Ft. Lauderdale’s Mor-Loks had two distinct lineups, each of which recorded a 45.
The original group changed their name from the Impressions V to the Mor-Loks, and consisted of Sammy Hall vocals, Johnny Hartigan lead guitar, Don Henry rhythm guitar, Ron Armstrong bass and Mike Wall on drums.
Their 1965 release combines one delicate song, “There Goes Life”, with the upbeat “Elaine”. This was originally released on the Loks label. When Gary Stites became the band’s manager, he re-released the record on his own Living Legend label (not to be confused with the Living Legend run by Kim Fowley).
Sammy Hall left to join the Birdwatchers, and the rhythm section of Armstrong and Wall reformed the band with Bill “Nappy” Lynn on lead vocals, Billy Burke keyboards, and Craig Held on lead guitar. This lineup landed a contract with Decca in February 1966, only to have the draft break them up in September. Their only record is the raver “What My Baby Wants” (written by Bill Lynn and Craig Held) and the equally fine “Lookin’ For a New Day” (by Armstrong and Held), released in April of ’66.
I recently asked bass player Ron Armstrong about the band and he sent me two photos:
The first one is of the original line up that included Mike Wall drums, Sammy Hall vocals, Johnny Hartigan lead guitar, Don Henry rhythm guitar and myself on bass. The picture was taken at the Yankee Clipper Hotel on Ft. Lauderdale Beach where we performed for a New York Yankees family function. Ft. Lauderdale was the spring training grounds for the Yankees and the Yankee Clipper was always their host hotel.
With regards to the breakup of the original group, it was a combo of things. One, I was facing extreme pressure from the draft board and 2, the Birdwatchers, Gary Stites and WQAM were actively courting Sammy.
As it turned out, I was granted a temporary deferral from the draft but only learned of it after I had informed the Mor-Loks that I would be leaving the group. With plenty of bookings to play and a good following of fans and an extension of time I sought to put together another group quickly. I added Craig Held on guitar first, followed by Bill Lynn and learned of Billy Burke through my dad who worked with Billy’s dad.
The second pic is of the revised line up of Mor-Loks with new additions Bill Lynn vocals, Craig Held lead guitar and Billy Burke keyboards. Mike and I were the only holdovers from the original group. The picture was taken right before we entered the MCA building in New York to sign our contact with Decca Records.
I am happy to report that I have located all living members of the Mor-Loks, both the original members and the revised line up. Billy Burke and Johnny Hartigan as you already know are deceased. After years of off and on searching this week I located vocalist Bill “Nappy” Lynn, in Georgia, Craig Held lead guitar in Florida, and the drummer from both lineups of Mor-Loks, Mike Wall, also in Florida.
Sources: Jeff Lemlich’s history of Florida bands Savage Lost, and my interview with Ron Armstrong.
The original Mor-Loks got together last year at the “While We Still Can Reunion” in Ft. Lauderdale, though they didn’t play at that time. There was talk of them performing again.
The band is mentioned in Sammy Hall’s autobiography, “Hooked On A Good Thing”.
Jeff Lemlich
The Limestone Lounge Florida Music Forum
http://p220.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge
I am really impressed at the fact you are keeping up with the music of such “Old Guy’s” like myself.
I was really sorry to hear about Johnny and I am quite sure he did enjoy getting together with the rest of the old band.
I don’t know if you are interested in any pictures or newspaper articles of the Mor-Loks reformed band of, Ronnie, Craig, Mike, Billy and me. I am in posession of quite a few photos of the band and a newspaper article about the band and each of the members, as well as pictures of the return of the group from New York after signing with Decca. I also have an original acetate copy of the original master recording done at Bobby Ducoff’s Studios in Miami.
Our original contract with Decca included the production additional singles with six months of the signing and sale of the Master Tape.
Unfortunately Ronnie was facing being drafted and joined the Air Force. The band did a couple of gig’s with Billy playing Ronnie’s bass with his left hand on the keyboard. (The kid was a genious prodigy).
To this day I regret having lost touch with all of them.
I would very much like to locate any or all of them and see if they would be interested in trying to get together, or at least communicate with each other.
If you know anything about any of their whereabouts I would be very interested in trying to reach them.
I live in Locust Grove, Georgia, about forty miles south of Atlanta. I am a retired City of Atlanta Police Detective, and still professionally investigating.
Unfortunately due to a severe auto accident in December 2004, I have had to undergo several surgeries to my neck and righ shouler, which has kept me away from work. (Fortunately, it was a workers-comp injury)
However, I don’t have the computer access to the databases for detail locates, etc.
It is quite an exciting thing to think that some forty years people are interested in the music we wrote and recorded.
I recently found out both our songs are being played on radio in Holland. “Unbelievable”
Thank You Very Much for all the Memories !!!
Bill Lynn
Hey Bill !! (Nappy) Well, well, well !!!! Look who I just found on the old interweb !!!
It’s me, your old (and I do mean OLD bandmate Craig.
I am still alive and pickin’ (just at home). Recently I listened to Lookin’ for a New Day on You Tube and someone commented that it was a “Masterpiece” !! I don’t know about all that but it was fun to record.
Remember when we performed in Miami at a concert with the Lovin’ Spoonful and Beach Boys? Saw Ron a few years ago when I still lived in S. Fla. (now in Central Fla). Hope you are doing well these days Bill !! 🙂
Regards, Craig
Unfortunately there will be no reunion of the original Mor-Loks. Johnny Hartigan died last week. Fortunately he got to see and hang out with his former bandmates, which brought a huge smile to his face.
Jeff
I am the proud “Better Half” of Ron Armstrong, and had to take this opportunity to thank you for such an awesome site. Thanks for helping us keep the music & the memories alive. The last post by Bill Lynn also helped him & Ron to reconnect. To our astonishment, he is living just 5 miles away from my little sister ! (Imagine that ( “Who woulda thunk it ” ) LOL
This spurred Ron to refresh his search for other members, which he has also reconnected with . So thanks again , and I hope to meet everyone very soon at The 2008 reunion. ” Good Lord willin & the creek don’t rise “.
Happy Holidays to everyone from our family to yours.
During the 1960’s we were friends with a band that did have a Ron Armstrong as a bass player. At that time it was not called the Mor-loks and it has been so long I don’t recall the name of the band. It did include another member named Joe Barrett and I am just wondering if this is the same Ron (we called him Ronnie) that we knew. He lived off Riverland Road in Ft. Lauderdale and really had a nice family (especially his mom). We met the band when they were playing at a place in Pompano Beach called Lenny’s – a really small place for young kids, it served no alcohol and was a place for dancing.
Please let me know if this is the same Ron. The band I am thinking about also had another member, I believe his name was Hubert or Herbert.
Thanks in advance for reading this and hopefully answering.
Cathy
Hi Cathy,
Ron Armstrong here of the Mor-Loks. Alive and kickin in S. Florida. The Band with Joe Barrett, Ronnie Pelleteri, and Mike Manion was called the String Rays and did indeed play
at Lenny’s Tangerine Teen Club on Federal in Pompano. I left that group to join up with Mike Wall, Johnny Hartigan, Don Henry and Sammy Hall known then as the Impressions. We quickly changed the Name to The Mor-Loks with the recording of There Goes Life and the flip side “Elaine”. Don’t know of any Herbert or Hubert ever being a part, maybe you are thinking
of Don Henry. Thanks for writing and remembering, drop me a line if you want anymore info.
What was it like to work with my grandfather (Don Henry)?
Ron…wondered if when you were with the Mor-loks if you might have played at the Oakland Park Skating Rink
in Ft. Lauderdale, in 1965, or around that time. I have this memory of seeing the Mor-loks there and being
really impressed with the music.
Thanks for writing Kathy. Yes indeed the Mor-Loks played at Oakland Park Skating Rink many many times for WQAM. The group you mention playing at Lenny’s Teen Club was my first group The Sting Rays. I left the Sting Rays to join the Impressions. After a short time we Changed our name to The Mor-Loks. If you want more info you can find me on Facebook. Thanks again.
I just hope that this gets read….i remember the COACHMEN and MOR LOKS duel at the converted ice rink on A1A and how even though Danny Scidmore was so handsome, that the moves and vocals of Sammy Hall, left us all speachless and wanting more as he covered the early Rolling Stones and ruled the evening! To any family of either of the two great guys, Love and Peace in this awful moment and let the message of truth and healing be the victor and rule with the Great Healer, thanx all….i still play guitar because of the influence of great youth such as these two represented to the younger guys that followed!
Just found yourpost about my old band,The Morloks, ron armstrong,bass player . thanks for the kind words. I had a stroke that affected the left side of my body,so mybass playing days are over,so god bless and take care…
Hi Ron,
It’ mike wall time for my every 4year checkin. How you doing, give me a shout out. Bill Lynn called me today and left a message but I don’t have a number to call him back, can you help me.