An Interview with John Green
60sgaragebands.com: How did you first get interested in music?
John Green (JG): It really started with The Beatles and all the other British bands. Listening to them on the radio all night was the top priority. In about 1965 a friend vacationed in Mexico with his family and surprised me with an acoustic guitar when they returned. The two of us decided at that point we could start a band even though neither of us could really play anything. We just started learning the standard “three chord” progression and went from there. Denny Hull and I started the band and were the only original members left at the end.
60s: So the Trojans was your first band?
JG: Yes and the only one until two years ago when a like group of aging garage band veterans got together. The only problem is we have all our gear in the basement and we figure we are too old to play any gigs as none of us have the energy to drag all that stuff up the stairs! (We need roadies).
60s: Where were the Trojans formed?
JG: Des Moines, Iowa 1965/1966. Following is a mostly complete list of the various members. (Those marked with an * were the eventual core group.): Denny Hull - rhythm guitar*, John Green - bass*, Jim Briggs - lead guitar*, Kenny Tharp - drums*, Steve Seik - organ*, Jim Knox - vocals, Mike Frahm - drums, Mike Brown - organ and Bill Muthig - guitar.
60s: Where did the band mostly play?
JG: Mostly at local high school and church youth parties. After a bit we managed to do a bunch of Drake University frat parties. It was cool for a bunch of teenagers…girls and illegal beer! Life was good. We eventually branched out and did some small town summer festivals and the occasional “battle of the bands” We never won but we did have go- go dancers and that made us a little more popular!
As an interesting side note, one of the girls years later ended up with her own band and a Columbia recording deal…and we never even knew she could sing! (The Jan Park Band).
60s: How would you best describe the Trojans’ sound?
JG: It was real typical for the time. We were a little too soon for the psychedelic sound but we did love doing a lot of Paul Revere and The Raiders stuff.
60s: Did The Trojans have a manager?
JG: We did. Keith Brown handled a lot of those details.
60s: How popular was the band?
JG: It’s hard to say. We really started with the idea of connecting “three chords” to meeting girls. We really didn’t get serious until Jim Briggs joined. He was really the talent of the band. I think had we stayed together we could have been a good regional band.
60s: We’re including a couple of Trojans songs along with this interview that were never released.
JG: Both songs were written by Jim Briggs and recorded in 1968 in Des Moines. The recording studio burned down shortly after we recorded (supposedly The Turtles recorded at this same studio according to a rumor at the time). Jim provided vocals on “Watch It What You Say” and Jim and drummer Ken Tharp sang on “Quaker’s Dream”. Neither song was released since we had intended to get back in the studio and clean them up a bit but then we were hit with the double whammy of the studio burning (and there weren’t many studios in Des Moines) and Jimmy’s illness.
60s: “Quaker’s Dream” is very interesting. What was the inspiration behind it?
JG: Jimmy was a true free spirit and I couldn’t begin to guess the inspiration of the songs. His mom was a classically trained musician and when we practiced she always lent an ear and advice. I can only imagine where he could have gone if given the chance!
60s: Did The Trojans’ record any other songs?
JG: The only other recording we have is an absolutely atrocious version of “Jezebel” that was recorded only when we discovered we had a little more time left in the studio before they were going to throw us out.
60s: What year did the band break up?
JG: It all ended in December 1968 when Jim Briggs died of leukemia. He had been sick for a year prior but we continued to play. Typically we would need a break for Jim to rest in the middle of a gig but he never quit! Shortly after he died, I moved out of state and lost track with the others. I don’t know what other activities they pursued but I would guess that Kenny Tharp went on to other bands; he was a hell of a good drummer.
60s: How do best summarize your experience with The Trojans?
JG: It’s still the best several years of my life and filled with endless memories. The guys I play with now really continue to allow me to relive it each weekend! (We could use a good “garage” vocalist if any in Columbus Ohio are reading this!)
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