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RCP1967.jpg

Rick's Continentals 1967 Promotional Band Image

Contents

[edit] == Rick's Continentals- Rock & Roll Band ==

[edit] Also knows as

[edit] The Continentals-from Meridian, Ms

A Rock & Roll music band from Mississippi during the mid 1960s best knows for their Smash Hits " Live It Up" and"I Don't Know". The group's home was Meridian, Ms. They were active throughout the southeast in concerts, private bookings and television broadcasts from 1965-1968. They performed Rock & Roll, Pop, Classic Rock, Instrumentals, Soul and classic standard music. Rick's Continentals band was contemporary with groups like Paul Davis and the Endless Chain, David And The Giants and John Fred And The Playboys.

[edit] Band Members

  • Stan Suire, Lead Guitar
  • Ray Vaughn, Rhythm Guitar
  • Rick Spence, Lead Vocals
  • Bob Mennis, Bass Guitar
  • Darrell Ross, Drums

[edit] Early Group History

The Band was started by Stan Suire from New Orleans, La. after moving to to Meridian, Ms with his family. Soon the members were performing at school dances, local area talent shows, teen dances and other public appearences. The band quickly established a following of teen fams as well as adult fans. The band won several talent show contests and eventually acquired a full time manager and promoter, Richard (Rip) Cord. They were later joined by Rick Spence, a singer from New York who had performed previously been a member of the Kingsmen. Rick brought strong vocal talent to the group and he could sing any kind of music from old standard tunes to blues, soul and Rock & Roll.

[edit] The Bands Popularity

Their Smash Hit, Live It Up, played throughout the country gaining considerable popularity in the southeast and the northeast US. Live It up reached No. 67 on the nations Top 100 Billboard charts and remained in the top 100 for 7 weeks. In other regional locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida panhandle and Louisanna, Live It Up reached No. 1 on these local area Top 40 Tunedex surveys (the most requested songs) and remained in the Top 40 listings for weeks. Under the management of Rip Cord, the group became popular performing in concerts, radio and television broadcasts throughout Mississippi and other southern areas. They were the featured entertainment for the Junior Miss America Pagent in 1967. Their second smash hit, I Don't Know backed by Who Are My Friends featured Paul Davis playing organ for the group on his first record recording. Paul Davis released his first two songs on the RAP label a few weeks later, It's Over My Head and I Gotta Find A Way. George Soule was instrumental in Rick's Continentals recording and music productions playing drums on one of the bands recordings. In 1967 Richard Cord, the bands manager, announced in a press release that he was in contract negotiations with Capitol Records for their acquisition of Rick's Continentals song, Live it Up and there was promise that the group would land a contract with this Music giant. The contract with Capitol Records never materialized. The group however did make several promotional recordings for marketing distribution. During this popular period, the band traveled and played throughout the south playing college concerts and touring with popular recording artists of the day. They performed an evening beach concert at Orange Beach-Gulf Shores, Alabama using acoustic guitars with a packed turnout. This was an unscheduled and spontaneous event with free admission. The band appeared at many record autograph concert parties in which they autographed copies of their records for their fans.

[edit] The Groups Recorded Songs

  • Live It Up
  • Cold Lonely Winter
  • I Don't Know w/Paul Davis
  • Who Are My Friends w/Paul Davis
  • Other recorded sound tracts included promotional tapes for marketing and audition distribution

[edit] Other Band Members History

  • Ray Hare, Drums
  • Glen Johnson, Keyboard and Vocal Leads

[edit] References

  • Rick's Continentals Band Scrap Book
  • www.meridianstar.com
  • www.wtok.com
  • RAP Records, Inc. Meridian, Ms
  • WMOX Radio Records-Meridian, Ms
  • Ray Vaughn, Rhythm Guitar, Rick's Continentals
  • Stan Suire, Lead Guitar, Rick's Continentals