Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Let's see if we can start a scrap book of our first few bands with pictures, recordings and any memorabilia, along with a bit of a narrative. It may prove to be an interesting journey to see some our forum members humble beginnings.

I'll start by adding a few pics.

Here's a few bits of stuff from my third and most successful band (it was actually my first band back together again with a new drummer and in between I had played in a R&B and blues band) My apologies to anyone who has seen this before of course.

Meddy's People

In 1966 I believe. I am on the left.

Didn't you have a female sitar player as well, Brian?

What's the "Meddy Step"?

sloop_john_b wrote:Didn't you have a female sitar player as well, Brian?

What's the "Meddy Step"?

The female sitar player in the photo that you recall was the mother of Satwant Singh. He was the percussionist for The Poppy Family (Terry and Susan Jacks). I'll see if I can find it and post it again.

We had "go go dancers" that joined us on early gigs in the 60's and they had a dance routine that CKLG the radio station that adopted us called the "Meddy Step". Goodness knows where that came from. It was quite the elaborate show every time we played. Darryl B the top DJ in Vancouver would open the show each time with a huge build up and then he would join us on stage later to sing "Money"

Another top DJ Little Stevie Wonder as he was called then later joined in the festivities and would take half time and give the crowd some rock news play a few tunes and then bring us back on.

The movie "That Thing You Do" That was so much like our shows when we had other bands on the bill. Too funny.

Here's a pic of Darryl B. Darryl was what they called a Boss Jock on CKLG. He was the most famous of them all. He was also a good friend of Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings. Darryl was responsible for getting us signed with the same label as The Guess Who.

OK I have taken the first plunge so to speak, so lets get the ball rolling guys and girls and add your stuff to this scrap book.

Brian: This topic promises to be a lot of fun.

Allow me to introduce you to the "The Wild Set." This is our group performing in 1965 at a local dance in Saint John, New Brunswick

We were the "new kids" on the block back then and a number of the older bands showed up to see us and got quite a surprise.

Here we are doing "Bright Lights Big City" and yours truly is on the tenor saxophone. The Duosonic is mine and played by a close friend who still performs with me today, 43 years later.

You have to love the cool uniforms too. Yellow TeeKays. Does anyone else remember them?

First band (1964) was Rip Curl a four piece instro surf (I've come a long way..hah!) I played a St George guitar into a Danelectro outboard reverb into a Magnatone amp. Our claim to fame was opening for The Lively Ones.

Too cool, Peter! Didn't know you were a sax player too!

John: I used to be a saxophone player. I have often toyed with the idea of getting one again.

This band had an old Wurlitzer amplifier for bass which was quite amazing for the day. By today's standards, laughable.

You have to love the group name too. The Wild Set. Look at the photo! How wild do we look?

This isn't my first band but probably one of the earliest photos I have. My first band from 86-88, we never took any pictures. Strange.

Anyhoo, this is from 90 or 91 when i was still drumming.



I think I have some shots of me playing in a country band between 89-91 as well.

That's great guys. Do you either of you have any other sorts of interesting memorabilia that you can add? Sound bytes, live recordings, posters, business cards etc?

Peter you look way too cool playing sax. What a great shot. Sean I sort of remember you saying one time before that you played drums. That was a nice kit. Any shots of you playing bass?

How about you George? Lets see some photos.

I play bass?

phlemmy wrote:I play bass?

No? Are you saying you don't. Hmmm. What about the Blackstar you just bought. Didn't you say and I quote

"I LOVE LOVE LOVE the neck on this. It's slim and fast. I'm going to play it at home for a few more days with it strapped on around my neck, but I think I am leaning towards selling it. It definitely weighs more than my 85 and 86 and I'm not sure how comfy that is gonna be for me on stage."

Now who's kidding who here?

Quit being difficult and throw a few more pics up.............

Brian: I wish I had more photos and audio. Here is a short snipit of most of the same vocalists today. Our set list hasn't changed much in 45 years.

Don't Throw Your Love Away

P.S. Yes that is a Rickenbacker 12 string.

That is so cool Peter. I don't know how to put a link up like you did for your snippet, If I did I would put a couple of our recordings up from back then.

It would be better though if we heard from some other people. I really don't want keep jumping in or else people might start to think this thread is just simply about showcasing what I have done. It's not and I don't want it to be. I only put some of my pics up to get the ball rolling.