This page only contains photos and info on the first lineup of the Chessmen – see the main entry on the Chessmen for the full story (so far) of this important band.
Ron DiIulio: “This is a group photo of the founding members of the Chessmen. Robert Patton on guitar, Tommy Carter on bass, Tommy Carrigan on drums, and me on piano. This was taken by a professional photographer on the stage at the Campus Theater in Denton when George Rickrich was managing the band.
Ron DiIulio sent these incredibly rare photos of the initial lineup of the Chessmen. Ron enrolled at North Texas State University in Denton in the fall of 1964, where he met Tommy Carter in the dorms. Together they started the Chessmen along with Robert Patton and Tommy Carrigan.
They started by playing at basketball games and football pre-game rallies. At the start of 1965 they signed a management contract with George Rickrich, owner of the Fine Arts Theatre in Denton. George had them play between movie screenings, hired a photographer to take promotional photos, immediately brought them into a studio for their first record and began booking them for shows outside of Denton.
Ron left the Chessmen around May, 1965, but joined two other bands at NTSU, The Rejects and The New Sound. In 1966 Ron left NTSU and transferred to Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, to study piano with Van Cliburn, a Shreveport native. Ron joined The Group (who recorded as Noel Odom & the Group) and later the Bad Habits, among other bands – quite a musical resume!
The photos below link or expand to higher resolution versions, click if you want to see more detail.
Another from the Chessmen’s first photo session, January 1965
Ron DiIulio, January 1965Denton Record-Chronicle, February 7, 1965 Tommy Gayle is listed as featured singer with the ChessmenFine Arts Theatre in 1977 photo from the University of North Texas library“first Denton public appearance”, February 8, 1965Denton Record-Chronicle, February 12, 1965“fresh from Frankie Avalon tour”, April 1965At Louann’s in Dallas, April 1965At Louann’s in Dallas, April 1965
At Louann’s in Dallas, April 1965. “This was a popular SMU hangout during the mid-sixties. We were the house band there for a year!”
At Louann’s in Dallas, April 1965At Louann’s in Dallas, April 1965
“A large advertising board went with us for every gig! George Rickrich, our manager, really did promote. In fact we had both a Continental and a hearse to go to the shows in.”
“Taken before an engagement at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas.”Announcement for the Chessmen at the Fine Arts Theatre, Denton, between movie shows. Denton Chronicle-Record, February 12, 1965IRI Studios, February 1965IRI Studios, February 1965
IRI Studios, February 1965: “Our first recording session, which was completed at International Recording Inc., in Dallas. We recorded our first 2 single (45rpm’s!) at this studio.” These songs are “Dreams and Wishes” and “Save the Last Dance for Me”, released on Bismark 1010.
Recording at IRI Studios, February 1965“Tommy Carter and me working out parts during one of our recording sessions at IRI studios.”“From IRI recording studio in Dallas, taken from behind the matching tan Fender guitar amps. (Our manager wanted us to have the latest gear! so he bought it for us!).”
Thank you to Ron DiIulio for sharing his unique photo collection.
17 thoughts on “The Chessmen (TX) – photos of the original band”
John, My name is Jay Vinton, I bought your childhood home in 1990. The big ole house at 734 Winston. I lived there for 15 yrs. and then moved to Hawaii. I recognized your name from stories told to me by Russell Stonecypher who lived right across the street, a musical and neighborhood encyclopedia. He was my jam partner for all of the 15 yrs. I lived there, I being an old north dallas guitar player was right at home. Amazing the things you find out on this page. I have connected with other musicians that I grew up playing in bands with right here also.
I am John Bass I grew up in Oak Cliff Dallas along with my brother (Andy) James Bass & Sister Susan Bass My brother went to high school with Stevie Ray. I had a little rock group Call James Town in 1973 at Steven Park Elementry I was 13 yrs old at the time. I got into recording with what basic equipment that I had,and had a great time during the 1970s. In 1980 I moved to Columbia Tn and open up a recording studio in 1983 called Arctic Sound Studio. Today my studio is 48 tracks digital. But back then is really when it was fun recording. Keep up the great work. What is so neat is even though this is a old band and music, Its new to a person that never heard it before. What I love about recording and pictures its like a time capsule.
Do you still stay in contact with Tommy? We were friends many years ago in Midland and Terminal (the old army base 20 miles west of Midland). If you wouldn’t mind let him know you heard from me and give him my email. I would like to say hello. Thanks, Sonny Keel
Both Jimmie Vaughn and Doyle Bramhall were in the Chessmen after these photos were taken. See the main page on the Chessmen for everything I know about the group so far. I run this Garage Hangover website, and anyone who can help with photos or info should please get in touch with me (chas_kit@hotmail.com)
I noticed in one post a comment about Russell Stonecypher, a great guitar player in his own right. His name came up this past week while learning of the sudden loss of Larry Samford formerly of another Oak Cliff Garage Band ‘Kempy and the Guadians’. Larry was a great Blues vocalist that recorded with Rocky Athus over the more recent years. May those great garage bands and members live in our hearts forever… Smokey Burns Trew and The Colonials…. Oak Cliff Texas 1960’s
I am trying to find out what happened to Tommy Carter. He lived next door to me in Midland, and my older brother taught Tommy how to play the guitar. I ran into Tommy at NTSU, and sat in with the Chessmen in 1967 for several gigs (after Robert died and before Jimmy joined).
I’d like to know what happened to Tommy too. I was Robert Patton’s girlfriend for our entire childhood. We all graduated from Lee High. I bought Robert his first guitar and used to listen to him and Tommy learning to play!
Tommy Carter originally from Midland, Texas and his original band was the “Galaxies” He is a virtual genius on Bass and Steel Guitar, for those of you that don’t remember the “Garage Band Era”
Where is Tommy Carter today? I met the group in 1964 and followed them til the band broke up. I have often wondered about him ; I fell in love with Tommy the minute I met him.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
John, My name is Jay Vinton, I bought your childhood home in 1990. The big ole house at 734 Winston. I lived there for 15 yrs. and then moved to Hawaii. I recognized your name from stories told to me by Russell Stonecypher who lived right across the street, a musical and neighborhood encyclopedia. He was my jam partner for all of the 15 yrs. I lived there, I being an old north dallas guitar player was right at home. Amazing the things you find out on this page. I have connected with other musicians that I grew up playing in bands with right here also.
The keyboard player looks a lot like a keyboard player that I knew once…named Tex DeFatta…but then Tex never looked that good! Ha!
Excelent feature and historical photographs to have of The Chessmen….thanks
Was Tommy Carter the one Chessman who lasted the duration of the group?
I am John Bass I grew up in Oak Cliff Dallas along with my brother (Andy) James Bass & Sister Susan Bass My brother went to high school with Stevie Ray. I had a little rock group Call James Town in 1973 at Steven Park Elementry I was 13 yrs old at the time. I got into recording with what basic equipment that I had,and had a great time during the 1970s. In 1980 I moved to Columbia Tn and open up a recording studio in 1983 called Arctic Sound Studio. Today my studio is 48 tracks digital. But back then is really when it was fun recording. Keep up the great work. What is so neat is even though this is a old band and music, Its new to a person that never heard it before.
What I love about recording and pictures its like a time capsule.
Do you still stay in contact with Tommy? We were friends many years ago in Midland and Terminal (the old army base 20 miles west of Midland). If you wouldn’t mind let him know you heard from me and give him my email. I would like to say hello. Thanks, Sonny Keel
When did they add Jimmy Vaughn and the famous drummer (I forgot his name). They lived in Denton and played in Gainesville a lot.
Hey John,
I was looking for that same answer.
Doyle Bramhall is the legendary drummer of The Chessmen.
Both Jimmie Vaughn and Doyle Bramhall were in the Chessmen after these photos were taken. See the main page on the Chessmen for everything I know about the group so far. I run this Garage Hangover website, and anyone who can help with photos or info should please get in touch with me (chas_kit@hotmail.com)
I noticed in one post a comment about Russell Stonecypher, a great guitar player in his own right. His name came up this past week while learning of the sudden loss of Larry Samford formerly of another Oak Cliff Garage Band ‘Kempy and the Guadians’. Larry was a great Blues vocalist that recorded with Rocky Athus over the more recent years. May those great garage bands and members live in our hearts forever… Smokey Burns Trew and The Colonials…. Oak Cliff Texas 1960’s
I am trying to find out what happened to Tommy Carter. He lived next door to me in Midland, and my older brother taught Tommy how to play the guitar. I ran into Tommy at NTSU, and sat in with the Chessmen in 1967 for several gigs (after Robert died and before Jimmy joined).
I’d like to know what happened to Tommy too. I was Robert Patton’s girlfriend for our entire childhood. We all graduated from Lee High. I bought Robert his first guitar and used to listen to him and Tommy learning to play!
I talked to Tommy’s son about 15 years ago, and he said Tommy died of illness. I don’t remember the details. Sorry I don’t remember more info.
Tommy Carter originally from Midland, Texas and his original band was the “Galaxies” He is a virtual genius on Bass and Steel Guitar, for those of you that don’t remember the “Garage Band Era”
Where is Tommy Carter today? I met the group in 1964 and followed them til the band broke up. I have often wondered about him ; I fell in love with Tommy the minute I met him.
Hi Glenda,
Tommy is alive and well! He is my neighbor of 17 years. He still plays at church.
I’ll have to show him and wife this page! He is still in touch with Jimmy Vaughn.
Debi W.