Why Cleveland Rock and Soul?
Early rock music was really Rhythm and Blues with a rocking delivery. The chunky rhythms, tight breaks, the pounding snare drum backbeat and throbbing bass laid down the groove that made it impossible to sit still. It drove dancers to the dance floor. The soulful vocals that went along with this music was all about feeling.
Cleveland Rock and Soul
This website is a chunk of Cleveland Rock ‘n Roll history. It will give you a taste of what Cleveland rock bands sounded like in the 1960’s and 70’s.
Working on this website was a labor of love. It is dedicated to the thousands of fantastic people that I met in my travels while living the rock ‘n roll life. It was these people and all the energy they brought to all the gigs that made the magic happen.
In 1962 I started playing in clubs. I was 15 years old. From then thru the 70’s I played with many amazing musicians who knocked me out and inspired me. During this time I played with Bocky and The Visions, Dick Whittington’s Cats, Charades, Mushroom and Rainbow Canyon. These musicians were pros who sang and played their asses off.
Music of all these bands is on this website and can be downloaded for FREE! There are live recordings as well as studio stuff and record releases. Enjoy!
But First ... a Little History
In the early sixties before the British invasion, bands in bars played songs by the original rockers like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, James Brown, and Ray Charles. When I first heard Little Richard sing, it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It thrilled me and scared me a little. But it moved me!
This music had one important thing … FEEL.
This early rock music was really Rhythm and Blues with a rocking delivery. The chunky rhythms, tight breaks, the pounding snare drum backbeat and throbbing bass laid down the groove that made it impossible to sit still. It drove dancers to the dance floor. The soulful vocals that went along with this music was all about feeling. The singers sang with heart wrenching emotion using swooping runs that we called curls. In this era, Cleveland musicians played and sang that way.
Drummers drove their bands with shuffle beats and fatback syncopation. Guitarists screamed bluesy licks, bending strings and making their ax sing with sustain. It was truly a gumbo mix of Rock and Soul.
The bands that played with the Rock and Soul feeling played the Inn Spot, The Agora, The Plato and The Corral where rockers flocked to the dance floor. They packed the smoky joints like Hire’s, Shibley’s Sahara and the Speakeasy. In the 60’s and 70’s, Cleveland had dozens of rock clubs and a hundred bands. Every bar had live bands every night. Bands did one-nighters, playing a different bar every night. Each band had a following who would follow them from club to club to worship at their rock mecca. It was pure excitement seeing a live band on stage with pounding drums and screaming guitars. The energy coming off the stage was euphoric. These bands, along with our great radio stations and rock writers like Jane Scott, created the music scene which made Cleveland the Rock and Roll Capital of the World.
One thing was for sure, in Cleveland … ROCK AND ROLL WAS A RELIGION.
But First ... a Little History
In the early sixties before the British invasion, bands in bars played songs by the original rockers like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, James Brown, and Ray Charles. When I first heard Little Richard sing, it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It thrilled me and scared me a little. But it moved me!
This music had one important thing … FEEL.
This early rock music was really Rhythm and Blues with a rocking delivery. The chunky rhythms, tight breaks, the pounding snare drum backbeat and throbbing bass laid down the groove that made it impossible to sit still. It drove dancers to the dance floor. The soulful vocals that went along with this music was all about feeling. The singers sang with heart wrenching emotion using swooping runs that we called curls. In this era, Cleveland musicians played and sang that way.
Drummers drove their bands with shuffle beats and fatback syncopation. Guitarists screamed bluesy licks, bending strings and making their ax sing with sustain. It was truly a gumbo mix of Rock and Soul.
The bands that played with the Rock and Soul feeling played the Inn Spot, The Agora, The Plato and The Corral where rockers flocked to the dance floor. They packed the smoky joints like Hire’s, Shibley’s Sahara and the Speakeasy. In the 60’s and 70’s, Cleveland had dozens of rock clubs and a hundred bands. Every bar had live bands every night. Bands did one-nighters, playing a different bar every night. Each band had a following who would follow them from club to club to worship at their rock mecca. It was pure excitement seeing a live band on stage with pounding drums and screaming guitars. The energy coming off the stage was euphoric. These bands, along with our great radio stations and rock writers like Jane Scott, created the music scene which made Cleveland the Rock and Roll Capital of the World.
One thing was for sure, in Cleveland … ROCK AND ROLL WAS A RELIGION.
Bocky and the Visions
Dick Whittington’s Cats
Charade
Mushroom
Rainbow Canyon
Bocky and the Visions
“I’m Not Worth It”
Dick Whittington’s Cats
“In the Midnight Hour”
Charade
“And You Do”
Mushroom
“Jesus Knows”
Rainbow Canyon
“Hot to Hold You”
Thank you so much BUDDY!!
Wow….this was a very important time in my development. I would do anything to get out of the house and check you guys out.
I was under age by 3 years but I grew a mustache and always got in to hear you and the sensations and the originals. I saw the whole successional of the bands that filter down from the CATS!!!
Of course we all know there were many many great bands in the Cleveland area in the 60s and 70s but for my money the charades had the most distinctive sound in the most powerful message musical.ly!
But the overall hardest hitting band that was on a little bit of a different track was Rastus .
I was crazy about Smokey and I was really brokenhearted when he passed away so unexpectedly at such a young age.
I hope to see you before too long!
Thanks, Jamey. I really appreciate the kind words. And you were an amazing drummer even as a kid. I could see it even back then. Your career teaching at Berklee , Julliard and Oberlin molding young musicians must have been satisfying. But surely not as much fun as touring the world playing with Paul Simon and recording with the greatest cats in the jazz world. Seeing you and other Clevelanders like Tampa go out into the world and succeed was a gas for me.
Merry Christmas to you, Mary Kay and Georgia.
I loved Rastus too. I Sam the bands at St Joes the agora an all the other good spots. I ended up working at Action Talent and was at the Agora to see all the good groups before they hit it big. Springsteen, Tower of Power, The Raspberries, Rainbow etc. it was a great time. Did the Agora circuit with Rainbow, Columbus on Friday an Toledo on Saturday an end up home on Sunday! I met a bunch of great people that I’m friends with to this day. The stories!!!!!!
Yes,Debbie, besides the music, the many wonderful lifelong friends I met along the way and the memories that we made are the things that are the most important to me. The good times, the great gigs, and the laughs… What an experience!
Of course, my years booking hundreds of incredible concerts at the Agora was a whole other thing. That’s a book in itself. Stay well. Talk soon.
Wow. This is a real trip to the past! I’ve either played with, jammed with, did business with, or.wished I had worked with several people in here! I was the the founding member of “Freewheelin'” with Norm Tischler and Hary Lesher. We worked The Mistake and The Agora alot back in ’75-’77. I played with Rich Whittington (Richie Green) in several groups too. I had an offer to play in Vegas in 1978. That was the end of my Cleveland residence. When I left I never really looked back, but had fond memories of my youth and career in Cleveburg. I was always proud to had played with some of the best musicians I’d ever met there. I guess that’s why music continued to be my profession for many lucrative years after. I learned many valuable lessons that truly carried me through good and bad times in my music career!
Hi Jamey – While I was more into the jazz & classical scene. I had the pleasure of intersecting with some of the musicians in this scene – namely you, Ernie & Lou Krivda and Don Kubec. Also, I was good friends with Mike Sands who played piano with Dr. Stress. All of this is not about nostalgia, it is about the musical history and recognition of the great Cleveland musicians who contributed so much to the cultural capital of our city.
I remember hearing you way back when, Andy. I am the Fagans’ grandson. Do you still own the Bums’ record?
Boy o boy this is truly fun! It really brings back so many memories of the wonderful times and bands that were on display here in our city. Having known most of the acts and venues is truly priceless. Just for shits and giggles I remember when Wilson Pickett appeared at the IN SPOT! Remember that place. Keep up the good work Buddy, us players are looking forward to what else you got cook’in.
Thank you very much, Danny. Those were amazing times and it’s good hearing from you. And by the way, The Sensations weren’t chopped liver either. Stay well.
Actualy weld up with memories compleate with chicken skin and rushes. Always a comb in my back pocket of my shark skin pants that reflected off my highly polished Stetson shoes. High boy collar starched dry cleaned mono gramed shirt. Oh lets not forget the silk socks. BUDDY seen some things on facebook before. You out did youself. Thanks Buddy for all these decades of making us dance and feel good.
Remember you well Kenny along with many other of our Wickliffe High classmates
By the time we graduated in 1970 a lot of the former “Greasers” became Hippies , long hair , bell-bottoms and all.
Danny
Been a long time !
What was the name of the band that you played in with Jimmy Chillemi ?
You guys were fantastic
Mmmmmmm… it wasn’t me. Maybe Gregg Grandillo?
Hey Ken, that band was called the Individuals.
I believe you’re thinking of Fully Assembled. Greg & Jim played in that along with the Sapp Twins & “Sam” Samuel, Can’t recall the bassist.,:
Buddy,
Congratulations for the wonderful
Job you did putting this project together. I couldn’t stop reading once I opened the page. What a wonderful trip down memory lane. It saddens me to think that young musicians today don’t have the opportunities to hone their live performance skills like we did back in the day, a time when there were dozens of clubs and music happened every night of the week. It truly was a golden age and you were obviously a big part of it. Thanks for the memories and the music.
Thanks Ronnie. It was a time in music history that will never be repeated. Good thing we lived it. And you were right there in the middle of it.
loved rainbow’s version of she said and invisible song
Thanks man. It was a different flavor the Charades’ version.
Couldn’t agree more
Thanks for the memories !!!! What a great time we all had back in the day because of the music !!!
Phil, you will forever be remembered as the Naked City photographer. That was one crazy day!
Crazy Phil, You and I went on (after Naked City) to do The Crazy Plane ride to go work the Fort Campbell Kentucky, Military Base Show,,,, First Show with an outside Promoter, done on a Military Base,,, RIP, and God Speed, Jack Cracian!
Buddy,
WOW!
I just time travelled! Ron Papaleo send the link to me. I was the assistant manager of the Plato, under nine managers in the late 60’s. I had the honor of booking “The James Gang”, “Dust”, “Damnation of Adam Blessing” among many more.
I was so enamored of December’s Children, I became their roadie/ soundman after a brief stint in Los Angeles.
I also ran “Down Under” that college bar catering to the CSU crowd.
As soon as I heard your name, after 50 years, I could see your smiling face with that great mustache!
Ken
Ken, I’m still smilin’. I’m glad to be able to hear how so many of the 60’s survivors are enjoying this flashback. Good to hear from you.
Hey Buddy…so good that you’re doing this. There’s a lot more of our rock& soul history that is not inthe RRHOFM. I have so many fond memories of Otto’s Grotto, Music Grotto, La Cave, Leo’s Casino and of course….The Agora.
You da man, Billy. You were a big cog in the Cleveland rock wheel that rolled back in the daze. I’ll never forget that low gravelly voice that told radio listeners you MEANT what you said. And yes, the HOF would do well to give some props to the movers and shakers of the golden age of Cleveland rock! Maybe they will.
The R+R HoF is so not Aware??? It runs on Politics, and not Music, Sad,,,,, Rap Artists(?) are in but not so Many, that carved out the Highway that is Rock! BullShit,,, Get it back to why it was supposed to Be! Billy Bass is a Legend, He should BE inducted!
Billy Bass you forgot the Missing Lynx E.T. HOLEY. CHIP and the rest of the band playing at the agora.
No, I don’t think Billy forgot,,Just so much Time, and Space is Available? And if Billy Bass was ever to be known,, It would Be a True Master, Of Time and Space!!!!
Buddy…
This is just too freakin’ cool! Great job by you to keep alive a lot of great music made by some great singers and players that, for a lot of us at the time, were the gold standard. Hat’s off to all concerned and continue to rock until otherwise notified!!…Michael Stanley
Thanks Michael. That’s high praise coming from a guy with your talent and track record. And you’re right… the whole reason to do this site was to take all this music out of the archives and once again LET IT ROCK !
Thank you for the shout out. Keep on makin’ Cleveland proud.
This is gonna be fun…Hank LaConti found out I was in the Seminary at the time and trusted me to take money at the door of the alternative club in the basement of the Agora(Mistake and Pop Shop) and said ‘Anytime you want to come up the stairs to the Main Club you are free for helping me. That was an awesome job perk and I got to see sooo many of those acts in the 70’s. That and hanging out at the Viking Saloon with Al Retays bands
The Agora was a 7 day rock and roll machine from the basement (The mistake) to the main room to the recording studio on the second floor. It will all be in my book. stay tuned.
Hope I am in This Book,,,, Mine is Dedicated To You,,, The Best Mentor, I could have ever wanted,,,,, A Man who taught Me the Hard side of the business, and taught Me to NEVER say there is Not another solution to fix Any Problem. This is Truth, that drove Me to Be in the Production side of Rock for 50 plus years, Many Platinum, and Gold Records, and Memories that few could have, Later,,,, I THANK YOU,,,, BUDDY MAVER! You started Me on this,,,,, and I ain’t done Yet! So Much Love to YOU!
A worthy endeavor, Buddy.
I was too young to go out to most of those clubs, but when I started writing for SCENE, I used to go through the photo files and wonder what some of your bands sounded like.
SCENE will be 50 years old next year.
Maybe the New owners will do a retrospective that you can link your website.
Hope you’re in good health and spirits.
Well Mark, you can now hear what those bands sounded like. All of the recorded music of each group is in this site to listen to or download for free, I remember working with you when you were at Scene. All the best to you. Rich Cabot and Jim Gerard RIP.
Buddy thank you so much for all of this! Brings back so many memories, Agora (had to use a fake ID LOL), PLato, and of course the Inn Spot where I went every weekend to hear the Charades and the Sensations! I started my music career by playing in my first band at the Inn Spot on your 15 minute breaks! I loved listening to the music you put on here, such great songs and musicians! Thanks again Buddy!!!
The Inn Spot was a great place to get you youngsters acclimated to REAL music back in the day. Stay well, Carmella.
Buddy I can see your put a whole lots of hours into putting this all together. Cant even imagined the time you spent. Amazing. But my question is what was the song by Rainbow Canyon that made the charts? Heard it for several years but do not remember the title. Thanks for keeping this all alive. Have several friends who will appreciate this forward
Thanks, Lou. You’re probably thinking of “Hot to Hold You”. As to the time spent, I handed all the pics, music and videos over to webmaster, Mike Criscione who and he spent hours and hours putting it together. He did a fabulous job.
Buddy,
Awesome endeavor on your part! Lots of great harmony arrangements and strong vocal melodies in that music.
Rock on my brother!
Paul Fayrewether
Coming from you that means a lot, Paul. Yeah a lot of thought and time was spent writing and arranging this material. Good thing I was lucky enough to play with incredible musicians. Be well.
Hey Paul
Fond memories of those Agora nights in the 70’s
So many great performances and your repertoire was mind-blowing
Glad to see you still performing
Caught you at Rib N’ Rock in Parma a couple years back
Feel free to get in touch
Terrific job putting this together Buddy.
I really enjoyed it, and passed it on to a few of the guy’s and gal’s who were regulars at St. Joe’s High School and other venues in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Thanks, very much.
Thanks Vic. Those were the days my friend. And yes I was a St.Joe’s graduate (class of ’64). It was all guys and the teenage testosterone was zooming. I was also in the St Joe’s band in the drum section along with Ron Harkai, the original drummer with The Outsiders. It was lotsa laughs.
Buddy
Fond memories of the Mods and The Choir and a band called The Wandering Kynde comprised of friends of mine from St. Joe’s, smoke-filled Hire’s Lounge , St. Joe’s dances with great bands like Circus and an Amazing Horn band called My Uncle’s Army Buddies , Wickliffe High School Sock – Hops with the Chancellors , the Hullabaloos with The James Gang when Glenn Schwartz was on guitar and later Joe Walsh , The Outsiders , The Viking Saloon , Country /Rock bands like Buckeye Biscuit , Panama Red and Flatbush , Fayreweather’s incredible Prog Rock shows , My friends from Wickliffe High School with Coco ,The Raspberries and Michael Stanley Band at Blossom recording their LIVE record
I’d be here all day
Now I’m blessed to be involved in an effort to help people living with Alzheimer’s and other types of Dementia using Music as a way to rekindle memories while inspiring young people
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ikOvWCk10
It would be unbelievable to re-unite some of those bands to support our annual Rock Against Dementia efforts
http://aliveinside.org/rad_beginnings
Oh Yeah !
What a great trip covering Cleveland’s major contribution…Rock n Roll.. Buddy you should be so proud your wonderful participation and contribution to the Cleveland music scene. I know that you have been working on this for a few years in order to get it right…and you sure did. Buddy, you and I have been so fortunate to have that one in a million friendship. Sunday nights at the Agora was the only place to be. And, then you continued booking the Agoras throughout the country. All of the major acts had to stop by the Agora on their way up to stardom, and even after they became superstars. There is something else I need to mention..Every body loves Buddy Maver. For many years Buddy hosted his annual musicians party when all of these musicians got together and played and kept rock n roll alive in Cleveland. When we think of individuals in the music business that survived, incredibly talented and very successful, the person I know is Buddy Maver. I will be visiting and enjoying this site often.
Roger, thank you for your kind comments. You have been and will always be my dear friend. We have a lot of history together … starting when you and Diane came to Cleveland in the late sixties to partner with Belkin, later promoting concerts as A Friend, and later when you moved on to NYC, Boston, and finally Miami Beach. I love you man. After all, you’re my Thursday night date when I’m in Florida.
You mentioned my years booking shows at The REAL Agora on E 24th street. That will be a big part of my upcoming book, “Rock and Roll Tales Straight Outta Cleveland”, There’s a lot of stories to tell … dozens of Hall of Famers who played their first shows in Cleveland at the Agora, all the machinations of the record business and lotsa inside stuff. I’m working on it.
And yes, it was a trip. Thanks for being part of it.
To Both Of You, Roger, and Buddy,,,, You both were kind to a young pup of a Kid, who had the R+ R Fevor,,,,, It was an understanding to a path to be in this business, But the important thing I want to say,,,,, is,,, You both showed Me a Way to do it Properly, and to do it with Dignity, and with Respect! I am eternally Gratefull,,, and I Thank Both of You, and am So Proud to call You Both Friend to This Day!!!! (I like !!! to make a point)
Buddy, I just flew into Cleveland from my home in Alaska to spend a few weeks with mom and family when I came across your website and I felt like I was 15 again using my college id to get into the Agora. When I’d enter, I’d be greeted by Hank and I’d see you in the ticket booth (box office). It felt like it was just yesterday. What energy we all had. Monday Night’s Out, Coffeebreak Concerts and I believe you had a Jazz Night Out too… I recorded many of the times I attended the Agora and simply cherish these recordings because you had such a great sound system. I have a question… Do you know what happened to a booking agent by the name of Walter Maskey? He’d help me, book bands, into St Edward High School from 1969 to 1973. Glass Harp, Eli Radish and many more… Anyhow, Happy Holidays my dear friend… Joe Ray Skrha
BUDDY; When do you expect your book to come out? May I suggest you also do an audio version so people with eye problems or people in their cars can also enjoy it. I bet you can find a star-studded cast that would be willing to read it for the audio version…
Hey Joe Ray. The WMMS Nights Out at the Agora were AMAZING ! To think that so many great groups played a 1,000 seat club is astonishing. During the 6 years that I booked the shows (1976 to 1982) we did 2 shows a week . So that’s OVER 500 SHOWS ! I recently put a list together and there were over 25 bands that played their first show at the Agora that ARE IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME today . The fans who saw those shows up close and personal had an experience they will never forget.
Regarding the book … All of the behind the scenes stories of these concerts, The Agora, Hank LoConti, Legend Valley … everything will be in my book . And … while the website gives the “Cliff’s Notes” version of my career as a musician, the full stories of the 5 bands will be told.
I like your idea of an audio version and we will do it. Oh, and Walt Masky is enjoying retirement in Florida. Stay warm in Alaska!
Dear Mr. Buddy Maver,
Being born and raised in Cleveland. I started playing the R & B / Soul Clubs in Cleveland in 1962. This is not the R & B / Soul history that I or any other soul would know. The clubs you mention on this site, no R & B / Soul acts were allowed to play. Can you tell me the R & B Soul Clubs that existed n Cleveland from 1962 to 1979 ? .. Can you tell me what artists were played on WABQ and WJMO ?.. The artists that are mentioned at the top of the page were not ? I would understand the page being named Cleveland Rock & Roll. But definitely not ” Soul”
Peace…
Great Times-Memories-Era.
Buddy.
I always appreciated your kindness, courtesy & generosity.
Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World …
Peace & Joy
I’ve always believed what goes around comes around. Thanks for your support, Bob.
This is truly a great site. There were and are so many great bands and players from Cleveland and its metropolitan area. We grew up with the ones you mentioned along with groups like the Outsiders , The James Gang , The Damnation of Adam Blessing, The Choir ,Cyrus Erie and the East Wind. They played at many clubs and other venues., some still do. That is the testament to the scene in Cleveland .
100% Cleveland was a hotbed for good players and great bands, Jay. Not everybody hit the big time but many had the goods. Thanks for the good vibes.
Hi Buddy,
My old friend Hal Pollock (whose Uncle ran the Inn Spot) emailed your marvelous website to me.
I loved going to The Inn Spot to hear and dance to The Sensations. Jeff Gould’s soulful lead vocals on Cold Sweat, Summertime, The Spoiler, Three Time Loser and, of course, Jeff’s incredible version of Secret Love were among my favorites.
I am fortunate to still be able to listen to those songs recorded by The Sensations AND many of them are as good or better than the originals!
I moved to NYC in 1974. I became a DJ and then an event coordinator and never forgot how exceptional the music of the 60’s was. In 2003, I decided to produce a monthly event called SockhopSundays in midtown NYC open to the public which featured 50’s and 60’s music for dancing. (We are still going strong but are temporarily closed during this pandemic.)
Bottom Line: Had I not grown up in Cleveland, I would never have heard all the amazing bands you referenced. The Cleveland bands and the songs they played provided the backbone of my musical knowledge which inspired me when I arrived in NYC.
I am forever grateful to have seen these groups. They provide happy memories that I will always cherish.
You’re right about The Sensations. Jeff Gould had that great raspy, funky voice and Ronnie Herbert laid down an amazing groove …right in the pocket. I’m glad you carried the Cleveland love of music with feel to NYC, Eric. I’ll look you up next time I’m in the Big Apple.
Jeff Gould did a snippet of Secret Love Saturday night … just a fan of all of the great, great bands from Cleveland since the mid-60’s …
Yeah, There were some great ones.
Hey Buddy!
Glad to see that you’re still in the game!
Enjoyed this immensely!!
Best wishes
Bill Macke
“The Inn Between”
Ottawa, Ohio
Hey Bill . We always had a great time playing the Inn. Your family was great. Hope all is well.
OMG, The Inn Between,,, Wow!
Anybody remember DiFiorie’s Music on Lorain Ave. on the West side? I bought my first compact organ there in 1966. (I still have it.)
Anybody remember The Smiling Dog Saloon in West 25th? I played there opening for Buzzy Linhart around 1973. I don’t remember the name of the manager, but he took a chance on me and gave me a lot of valuable advice about my music and stage presence. And he did it in a soft caring style that I really appreciated as a young musician. Ya know, there are some “angels from the universe” who guided me on my journey through life. Thank God for them.
Buddy
I’m 25 years removed from Cleveland and found this site, you did a great job commemorating an idyllic era in the town where I was born. Thanks for putting in the effort. Blessings and peace all your days
Michael and Marty,
Thanks for the shout out. The era chronicled in this website will stand the test of time as the most creative nd prolific time in rock/pop music. I’m glad I lived thru it and was part of it.
Buddy ‘dub housing’ just saw this place, Marc here wandering if …ANYBODY else ever went to the Doc Nemo underground parties in the old Hippodrome building downtown? no mention of it anywhere. 1968 Doc Nemo had that midnight show on WIXY ?! 1260. the bands. Hampsted incident. Eli radish . Cyrus Erie , James gang , Damnation of Adams blessing. to name but a few. between the 2cd and 3rd floor with steps going down from the 3rd ., there was Masonic hall > black lights ,incense and day glow posters even some weed. it was hard getting back up into the heights after 1 am. I’m sure this actually happened. I was 16 now 71. CLEvO was the best.