The Esquires formed in 1964 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a town closer to Memphis than Little Rock. Members were Jim Grimes vocals, Rick Metzler rhythm guitar, Stanley Knight lead guitar, Rick Murray sax, Scott Snellgrove bass and Roger Barnhill drums.
As a live act they were popular at local clubs like the Cave, the Place Next Door, and the Hotel Noble as well as in Memphis, where they appeared on the Talent Party television show. They competed at battles of the bands with acts like Knowbody Else, Tommy Jay and The Escorts, the Gentrys, the Devilles, and the Guilloteens.
They recorded “Sadie’s Ways” at Alley Records’ studios in Jonesboro. It’s possible that four additional songs were cut to acetate. Alley Records also released a great 45 that I’ll feature very soon, the Newcastle Blues’s “Cotton’s Mama”/ “Walkin’ the Dog”.
The Esquires broke up in 1966. when Grimes and Rick Metzler went into the Marines.
Sources include: Mike Dugo’s interview with Scott Snellgrove. Great photo there too.
This is another one of my all-time faves! Really cool, trashy and rockin’! And the instrumental B-side “Big Thing” is worth a spin or two also.
The drummer in the Esquires is my dad. Pretty Cool! I can see where I got my love of music from.
Scott has been a rock music icon in the mid-south since he was a kid. I was 2 years ahead of him in school and am also his step-brother (Scott’s dad, Frank, just passed away Tues. morning). Scott was and still is the most sought-after and popular musician and vocalist in this area. Now that our “dry” county has over 20 private clubs, there are many new opportunities for his band (The PF Flyers) to do their thing.
All these years I thought I had a Vox Super Beatle… I see now that it was an AC 100. Somebody kick my ass for ever getting rid of it. I was playing a Fender jazz Bass thru 4 12’s and 2 horns with 100 watts of tube power… in 1965. Ha! cool………
and…. after talking to Dr. Vox at North Coast Music… what would it be worth today… $7500.00 to 10,000.00 or more. A Vox AC 100 MK1. The ones that caught on fire… that’s what mine did!
If you would like info on Purple Csnteen\Brains in my Feet you may contact me.