN-AM.

Rites of Spring single.jpg

In July 1966 they won a 300-band talent search organized by WVOK-AM, which entitled them to a $500 cash prize, a recording contract with Cameo-Parkway, and an appearance on Where The Action Is?. Singer Terry Knight, who had just scored a hit with "I (Who Have Nothing)", was assigned to produce their follow-up record. The plaintive-sounding "Why?" with the harder-hitting "Comin' on Back to Me" on the reverse, was recorded in Philadelphia and saw limited release in October 1966. The single was underpromoted, and Cameo-Parkway soon went out of business. Lowery Talent of Atlanta began booking their tours and they recorded a few more tracks with Rick Hall at Fame Studios is Muscle Shoals.

Because there was another band from California calling itself the Hard Times, the band changed its name to "Rites of Spring" prior to appearing on the penultimate episode of Dick Clark's ABC program "Where The Action Is", which aired on March 16, 1967. The group broke up around the end of the year as some of the members were drafted into military service.

Discography

  • The Hard Times ( ) "Losing You" / "You Couldn't Love Me". Ultimate 31272
  • The Hard Times (October 1966) "Why?" / "Comin’ On Back To Me". Parkway 109

References

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=The_Hard_Times&oldid=85791"