| Rick's Continentals | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Genres | Rock & roll, pop, instrumentals, soul, classic standard music |
| Years active | 1965–1969 |
| Website | rickscontinentals.com |
| Members | |
| Stan Suire (lead guitar) Ray Vaughn (bass guitar) Al Mayo (drums and percussion) Ray Hare (drums and percussion) Glenn Johnson (keyboard and lead vocals) Wanda McGee (lead vocals) |
|
| Past members | |
| Rick Spence (lead vocals) Bob Minnis (bass guitar) Darrell Ross (drums) George Soule[1] |
|
Rick's Continentals (originally known as The Continentals) were a Southern rock and roll band. This Mississippi band was prominent during the mid 1960s, best known for their hits "Live It Up" and "I Don’t Know". The group's home was Meridian, Mississippi. They were active throughout the southeast in concerts, private bookings and television broadcasts from 1965 to 1968. They performed Southern-style rock and roll, pop, classic rock, instrumentals, soul and classic standard music. Rick's Continentals Band[2] was contemporary with groups like Paul Davis and the Endless Chain, David and the Giants, John Fred And The Playboys and The Jagged EDJ. The band recorded with Paul Davis and George Soule[3] on their first two records and toured with Jimmy Ellidge[4] performing his great hits.
Contents |
(1965–1967)
Stan Suire, Lead Guitar
Ray Vaughn, Rhythm Guitar
Rick Spence, Lead Vocals
Bob Minnis, Bass Guitar
Darrell Ross, Drums
Richard Coard, Producer and Manager
(1967–1969)
Stan Suire-lead guitar
Ray Vaughn-bass guitar
Al Mayo-drums and percussion
Ray Hare-drums and percussion
Glenn Johnson-keyboard and lead vocals
Wanda McGee-lead vocals
Notes: During the 68-69 period, the band’s name changed to The Flower Generation
Their hit song "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 nation's Top 100 Billboard charts and remained in the top 100 for 7 weeks.[5] In other regional locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida panhandle and Louisiana, "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.[1] 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 Pageant in 1967. Their second 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 and producing another record. In 1967 Richard Cord, the band's 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 performing with other notable recording artists. The band appeared at many record autograph and promotional events in which they autographed copies of their records for their fans.
The groups recorded songs
Live It Up
Cold Lonely Winter
I Don’t Know (with Paul Davis)
Who Are My Friends (with Paul Davis)
Money
Do You Wanna Dance
House Of The Rising Sun
Summertime
WipeOut
Notes: The Singles I Don't Know and Who Are My Friends were produced by George Soule
Back to the Beginning
CD Release 2009 includes all above songs remastered
Other recorded sound tracks included album length promotional tapes for marketing and audition distribution recorded on the RAP Records Label & WTOK TV Studios, Meridian, Ms