I was a drummer for one of those bands way back when. Newark, Ohio was our Liverpool. We had The Sticks and Stones for many years – they had their own bus and competed in the national battle of the bands a couple times and I think got a recording deal. Then there was The Lyte Brigade who also had a bus, AND Mel Royster who was a great singer. They put out a record, I think it was called “Showtime”.
Then there was my band – Glass Menagerie that was together till ’70. The members were Steve Risbon (lead), Steve Hideg (bass), Bob Reynard (guitar) and Fred Schonberg (drums).
We were on Jerry Razors’ “Dance Party” and recorded a cover of “Delta Lady” by Joe Cocker which got some airplay. We didn’t have a bus and rented a U haul every weekend. We opened at “Someplace Else” in Mt Vernon I think it was, for the “Ohio Express” after they came back from England and didn’t want to be bubblegum anymore. We also did the Holiday Swim Club, and played from Norwalk to Cadiz and south to West Virginia – with a lot of gigs in Zanesville, not bad when you’re 15.
The photos were taken fall of ’70 with two of the members who were on the record. We all came from garage band roots and the band had been together since 1967.
Fred Schonberg
Didn’t know there was a US band called ‘The Glass Menagerie’.
Always thought there was only the UK band that signed for PYE.
So once again, I have to say ‘Thanks a lot’ for your research work and all that you offer at this site.
There are at least two groups with this moniker from the USA that released 45s.
One from Coatesville, Pennsylvania – they altered the spelling to Glas Managerie. “Natasha” / “Mod Threads” issued on the Romain label in May, 1967
The other group was from California, they too spelled it a little different:
Glass Managerie “End Of The Line” / “Troubled Mind” issued on the Revolvo label circa 1967-1968.
There was also a horn group started in Buffalo New York in around 1968 and registered as a business name in Erie County in 1969. The horns were fromEastman school of music in Rochester NY. The band performed on the road and then locally as a smaller group until 2014. They have recently reunited with some new members as a 5 piece group in Western New York.
Not sure if you’re got my email.Wonder if you have any copies or recordings of the band with the thanks I was in the band one of the eastman guys trumpet jake smith
My friend Jim mccoury was in this band he was from westgrove pa I would love to get my hands on one of the 45 s they recorded any chance anyone knows where one is jimmy is deteriating in health and I would like to listen to this with him while I can
Hi,
I recently found a copy of this 45 (The Glas Managerie – Natasha / Mod Threads)
I read the latest posts to the website when trying to research my find, and if this is the record that your friend Jim who is deteriating in health was in, I will gladly give it to you, and send it to you so that you can listen to it with him like you requested.
Please let me know. My email is D3adw4x@gmail.com
Hope this helps, and thanks for the info, I’ll definitely be checking out your site in the future.
Jason
Also Glass menagerie in 60’s from New Jersey,Later became the Electric Duck with a song out in Avco Embassy records
I had a group called “The Glass Menagerie” in Buffalo NY. from 1968 to 2006. It was a 9 piece group doing Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears horn tunes. The horn section was from Eastman School of Music and we played all over western NY and the East Coast. Great trumpet players Jeff Tyzik and Alan Vizzuti went on to write for Doc Severensen (NBC Orchestra Christmas Album) and still continue to put out many CD’s on their own.
There was A Glass Menagerie in Denver Colorado. The saks player was Jim and the lead singer was Kent Parry. I have been searching for Kent who is a personal friend for a long tme.
I have two cassetes of Kent. One called HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS and the other is called THE BEST IS YET TO COME
I hope some of you may help me. He was and is a great friend.
i worked at the downtowner when jim percell played with danny and patti we were the golden girls who sang during half time and also danced on talbed it was at 14 and court place
lol
I was the breakfast cook when it first opened. Then the 2nd cook for another 6 months
One year total, under Master chef Dieter, Keesling!
One night I went to the show room, sat at the bar, while The Glass did a second set.
In a minute the doorman taps me and asked “do you work here,” yes. And I had to leave.
But watch from the door.
I still remember, “Spinning Wheels” the BS&T hit.
I worked 9 years in the two best clubs, in Denver,Taylor’s Supper Club,,, and The Turn Of The Century!!!
Good times but to much drinking😉😉
I have a photo of a newspaper ad from Nov. 24, 1967, promoting a small venue concert by The Who in Fort Wayne, IN. Pertinent to this page, the supporting groups were The Glass Menagerie and The Boys Decision (the wording in the ad was ‘in conjunction with’). Curious to see if anyone knows which GM band this might have been, and how great would it be if there is someone out there who might remember that night? The Who is my all-time favorite, and it kills me to know that they played in a club 8 blocks from my house when I was 14, although at that time I’d never heard of them.
We knew them in Atlanta Ga. It was 1970. They lived at the Colony Apartments near the airport across from us. They must have been breaking up about that time . We bought some of their stuff and actually talked to the people that were stealing from them, unknowingly. They said they were helping them move!
In the end of the 1960s there was a british Blues Rock band called GLASS MENAGERIE (without THE). I saw them live in Mannheim / Germany in 1969 as opener for John Mayall. In that year 1969 they released a single on Polydor Germany 59337 – Do My Thing Myself / Watching The World Pass By ! Not bad !!
Let’s not forget the Glass Menagerie from Three Rivers Michigan. Bob Mahana’s band. Toured the country in 1968-69. Recording contract and sponsored by Baldwin guitars and amps