The Heathens came from Schenectady, NY and cut one of the greatest singles of the area “The Other Way Around” / “Problems” on Vibra L-104. The Heathens recorded at Vibra Sound Recording Studio, but the cavernous sound does not diminish the energy of the group.
Michael Dellario wrote both songs and sang lead vocals. The labels credit Hooker, Stahl, Petticrew, Sheer & Marquez for arrangement.
I had to look back to Steve Rosen’s article in Kicks #2 for a full listing of the band, as there was none on the internet. In the article, the members are listed as
Michael Dellerio – lead vocals Laddie Stahl – guitar Steve Pedicrue – guitar Larry Hooker – keyboards Paul Marques – bass Mike Sherer – drums
The article lists different last names for four members of the band than the record labels. I suspect the article has a number of typos. Going by the labels the lineup would be:
Michael Dellario – lead vocals Laddie Stahl – guitar Steve Petticrew – guitar Larry Hooker – keyboards Paul Marquez – bass Mike Sheer – drums
The article gives some interesting information about Vibra Sound studio:
The Heathens were the first to record at Schenectday’s first studio, Vibra Sound, which at the time was located in the home of proprietor Nate Schwartz. As Mike Dellario remembers it, conditions were primitive: “At the time, the studio was his garage and the engineering booth was his basement. I remember there was no eye contact at all. All the talking was through the microphone. Everything was done basically in just one shot, no concept of tracking.”
The Heathens broke up when the members graduated high school in June, 1967. The article states that Dellerio stuck it out with several subsequent bands and eventually cut some demos for Warner Brothers … He hopes to work with local bands on a producer/arranger level.
Mike Dellario changed his name to Michael Dellaira and became an orchestral composer.
The Sensations, including Larry Hooker with the tambourine, and George Supreneault in the white shirt at right.Walter Phelps (who was lead guitarist for the Ravens, also managed by Marty Wade) sent in this photo of the Sensations, which had some members who would go into the Heathens.
The Dignitaries of North Adams, MA, April 17, 1969
The Dignitaries cut a fine r&b instrumental, “Steppin’ Out” on Darec VSS 81943. They recorded at Vibra Sound Studio in Schenectady in early 1969.
The group came from North Adams, Massachusetts. Members on the record were:
Dick Gigliotti – Cordovox and leader of the group Chuck Sweeney – bass “Doc” Everett Rivers – drums Robert Trottier – drums Andy Durocher – vocals
Darec is their own label, made of the first letter of their first names. Richard Gigliotti wrote “Steppin’ Out”. The flip is a ballad, “You Want to Be Free” by J.C. Thompson. Robert Barry Music has publishing credit on both songs, as it did on most of the Vibra Sound studio output, but does not seem to have registered them with the Library of Congress.
First notice I can find for the Dignitaries, in the Bennington Banner, October 23, 1968The North Adams Transcript had a feature on the band on April 17, 1969:
‘Dignitaries’, New Band, Cuts First Record
The five men, Richard “Dick” Gigliotti, 23 (he’s single girls), is the group’s leader and emits on the Cordovox; Charles “Chuck” Sweeney, 24 is a master of the bass guitar. Robert “Bob” Trottier, 22, on drums; Everett “Doc” Rivers, 27 on another set of drums; and Andrew “Andy” Duroucher, the “old man” of the group at 35, is its outstanding vocalist.
They have worked as a group for the past six months, and prior to that as a four-man group for six months and in the very beginning as a trio.
The original trio, Dick, Chuck and Bob, was first known as the Taconic Trio and played most of their engagements at the Taconic Park Restaurant in Williamstown. The name was changed to the Dignitaries eight months ago when they began to branch out and played various supper-clubs in the area.
It also notes that Chuck Sweeney had been in the Four Knights. Everett “Doc” Rivers had been in the Electros, Doc and the Interns, and the Other Guys. The article includes extensive information on their backgrounds and education.
The Troy Record and the Times Record ran nearly identical profiles of the Dignitaries on May 6, 1969 for their opening at Mario’s Theater Restaurant on Campbell Ave in Troy, NY:
Dignitaries Provide Potpourri at Mario’s
“Dick, Chuck and Bob started as the Taconic Trio. Six months ago they spread to a quintet and got down to the serious business of seeing what they can do in musical circles …
The music offered by the Dignitaries is not saturated with rock, nor is it steeped in psychedelic; rather it is a meshing of listenable, melodious tunes on the one hand, driving, vibrant beat on the other. They can go both ways, and do.
“We’re making the big effort now,” Sweeney, a darkly handsome young man, admitted with a grin. “I know, home in North Adams isn’t all that far away, but Troy at least affords a real springboard for us.”
Their top thrills to date probably are two in number – appearing on stage with the Irish Rovers and cutting their first record, Stepping Out.
On August 30, 1969 there was a notice of the Dignitaries appearing on Dialing For Dollars on TV Channel 10.
On April 16, 1970, the North Adams Transcript ran an item for their May 2nd show for a Lebanese Social Club dance at the Armory on Park Street. It looks like the group was down to a quartet, without Bob Trottier. The Dignitaries also had an upcoming engagement at the Cloud 9 Lounge of Bradley International Airport.
On August 28, 1971, the North Adams Transcript ran a photo of Charles Sweeney signing a contract for the Dignitaries to play the Fall Foliage Festival Dance. Bernard Robinson is mentioned as a member of the group, and co-owner, with Sweeney, of the Mountainview Restaurant in Clarksburg.
The Chimes of Freedom came from Scotia, New York, near Schenectady and Albany. “Jungle Rock” is known from Girls in the Garage, but the Dead Wax blog shows this was not an all-girl group: Mari Salato vocals, Chip Vedder vocals, Bill Pytlovany lead guitar, Paul Hamilton rhythm guitar, Jeff Austin bass guitar, and Darrell Francis drums.
Hamilton, Francis and Pytlovany wrote “Jungle Rock”, while the original A-side was “Did You Ever”, a ballad by Francis and Pytlovany.
This is a hard single to date, I don’t see anything in the dead wax other than stamped 102A/B, and the label code USS 102 is also obscure. The Robert Barry Music credit helps connect this to the Vibra-Sound Recording Studio in Schenectady.
The Vibra-Sound Recording Studio and label started in Schenectady or Rotterdam, New York circa late 1966. I’m not sure where exactly the studio was, but New York State business records list a residential address on Crestwood Drive in Rotterdam for Vibra-Sound, and also include a later starting date in 1969, with the business closing in 1992. However, several of the singles listed here such as the Heathens and Delirium are earlier, from sometime in 1967.
Nate Schwartz appears as engineer and also as a representative of the label in an local news item from the early ’70s. Initially the studio was located in Schwartz’s garage, with the control room in the basement without a window between.
Vibra-Sound had its own Vibra label, plus variations like Vibra-Sound, VSS, and others that were customized for the artist. Later productions often share publishing by Robert Barry Music BMI.
Below is a general discography in approximate chronological order of records made at Vibra-Sound / Vibrasound, with my comments.
Any additions or corrections would be appreciated, as well as info on any of the artists listed here.
45s:
Vibra L-103 – Elaine Brooks & the Pushers (Albany/Schenectady) “I’m So Blue” (Brooks) / The Pushers – “The New Thang” (C. Nelson) both published by Kama BMI “The New Thang” is a cool instrumental with saxophone, tambourine and plenty of echo. I’m surprised to see what must be some connection to Kama Productions of Utica, NY in the publishing company (see the end of my article on the Roosters for more info on Kama and related productions).
Vibra L-104 – The Heathens (Schenectady, NY) – “The Other Way Around” / “Problems” (both written by Michael Dellario, arranged by Hooker-Stahl, Petticrew, Sheer & Marquez) Maybe the most well-known garage single of the NY capitol region.
45 scan from the unparalleled collection of Bosshoss
Vibra L-136 – Delirium (Mechanicville, NY) “I Need Your Lovin'” / “Never Comin’ Home” (both songs by T. Sullivan, Wall Music BMI) A very rare single, and musically as good as the Heathens. If anyone has info on this band please contact me.
Vibra L-137 – The Dimensions (Latham, NY) – “The Pilot” / “Dimension Beat” (both by Federici, Federici, Olson and Speciale for Wall Music, BMI) Another fine garage single, According to copyright records from February, 1967, The Dimensions were Martin Federici, Arthur Federici, Dominick Speciale and David Olson. I’ve also found a new clip from 1965 verifying the members of the group.
Vibra Sound 423702 – Sound with Brass – “Shine Down on Me” / “Lollypops and Roses / Wall St. Rag”
Vibra-Sound 121969 – The Changing Times – “Free As The Wind” / “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” 1969 Good versions of both songs, the capitol region being one of the few places where the Myddle Class had extensive radio play. Label credits for “Free As the Wind” give S. Trimochi, S. Lane in error, as the original song was a collaboration between Gerry Goffin & Carole King, and Rick Philp & Dave Palmer of the Myddle Class.
The Changing Times were from Mohonasen High School, Rotterdam, NY, with members Kurt Eastman, Mark Eastman, Gary Esposito, Bob Launders. and David Cilberti on vocals (thank you to David for his comment below)
USS 102 – The Chimes of Freedom (Scotia, NY) – “Did You Ever” / “Jungle Rock” (Hamilton, Francis, Pytlovany) For more info on the Chimes of Freedom see my post on the group.
unreleased demo – The Concepts (Ravena,NY) – “Faces Come, Feelings Go” 1968. Presumably from an acetate, this track is on the Garage Beat ’66 vol. 2 CD
Hemlock VSS-2/09 – Art Anderson and the Anderson Family – “Don’t Come Knockin’ At My Door” / “I’ve Been Searchin’ in My Dreams” (both by A. Anderson, Robert Barry Music, BMI, ZTSP 140404, 1968)
Knight Records KN-1 – Marshall Hanson and the Hamps – “Dark Clouds” / “Waiting for My Love” (1966, State Music Productions, ZTSC122592/3)
Governor VSS-910 – Bob “Rebel” King and the Knights of Music – “Suspicious Illusions” (R. King) / “For the Good Times”
Al Knight Records VSS 2704 – Al Knight ”Dreaming Dreams of Yesterday”
Zep Records KN-4 Tim Ryan ”Angels in the Front Row”
Scan courtesy of Brian KirschenbaumW.S. Highway 2710 – West Side Highway – “Spring Song” (J. Hochanadel) / “I’ve Got a Way” (D. Vroman) (both Robert Berry Music, BMI, Vibra-Sound 2710, ZTSP 140682/3)
Cobb 81935 – The Universal Set – “Ballad For Linda” / “Memphis Express” (both by E. Locke, Robert Barry Music, ZTSP 144640/1)
Hemlock 81946 – Cathy Lee, Anderson Family – “The Dark Side of the World” / “Our Side” (ZTSP 144893, Vibra-Sound 81946)
Kandy 101 – The Essentials – “Baby You Get to Me” (S. Wheeler) / “Oklahoma Blues” (F. Stay, S. Wheeler) both Robert Barry Music BMI, 1969
Kandy 82042 – The Essentials – “Sunshine Baby” / “Freedom” (both by Squeeky Stay for Robert Barry Music BMI, Vibra-Sound 82042, ZTSP-221980, 1970)
JC 82017 – 2nd Foundation – “Wipe Out” / “I Am The One” (D. Spensley, Robert Barry Music) (ZTSP 221697/8) – instrumentals produced by Johnny Cefala
Katy VSS 2705 Dusty Atcher and River Valley Boys – ”Right, But I Think It’s Wrong”
Little Records VSS-82043, Jimmy Lane and the Incredible 5 – “Deal With It” (J. Lane) / “What Kind of Man” (S. Brooks, J. Wortham) (both Robert Barry Music, BMI, A Little-Mickens Production, ZTSP 222378, Vibra-Sound 82043)
“Wild Smoke” is an excellent 70s rock songBrothers Two 6023-13 – The Lightning Brothers – “Crazy Jane” (W. Braemer, S. Hansen, M Ilnicki, P Ilnicki) / “Wild Smoke” (W. Braemer, P Ilnicki) (both Robert Baby Music, an Albert Perrone Production, pressed by Queen City Album in Cincinnati)
Jinhea DC-100 – Squeeky Stay and Mark Galeo – “Slippin’ Away” / “Mrs. Jones”, early 1970s
Rambler 2712 – Jerry Madore and the New Prairie Ramblers – “Wishing” / “Blue Blue Eyes”
EROS Records VSS 1239 – The Ridgerunners – “Stop, Look and Listen” / “King and I” (Robert Barry Music, produced by Watrobski Enterprises Broadalbin, NY 1973)
CMS 5105-40 – Billy D. Hunter, the Country Joe Revue “My Heart’s Still Doin’ Time” / “Old Five & Dimers” A Conway-Murray Production
476-45P – Bunz Rock Show – “Doctor Rock & Roll” / “Raw Power” (both by S. Atwood, C. Cirrone, B. Deitz, R. Hull, 1976)
Neon Records 6084-24 – Skip Johnsen – “My Friend John” / “I Like You” (1976)
Sit’ n Bull 6072-31 – Night Conference – “I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)” / “Kansas City” (1976)
Alan 7054-25A – Alan Burn “Unless You’re Born Again” / “Jesus the Healer” with James Caulfield (backup vocal), and musicians Ernie Burnell, Joe Latorra and Mark Carnival
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
