Eveybody’s Goin’ To Rollerland! A Timeline & Itinerary
By Will Shade
Summer/Fall 1960: Boyhood friends Mike Brassard, Peter Young and Brian Lyford of Northfield, Vermont met Stephen Blodgett of Stowe, Vermont. The four formed a band dubbed Mike & The Throbs. Lineup consisted of Brassard and Lyford on guitars, Blodgett on piano and Young on drums. Group appeared at high school and Company F Armory in Northfield.
Saturday, December 24, 1960: Band played at Nichols Barn Christmas Eve Dance. Billed as “rock and roll specialists.” Show started at 8:30 pm.
Friday, December 30, 1960: Mike & The Throbs appeared at Memorial Auditorium in Stowe, Vermont, playing from 10:45-2 am. Admission was 75 cents.
April 1961: Mike & The Throbs made their first television appearance on Teen Age Barn, a show broadcast by WRGB out of Schenectady, New York. Band performed Stephen Blodgett’s “Dum Duvey.” By this point, Blodgett had abandoned the piano for guitar.
June 10, 1961: Group appeared on television for a second time, playing “Dum Duvey” on Dance Date, a program on WCAX Burlington, Vermont.
Summer 1961: Brian Lyford joined military. Band went on hiatus. Returned to performing on Labor Day Weekend. Stephen’s brother, John Blodgett, joined group at that time. Renamed Bo Blodgett, John was a lead guitarist. Eddie Jones, an aspirant bassist, joined shortly thereafter. Mike Brassard quit playing guitar to concentrate on his vocals.
February 1962: Band recorded demo for Ed Kissack, A & R man for Monument, at Ace Recording Studios, Boston, MA. Session engineered by Herbert Yakus, co-writer of Sam Cooke’s “Chain Gang” as well as “Old Cape Cod.” Ace was most renowned as the studio where Freddie “Boom Boom” Cannon’s first hit, “Tallahassee Lassie,” was recorded. Mike & The Throbs recorded five originals; Bo Blodgett’s “Git Home,” Stephen Blodgett’s “Dum Duvey” and “So Lonely,” along with Mike Brassard’s “On The Road” and “Two-Ton Jenny.” Kissack subsequently rejected demo.
March 1962: Group changed name to Mike & The Ravens.
April 1962: Mike & The Ravens signed to Empire Records out of Plattsburgh, New York. Label owned by WIRY DJ Peter B. Guibord.
April 1962: Band returned to Ace to record for Empire Records during Stephen Blodgett’s high school spring vacation. “Mr. Heartbreak,” “I’ve Taken All I Can” and “Biggest Fool Around” were caught on tape. First two songs mastered by Art Ford at Bell Sound, New York City. Tapes were sent to Kama Production in Utica, New York to be pressed into singles.
May 1962: Empire 45 consisting of “Mr. Heartbreak” b/w “I’ve Taken All I Can” released. Distributed by Trinity in Connecticut. Single reviewed in Billboard with the flipside garnering more praise than the ‘A’ side.
Thursday, June 21, 1962: Grand Opening of Rollerland, a roller-skating rink on North Beekman Street in Plattsburgh, New York. Rollerland owned by Ray Bushey.
Monday, July 9, 1962: Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Stratatones, The Monterays, The Lonely Ones, WIRY’s Ben Everest and Mike & The Ravens. Organized by Ray Bushey and WIRY DJ Ben “Never Rest” Everest; emceed by Everest and WIRY DJ Gordie “Who’s He” Little. Everest owned Rondack Records. The Monterays recorded “Why Do You Cry” b/w “Sun Set” for Rondack.
Monday, July 16, 1962: Second Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Stratatones, Mike & The Ravens, WIRY’s Ben Everest and a Twist Contest. Stephen Blodgett wrote “(Everybody’s Goin’ To) Rollerland!” in between sets. Mike & The Ravens played it upon taking the stage again. Band recorded it later that week at Rollerland sans crowd with bassist Billy Pajonas of The Stratatones subbing for Eddie Jones. Other songs recorded were Mike Brassard’s “Moonlight Couples Only” and Bo Blodgett’s “Riptide.” Songs were never released.
Monday, July 23, 1962: Third Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Stratatones, The Monterays, WIRY’s Ben Everest and a Twist Contest.
Late July 1962: Eddie Jones sacked. Replaced by ex-Throb, Brian Lyford, who played bass and provided backing vocals from this point on.
Monday, July 30, 1962: Fourth & Greatest Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Brian Hyland with The Strataones, Mike & The Ravens, WIRY’s Ben Everest and a Twist Contest. This was Brian Lyford’s first Rollerland appearance with Mike & The Ravens.
Monday, August 6, 1962: Fifth Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Stratatones, Mike & The Ravens, WIRY’s Ben Everest and a Twist Contest. A band called The Saturday Nights cancelled.
Early August 1962: Second Ravens recording session for Empire. Band recorded new version of “Biggest Fool Around” by Stephen Blodgett. Band was unhappy with results and the version of song from their last visit to Ace is spliced together. Also recorded “One Of These Days” and “Baby, Please Don’t Leave Me” for sophomore single.
Tuesday, August 14, 1962: Sixth Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Linda Scott with The Stratatones and Mike & The Ravens.
Monday, August 20, 1962: Seventh Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Belmonts, Mike & The Ravens and The Stratatones.
Tuesday, August 21, 1962: Giant Rock-A-Rama at Montpelier City Hall, Vermont – The Belmonts, Mike & The Ravens and The Stratatones. Emceed by Mike Brassard. All Vermont Rock-A-Ramas organized by Ray Bushey and Peter B. Guibord.
Monday, August 27, 1962: Eighth Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Monday, August 27, 1962 – Tommy Roe, Mike & The Ravens and The Stratatones. Roe was promoting “Shelia,” which had hit #1 two weeks previously.
Tuesday, August 28, 1962: Second Giant Rock-A-Rama at Montpelier City Hall, Vermont – Tommy Roe, Mike & The Ravens and The Stratatones.
Wednesday, August 29, 1962: First Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Burlington’s Memorial Auditorium, Vermont – Tommy Roe, Mike & The Ravens and The Stratatones.
Saturday & Sunday, September 1 & 2, 1962: Stephen Blodgett, Brian Lyford and Peter Young broke into Stowe Community Church at midnight, blaring rock ‘n’ roll album over steeple’s high fidelity carillon system at 2 am.
Monday, September 3, 1962: Trio turned in by Stephen’s mother, Alice Blodgett.
Tuesday, September 4, 1962: Stephen Blodgett, Brian Lyford and Peter Young arraigned in Lamoille Municipal Court.
Tuesday, September 4, 1962: Roy Acuff & The Smokey Mountain Boys at Montpelier City Hall. Also appearing were Duke & His Swingbillies (with future Raven Bobby Lavigne).
Saturday, September 8, 1962: 9th Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – lineup lost.
Friday, September 14, 1962: Third Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Montpelier City Hall, Vermont The Duprees, Mike & The Ravens and The Stratatones.
Saturday, September 15, 1962: 10th Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Ray Peterson, Mike & The Ravens, Stratatones and a Twist Contest. Mike Brassard missed this show. Band fired him after his absence.
Friday, September 21, 1962: Joey Dee & The Starliters appeared at St. John’s Auditorium in Plattsburgh along with Rondack Records’ The Thunderbolts. The show was promoted by Ben Everest. Plattsburgh’s mayor declared it “Joey Dee Day.” Key to city given to Dee.
Saturday, September 22, 1962: Joey Dee & The Starliters appeared at Burlington Memorial Auditorium along with The Thunderbolts.
Saturday, September 22, 1962: 11th Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland– Curtis Lee, Mike & The Ravens, The Stratatones and a Twist Contest. Brassard reinstated in lineup.
There is no 12th Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland. They screwed up the count!
September 29, 1962: 13th Gigantic Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Mike & The Ravens, The Stratatones and a Twist Contest.
Friday, October 5, 1962: Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Mike Clifford, Mike & The Ravens, The Stratatones and a Twist Contest. Last Rollerland show with Stephen Blodgett.
Tuesday, October 16, 1962: Stephen Blodgett, Brian Lyford and Peter Young sentenced to two days in jail for trespassing on church property.
Thursday, October 18, 1962: Headline in edition of Burlington Free Press read, “Three Youths Sentenced In Lamoille Court.” Stephen Blodgett left Ravens fold after two-day stint in jail. Bobby Lavigne arrived. Lineup now boasted dual lead guitar players.
Friday, October 19, 1962: Most Fabulous Rock-A-Rama Of The Year! at Rollerland – Dion, The Stratatones and The Exceptionals.
Late October 1962: “Baby, Please Don’t Leave Me” b/w “The Biggest Fool Around” from second Ace Recording session released as single. Promo posters featured Bobby Lavigne and Mike Brassard although the former didn’t play on the songs.
Sunday, November 11, 1962: Veteran’s Day Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Mike & The Ravens, The Exceptionals and a Twist Contest. First Rollerland show with Bobby Lavigne.
Friday, November 23, 1962: Thanksgiving Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – Tommy Roe & His Band, The Stratatones and Battle of the Bands featuring Tommy Roe’s band versus The Stratatones.
Friday, November 30, 1962: Week-End Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Stratatones and Mike & The Ravens. Last Rollerland show for Brassard & Co.
December 1962: Bo Blodgett, Brian Lyford and Peter Young departed. New lineup coalesced, consisting of Mike Brassard, Bobby Lavigne, Jim Ricker and Marc Chapman.
Saturday, December 8, 1962: Week-End Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Stratatones.
Sunday, December 30, 1962: Gala New Year’s Eve Shower Of Stars at Rollerland – Freddie Cannon, Janie Grant, Bobby Comstock, Dean Christie, Jenny Jordan and The Stratatones.
Friday, January 11, 1963: Rock-A-Rama at Rollerland – The Duprees, The Stratatones and The Jazzmen Trio.
Besides Rollerland, Mike & The Ravens were booked by J. Malcolm Associates to play various universities and nightclubs throughout New England, New York and Quebec. In the Plattsburgh area, the band also played the Officer’s Club and NCO Club on the US Air Force base as well as Brodi’s, The Saxony and St. Armand’s Beach amongst other venues.
January 1963: Mike & The Ravens held down a residency at The Cave, Burlington VT.
January 1963: Both incarnations of Mike & The Ravens recorded at joint session at Ace Recording Studios, Boston, MA. Subsequent single, “Goodbye To Mary Jane” b/w “Living In A Dream” released in the spring. The former boasted three guitars in the arrangement including two lead guitars. Two other songs from session sat in the can until 2004, most notably “Oobie Doobie Do,” a rave-up showcasing Bobby Lavigne’s blistering guitar work.
Spring 1963: Bobby Lavigne and Jim Ricker quit and joined The Thunderbolts; lineup shuffle ensued. Brassard soon departed and Chapman retained Ravens name before finally joining The Thunderbolts in late ‘63. The Thunderbolts later appeared as Sandu Scott & The Scotties on the Ed Sullivan Show in December 1964. A few weeks later, as The Thunderbolts sans Scott, they recorded two Anglophile tributes, “There Was I” and “Heart So Cold.”
Spring 1964: Peter B. Guibord signed “Wild” Bill Kennedy & The Twiliters to Empire Records. They recorded Stephen Blodgett’s “(Everybody’s Goin’ To) Rollerland!” which was released on their first single. In the 1990s, Untamed Youth recorded and released the song on CD.
1965-69: Mike Brassard and Stephen Blodgett continued to work intermittently in the music business, recording for RCA Victor, Compass, Decca and Mercury.
July 2004: Bacchus Archives released Heart So Cold: The North Country ‘60s Scene, featuring songs by Mike & The Ravens, including the previously unreleased “Oobie Doobie Do.” Three songs by the Bobby Lavigne, Marc Chapman, Jim Ricker version of The Thunderbolts also appeared on the compilation. Other North Country acts, including “Wild” Bill Kennedy & The Twiliters and The Monterays appeared as well.
August 2005: Bacchus Archives released a two CD set by Mike & The Ravens and alumni. Entitled Nevermore: Plattsburgh ’62 & Beyond, the set contained a staggering 41 original songs, 32 of which had never been released. |
