Let’s pretend it’s Friday in the sixties and you’re wondering what you can do for fun tonight. For music lovers, there are quite a few possibilities, regardless of where you live.
If you live in Springfield, VT, that might mean a trip to the Community Club or perhaps the Comtu Club where bands such as local legends The Invaders with Fred Guilmette (he’s sitting on the bass drum) will be playing.
If you’re in Los Angeles, you might want to check out The Standells (no, they were not from Boston), and in San Jose, the Count Five and the Syndicate of Sound are both always fun. On Cape Cod, the Barbarians are a very hot group.
Up in Portland, Oregon, you’re going to want to catch The Kingsmen in action.
All across the U.S. in the sixties, garage band rock was being played by some very impressive groups and we’ve gathered 10 hit songs to help explain it to you if you missed it the first time around … or if you want to relive it again.
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
The Garage Band Medley
Shadows Of Knight – Count Five – Kingsmen
? & The Mysterians – McCoys
Tommy James & The Shondells – Standells – Barbarians
Syndicate Of Sound – Music Machine
Ray this brings back so many memories!! I am sitting here listening and singing along and remembering all the neighbor hood kids coming over and dancing!! As I look back if you knew 4 or 5 chords you could play almost every song out there!! We played at so many places and met so many people what a time!! I am flattered for myself and my band mates!! My guitar days are over but every now and then I wil sit in with a band and sing a few of the oldies!! You made my day Ray!! And thank you for keeping the oldies alive!! And I still remember your voice on the radio waves!!
Fred, what a great comment!
I hope you realize how much joy your band brought to music lovers in Springfield.
The oldies will never die …not as long as I’m around.
Spent many hours listening to Fred and his band mates practice in a garage on Fairview Street. Eventually the Invaders and other local groups,moved onto to more sophisticated locations. It is an experience that I will never forget.
Watching and listening to local musicians evolve and provide endless memories of the 60s and early 70s is priceless.
Thank you Fred, Jim, Bobby, Pete, Bobby and others from the southern Vermont area.
There were some terrific bands in our area, Marty, but for me, the Invaders always stood out. They had a certain type of attitude that practically screamed “Professional” … not in a cocky way but more of a “we know what we’re doing so just enjoy the show.”
That said, we also had the Dimensions, Apollo, the Illusion … damn, there were so many of them playing these songs. It was a great time to be alive!
Another great group of songs to start our days off right….thank you. Have a wonderful weekend! <3
Thanks, Nancy. It was a nice way to recall those magical days (and nights) back in Springfield with Fred and his band. Have a splendiferous weekend! ❤
great songs for a pick me up on this dreary Friday!! Thank you Ray .. you are the ROCKMASTER!! Have a great week-end!
Thank you, Penny ❤️
I’ve said it a thousand times already, but if I can make you smile, then it’s a very good day!
Wow Ray!!! This brings back so many memories!! We knew we had the right song as the neigborhood would let us know!! Nancy and I went by Fairview Street and the garage was still standing!!! Such great days!! Now you got me I’m having 96 tears!! And I still love that Dirty Water!!! Those were the days!! Thank you for keeping the best music going!! Love ya!! Have a great weekend and keep us all Rokin’!!
Thank you, Fred 🙂
They were magical days, my friend, and your band helped to make it that way. The Invaders had no equal, in my opinion.
ROCK ON, MY FRIEND!
I guess I missed this, the 1st time around, but great music today. Thanks, Ray. I did enjoy the Friday night dances at the Community House. Sorry I missed Fred & The Invaders. Guess I’m just too old for you young-uns!!
Pat, you were up at UVM during Fred’s heyday. His band really was vey, very good.
By the way, you will undoubtedly never be too old. ❤️
Well if this didn’t get your blood flowing I don’t know what would! Oh my gosh this was so fantastic on a Friday morning with just horrible overcast skies. Ray you made the sun come out! This is such a treat to listen to all these old songs. It’s become part of my every morning routine! Thank you thank you thank you! You’ve made this old rocker really happy 😃
Thank you, Sandy ❤️
I think tomorrow we’re going to get the miserable weather you’re having today. That will make it a perfect day to stay inside and watch college football!
I’m so glad the songs helped to cheer you up. I looked at your FB page today and it appeared that my “tag” didn’t show up on your page. If so, that irritates me.
Oh, one more thing. As I told Pat Conant, you will never be old!
It was so great to have live music when we were teens…those many garage bands. Those driving beats
My brother Charlie played in a bunch
Thanks, Mary Helen.
Those days were so much fun, weren’t they?:)
One of Charlie’s bands (8084) was another local legend. He was much too young when he passed. 🙁
This certainly got my feet tapping and my wife and I moving and dancing this morning! Such great memories of great plans great fun! They were happy times! Thanks for keeping them alive for us!! ❤️👍🙏
Thanks, Peter 🙂
The memories keep us all young and I’m so glad you and your better half enjoyed the music!
Garage bands are the heart of Rock & Roll! A bunch of kids jamming hard, having fun and breaking strings, drumsticks & drum heads. What better way to spend the night. The charm of Rock is its basic simplicity. You can make it complicated but that doesn’t necessarily make it better. You need to keep it primal. Today’s songs are great examples of all that’s right with “our music”. Thanks Ray for taking us back to our roots today. You Rock!
Ray you mentioned The Illusion in your comment above, I thought the were from Long Island. I think I have 2 of their albums and really liked them.
Don, The Illusion I was referring to was a Springfield, VT based band … and they’re still playing today, over 50 years later!
Three chords and an attitude!
Oh my Ray – sorry to be late chiming in … I’ve been away. That being said if you grew up in Springfield you DEFINITELY were at the Community Center and/or Comtu falls — and what great music you’d hear …. love the picture of the Invaders — and loved their music. Those were the days my friend ….
Rock this One! You’re keeping us all young at heart!
Thanks, Barbara. No need for apologies. 🙂
Yes indeed, it was a marvelous era.
ROCK THE DAY!