The Just VI formed at Tennyson High School in Hayward, California in late 1964.
The early lineup included:
Tony Rhodes – lead vocals
Mike Cantrell – guitar, vocals
Ken Houston – guitar, replaced by Kenny Simms in 1965
Don Cantrell Jr. – organ, vocals
Dennis Brock – bass
Sal Saccardo – drums
The band played out frequently, helped by their Cantrell’s father, Don Sr., who was a promoter and booking agent. Sometimes listed as the Just Six, they played at venues including the Coconut Grove in Santa Cruz, the Newark Pavilion, Frenchy’s, the Rollarena in San Leandro, Carpenters Hall, Maple Hall in San Pablo, at the Carousel Ballroom and Longshoreman’s Hall in San Francisco and the Avalon Ballroom on Catalina Island (with the Yardbirds), IDES Hall in Hayward, and at Battle of the Bands including at the Santa Clara Fair Grounds. They also appeared on Dick Clark’s Happening ’68 and toured with the Animals.
In November ’65 the Just VI cut two original songs, “Bo-Said” (written by Tony Rhodes and Mike Cantrell) b/w “You” (written by Kenny Simms and Tony Rhodes) at Golden State Recorders. Both sides published by Merrie Making Music, BMI.
The songs were issued on Wax W-211 and the single sold well, including a supposed sold 14,000 copies in Winchester, Missouri!
In 1968 Tony Rhodes left the group and Roger Corboy joined, along with his brother Dave Corboy from a Fremont group called the Differentiated Concepts. Dennis Brock left and Steve Lind took over on bass.
The band had a 45 as the White Haven Pillow “Wreck It” (K. Simms Jr., D. Corboy) / “Muisc Man” (D.E. Cantrell Jr.) on the MTA label in 1969.
After Sal Saccardo left the group hired Terry Rissman of Peter Wheat & the Breadmen to play drums. When Terry left, Mike Cantrell played drums until the group split in late ’69.
Most of the group had some involvement in music after the Just VI. Roger Corboy joined Helix, Sal Saccardo went into the Powers of Darkness and played with Little John, the Cantrell brothers had Crossfire in the ’70s, and Kenny Sims had a group called Truckin’ later on.
The best source of info for this article was Bruce G. Tahsler’s The San Francisco East Bay Scene: Garage Bands from the 60’s Then and Now, including the scan of the Yardbirds show poster.
Wax Records
Wax Records of Oakland started out with at least two soul singles in 1964, Tiny Powell’s “My Time After Awhile” / “Take Me With You”; and Sugar Pie DeSanto’s “Strange Feeling” / “Little Taste of Soul”.
In 1965, Wax released two 45s by the Cheaters of San Leandro, “Take It Easy” / “Girl – I Want” (Wax 210) and “My Favorite Girl” / “Suzanne” (Wax 213).
Certain later pressings had a yellow and orange design, large logo and featured the tagline “If It’s a Hit, It’s on Wax”.
Thank you for this posting. I am from Hayward. I interviewed all of the band members for Bruce Tahsler’s ‘East Bay ’60’s Bands’ books. I recently turned up 3 VG copies of their Wax 45. I’d like to get them to band members. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for doing those interviews, I’ll let you know if any band members comment or email me.
I just heard from Ken Simms. He’s getting a Wax 45.
That was sure a fun time playing in the 60s in the East Bay, I too had the pleasure of playing with many of the bands back then. “The Fortes”
the just six got back togeather for one show in 2000. all original members were in except tony rhoades who is a doctor in martha vineyard. the one one show lasted about three years because of a huge outpouring for the old music which we did not know existed at the time. two big shows at the sadldle rack in fremont were the hightlight. dennis brock passed away and was replaced by gene purdue from eddie money luck strikes and others. to this day still run into people who have great memories of the band and the period.
Hey thanks for the kind words all these years later. I’m retired and living in TX. Still playing guitar it in my blood. Setting up a studio in the back pasture. Got a lot of signed memorabilia to hang on the walls. Thanks again
Don’t know why I decided to look for this group. Fond memories at the Newark Pavilion in the 60’s. I still have their 45. Last time I saw Mick was at a Boy Scout pine wood derby in Fremont. Hope all is well.
Hey I’m Kris Rhodes ..Tony’s daughter. Where in Tx. I am in Austin;*)
Hey Mick,
Karla Canright here…..I’m writing a book about my Mom, Joyce Canright.
I would love to talk to you if possible to one of the stories in book regarding the Just VI back in the day.
you can reach me at KKRanch27@gmail.com
I also live in TX!
Hello Mick,
Could you please contact me when you can.I am writing a book about my mother, Joyce Canright, from the 60’s and I would love to interview you if possible.
Thank you very much, always one of your biggest fans.
Karla Canright Duncan
Hi Mick, Karla Canright here, Joyce Canright’s daughter. I am doing research for a book I am writing about the 60’s rock bands and my mothers involvement. I would love to chat with you for a bit if your are available at any time. Mostly about the house in Castro Valley, the gigs, and the fun we all had at the concerts. I pray the family is well. I too live in TX. Thank you for your consideration and hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Mick,
Is it possible to get an interview with you for a book I am writing about my mother, Joyce Canright? She was a promoter in the Bay Area back in the 60’s and you and the Just VI were a part of that. I am sure you remember our house in Castro Valley where all the bands used to hang out. I was the daughter that had a big crush on you…. please let me know if you would be interested.
Thank you!
Karla “Canright” Duncan
kkranch27@gmail.com
(I am in Texas as well)
Great to see this history online. I’m Donny [B3] Cantrell, keyboards for The Just Six. These days I ‘m still rockin’ and rollin’. My original B3 is totally restored and is retired to my living room. I travel light these days packin’ my new axe, a Hammond SK1-88 digital keyboard with Motion Sound and/or legacy Hammond/Leslie amp/ speaker cabinet which flawlessly recreates a more powerful legacy HAMMOND B3 sound. While on a Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches cruise, I was privileged to hangout and jam after hours with some of the members of Delbert’s band and also with members of The Mavericks, and my all time favorite piano player, Marcia Ball. One of the workshops presented on board ship was a song writer’s discussion group which focused on the personal influences behind the creation of much of the music with which many of us are familiar. I was so inspired by my first-hand full-immersion experience in a “pro” environment that I am still energized just reflecting on that special time. If you see a red Land Rover with the license plate 3 B3 S toot your horn to say hello. Stay Well Everyone to celebrate Life and Rock N Roll. Donny
Hey Dony!
Glad to see you are still rockin! I am in a large Bluegrass/folk band now in my old age playing guitar which I didn’t pick up until 10 years ago so I still have lots to learn. I never forgot the Just Six though… great memories!
Love, Lorna
Found this site thru Dave Corboy . It’s amazing to see all the info from back in the day . Dave and I have played together off and on thru the years, just spoke yesterday am . Both us rolling up on 70 real fast . Been playing on my own , mostly as “hired gun” bass player in and around both Oregon and for some years Taos New Mexico .
Hope you receive this email and are doing well !! .
Hi Donny – This is Don Owen – I was the drummer in Don Presley’s bands ( The After Effect and later, The Presley Blues Movement. We used to practice in his dad’s garage just down the street from your house in Union City ( I’m from Hayward). We would walk over to your place and stand outside the garage and listen to your rehearsal! I always tried to figure out what Sal was doing on the drums, especially Beatles and Animals tunes. We opened for you at the IDES hall in Hayward and later for the Yardbirds at the roller rink in San Leandro. I kept at it and got better ( worked with Duke Jethro – B-3 player for B.B.King, and , later, got to play with Joey DeFrancesco). I am retired now and living in Portland, Oregon.
Hello Donny,
I hope you remember me, Karla Canright, Joyce Canright’s youngest daughter. I have also sent a message to Mick , I am writing a book about my Mothers life in the Rock business. I would love to talk with you guys as I am wanting to get memories from all the rock bands she was involved with. It would be wonderful if I could include The Just VI. Bruce Tahsler, author of Garage Bands from the 60’s is also involved in helping me get this together. (He is also my ex-husband if you remember). Please contact me if you and the band or interested. Karla Canright Duncan KKranch27@gmail.com
Hello Donny,
This is Karla Canright – Joyce Canright’s daughter. Your Dad and my mom worked together with the bands in the 60’s. I don’t know if your remember me, but I remember all of the band and the great times we had at the concerts and at our home in Castro Valley. I a putting together a Memoir for my mom about her involvement in the 60’s rock scene and I would love to include an interview with you in the book. Please let me know if this would be a possibility. My mom passed in 2014, but i believe that you and Mick probably went to one of the book signings they had for my ex husband, Bruce Tahsler, from the Talismen and US Male, of which my mom was there along with Bruce, Bill Quarry, Gregory Correa, Barry Carlos, Peter Wheat and the Breadmen, etc. I am getting a huge response from alot of the bands from the 60’s and well as the promotors, etc. Please let me know if you would like to participate. Be Blessed! Karla Canright Duncan – Athens, TX
I grew up in Hayward and was classmates with Ronnie Simms, Kenny’s younger brother. We used to listen to them practice and went to see them play several times. I remember the Coconut Grove in Santa Cruz as one of my favorites, since we went there often for the surfing
Glad I found this site Stirs up a lot of great memories
I wonder if this is the same Just Six mentioned in the “Action USA Promotional Spot” at the end of Fantasy Records’s “Fight Fire: The Complete Recordings 1964-1967” of pre-Creedence Clearwater Revival songs? The ad is ostensibly for a performance by the group under their then-name The Golliwogs, alongside two other bands “The Rip Tides” and “Gates of Eden” that were listed as being “discoveries” of whatever this “Action USA” thing is.
I would think so😊👍 I tried to Google som of the guys Fogerty played with, when he was not with the Golliwogs, but didn’t find anything🤷♂️
RIP Sal Saccardo 3/2/2020.
❤️
This is great👍 I’m guessing this is the Just Six, that played with the Golliwogs?
Hi JG,
You are right! This is Donny [B3] Cantrell, keys for the Just Six [VI]. So great to see you online. We first caught up with the Golliwags at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds, later at Longshoreman’s Hall in SFO, and Frenchy’s in Hayward. I hope you are thriving after all we have endured over the past few years. I wish you All the Best! Donny |l|l||l|l|l|
Glad to hear someone with the band is still around. What’s Mick up to these days? Great 60’s memories for sure.
Where is everyone at now? Sorry to hear about Sal. My cousin dated him for a bit.
yes the just six played with the goliwogs. longshorman hall in the city. we also did the happening t.v. show. ken simms