The Galaxies IV formed at Catholic school in Trenton in 1962. Members were T.J. Tindall on guitar, Chris Holmes on guitar and vocals, Charles Brodowicz keyboards, Len Demski bass, and Alan Fowler on drums. T.J. Tindall left the band early on when his family moved to Pennington; he eventually joined the Edison Electric Band.
The first Galaxies IV 45 was “Let Me Hear You Say Yeah” / “Till Then You’ll Cry” recorded at Regent Sound studios in New York City and released on the Veep label in June of 1965.
That summer of 1965 the Galaxies IV played forty shows during at the second session of the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, including eight shows at the New Jersey Pavilion.
The band received a notice in Billboard for winning the First Annual Rock ‘n Roll Olympics on Labor Day 1965 at St. John Terrell’s Music Circus in Lambertville, NJ. It was a huge battle-of-the-bands, judged by Phil Spector and Cousin Brucie Morrow. The notice lists Charles Brody instead of Brodowicz, and says Billboard had mistakenly reported the Rubytones were the winners in a previous issue.
The Galaxies IV at the 1965 Rock ‘n Roll Olympics
l to r: Chris Holmes, Alan Fowler, Charles Brodowicz and Len Demski
The Billboard notice also mentions a 45 already released on the Mohawk label, “Don’t Let Love Look Back” but I haven’t been able to confirm this exists.
The win led to features in the NY Times and Reader’s Digest (anyone have scans of those notices?).
In August of ’66 they did release a 45 on the Mohawk label, “Piccadilly Circus” / “I’m Goin’ For Myself” in August of 1966.
“Piccadilly Circus” is a version of the Rolling Stones’ “2120 South Michigan Blvd”, often covered by 60’s bands and usually retitled (other versions include Sly Stone’s “Buttermilk” and Thee Midniters “Whittier Blvd”).
“Piccadilly Circus” was picked up by RCA for national release with the Chris Holmes’ wild original “Don’t Lose Your Mind” on the flip in June of 1967.
Adding a lead vocalist, Steve Shier they changed their name to Galaxie V and then Alexander Rabbit, releasing an lp on Mercury. Afterwards, Chris Holmes took the stage name Duke Williams and led his own band throughout the ’70s.
Photo from the Cathedral High School 1969 YearbookInformation and photo sources included Trenton Makes Music (site now defunct) and Randy Now’s Sept. 5, 2007 show which features Duke Williams and T.J. Tindall. Thank you to Alan Fowler and Esther for additional photos for this article.
The Galaxies IV in 1969, from left: Charlie Brodowicz, Steve Shier, Alan Fowler and Chris Holmes (Len Demski out of frame)
L-R Chris Holmes, Len Demski, Gene Kaye, Alan Fowler & Charles Brody
Sorry I’m writing this AFTER the live appearance on my radio show by members of THE GALAXIES IV, but it can be heard in it’s 2 hour entirety at http://WWW.RANDYNOW.COM – go to “RANDY RADIO” and you’ll see it listed.
On Wednesday Sept.5th, 2007 on RANDY NOW’S CAPITAL GARAGE RADIO SHOW on WTSR FM we had in the studio – all excited to talk to each other, some having not seen each other in more than 35 years mind you :
Chris Holmes AKA Duke Williams – Galaxies IV, Jacob’s Creek, Alexander Rabbit,The Chambers Brothrs
Tim Case – The Trees, Jacob’s Creek
Lon Van Eaton – The Trees, Jacob’s Creek, Lon & Derek Van Eaton
TJ Tindall – Galaxies IV, Edison Electric, The Tramps, Robert Palmer
Steve Shirer AKA Earl Scooter – Alexander Rabbit
Mary Muelheisen – Brother to Maury Muehleisen – Jim Croce Band
We played songs in between our interviewing from The Galaxies IV, The Young Monkey Men, The Trees, Maury Muehleisen – from his 1969 Capital Records LP called “Gingerbread” – a super rare LP , and Lon & Derek Van Eaton from their Apple Records LP “Brother” produced, co-written, and / or performances by George Harrison, Ringo Starr, & Klaus Voorman. You can hear it all – uncut, loud and obnoxious, kind and compassionate – at http://WWW.RANDYNOW.COM today.
Hi,
This is Alan of the Galaxies IV and Alexander
Rabbit.
Sorry I missed the show.
Alan – percussion
570-992-2223
The picture at the top was taken at The RKO Lincoln Theater in Trenton, NJ.
Thanks for the memories!
Alan
Memba me?? I credit myself with being the first president of the first “Galaxies” fanclub! Those were the days and they were fun, fun, fun. I don’t think kids today could have the great fun we had back then. I always feel lucky for all the experiences. My sister, friends and I probably saw you guys more than anybody else. Too bad we lost track of you all after high school. Would love to hear back and get news of any “reunions” of the band!
Never forgot!
Esther
Just found myself on this page. COOOOOOOOOOOOOL
Alan (percussion Galaxies IV V & Alexander Rabbit & Pickens?
I’m up for a reunion but THE DUKE has lost his nerve.
LMAO,
Alan
The Chris Holmes I knew would never lose his nerve.
To be factually correct, we stared the band in 1962.
Alan Fowler – Drums, Galaxies IV and Alexander Rabbit as well as Pickins from the Lehigh Valley in PA.
Alan,
I am the drummer that came into Alexander Rabbit after you left – I was freinds w/Jerry Samuels and he sent me down to NJ to sit in when you left and you know the rest. You are a terrific drummer and it was too bad you left the band at all but…. I only now just learned about Len and it is a shock to say the least. I am very saddened by it and if you are in contact with anyone who cares, please pass on my condolences. Good luck with a reunion – I am sure it would be great and if it happens I would love to be there to watch you and the band play it. Be well.
Hi Jack,
I just found your caring remarks about
Lenny. FYI, Jeanie passed away shortly after
Len.
Call me at 570-992-2223 when you can.
Alan
Ha! An entire year later I see this. Just thought I’d check it out again. Interesting to see the comments! Tell Duke PLEASE don’t lose his nerve…. but, something tells me he has plenty of nerves left. lol. I am hoping and praying for a Reunion of some sort in the summer of 2012! Get it together. I haven’t had a Galaxie fix in a long long long long time….
Don’t Lose Your Mind…one of my favorite garage rock songs! I would love to use it in a film some day. How do I obtain permission for this specific song? I’m aware it’s out of print.
-Zac
Zvwebb@gmail.com
Alan Fowler – percussion
570-992-2223
For years I’ve wondered just who the Galaxies IV were, for since the late 1960s I’ve had a copy of “Don’t Lose Your Mind”/”Piccadilly Circus” that’s at the top of my list of favorites in my collection of 45s.
These guys played well enough on this disc to have earned lasting fame for this one recording alone, ranking right up there with any of the top bands of the day; no, wait! They were BETTER than most top bands of the day!!!! It’s a shame they never got the recognition they deserve. Rock of the highest order!!!!!
Call me at 570-992-2223 for information.
Alan – Percussion
Call 570-992-2223 for information.
Alan – Percussion
My landline is 570-992-2223.
Call anytime for Band or Song information.
RIP Alan Fowler. A fine musician and true gentleman. You will be sorely missed. May you fly with God’s angels.
Sad to hear about Alan Fowler, and the comment about his being a fine musician is right on target. If the playing on the Galaxies IV R.C.A. 45 from 1966 is any example, he should have been legendary and nationally known. Super high quality music, that!
R.C.A. must have had plans for The Galaxies IV at some point, for the 45 of “Don’t Lose Your Mind / Piccadilly Circus” that I’ve got was pressed at their Indianapolis, Indiana pressing plant instead of the Rockaway, New Jersey facility (but I’m sure copies were also pressed there, too). This leads me to believe that the company had at least some interest in it being successful. It’d be interesting to know if their Hollywood, California pressing plant also turned out copies of this goodie.
The musical landscape is littered with great bands that, for one reason or another, were overlooked, underpromoted or forgotten, and The Galaxies IV certainly fit into that category. All I can say is that it’s the world’s loss; this record (both sides of it), should be on the highest reaches of a list of the greatest 45s of all time instead of being a forgotten curiosity. Too bad these guys didn’t cut an album that had proper promotion!! What a treat listening to THAT would be!
Funny, I was just listening to some Alexander Rabbit (Hunchback of Notre Dame album) and Extremes (A Monkey in a Silk Suit is Still a Monkey album) in my car this morning, then found this page on the web. I wanted to chime in here to help keep the memory of these wonderful musicians alive. Much of their music remains available in Youtube videos and can be downloaded (full video or audio only) through a free app named youtube-dl. That’s where I got HND, although I bought AMISSISM on CD and ripped it. Updates: As far as I know Duke WIlliams is stll alive and still performs occasionally. I am going to an In The Pocket (Dave Uosikkinen’s Philly oldies band) gig in September, I’ll see if I can find out more then. Sadly, T. J. Tindall, who want on to be an essential piece of Gamble & Huff’s Sigma Studio’s house band, Mother, Father, Borther Son, and to form yet another band under his own direction, East Coast, passed away early in 2016. FWIW, the backstory to Chris Holmes’ professional name change to Duke Williams that was circulated back in the day goes like this. There was/is another rock musician named Chris Holmes on the West Coast, who was Lita Ford’s (ex-Runaways) companion. Apparently *that* Chris Holmes was regularly getting in the headlines for bad behavior: drug busts; beating people up; etc. Evidently he became so notorious with promoters that the career of NJ’s Holmes was negatively impacted, which led to the name change. Part of that account is verifiable; whether it was Duke’s real motivation or not, I dunno.
Sadly, Chuck Brodowicz passed last Friday Feb. 4,2022. Knew him from BSS grammer school and Cathedral High. Also worked at the NJDOT for many years. RIP Chuck . Keep the group going in heaven !