Caravans The Caravans were one of the more popular groups playing in and around Brooklyn in the mid-'60s.  Although they broke up in 1965, they considered The Beatles their primary influence.  They competed against The Vagrants in a battle of the bands and recorded some demos in Brooklyn.  Lead vocalist Jimmy Preston fills in the rest of the story... The Caravans: Steve Melenaski (Lead Guitar), Tommy Loreto (Drums), Billy Ward (Rhythm Guitar) and Jimmy Preston (Lead Vocals, Front) Jimmy Preston Recalls The Caravans 60sgaragebands.com (60s): How did you first get interested in music? Jimmy Preston (JP): I’ve been a fan of music since I was born. I used to harmonize in the hallways of apartment buildings ("looking for an echo?") with my friend, Ralph Sparaco. We formed a group and sang at some church functions. We actually used to pay just to get in so we could be heard. 60s: Were The Caravans your first band? JP: The Caravans were my first band and believe it or not we still play together now. We got back together in 2002 after breaking up in 1965 and did a reunion at Serico’s in Brooklyn in 2005. 60s: When and where were The Caravans formed? JP: The Caravans were formed in Brooklyn in 1962 by Steve Melenaski, our lead guitar player.  The Caravans line-up was: Jimmy Preston - lead vocals; Billy Ward - rhythm guitar; Steve Melenaski - lead guitar; and Tommy Loreto – drums. We had a couple of bass players who came and went. They were John Snyder and Joe Badalamenti.  Our first drummer was Greg Garitto, who lasted a month (he didn't like to practice). 60s: How would you describe the band's sound? What bands influenced you? JP: We played mostly Beatles, Stones and the Top 40. The Beatles were our strongest influence. 60s: What was the Brooklyn rock and roll scene like in the '60s? JP: There were many bands playing the clubs, high schools and a lot of battle of the bands.  We played only two battles of the bands—one at the Flatbush Terrace and the other at Bishop Ford High School, both in Brooklyn. I don't remember the exact place we finished but both times we were about in the middle of the pack. When we played the Flatbush Terrace, one of the groups there and the winner of that battlee as a group called The Vagrants. Their lead guitar player was Leslie West, who went on to form Mountain.  They were awesome! 60s: What other local groups of the era do you especially recall? JP: I recall those Vagrants, The Drones, and our friends The Vistas from the neighborhood. 60s: Where did The Caravans typically play? JP: We did a lot of confraternity dances, holiday dances, and proms in Brooklyn and we played other parish dances around the neighborhood.  We played the Flatbush Terrace and The Hearth in New Jersey. The Park Ridge Social Club in Brooklyn was our favorite and we played there a lot over the years. 60s: How far was the band's "touring" territory? JP: We played mostly in Brooklyn, although we had some gigs in Jersey and Upstate New York. 60s: Did The Caravans have a manager? JP: We had a good following from the Brooklyn neighborhood and were a large group that hung out in a local luncheonette on 15th Avenue. Our friends were our managers and promoters. 60s: Apparently The Caravans recorded some demos... JP: In the luncheonette that we hung out was a jukebox that played morning to night. We said, “Wouldn't it be great to have some of our songs recorded and put in the jukebox?”  60s: Where in Brooklyn did The Caravans record? JP: We recorded at Rossi Studios on I believe West 8th Street. I remember the guys laying down good music tracks and when I had to do the vocals thinking, "Please don't let me mess this up!" We recorded there three times.  The songs we recorded were 'Beg Me,' 'I've Just Seen A Face,' 'I Need You' and an original written by me and Billy, 'Bright Light.'  None of the songs were ever released. 60s: Did The Caravans write many original songs? JP: Billy Ward and I were the writers in the group. I recorded an album of originals later on after the group broke up at Grassi Studios in Brooklyn. I wrote all the songs and recorded them with a friend, Dominick Del Re, who was a concert violinist and played all the instruments on this record. 60s: Do any other Caravans recordings exist? Are there any vintage live recordings, or unreleased tracks? JP: Yes.  I have the old 45s (demos) and some CDs of The Caravans when we got back together in 2002. 60s: Did the band make any local TV appearances? Does any home movie film footage exist of the band? JP: There is footage of the band out there somewhere.  I heard that someone from the old neighborhood has some reel-to-reel of us. 60s: What year and why did the band break up? JP: In 1965.  Tommy Loreto and I joined the Air Force; Billy and Steve played together briefly.  After the service I hooked up with Billy Ward and we formed a group.  In fact, we were part of several groups together.  We played clubs mostly in Brooklyn and Staten Island:  The Red Bull, The 4 O’Clock Lounge, Crochitos, The De Ja Vu Lounge, and The Candlelite Lounge to name a few.  Billy and I stayed together and we both have come full circle and back with the original Caravan band with all the original members. 60s: How do you best summarize your experiences with The Caravans? JP: We would all say that they were the best times of our lives.  What makes it better is that we can share all our music with our families now. We all a kick that our kids actually like our music, and now we all have grandchildren who can listen to us. The Caravans - 2010