Robb London, San Antonio Express and News, July 9, 1966

Robb London and the Rogues

Robb London, San Antonio Express and News, July 9, 1966
Robb London profile in the San Antonio Express and News, July 9, 1966

Bobby Jenkins and the Jades

Bobby Jenkins and the Jades Beckingham 45 Hey ManThis band started out as Bobby Jenkins and the Jades with a 45 from January 1964, “Jeanne Be Good” / “The Gods Were Angry With Me” on Astro followed by one on Beckingham 1080, “You Mean Everything To Me” / “Hey Man”. Other members included Danny Jenkins on bass and Jerry Tagel on guitar. I didn’t know the full lineup until someone with the email moniker “NT” wrote in with some more information:

The members of the Bobby Jenkins and the Jades band:

Bobby Jenkins – vocals, guitar, keys
Danny Jenkins – drums
Bubba Woods – bass
Gerry Tagle – guitar
Jesse James Adams – tenor sax
Ben Fur – tenor sax

During the transition to Rob London and the Rogues, Danny Jenkins moved to the bass guitar seat.. don’t recall who took the drums position.

Note: Bobby was/is an accomplished guitarist but rarely played in live performance after bringing-in another lead guitarist. He then mostly played keyboard (Hammond).

By 1965 they had changed their name to Robb London and the Rogues, releasing three 45s in the next couple years:

Standing Under Big Ben / Bitter Tears (Beckingham 1083)
Who’ll Be the One / It Should’ve Been Me (Beckingham 1085)
Crazy Baby / Mary Jane (Beckingham 1086)

Beckingham 1084 features soul vocalist Billy Sol with songs written by Robb London, “Have You Ever Told Her”, backed with “The Bells”.

“Standing Under Big Ben” is a droning ballad, full of echo, credited to London and Beckingham (the only time I see his name show up as a writer). More interesting to me is the folk-rock flip, “Bitter Tears”, a Robb London original with good vocals, nice edgy guitar work and just a tambourine for percussion.

The second on Beckingham is better still, with two upbeat numbers written by London. “Who’ll Be the One” on the top side alternates between the galloping intro and smoother verses and bridge. The bluesy “It Should Have Been Me” has farfisa reminiscent of “She’s About a Mover”. “Who’ll Be the One” hit the lower rungs of San Antonio AM station KTSA’s charts in December of 1965. I was surprised to see the song was covered by the Crossfires on Tower 278 in 1966.

The third 45 has another two London originals, “Crazy Baby” / “Mary Jane”. “Crazy Baby” gets repetitious, but has a cool, brief second section that first kicks in around 50 seconds into the song. The flip “Mary Jane” is one of London’s best cuts, a tough rocker from start to finish about a girl “who’ll put you down”: “if you see her comin’, you better step aside, a lot of men didn’t, a lot of men died!”.

They recorded these at Abe Epstein’s tiny two-track studio on Gen. McMullen Drive. Epstein, who recorded as Al Epp, owned the Jox, Cobra and Dynamic labels, among others, and is a legend of San Antonio music. Among the hundreds of soul, latin and doo wop records he recorded are some fine garage releases, including the 12 A.M.’s “The Way I Feel” on his Groovy label, and the Argyles / the Minds Eye, the Sixth Edition and the Kings on Jox.

Robb London’s manager was Mel Adcock of Swingtime Productions (who also managed the Five Canadians and the Frantics). They played shows around San Antonio, including the Knights of Columbus Hall on the east side of the city, and had a reputation as both a soul cover group and for British Invasion sounds.

In 1967 the name of his backing band changed to Soul Unlimited, with one release, “Funny Situation” / “Gloria” on the Suzuki label, also produced by Epstein Enterprises:

“Funny Situation” has some interesting UK influences, the light psychedelia with hypnotic guitar lines on the verses segueing to full horn charts on the choruses. Despite good production the parts might be too different to make this song work on a commercial level. This time the songwriting credit goes to Robert Jenkins instead of his stage name.

The flip is a great, slow version of “Gloria” with Robb’s best vocal performance, the band encouraging him with shouts. Most remarkable is the arrangement that dispenses with the repetitive chords and syncopated build-up of Them’s version in favor of a relaxed pace that suits the lyrics. The opening guitar riff works well with the horns; it was probably a favorite live song for the group.

For the next couple years Robb London produced records for other groups, until about 1969 or ’70 when he came back with the Robb London Company, with a Ted Nugent cover “Good Natured Emma” on one side and a hippie-country tune “The Children” (AVI 1065). The story ends there, for now.

Billy Sol would have two 45s on the Domar label, DM-1122 “Doggin’ Around” / “Danger Signals”, and Domar DM-1124: “When You’re Alone” / “Time, Time” (written by Robert Merrill and P. Beckingham).

Does anyone know what the artist and titles on Beckingham 1081 and 1082 are?

12 thoughts on “Robb London and the Rogues”

  1. Robb London’s version is one of my longstanding fave ‘s in garageballads ever since it appeared on Highs in the Mid sixties. Now I come across your site, Robb London’s just been posted, and WOW!! Here you got (almost) all of his songs… Bitter Tears is fine fine fine and “Standing under Big Ben” is just GREAT!! Thanks for the story.
    And for you about “she’s about a mover” fans, there is a very interesting video about the San Antonio 60’s scene on YOUTUBE, named “SOUTH TEXAS SOUL” … Go Dig it! Stev, Amsterdam Netherlands

  2. There’s a second Bobby Jenkins single, the earliest release I know of
    on Beckingham.

    BOBBY JENKINS and THE JADES (Beckingham 1080)
    You Mean Everything To Me (Neil Sedaka,Howard Greenfield)
    Hey Man ( )
    Prod : Epstein – Beckingham Productions
    I’d guess it’s from ’64.

  3. I played drums with Bobby and his brother Danny played bass.I recorded Gloria and Funny Situation and was honored when he accepted me as his drummer.Playing local and out of town jobs were a lot of fun, and there were many.I thank him for that opportunity and wish He and his Son Jody a sincere success. Del Bazan

  4. I’m on this recording. I’m the drummer. Joe Mendoza was the guitar player . Danny was on bass Sissy, Bobby’s sister, was on female vocals, and Bobby was lead singer and piano and other instruments. This record was recorded in Houston in a sixteen track studio…

  5. Better talk to Bobby&Danny. We dressed English and played Soul music. I remember the practice sessions we had in San Antonio. He had some great musicians. It was a lot of work but a lot more fun on stage. He made my career as his drummer with “SOUL UNLIMITED” unforgettable . Del Bazan

  6. Andy Sanchez III is referring to the ROBB LONDON COMPANY, and theTed Nugent cover “Good Natured Emma” on one side and “The Children” on the other side (AVI 1065). I played the guitar.
    I remember seeing Del Bazan with the SOUL UNLIMITED on a local TV show. They played Gloria. That band was great. Also Andy and I went to high school with the trombone player from Soul Unlimited, Clifford Gribble.
    The Robb London Company became Jamison with one record “We Got Love”/”Changes” on Bell Records (ASCAP 9960). Clifford played a trombone solo at the end of “Changes”.
    I used to tease Bobby, “Yeah, I remember listening to ‘Who’ll Be The One’. I was 12 years old”

  7. Does anyone know what he’s (Robb London) up to now? Hope alive and well. “Gloria” is one of my favorites ever.

    1. Bobby Jenkins aka Robb London passed away a couple of years ago….the love of his life, Jeanne Jenkins, made the Heavenly Journey to join him just yesterday 😢. Danny Jenkins passed about 3 years ago . Susie Jenkins is his wife…..is on Facebook.
      Jeanne Jenkins and Jody Jenkins each have a Facebook Timeline.
      They were dear friends. All of them…..They all left a huge empty space in ou hearts🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  8. Jeanne Jenkins
    Always smiling…..Always sweet….
    Always welcoming…..Always loving
    You have left a huge empty space in our hearts😢🙏🏻❤️🌹
    R.I.P. LOVELY LADY

  9. Saw Rob London & The Rogues at Lackland AFB in the mid 60’s before I shipped off to Vietnam. They put on a great show that I’ll never forget.

  10. Billy Sol is my Father Walter B. Merrill jr. Who passed away in 2005 he also sang back ground on Robb’s song Bitter Tears. He was on the Beckingham label as well. My Uncle is Robert Merrill who wrote Time Time for my dad. He also was in various bands playing the Hammond Organ.

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