In the first half of 1966, Frenchy's, at 29097 Mission Boulevard in Hayward, was the only rock club between Berkeley and San Jose, and the rock club that was farthest East of San Francisco. Plenty of rock was played at High School dances and "Teen" events, but there were still very few adult rock clubs where drinks were served. Frenchy's was considerably less cool than The Matrix in San Francisco or The Whiskey A-Go-Go in Hollywood, but it was one of the few gigs available for aspiring rock bands. As a result, a review of the shows from Frenchy's in the first half of 1966 reveals an interesting cross-section of rock music.
Hayward, California, while a prosperous suburb, was still a distant enclave in 1966. Neither the freeway network nor public transportation (such as BART) was anywhere near what it was today, so there was considerably less contact with San Francisco, Berkeley or San Jose. Hayward wasn't far from its agricultural roots, and the biggest industry around was the auto plant in nearby Fremont.
Frenchy's dated back to at least 1962 (The Warlocks had played a gig there on June 18, 1965). It seemed to be run on the Whisky A-Go-Go model, with pretty girls dancing on elevated stages to lather everyone up, and bands playing dance music throughout the night. While the drinking age was 21 in California, insuring no teenagers, because food was served 18-year olds could attend in some circumstances (allowing young men to bring even younger dates). Rock music was popular with people in their twenties, but not with older people. Some of the bands who played were clearly cover bands who probably also played Las Vegas type lounges, and some were more original groups, but even the bands playing original material must have played a lot of covers to fill out the evening.
I have compiled the list for the most part from ads in the Hayward Daily Review. The ad and photo above are from the March 18, 1966 edition.
Frenchy's 1966 Show List
January 7-18, 1966 The Leaves
The Leaves were a popular band on Hollywood's Sunset Strip. The January 7, 1966 edition of the Daily Review said they were proteges of Pat Boone. Did he know their logo was a marijuana leaf? The Leaves were a pretty good band, with two albums and a hit single ("Hey Joe" which they got from The Byrds). Bassist Jim Pons was later in The Turtles and The Mothers of Invention.
Most engagements at Frenchy's were from Friday to Thursday, but The Leaves ended on a Tuesday.
January 19-27, 1966 The Liverpool Five
I don't know anything about this group, but I'll bet they weren't from England. I don't know exactly when their engagement ended, or if another group played at the beginning of February.
January 28-February 6, 1966 The Mojo Men
The Mojo Men were on Autumn Records, the label of KYA-AM dj Tom Donahue (who later founded KSAN-fm). Rather confusingly, another group on Autumn was The Vejtables, featuring the singing girl drummer Jan Errico. When Autumn fell apart in April of 1966, Errico left The Vejtables and joined The Mojo Men, and they had a hit with a Buffalo Springfield song "Sit Down I Think I Love You." At this time, however, The Mojo Men still featured bassist/singer Jim Alaimo.
February 7-17: The Vejtables
The Vejtables, with Jan Errico (Gregg Errico's cousin) on drums and vocals, had played Frenchy's often in the second half of 1965, as had their label mates The Mojo Men.
February 18-March 3, 1966 The Gauchos
The Gauchos were led by one Jim Doval. Based on the advertising, they seem to be a typical Nevada lounge act, probably quite talented in a rock/r&b style but strictly a cover band.
March 4-March 17, 1966 The Wild Ones
The Wild Ones were (according to the ad) fresh from a gig at Arthur's, a New York disco.
March 18-31, 1966 The American Beetles
How would you like to be in this band? Notice that the drum kit has "Beetles" but the club advertised "American Beatles."
April 1-14, 1966 The Mojo Men
The Mojo Men return.
April 15-21, 1966 Peter Lewis with Peter and The Wolves/Linda Carr
Peter Lewis was later in Moby Grape. I have written about this elsewhere.
April 22-28, 1966 The Sons Of Adam/Linda Clark and Randy Meek
In complete contrast to The American Beetles, The Sons Of Adam were the coolest band on the Sunset Strip. Guitarist Randy Holden was a titan, as would soon be proven in The Other Half and Blue Cheer.
April 29-May 5, 1966 The Ashes
The Ashes were a Los Angeles band who played in a folk-rock style. Drummer Spencer Dryden would shortly join the Jefferson Airplane, so there were probably some Airplane people checking him out.
May 6-May 26, 1966 The Mothers
Frank Zappa's band was known as The Mothers. His anxious record company (MGM) added "Of Invention." At this time, they would have mostly recorded Freak Out, but it would not have been released. The ad for May 6 still features The Ashes, but esteemed Zappa gigolist Charles Ulrich is confident that the Mothers gig started on Friday May 6. Ulrich has been in correspondence with Ashes guitarist Alan Brackett, who recalls hanging out with The Mothers as they came into town, so I am inclined to agree with his analysis.
At this time the Mothers lineup would have been
Frank Zappa-guitar, vocals
Ray Collins-vocals
Elliot Ingbar-guitar
Roy Estrada-bass, vocals
Jimmy Carl Black-drums
When the Mothers finished their engagement they played The Fillmore on the weekend of May 27-29.
May 21, 1966 Neil Diamond/The Mothers
I have ruminated elsewhere about the cosmic convergence of The Mothers backing Neil Diamond on a Saturday night in Hayward. Charles Ulrich has sound reason to believe that Diamond was backed by just Roy Estrada and Jimmy Carl Black (Diamond was an adequate guitarist), rather than the full band. Diamond, riding high on "Solitary Man", had flown into town to play a gig in San Leandro as well as at Frenchy's.
May 27-June 9, 1966 The Ashes
The ad for June 3 says "The Ashes-still!."
June 10-23, 1966 WC Fields Electric String Memorial Band
I know nothing about this group, but I note that they have a more whimsical psychedelic name, a sign of changing times regardless of what they played.
June 24-July 6, 1966 The Vejtables
To add to the confusion, when Jan Errico left The Vejtables to join The Mojo Men, The Vejtables continued on. This would have been the post-Errico lineup. They may have featured future Moby Grape bassist Bob Mosley at this time, but I am not certain of his chronology.
This is as much of the Frenchy's gig list as I have been able to determine. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to send it to me or include it in the comments.
After June, Frenchy's mostly featured a group called The Tijauna Rejects, and by late 1966 had gone "topless," heading away from a focus on the music. This had changed by mid-1967 (the ad says 'Topless was a big bust'), but by then Frenchy's was just another rock club in the East Bay.
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I was incorrect about The Liverpool Five, as they were indeed English. They weren't from Liverpool, for the most part, but they were an English group. They had two albums on RCA, released in 1966 and 67.
ReplyDeleteCorry
Before the time period you cover, but I found an ad for "Skip Batton and the Batmen" (along with swim girls and dancing, of course) at Frenchy's in the Oakland Trib of 12/10/65 (p. 19). Do you suppose this is Skip Battin?
ReplyDeleteI've gotta think it was the Skip Battin. He was in all these cheesy Hollywood aggregations like 'Skip and Flip,' so it would fit.
ReplyDeleteJGMF,
ReplyDeleteI also can confirm that it was the famous Skip Battin, because he had already used the name "The Battmen" for a single in 1961.
The American Beetles was a Florida rock band led by guitarist (and great friend of mine) Bill Ande, future leader and founder of Osceola in San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteThe Ashes became the Peanut Butter Conspiracy. Members of The Ashes were: John Merrill (guitar,vocals), Alan Brackett (bass, vocals), Barbara (Sandi)Robison(vocals), Jim Chernis (guitar, vocals) and Spence Dryden (drums). Merrill, Brackett, and Robison went on to be the core of the PBC.
ReplyDeleteIn 1968 I remember being a 17 year old wanna be musician, spending some weekend nights standing outside Frenchy's listening to the bands playing. One Friday afternoon I was hanging out front hoping to meet Albert King who was booked for the weekend when a black Caddie pulled up and out came four men. One stopped and talked to me and asked me if I was trying to get in the club. I told him yes but I was happy to just stand outside an listen like I usually did. He told me he was Albert King's manager and asked me my name then said "Grab a guitar", so I did and as I entered the club with him, he introduced me to the manager and doorman, saying, "This is my friend Mike, take good care of him." I helped him get the rest of the gear from the cavernous trunk of the Caddie and he encouraged me to come back that evening for the show, which I eagerly did. I was there early and was warmly welcomed by the manager to sit with him at his table. I watched the show and the manager told me he had arranged for me to be able to return any time to the club and to my surprise, upon my return I was welcomed by the staff and never had to pay the cover charge. A month or two later Sly and The Family Stone were hired for a week end and ended up staying for about four or five weeks. It was a magical and amazing time! "Dance to the Music" had just broken and Sly was still a DJ at KSOL-FM. I was in awe to be there at such a seminal moment of the band's career. The crowds went from big to packed to capacity as the month flew by and I never saw such energy from a band or the crowd they were entertaining. We all would really go crazy when Sly did the breakdown "DO Do DO Do DO Do DO Do DO Do" while the band danced a in conga line through the isles. During the coming year I saw lot's of great bands like Tower of Power and some not so great bands come and go and I loved every minute. I remember the Go-Go dancers were gone but was struck by the beautiful waitresses in their skin tight body suits with the sexy diagonal stripes. Working in Hollywood, I have been to many famous and exclusive clubs since then but only one ever approached the excitement and energy of Frenchy's in Hayward.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun, it seems I remember seeing Tina Turner.
DeleteIn 1968 I remember being a 17 year old wanna be musician, spending some weekend nights standing outside Frenchy's listening to the bands playing. One Friday afternoon I was hanging out front hoping to meet Albert King who was booked for the weekend when a black Caddie pulled up and out came four men. One stopped and talked to me and asked me if I was trying to get in the club. I told him yes but I was happy to just stand outside an listen like I usually did. He told me he was Albert King's manager and asked me my name then said "Grab a guitar", so I did and as I entered the club with him, he introduced me to the manager and doorman, saying, "This is my friend Mike, take good care of him." I helped him get the rest of the gear from the cavernous trunk of the Caddie and he encouraged me to come back that evening for the show, which I eagerly did. I was there early and was warmly welcomed by the manager to sit with him at his table. I watched the show and the manager told me he had arranged for me to be able to return any time to the club and to my surprise, upon my return I was welcomed by the staff and never had to pay the cover charge. A month or two later Sly and The Family Stone were hired for a week end and ended up staying for about four or five weeks. It was a magical and amazing time! "Dance to the Music" had just broken and Sly was still a DJ at KSOL-FM. I was in awe to be there at such a seminal moment of the band's career. The crowds went from big to packed to capacity as the month flew by and I never saw such energy from a band or the crowd they were entertaining. We all would really go crazy when Sly did the breakdown "DO Do DO Do DO Do DO Do DO Do" while the band danced a in conga line through the isles. During the coming year I saw lot's of great bands like Tower of Power and some not so great bands come and go and I loved every minute. I remember the Go-Go dancers were gone but was struck by the beautiful waitresses in their skin tight body suits with the sexy diagonal stripes. Working in Hollywood, I have been to many famous and exclusive clubs since then but only one ever approached the excitement and energy of Frenchy's in Hayward.
ReplyDeleteMan, I couldn't have said it better! Your recollection is amazing! I have tried to tell the same stories of French's and my family glazes over. YOU NAILED IT.
DeleteThank you.
the tiajuana rejects also played big als in the city. my cousins husband was ruben soriano the guitarist and they were from tijuana. they followed carlos to the bay area and remained about a year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. I have since found out that another member of the Tijuana Rejects was guitarist Wayne Ceballos, later in AUM. Ceballos joined the group after they had come to California, and probably after they were playing Frenchy's.
DeleteI went to
ReplyDeleteTennyson High School in the 60's and parked cars there at Frenchy's along with playing with my band the Forte's and we opened for many of the acts there. at that time they still had the Go-Go girls dancing and the outside swimming pool in back.
Those years ebb and flow BUT....I saw Sly and The Family Stone sometime between '66 and '67ish. As I tell my kids, they glaze over.
ReplyDeleteoh indeed. Sep 30-Oct 1 '67, and maybe more.
Deletehttp://rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2009/07/september-30-october-1-1967-frenchys.html
Did he back T-Bone Walker
I know that Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki played at Frenchies (late sixties, early 70's). They went shopping while here at the lucky store in Fairway Park. My brother in law waited on them. It seems like Lydia Pense and Cold Blood was a staple at Frenchies as well. I can't believe Neil Diamond played there. Was the earlier, smaller version of Frenchies in the dame spot. Seems like it too was a tad south of Tennyson on Mission. Also, a fun place to go for bands was the Rollerina, just south of Bayfair Mall in San Leandro. Good times!
ReplyDeleteOmg loved that place.
DeleteI remember hearing the great soul/funk band "Leon's Creation", who gigged at Frenchy's Nightclub in Hayward, CA.
ReplyDeleteI also remember a great singer and fabulous entertainer, by the name of "Jimmy D.", who sang with the soulful "Tom Narducci Band", and also with the very talented "Jimmy Cicero Band" in Hayward, CA.
Jimmy D. could steal the show with that great voice and dance moves.
Nice blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me lots of important information from your blog that is very useful for me. Keep it up
East bay nightclub
I was there in my suede hot pants and saw Sly along with Tower of Power and I think Boss Scaggs as well. Such a great place. I'll never forget those wonderful care free days and Frenchy's
ReplyDeleteI believe it was in 1968 or 1969 that a group by the name of GARFAT was the opening act for Huey Lewis and the News at Frenchy's. Garfat was named for Jance Garfat, our bass player, who went on to be the bass player for Dr. Hook.
ReplyDeleteI should know, I was the lead singer, Joyce The Voice, who in 1977 won The Gong Show with Gladys Knight's "I really got to use My Imagination". Now, at 70, I am still rocking it out with hubby, Bucky, in the LA area, with a band called Maltose Falcon's Brews Band doing 70's music. ROCK ON!
There were a few famous celebrities that would drop in from time to time to party. When I tell people about Frenchy’s and who I met there they can’t believe it. I would go there because of the music and dancing. 76-80. I miss those party days. If you liked great music and endless woman, Frenchy’s was the place.
ReplyDeleteJust read in "I'm with the band" by Sally Mann about her going there to play a gig with Zappa and the Mothers in '66. She and Shelly Plimpton on acid and trying not to let Frank know (he was a tee-totaler. Her description of the dancers and the manager while on acid is quite hilarious. She was married to Spencer Dryden some time later.
ReplyDeleteI lived very close to Frenchy's late sixties. I never knew so many different groups played their. Thanks, for the posting's.
ReplyDeleteI fondy remember pulling Lydia Pense off of the stage (Cold Blood) and winning the dance contest...great memories.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say that Frenchy's was the only Rock club in our area, there was The Penthouse, and there were alot of cool bands. I remember Jimmy Cicero. That was Hot!!
ReplyDeleteWow! So many memories reading these short "tell all" stories from the Frenchy's days. Great to hear. 😉
ReplyDelete