Frank Stallone sent in these photos of his first band, the American Tragedy. Frank’s playing the ’58 Gibson Explorer. Frank didn’t give me all the members names but Midgie Geiger is one. The band never recorded.
Frank wrote, “I had a band the American Tragedy out of Philadelphia from 1965 to ’68. We played all the hops and were in the Battle of the Bands and came in 2nd. I went on from there to form a group called Valentine with John Oates.
“Also the Hangmen are from Maryland, I’m from there as well. I saw them open for the Lovin’ Spoonful at the Shady Grove Music Fair, Rockville MD in 1965.”
Frank Stallone was light years ahead of any guitarist in his choice of the Explorer. Very little has been ever documented on someone owning or playing one in the mid 60’s. Johnny”Guitar” Watson used one in the 60s. It was an illusive G branded one that was super early with scimitar head. I was fortunate to examine it in Memphis in the early 80’s.
Watching the movie now. Pretty awesome Frank