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Escanaba native Jim "Smiley" Lewis, right, was rhythm guitarist in The Tongue band in 1969. By STEVE SEYMOUR Although it was based in the college town of Menomonie, Wis., the Tongue band owed a debt to the Upper Peninsula. The band frequently toured the U. P. over a ten-year period and even featured Escanaba resident Jim "Smiley" Lewis as a member for a time. Founded in 1967 at the University of Wisconsin-Stout by singer/ guitarist Paul Rabbitt and bass player Bob "Hippie" Collins, the group... Read Full Story

Clark Sullivan By STEVE SEYMOUR Influential record producer Ollie McLaughlin saw promise in Upper Peninsula rock band the Excels and their lead singer, Clark Sullivan. After producing five singles for the Excels from 1965-68, McLaughlin continued to record Sullivan as a solo artist. A student at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Sullivan, who grew up in Republic, graduated with a teaching degree in the spring of 1968. Shortly after, the Excels also "graduated," moving from recording... Read Full Story

By STEVE SEYMOUR Upper Peninsula rock band Renaissance Fair issued three 45 rpm records in the 1960s, even contacting the Beatles' Apple Records in a quest to get a major label recording contract. Band member Rob Benjamin is credited with suggesting the group use the title of a Byrds' song as their name. A flower power anthem, "Renaissance Fair" appeared on the "Younger Than Yesterday" album and as the flipside of the Byrds' 45 rpm cover of Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages," released in the early... Read Full Story

By STEVE SEYMOUR Although no 1960s era rock band from the Upper Peninsula had a national hit, it wasn't for lack of quality material. From the beginning of the decade, till the end, from east to west and north to south, U. P. bands recorded plenty of great rock 'n' roll singles. But, because the region is isolated geographically and far from any large city, U. P. rock bands often had to travel to a distant recording studio to commit their songs to tape. Geography also conspired against these... Read Full Story

The Kinetics By STEVE SEYMOUR After years of gigging, the Houghton-based rock group The Kinetics were poised on the cusp of national exposure in 1968. They had released two singles, an LP, toured extensively around the midwest and filled concert halls in Chicago. Formed in 1963 as The Kinetic Energy, the group was led by singer Frank Gallis, who was a 'dancer' while on stage and always moving, giving life to the name, which means energy in motion. The group included various players through... Read Full Story

U. P. native Steven Wiig, left, works for Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich, right. He also appeared in the movie "Into the Wild," released on DVD this week. By STEVE SEYMOUR Upper Peninsula native Steven Wiig will never forget the date he saw Metallica perform at Brown County Arena a few months after the heavy metal band released their self-titled album. Wiig will tell you the day, Nov. 12, 1991, changed his life forever. Born in Negaunee, Wiig had travelled to Green Bay to see Metallica... Read Full Story

Three Dog Night By STEVE SEYMOUR Three Dog Night took its audience on a trip to the past at the Island Resort and Casino showroom last weekend. Fans remember the Los Angeles- based rock group for the 21 smashes it racked up between 1969 and 1976, utilizing the talented triumvirate of lead vocalists Cory Wells, Danny Hutton and Chuck Negron. After hearing "One (Is the Loneliest Number)" all over the radio airwaves during the summer of 1969, I eagerly looked forward to each new single from the... Read Full Story

By STEVE SEYMOUR While many people are busy listening to downloaded music on their iPods, a surprising development has been taking place in the music marketplace: vinyl records are making a comeback. Some youngsters, romanced by today's technology, may not even know that records were the primary music delivery system in the 1960s and 70s when rock 'n' roll revolutionized popular culture. Folks who lived through the era, however, often collected the 12-inch discs. Perhaps, you even have a... Read Full Story

Early Riot Squad poster By STEVE SEYMOUR Founded in 1965, Escanaba's Riot Squad enjoyed a lengthy and influential career, despite numerous personnel changes. The rock band was formed by Jim Joque, rhythm guitar; Dan Curran, drums; Bob Anzalone, bass; and Brendan Williams, lead guitar. An early business card listed the young musician's first names only, except for Williams, whose last name, address and phone number were given. After a brief period as a quartet, Greg Curran, a cousin of the... Read Full Story

The Rebels featured guest vocalist Greg Curran during a 1968 Halloween dance at Escanaba High School By STEVE SEYMOUR Everybody remembers going to high school dances like Homecoming, Halloween, Sadie Hawkins and the Senior Ball. For me, I recall seeing many of the area's most popular rock bands-- the student handbook called them "orchestras"-- perform at dances when I was completing my secondary education. I also saw a few obscure ones and missed a couple, too. As a ninth grader at Escanaba... Read Full Story