Category Archives: Swan

The American Teens on Swan, from Frederick, Maryland

American Teens, Frederick News-Post, March 5. 1966
March 5. 1966. The American Teens, from left, front row: Ronnie Stevens and Gene Ponton; back: Jim Stevens, Bobby Stevens and Bill Koontz.

The American Teens came from Frederick, Maryland, about an hour’s drive northwest of Washington, DC. The members were:

Bobby Stevens – guitar and vocals
Jim Stevens – guitar
Gene Ponton – saxophone
Bill Koontz – bass guitar
Ronnie Stevens – drums

American Teens Swan 45 Shake Shake BabyRay Vernon signed the band to Swan Records and produced this great single at his studio in Accokeek, Wray’s Shack Three Track.

“Shake Shake Baby” is a danceable original written and arranged by Ray Vernon’s brother, Link Ray (using his common pseudonym, F.L. Wray Sr). I actually prefer the flip, “A Brand New Love”, credited to Bobby Stevens.

The labels list Florentine Music and Palmina Music as publisher of both songs, but I don’t see either in the BMI database or Library of Congress registrations.

The Frederick News-Post covered the band twice. The first article on March 5, 1966 had the most extensive profile of the band:

Local Band Records First Single by Marie Howell

With the release of their first single record this week, five county youths have started keeping tabs on the national and local record ratings.

Known as “The American Teens.” the quintet includes three brothers, Bobby, Ronnie and Jim Stevens, plus Gene Ponton and Bill Koontz.

The group’s original recording, “Shake, Shake Baby,” was released on the Swan Label earlier this week. Words for the rock and roll song were written by Ray Vernon who’s managing the group and the record was taped at Vernon’s studio at Achocokee [Accokeek].

American Teens Swan 45 A Brand New LoveOn the flip side of is “One That’s Old,” [sic] written by Bobby and Jim.

The boys, who have performed throughout the state, left Thursday night for Buffalo, N.Y., where they’re scheduled to perform tonight at a radio station’s record hop.

All but two of the youths have graduated from high school and are holding down jobs in addition to their practices and performances.

Bill is a graduate of St. John’s High School and Ronnie and Jim are graduates of Middletown High School. Bobby is a junior at Middletown and Gene’s a senior at Frederick High School.

The band, which practices about twice a week, has signed a contract which calls for them to cut four records a year.

Ronnie, who’s the drummer, admits that “I didn’t realize how much time and hard work it took to get a good recording. We worked week after week, hour upon hour with Ray Vernon to get a good tape,” he explained. “We finally made it and I hope it will go over big.”

… Bobby plays guitar and is the group’s vocalist.

And, Bobby added, “The band as a whole feels that meeting Ray Vernon was the biggest break that we’ve ever had.”

I wonder if the record made any headway in Buffalo. It’s a rare item now.

Ronnie Stevens of the American Teens Frederick News-Post, June 30, 1966
Ronnie Stevens of the American Teens, June 30, 1966

On June 30, a full page of photos from a Baker Park concert discusses teen trends of the day, with quotes from Kristina Parker, Laurencine Thomas, Mark Nelson, Buster McKenzie, Joyce Stimmel, Brenda Cregger, and also Bill Devilbiss, bassist for the Five Acts, a group I know nothing about. There is also a good photo of Ronnie Stevens on drums.

For whatever reason, the band didn’t last, but their single showed promise, and I hope there are a few unreleased recordings out there.

The American Teens Frederick News-Post, June 30, 1966
June 30, 1966

The Centurys

The Centurys of Lebanon, PA
The Centurys

The Centurys - Renco 45 "83"

Considering they were one of the greatest of all the 60s garage bands, there’s not much information out there on the Centurys.

From Lebanon, Pennsylvania, band members were:

Billy Beard – lead guitar and vocals
Larry McKinney – guitar
John Iacovone – bass
Bob Koch – lead vocals and organ
Bernie Orner – drums

In April of 1965, they recorded four songs at WSBA radio’s studios in York, PA, produced by Frank Treida. These four songs were released on two 45s on the Renco label and quickly sold out.

The first is “83” a lo-fi anthem that’s an absolutely classic. On the flip is the moody “So the Prophets Say”, another echo-laden number with wild drumming and intense vocals. It’s been described as anti-Vietnam war, but actually I think it’s pro-war. It’s definitely a dig at Dylan and the protest movement in general, and there’s a condemnation of communism: “a red slave song you’re singing, you’ll wish you had a gun in your hand.”

The second is “Don’t Bother”, with intense guitar riffing and haunting organ. The flip, “Together We’ll Stay” is not nearly as great as the other three songs, but it has some decent surf-type guitar in the break.

Their live reputation helped them land a 45 on Swan. “Hard Times” b/w “Endless Search” did very well in the area and should have been their big break. The Swan label was folding at the time, so it’s possible the record wasn’t promoted as well as it should have been.

Former Swan label head Bernie Binnick put out one last Centurys 45 on his BB label, “And I Cried” b/w “Catch Me Fast”. The band broke up in 1967 due to a combination of draft notices and a lack of success.

All their releases were original songs. Billy Beard wrote most of their best songs: “83”, “So the Prophets Say” and “Don’t Bother”, while “And I Cried”, “Hard Times” and “Endless Search” were co-written by Beard with Larry McKinney.

The two 45s on Renco were reissued on an EP in the ’80s as the Renco Demos. It’s possible the Centurys originally intended these songs to be demos for purposes of securing a record contract. Regardless, the Centurys did release these songs on 45 and sold them at gigs and local shops, which makes them not ‘demos’ in the usual sense. None of the songs on the EP are different versions of what was released on the 45s.

Centurys original 45 releases:

Renco 115 – 83 / What the Prophets Say
Renco 116 – Don’t Bother / Together To Stay
Swan 4265 – Hard Times / Endless Search
BB 4002 – And I Cried / Catch Me Fast

Link Wray

Link Wray Cadence 45 RumbleLink Wray Epic 45 Raw-HideLink Wray Okeh 45 Rumble MamboBunker Hill Mala 45 Hide & Go Seek, Part ILink Wray Swan 45 Run Chicken RunLink Wray and His Ray Men Swan 45 The Black Widow
Link Wray Epic PS Slinky
Link Wray photoLink Wray passed away earlier this month and word is only now getting out. As I look at it, garage has two main sources: Bo Diddley and Link Wray. Without them it probably wouldn’t exist.

I feel lucky to have seen Link in April in New Orleans. He didn’t shortchange us on the distortion or feedback that night – it was fantastically loud and chaotic.

Link Wray and the Raymen Swan 45 Hidden CharmsRay Men Diamond 45 Walkin' Down the Street Called Love
Link Wray Heavy 45 Blow Your MindLink Wray and the Ray-Men Mr. G 45 Mind Blower