The Brymers

Were you a member of a 1960's rock-n-roll band from the San Joaquin Valley? Send us your photos and information so your band can be remembered. 



















1960's Rock-N-Roll Bands from the San Jaoquin Valley
(D - F)

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    The de-Fenders (1964)
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    The de-Fenders (1964)
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    The de-Fenders (Tulare Memorial-1964)
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    The de-Fenders (Hanford Civic Auditorium - 1964)
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    The de-Fenders (Tulare Memorial-1964)
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    MELCO Dance - 1964 -Tulare Memorial
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    MELCO Dance - 1964 -Tulare Memorial
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    MELCO Dance - 1964 -Tulare Memori
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    MELCO Dance - 1964 -Tulare Memorial
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    MELCO Dance - 1965 - Lemoore Civic Auditorium
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    Armona Club - 1965
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    1964
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    1964
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    Fresno - 1964
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    MELCO Business Card - 1965
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    Mel Simas - "KCOK" Tulare - 1965
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    MELCO Dance Poster 1964
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    1965
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    1965
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    1964
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    The de-Fenders backing "Cannibal and the Headhunters" (Tulare Memorial Auditorium -1965
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    1965
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    1964
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    The Armona Club - 1965
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    1965
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    Mel Simas - "KCOK" Tulare - 1965
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    Title 27

The de-Fenders
Lemoore, Ca
​1964

Band Members: 

Kenny Valentine, Robert Virden, Mike Wagner, and Dick Lee.

The de-Fenders were a surf band based out of Lemoore.  The group was formed by Mike Wagner, Kenny Valentine, and Dick Lee.  Later, bassist Robert Virden joined the group.  The de-Fenders played throughout the valley and formed a partnership with their high school friend (Mel Simas) to perform at all MELCO Dances and become the back up group for all vocal performers.  Later, Mel Simas then became The de-Fenders manager.  The de-Fenders recorded two songs at a Fresno studio 1964.  One track was called "Irritation" and the other track was called "More Surf."  Both tracks have appeared on numerous compilations.
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    The Tiger a Go Go - San Francisco
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Jim Waller and The Deltas
Fresno, CA
1965

Band Members: 

Jeff Christensen, drums; Eddy Atkinson, bass guitar; Roy Carlson, sax; Terry Christofferson, guitar; and Jim Waller, keyboard. 
Jim Waller and The Deltas were a top rock act from Fresno and formed while its members were attending Fresno State College (1961). The band frequently played at the Rainbow Ballroom, The Party, and KMAK’s Stringray dances at the Marigold Ballroom. And, who can forget those infamous summer nights (1963 - 1964) at Bass Lake listening to Jim Waller and The Deltas at "The Falls."  The Deltas were known for their driving rhythms and melodic harmonies. Jim Waller currently teaches Music Industry Studies at a University in Texas and Jeff Christensen resides in Fresno. Terry Christofferson went on to play for Buck Owens and still works for Owen's entertainment organization in Bakersfield.  The Deltas disbanded in 1967.

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    1964
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    1964
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    1964

Don Hinson
and the 
Rigamorticians
Bakersfield, CA
​1964

 Band Members:

​Don Hinson (other band members not known)


" Don Hinson was a radio personality on "KAFY" Bakersfield and other stations.  He partnered with Gary Paxton (Bakersfield) and released the Monster Dance party album.  Hinson and his group is mainly known for their hit single "Monster Jerk."
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    Memories
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    Memories
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    Memories

Don Wright and The Headset
Sacramento, CA
​1966

 Band Members:

​Don Wright (other members not known)
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Don Wright and the Headset was a garage rock group based out of Sacramento.  The group recorded one single in 1966 ("Why Did You Lie").
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    Memories
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    Memories
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    KAFY Radio
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    "Always Getting Hurt" The Donnybrooks
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    The Donnybrooks - Battle of the Bands
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    "Summer at the Civic" Dance - The Donnybrooks
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    KAFY Radio - Bakersfield
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    KAFY Radio
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    KAFY Radio
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    Dick and Dee Dee - KAFY Radio

The Donnybrooks
Bakersfield, CA
​1966

 Band Members:

Dugan Turner, Mike Claughton, Tom Keene, Greg Harris, and Tony Norton.

 
The Donnybrooks were a five piece group based out of Bakersfield, CA.  The band was formed in 1963 and performed through-out California including venues such as "The Whiskey a Go-Go" and "The Hollywood Paladium."  The Donnybrooks' recordings of "I'm Going for You" and "Always Getting Hurt" received a lot of air play through-out California.  Dugan Turner and Steve Lynd co-wrote one of The Donnybrooks' hit songs titled "I'm Going for You."

The Eastgates
Fresno, CA
​1974

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    Rainbow Ballroom - 1974
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    The Eastgates - 1974
 Band Members:
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Gerry Smida (keyboard, voice), Joel Lockman (bass, voice), David Bradford (rhythm guitar, voice), Chris Millar (drums), and Bob Keefe (lead guitar, voice). 
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The Eastgates were an excellent cover band that was based out of Fresno, CA.  The group performed songs from artists such as: Chicago, Spooky Tooth, The Doobie Brothers, Elton John, and The Rolling Stones, etc..   The Eastgates performed through-out the Fresno and central valley area.  

Many thanks to Bob Keefe for providing this information and photo.
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Bob Keefe of Fresno's "East Gates" is currently
playing with a group called "Bob Keefe and
The Surf Renegades."

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    The Ebonknights
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    The Ebonkinghts
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    Ebonknights
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    VJ-PUP Dance

The Ebonknights
Madera, CA
1967

 Band Members:
 

Tommy Simonian (lead guitar/sax); Charlie Magarian
(bass guitar); Myron Gomes, (drums); and Rod Hallum (guitar).

The Ebonknights were a tremondous rock group which hailed
from Madera, California and played through-out The San Joaquin
Valley for special events and after game dances.  The group
won a huge "Battle of the Bands" presented by local radio
station "KMAK" (1967). First place went to "The Vells, second
place went to "The Ebonknights, and third place went to "The Roadrunners." In addition, The Ebonknights performed
regularly at a Fresno teen rock club called The Crimson Castle.
Later on, the group re-named themselves to "Lively Affair"
and toured Viet Nam with USO shows. 

The Ecko's
Merced, Ca
​1965

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    The Ecko's
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    The Ecko's
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    The Ecko's (1965)
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    The Ecko's - Merced, CA (1965)
 Band Members:

​​Gary Shover, Gregg Gaffney, Bob Caywood, Danny Fretias and Greg Parley. 
The Ecko's were a great garage rock band based out of Merced, CA.  The group played through-out the north valley area and opened for some prominent rock acts of the era.


  1. Love, Eisage, Infinity, The Doors (Modesto Skate Arena) - 1967
    Love, Eisage, Infinity, The Doors (Modesto Skate Arena) - 1967
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Eisage
Modesto, CA
​1967
Band Members:

Dave, Bruce, Tom, and Mike (last names not known)

Another great four piece San Joaquin Valley group was called "Eisage." They hailed from Modesto, California and rocked the north valley area. Many thanks to Lennis Scheline (Kingsburg) for the photo.

 
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    The Epics
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    The Epics 1960
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    The Epics
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    Ric & The Epics
The Epics
Bakersfield, CA
1959
Band Members:

Rick Drasin (other band member names not known)

The Epics were a great rock group from Bakersfield. The group was
formed by Ric Drasin (lead guitar) in high school. The Epics became
very popular and were featured at YMCA Day at the Hollywood
Bowl in 1960. The Epics later competed in a Battle of the Bands
contest at The Hollywood Palladium and placed second out of 200 rock
groups. One of the prizes was a one year recording contract with
Capitol Records. Capitol Records then changed the name of The Epics
to The Hollywood Vines. The Hollywood Vines recorded two songs
"Crusin" and "When Johnny Comes Slidin' Home"
(released 1961). Many thanks to Ric Drasin for providing
these photos.

 

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    E Ticket

E-Ticket
Sparks, NV
​1969

 Band Members:
 
Keni Valentine, Kathi Valentine, Steve Dunwoodie, and Bob Heaps.
E-Ticket was formed by Ken and Kathy Valentine in Sparks Nevada.  The group is noted because Ken Valentine was a founding member of Lemoore's "The de-Fenders" and "Brymers."  The group performed through-out the Sparks and Reno area.

The Emeralds
Hanford, CA
​1967

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    The Emeralds - Hanford, CA (1969)
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    The Emeralds - 1970
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    The Emeralds (1963)
 Band Members:

Jim Mellick, Beverely Sawyer, Steve Brown, Robert Virden.
*Jeanie Sanders, (aka Beverly Sawyer) lead singer, was the first artist signed to Del Fi Records after the horrendous accident that took the life of
Delfi artist Richie Valens. Jeanie recorded Firday Night Prom and Gun Slinger in 1961 on the Del Fi label. Later on, Jeanie married Jim Mellick, of The Brymers, and frequently toured and performed with The Brymers.  The Emeralds performed through-out the valley and played the hits of the day.  
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The E-Types
Salinas, CA
​1966

 Band Members:

Bob Wence - Guitar,Vocals
Jody Wence - Keyboards,Vocals
Don Sheppard - Guitar,Vocals
Danny Monigold - Bass
Reggie Shaffer - Drums
The E-types are mentioned here because they played frequently at Fresno's Rainbow Ballroom and everyone sort of adopted them as a valley band.  The group actually hailed from Salinas, CA. Their tight harmonies and excellent musicianship put them a level above the rest of the local bands of the time. After they recorded their first record "I Can't Do It"/"Long Before" on the Link label it started to get considerable regional airplay and came to the attention of Los Angeles based Dot records who released the single on their own label. On the strength of the recording the band was signed by Green Grass Productions, home of The Standells. Their next single, "She Moves Me", also received considerable airplay and the band "performed" the song on Dick Clark's "Where The Action Is" television show. The single was backed with an obscure Beatles tune called "Love Of The Loved".
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    The Exterminators
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    "KYNO Radio - Fresno

Exterminators
Fresno, CA
1969

 Band Members:

​ L to R: Don Helms (vocals, guitar); Danny O'Neal (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Terry Kaufman (vocals, bass guitar); and Bill McDonnell (vocals, guitar).  Tim Salt (drummer) is not shown.  

 

The Exterminators was formed by Danny O'Neil and based out of Fresno, Ca.  The group performed through-out the central valley area and played the hits of the day.  Dan O'Neil currently resides in Eugene, OR and performs with a band called "Second Wind."

The Family Tree
Stockton, CA
​1966

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    "KYNO Radio - Fresno
 Band Members:

​Bob Segarini, Jimmy DeCocq, Michael Duse, Van Slatter, and Bill Trochim.
 

The Family Tree was a great garage rock group that was based out of Stockton, CA.  The group performed through-out the north valley area and recorded two tracks ("Prince and Dreams" and "LiveYour Own Life").

Fapardokly
Pismo Beach, CA
​1968

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    Fapardokly - 1968
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    Title 4
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    Merrell Fankhauser, Dick Lee, and Bill Dodd
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    Dick Lee and Merrell Fankhauser
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    Dick Lee and Merrell Fankhauser
 Band Members:

​Merrell Fankhauser, Dick Lee, Bill Dodd, and John Oliver.

Fapardokly was a "folkadelic" rock group based out of Pismo Beach.  This group is mentioned here because drummer Dick Lee was a former member of "The de-Fenders" and "The Brymers" based out of lemoore, CA.
Fapardokly recorded one album of original songs (written by Merrell Fankhauser) and titled "Fapardokly."  The name of the group was derived by combining the last few letters of the members last names.  To day the album has become a collector's item.

Vancie Flowers
Bakersfield, Ca
​1963

 Band Members:

Vancie Flowers (vocalist, songwriter).

Vancie Flowers was another artist who recorded for Bakersfield's "Pike Records."  The backing band was "Bobby and the Rialtos" out of Tulare.  Vancie performed through-out the Bakersfield area and recorded a number of tracks for "Pike Records."  Vancie's husband was Roy Flowers (owner of Pike Records).   Bobby Hollister (lead singer for the Rialtos) joined The Brymers in 1966.

The Forth Oncome
Hanford, CA
​1968

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    The Forth Oncome 1968
 Band Members:

​​John Benton (guitar-vocals), Tom Rosa (vocals-Bass), George Taylor (lead vocals), Victor "Butch" Acevedo Jr. (vocals-drums), and Gary Acevedo (vocals-keyboards).

"The Forth OnCome" was a great garage rock band based out of Hanford, CA in the late 1960's.  The group played the hits of the day and performed through-out the San Joaquin Valley area.  The Forth OnCome also opened for national acts such as "The Grassroots" and performed frequently at "MELCO" dances.  Many thanks to John Benton (vocals-guitar) for sharing information and the photo.