60sgaragebands.com has previously provided the recollections of Ted Bennett and George (Charles) Egy III of Indiana’s The XL’s (http://www.rimpo.de/xls.html). Bill Evans, who actually became associated with the group as their roadie, eventually replaced Greg Crawford to become the band’s lead singer. Although Evans was not yet a member at the time The XL’s recorded their first 45, he did later perform on the second, more popular single (‘Mary Jane’ b/w ‘Mixed With The Rain’).
An Interview With Bill Evans
60sgaragebands.com (60s): How did you first get interested in music?
Bill Evans (BE): I’ve always loved music. I took drum lessons in the ninth grade, but I’ve followed music since the third or fourth grade.
60s: What were the circumstances leading to your joining The XL’s, who were an already established group by the time you entered the picture?
BE: After dropping out of a local band, I became a roadie with The XL’s. They had no openings until Greg Crawford, their then current singer, left for college. It was scary at first…becoming lead vocalist for the area’s top band.
60s: What was the local band you were in prior to The XL’s?
BE: I played for about two years with a group called Them Varmints (the band later changed names to Kicks after about six months). I was one of two lead singers. We had started in the eight grade at Sarah Scott Junior High.
60s: What was the line-up of The XL’s at the time you joined?
BE: George Dhrere – trumpet; Tom Ferguson – lead; Ted Bennett – organ; Ron Lusco – bass; Greg funk – drums; and George Egy – bass. Then we added Jim Perry and George Svadava on sax. We also had three girl singers, The We Three. They were good and hot. They were sisters Cathy and Veronica Smith and Cheryl Hunt.
60s: How would you describe the band’s sound?
BE: True rock and roll with soul. We played the Top 40 a lot. We did routines with songs, like ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ (one of our best) and dressed up in costumes. We played a lot of songs with brass and harmony, and we influenced by brass/soul bands including The Buckinghams, Grass Roots, Bee Gees, Chicago, Wilson Pickett and Save & Dave.
60s: What was the Indiana rock and roll scene like in the ‘60s?
BE: The sounds started with lots of vocals, then the instruments came into play. We started in the middle-‘60s with harmony and brass and had to play songs the crowd could dance to. That was always requested. During a few gigs we would start playing and everyone would sit and watch so we had to play moving music to get them on their feet.
60s: Did you plan any of the teen clubs?
BE: There were a few clubs: The Loft on Wabash Ave. in Terre Haute, the Oblong Teen Tower and Jappa Clubs in bigger cities. It was nice to book a weekend gig. We had so much equipment, plus our own stage so we could leave stuff set up.
We did not spare any expense on equipment; if something new came out, like the Wah-Wah pedal, we got it. But then as individuals we did not make a lot of individual money; we paid ourselves about twice a month.
60s: Did The XL’s participate in any battle of the bands?
BE: When I was in the band we did not participate in a lot of them. Honestly, we did not have to. We were booked about 12-15 dates a month. But there were some good bands in and around Terry Haute. My favorite was The Soul Messengers, an all-black group.
60s: Did The XL’s have a manager?
BE: This area (managing) was passed around from time to time. Ted Bennett (handled) it when I first got in. I did it towards the end of my career with them, plus I was treasurer. Lots of time when people who heard us or saw us play would come up after the show and book us.
60s: How popular locally did The XL’s become?
BE: I enjoy saying we were one of the top five bands in the state at one time. When we put our minds to practice and the shows we had a great sound. We could do a lot of different sounds with brass, and then the three backup girl singers—who also did numbers by themselves during the show.
60s: How far was the band’s touring territory?
BE: We went anywhere and about everywhere from St. Louis, Peoria, Evansville, Louisville, Bloomington, Indianapolis and so on…and anywhere in between. We usually went about an hour or two from home. We loved to play in Terre Haute.
60s: What were the circumstances leading to The XL’s opportunity to record?
BE: In 1966 (prior to me joining), The XL’s recorded ‘Second Chance’ and ‘Ruined World by Greg Crawford. They were then booked as recording artists, and their bookings were off the wall. We decided to do it again in 1968, with the same results. The songs sold about 1,000-2,000 copies. ‘Mixed With The Rain’ was supposed to be the A-Side, but ‘Mary Jane’ took off. The end results were amazing. I guess that’s why I’m talking to you.
60s: What are your recollections of Sambo Studios?
BE: It was a nice place. It was well equipped and I think we used all 16 tracks at the time. Louisville was a wild place. They had White Castles and I was stupid enough to eat 22. I got sick and was hurting for the next two days. The first day we did the instruments, and the next day the vocals. We played at a Jappa Club Friday night. We were a big hit; small town boys in a big city.
60s: Did The XL’s write many original songs during your stint?
BE: Not at first. The guys were always messing around with (songwriting) but they did a good job when we needed them. George Egy, Ted Bennett and Tom Ferguson wrote most of our original material.
60s: Do any other XL’s recordings exist? Are there any vintage live recordings, or unreleased tracks?
BE: My two favorites are still on the master tapes that I have: ‘I Think Of You’ and ‘Purple Mountain Majesty.’ I really wish we had pressed them out. I think they would have done well.
60s: Did the band make any local TV appearances?
BE: A few, on WROW out of Terre Haute. We did several live shows on radio (WBOW) and go go shows at South Lake in west Terre Haute. It was a big time place.
60s: When and why did The XL’s break up?
BE: The band went through several changes and members, but I think they (played) until 1972. There were so many bands, and we had not gotten the big break we needed. I think we were close a couple of times, but it was a tough business.
I left the band in 1970-1971. We had peaked in my opinion. We got lazy, and stopped practicing. Plus, I was in college and I planned to graduate with a BS and MS from Indiana State.
60s: What keeps you busy today?
BE: I’ve been married to my wife Kathy for the past 30 years. My son, Scot, works for Triple A in Allentown, Pennsylvania. My daughter, Ashley, teaches school in Terre Haute.
I retired from teaching after 33 years in 2006. I have coached football the last 35 years, 25 at Red Hill in Bridgeport, Illinois. I was also the A.D. the last 13 years and am still coaching. I was recently elected into the Terre Haute Football Hall Of Fame, and this year was elected to the Illinois Football Hall Of Fame. I live in Bridgeport, about an hout from Terre Haute.
60s: How do you best summarize your experiences with The XL’s?
BE: It was one great experience. I now coach against towns that we once played in 40 years ago. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world. They were great guys, and a lot of fun. I often wonder where the guys are today. A lot of us traveled, stayed out late, lived together, and made some money and in that was a great learning experience in life. From what I have heard through the years, all of us have been successful in life.
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