The Jokers Wild on Metrobeat and Peak

The Jokers Wild, photo courtesy of Dan Shearen

Jokers Wild Metrobeat 45 I Just Can't Explain ItThe Minneapolis area was home to a great music scene in the 60’s. The Jokers Wild were one of the most progressive groups of the era.

Original lineup:

Dave Wagner – vocals
Gene Balabon – lead guitar
Dave Middlemist – keyboards
Denny Johnson – bass
Pete Huber – drums

Original lead vocalist Dave Wagner (Dave Waggoner) and guitarist Gene Balabon formed the Jokers Wild after leaving the Aardvarks (“Josephine” / “Reminiscing” on the Bell Concert Recordings label). Neither would be in the group by the time they recorded. Gene was the first to leave, replaced by Bill Jordan.

In 1967, their booking agent/manager David Anthony organized an interesting switch of personnel. He took Dave Wagner and Dave Middlemist from the Jokers Wild and joined them with Dick Wiegand, Larry Wiegand and Harry Nehls of the Rave-Ons to form South 40. Lonnie Knight of the Rave-Ons joined the Jokers Wild on vocals and guitar.

Lonnie Knight – vocals and lead guitar
Bill Jordan – guitar (replaced by Dale Strength, then Danny Kane)
Greg Springer – keyboards
Denny Johnson – bass
Pete Huber – drums

The Jokers Wild as a trio, clockwise from top left: Denny Johnson, Pete Huber and Lonnie Knight
The Jokers Wild as a trio, clockwise from top left: Denny Johnson, Pete Huber and Lonnie Knight

Lonnie Knight had been in the Castaways before they hit big with “Liar, Liar” then joined the Knights with the Wiegand brothers and Harry Nehls, the band name eventually changing to the Rave-Ons. They had three great 45s on Twin Town and Re-Car plus some unreleased songs cut at Dove Studio. Lonnie left the Rave-Ons partly because he wanted to pursue a more folk-oriented sound. He would get to that in the early ’70s, but not before spending a couple years with the Jokers Wild, a heavy, progressive rock group! (Read the Rave-Ons full story in Lost and Found #3).

The Jokers Wild first 45 was released on the Metrobeat label. “All I See Is You” is a good original by Knight, given as Lowell Knight on the label. “I Just Can’t Explain It” reminds me somewhat of the Who, and was written by guitarist Bill Jordan.

Jokers Wild Peak 45 Because I'm FreeTo me, their best moment comes from their second 45, “Because I’m Free” / “Sunshine” on the Peak label – anyone have good scans of this 45, or a copy to sell?

They had one more 45 on Peak, “Peace Man” (also written by Knight) and “Tomorrow”, produced by Tony Glover. There’s also a light pop-psychedelic number “All the World’s a Copper Penny”, unreleased until the Best of Metrobeat LP in the 1990.

The band was down to a trio of Lon Knight, Denny Johnson and Pete Huber when the time the group broke up in the fall of 1969.

The Jokers Wild later trio lineup, from left: Denny Johnson, Pete Huber and Lonnie Knight
The Jokers Wild later trio lineup, from left: Denny Johnson, Pete Huber and Lonnie Knight Photos from www.lonnieknight.com

45 releases:

All I See Is You / I Just Can’t Explain It (Metrobeat 4451)
Sunshine / Because I’m Free (Peak 4456)
Tomorrow / Peace Man (Peak 4459)

Sources include: Lost and Found #3 (Rave-Ons article by Jim Oldsberg and Mark Prellberg), Lonnie Knight’s website and an interview with Lonnie Knight by Ray Stiles from mnblues.com.

9 thoughts on “The Jokers Wild on Metrobeat and Peak”

  1. I grew up in a small town about 100 miles east of Mpls. A nearby town, Bloomer, had a large club called The Pines. I saw Jokers Wild play there a number of times, and they were easily the best band that ever played there.

    I remember them being very tall and gangly, each of them around 6’5. What I remember most about them, though, is one time they just threw out their play list, sat crosslegged on the floor, and jammed off each other for what seemed like hours.

    I got to wondering about them today, so Googled…and am amazed at ur site. Good work.

  2. I also remember this band at the Pines. Riots broke out inside when they played. They were a very good jam band. They were tall, gangly, long haired and great musicians. The best band ever at the Pines.
    Ole

  3. I visited the Pines many times in those days an remember the Jokers Wild as one of the best. The South 40 (later Crow) was another. They may have been at the Rainbow Garden in Rice Lake. I think a Schwab (sp) was the owner of the Pines. I was in the place on a weekday 20 years ago and little had changed. Beer was cold and cheap. Sy was a good guy. r i p

  4. You guys have made my day…memories of this band those two clubs along with bands like Hot Half Dozen, Mortisans, Renditions from Eau Claire and there was a local band from somewhere in central Wisconsin called the Rags of Riches. Man all of these guys were great what memories.
    Thanks

  5. You made my day! I remember this three piece band that rocked! Lonnie Knight’s Lead Guitar was fantastic, and their jams were drenching. I saw them a few times in Renville, Minnesota. They were one of best local touring bands around. And coincidently, he’s playing in my home town Hutchinson tonight! Thanks, T

  6. Saw the Joker in my hometown of Jamestown, ND. They were full blown into the pyschedelic scence and Lonnie Knight was a great lead player. They were visionary in the terms that they played way over the top for a trio, much like the Cream sound.

    Great days.

  7. I grew up with the Jokers Wild playing at the Blazer in Nisswa- they were one of the best groups from Minneapolis. They attracted large overflow crowds every time they were booked to play- my mom “Mickey” owned the place- and I got to hang around the bands when they played a gig-

  8. Great site! Sorry I’m so late to the party.

    I worked as an roadie for the Jokers Wild from ’67 through the end. I took a super-8 movie camera on the road when the band traveled to New Mexico in summer 1969 at the invitation of Creedence Clearwater Revival to join them on a southern US tour. The tour fell through but the film I made is on YouTube at:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE3W9i5e7KI

    They were a great band.

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