Category Archives: Howell

The Unknown IV of Raleigh

Unknown IV Photo
The Unknown IV, summer of ’65, unidentified location. From left: Carline Clayton, Junior (?) on bass, Asa “Dosher” Ruark at mic, and Frankie Presnell on drums. Not visible: Jerry Evans. Photo courtesy of Asa Ruark.

The Unknown IV were from the Raleigh, NC area which was also the base of the JCP label. “I Want You To Be Mine” is a good number that the band recorded twice, first on JCP 1017 label with a good rockin’ flipside, “All of the Time”, and again for the Howell label with a country-style weeper, “Happiness Ain’t Comin’ to My House” on the flip. The Howell recording is a little faster and more confident but both performances are very good.

Jerry Evans was the lead vocalist and songwriter for the group. Two comments below give additional members.

Carline Clayton Allen wrote “I was the bass player & female vocalist on the JCP recording. Who replaced me, I do not know. I only know I was out of the band prior to the Howell label re-recording.”

Frankie Presnell played drums, Roy Stewart was on lead guitar, and Jimmy Anderson played bass. Asa “Dosher” Ruark joined for the summer of 1965 on lead guitar and vocals, and provided the photo at top.

Danny Adams’ son commented that Danny was in a later version of the group with Ed Adams, Jerry Evans and Kenneth Buffaloe.

Unknown IV JCP 45 I Want You To Be Mine

Unknown IV JCP 45 All of the Time

They have a second 45 on JCP 1019, “What’s Gonna Happen” / “Give Me a Chance”, both written by Jerry Evans.

Thanks to Gary Cease for contacting me about the Unknown IV.

Anyone have a photo of the group?