I first became interested in music when I was in concert band at the elementary school level. I played in both concert and marching bands and played trumpet, Harold trumpet, baritone and French horn. My first band was The Blue Fox; we played surf music. My second band was The Pendletons (rock & roll), and my third band was The Allusions (rock & roll).
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| The Allusions: Jeff Lewis, Paul Dingman and Rick McFarling |
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| Jeff Lewis |
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Jeff Lewis Recalls The Allusions
The Allusions were formed by Rick McFarling, Paul Dingman, Scott Leniton and Jeff Lewis in summer 1966:
Rick McFarling - lead guitar, trumpet, lead and background vocals (Vox guitar, Silvertone amp); Jeff Lewis - bass, trumpet, lead and background vocals (Vox Panther bass, Silvertone amp, rented Vox amp for a number of gigs); Paul Dingman - rhythm guitar, harmonica, background vocals (Baldwin 12-string guitar, Silvertone amp); and Scott Leniton - drums, background vocals (Slingerland drums).
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| Jeff Lewis and Paul Dingman |
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We played anything current from The Beatles to The Stones to The Animals to The Kinks, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Turtles and many more. We were a cover band and just beginning to write when we all went our separate ways to college.
When we formed, rock and roll just getting started with many local garage bands in West Des Moines. We played at schools, parties, churches, homecoming dances. prom dances outdoor events at shopping centers, local music stores and at Drake University. We played throughout the state of Iowa. We participated in several battle of the bands in local skating rinks and finished second several times. And we had a light show (three color light boxes) and a strobe light that was great fun. We would turn the light on the crowd as they danced and it was great. It was excellent on songs like 'Too Much to Dream' and 'Incense and Peppermints' as it shined on the band.
We didn't have a manager, but we promoted ourselves and (got gigs via) word of mouth. We placed business cards at music stores, and on school on bulletin boards. Several of our friends acted as our manager and wrote articles and sent letters on our behalf.
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| Paul Dingman and Rick McFarling |
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We did not record...except on friend's tape recorders. We never had the money to record; if I recall the cheapest studio was $200. That was a lot of money then. We did, however, write and performed several originals. Jeff and Rick wrote several songs.
The Allusions disbanded in the summer of 1968. Three of us went to separate colleges in the fall. Paul, Rick and I all graduated in 1968 and Scott was still in high school. It was a great time to play and listen to music. It's all great memories. The frat parties at Drake University were great! Beer and girls!
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| Scott Leniton |
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| Scott Leniton |
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