This message from Five Emprees bassist Ron Pelkey slipped through the transom at the Chairman's Virtual HQ over the holidays, but it's worth posting here, particularly for the subject. I'll let Ron's email do the talking:
"Hi -- I just found out that THE FIVE EMPREES are nominated for induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is voted on by the public. I ask that the fans of THE FIVE EMPREES please vote for us at www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/.
"It is easy --- but you can only vote once and can only vote for five acts, so please don't use up your fifth vote before getting to FIVE EMPREES (as we are listed without the 'The'). Thank you to all our supporters."
There you have it. For those who keep track of such things, it's worth recalling that the Sixth Generation, another homegrown Michigan legend, were inducted into the MRRL's hallowed halls in 2011 -- and are also on this year's "Legendary Song Ballot." We'll revisit that issue in just a minute.
THE IMMEDIATE RUNDOWN
For those who read BLUE SUEDE NEWS's excellent Spring 2012 articles by Marc Bristol on West Michigan bands, there's no question that the '60s produced a wealth of local talent -- like the Five Emprees. Talk with anyone who was around at the time, and you'll get a vivid feeling for how much this era means to them, whether they were onstage, or out in the audience.
Nothing feels more exciting when you're lucky enough to stand at the epicenter of a cultural youthquake, and that's definitely what the '60s represented, then and now. Like future movements, such as the Britpunk explosion of '76-'77, the Age of Aquarius left a lasting imprint that -- no matter how much its critics deny it -- can never be shaken off.
A lot of the impact came down to timing, and numbers. Suddenly, young people had money to burn on cars, clothes, records, and whatever struck their fancy -- so anybody vaguely south of the dreaded "don't-trust-anybody-over-30" demarcation line actually had to listen, or take the risk of falling behind, and getting weeded out. (If you need anymore proof, check out "Dr. J's Blog" on the MRRL site -- the articles that I've seen are a treasure trove of information.)
For young people in bands at the time, the ride often proved short, yet exhilarating. Many of them, like the Emprees, were only a hit or two away from rewriting the rulebooks of their lives, and leaving the nine-to-five routine behind for good.
Some of West Michigan's native sons (Tommy James) pulled off the latter trick, while others (The Five Emprees) had to wait a couple decades or more for another moment in the sun. If you've followed these pages for any length of time, you'll see a separate section dedicated to the Five Emprees, so where I stand is no secret.
THE NITTY GRITTY
One of the more interesting aspects of this year's inductions is the pie charts that show how your favorites are faring.
To check out the band nominations, go here: http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/vote-inductees
To see how the song nominations are going, go here:
http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/vote-songs
To get the voting instructions, go here:
http://www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com/voting-instructions
Voting closes for both categories by midnight, June 1. As you can see, the Five Emprees and the Sixth Generation lead by comfortable margins in both categories, but that's no reason to lay back -- especially if you fear a last-minute resurgence of votes for Terry Knight & The Pack, for example. :-)
At any rate, if you want to show how much a particular favorite means to you, here's your chance. Unlike the big-time Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, politics doesn't come into the equation -- it's one of those occasions that we, the people, get a direct hand in the matter, so don't let the opportunity slide...enough said!
Remember: to find older entries that may not appear on the page, just hit the "Archive" button...then click on the relevant entry.
FIVE EMPREES NOMINATED FOR MICHIGAN ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME
"BLUE SUEDE NEWS" PUBLISHES CHAIRMAN'S FIVE EMPREES PHOTOS
For 25 years, BLUE SUEDE NEWS has been staking out its own distinctive presence in publishing -- covering the gamut of American roots music, from '50s rock, to blues, country, garage, and beyond, as editor and publisher Marc Bristol explains: "Basically, anything we like."
As usual, Issue 97 (Spring 2012) makes good on that promise, with a cover story on Chris Isaak, plus features on Ron Holden & The Playboys, and Edward Union & The Volumes. From my perspective, however, Marc's article, "Western Michigan Garage Bands" -- of which he was an active participant -- is truly the jewel in the crown.
Among other delights, you get a writeup on the Five Emprees, for which Marc used two of my photos from the 2008 and 2010 reunions held at Lake Michigan College, and the Shadowland Ballroom, respectively. You also get extensive looks at the Aardvarks, Poor Boys Pride and The Mussies -- all of whom recorded for the legendary Fenton label -- with Marc's in-depth recollections of the scene.
My favorite bit has to be Marc's description of his face-to-face meet with Animals vocalist Eric Burdon, whose band happened to be playing in Benton Harbor...and the Five Emprees were the openers! I won't give the game away, though...suffice to say, it involves Eric's tightrope walk with a bottle of Southern Comfort...you'll have to buy the issue to read the rest.
In short, don't just buy the mag because Marc used my photos -- his article harks back to a time when anyone, or so it seemed, could grab some short-lived notoriety off the back of their latest single, as the Five Emprees did with "Little Miss Sad...or the Aardvarks, in scraping the lower rungs of the Top 200.
For the people onstage, it was a time when all the possibilities seemed wide open, and real life could still be kept at bay, for just a little bit longer...an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives...and if it's not already some kind of blazing bio-pic, suffice to say, someone needs to make it.
Blue Suede News: http://www.bluesuedenews.com/.
WE CAME, WE SAW: THE FIVE EMPREES AT LMC (5/07/11)
The original master plan called for three days of rehearsals, but this year's reunited Five Emprees lineup settled for just one -- a fact not apparent to longtime fans turning out to see Benton Harbor's original '60s heroes at Lake Michigan College...and undoubtedly felt the heartstrings tug during the Beatles medley, as Don Cook sang: "Once there was a way...to get back home..." (And, unlike last year, my camera batteries didn't crap out after 13 shots...giving me about 150 to choose from, which I narrowed to just shy of 100!)
"Oh, I tell you, it was so tight when we did it the first time," bassist Ron Pelkey reflected, after the night end. "If we'd have taken more (time), we'd have done more (songs). The important thing is, Bill and Don and I have done this thousands of times. (Guitarist) Mike Depoian and (drummer) Billy Winans are such professionals -- they do it by memory, and they're way ahead of me." Pelkey noticed one other change on the bandstand. "I used to have count the songs out for everybody. Since Winans is our drummer -- he knows how fast to count it out (for each tempo). He takes the pressure off of me."
Keyboardist Bill Schueneman concurred, saying, "That (single rehearsal) was enough. We do real familiar stuff, and we shouldn't have had to do more than that. That's my ideal. It helps playing with Billy and Mike, in that regard, because they're prepared. They make it easy for us, for sure."
From Depoian's standpoint, having to learn roughly three dozen songs isn't radically different from the experiences in his current band, where he might shift from playing songs by Blondie, to Steely Dan and the Pretenders, all in the same night. "I like it, for that reason," Depoian said. "Dave Zane, the singer, plays with the Buckinghams. It's kind of his side project." As far as this year's reunion went, Depoian observed: "It took a little bit of work, but I had to chart it out, so it was no problem."
As expected, this year's show adhered to songs from the Emprees' era, including their own singles ("Little Miss Sad," "Hey Lover") and songs that remain radio cornerstones today ("Dancin' In The Street," "I'm A Believer," "Spooky," "Summer In The City"). The crowd got some nifty surprises along the way, too -- including a two-song Paul Revere & The Raiders medley ("Just Like Me"/"Kicks"), plus dips into the blues (with "Sweet Home Chicago"), and the '70s ("Lady Marmalade"). The show closed with Santana's epochal Woodstock instrumental, "Soul Sacrifice," complete with an extended percussive breakdown to keep the dance floor humming.
So what's ahead? As always, the answer depends on those classic variables of time, place and opportunity, according to Schueneman, who -- like Pelkey -- now lives in Atlanta, GA. "We would like to do it, as long as people would like to come and listen to us. We'll see where it takes us. We've had some really nice events. It's a chance for the family to get together, and sometimes, my kids can see what I (used to) do, when I was a kid – it's kind of fun."
Looking back, Pelkey has little trouble putting his finger on the Five Emprees' biggest achievement: "Probably that we did it our own way. We didn't get into drugs, like the other people -- at the time, we had a lot shorter hair than we've got today." In many respects, the latest reunions are an ongoing reminder of the Emprees' dance band roots, when 3,000 teenagers packed venues like the original Shadowland Ballroom -- where they could see all the day's biggest names for a single-digit price.
"We were in a unique position," Pelkey said. "We had dances on Sunday nights, and we were between Detroit, and Chicago –- a lot of these big name groups were looking for something like that. We could get 'em for a good price. We never charged more than $2 at the door, and it's just something that you can't duplicate today."
"Oh, I tell you, it was so tight when we did it the first time," bassist Ron Pelkey reflected, after the night end. "If we'd have taken more (time), we'd have done more (songs). The important thing is, Bill and Don and I have done this thousands of times. (Guitarist) Mike Depoian and (drummer) Billy Winans are such professionals -- they do it by memory, and they're way ahead of me." Pelkey noticed one other change on the bandstand. "I used to have count the songs out for everybody. Since Winans is our drummer -- he knows how fast to count it out (for each tempo). He takes the pressure off of me."
Keyboardist Bill Schueneman concurred, saying, "That (single rehearsal) was enough. We do real familiar stuff, and we shouldn't have had to do more than that. That's my ideal. It helps playing with Billy and Mike, in that regard, because they're prepared. They make it easy for us, for sure."
From Depoian's standpoint, having to learn roughly three dozen songs isn't radically different from the experiences in his current band, where he might shift from playing songs by Blondie, to Steely Dan and the Pretenders, all in the same night. "I like it, for that reason," Depoian said. "Dave Zane, the singer, plays with the Buckinghams. It's kind of his side project." As far as this year's reunion went, Depoian observed: "It took a little bit of work, but I had to chart it out, so it was no problem."
As expected, this year's show adhered to songs from the Emprees' era, including their own singles ("Little Miss Sad," "Hey Lover") and songs that remain radio cornerstones today ("Dancin' In The Street," "I'm A Believer," "Spooky," "Summer In The City"). The crowd got some nifty surprises along the way, too -- including a two-song Paul Revere & The Raiders medley ("Just Like Me"/"Kicks"), plus dips into the blues (with "Sweet Home Chicago"), and the '70s ("Lady Marmalade"). The show closed with Santana's epochal Woodstock instrumental, "Soul Sacrifice," complete with an extended percussive breakdown to keep the dance floor humming.
So what's ahead? As always, the answer depends on those classic variables of time, place and opportunity, according to Schueneman, who -- like Pelkey -- now lives in Atlanta, GA. "We would like to do it, as long as people would like to come and listen to us. We'll see where it takes us. We've had some really nice events. It's a chance for the family to get together, and sometimes, my kids can see what I (used to) do, when I was a kid – it's kind of fun."
Looking back, Pelkey has little trouble putting his finger on the Five Emprees' biggest achievement: "Probably that we did it our own way. We didn't get into drugs, like the other people -- at the time, we had a lot shorter hair than we've got today." In many respects, the latest reunions are an ongoing reminder of the Emprees' dance band roots, when 3,000 teenagers packed venues like the original Shadowland Ballroom -- where they could see all the day's biggest names for a single-digit price.
"We were in a unique position," Pelkey said. "We had dances on Sunday nights, and we were between Detroit, and Chicago –- a lot of these big name groups were looking for something like that. We could get 'em for a good price. We never charged more than $2 at the door, and it's just something that you can't duplicate today."
IT'S OFFICIAL: FIVE EMPREES AT LMC THIS SPRING
***UPDATE (5/8/11): Due to the large number of photos that I shot this year -- starting with 150, which I weeded down to 108, give or take -- I've uploaded some images to this announcement, which is now archived for posterity! More to come when I do the full report...stay tuned.***
It has finally been approved! Live music is alive and well in southwest Michigan and I have been working on a benefit to promote musicians in the area. I want to do my part in making a bright musical future for you.
The BENTON HARBOR SUNRISE ROTARY presents THE FIVE EMPREES with the LMC Jazz Band Sponsored by Lake Michigan College
Proceeds of the benefit go to a music scholarship fund targeting Benton Harbor area students through THE SUNRISE ROTARY.
This word is just in from longtime bassist Ron Pelkey...the Five Emprees will be back in action this spring, for another benefit show at Lake Michigan College. Here are the details, according to Ron:
"It will be held 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at Mendel Hall at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. The plan is to have the jazz band perform as well as THE FIVE EMPREES. We will also perform together, and have members play with THE FIVE EMPREES. It should be a wonderful night of music! I am excited about this event!
"Please help us generate scholarships for local talented incoming freshmen at LMC. Tickets will be available on the Mendel Centers website for $25 per person + handling, at the Mendel Center box office for $25 per person, or at the benefit for $30 per person.
"For tickets and information contact:
Lake Michigan College
Mendel Center Mainstage
2755 E. Napier Avenue."
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-1899
(269) 927-1221.
It has finally been approved! Live music is alive and well in southwest Michigan and I have been working on a benefit to promote musicians in the area. I want to do my part in making a bright musical future for you.
The BENTON HARBOR SUNRISE ROTARY presents THE FIVE EMPREES with the LMC Jazz Band Sponsored by Lake Michigan College
Proceeds of the benefit go to a music scholarship fund targeting Benton Harbor area students through THE SUNRISE ROTARY.
This word is just in from longtime bassist Ron Pelkey...the Five Emprees will be back in action this spring, for another benefit show at Lake Michigan College. Here are the details, according to Ron:
"It will be held 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at Mendel Hall at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. The plan is to have the jazz band perform as well as THE FIVE EMPREES. We will also perform together, and have members play with THE FIVE EMPREES. It should be a wonderful night of music! I am excited about this event!
"Please help us generate scholarships for local talented incoming freshmen at LMC. Tickets will be available on the Mendel Centers website for $25 per person + handling, at the Mendel Center box office for $25 per person, or at the benefit for $30 per person.
"For tickets and information contact:
Lake Michigan College
Mendel Center Mainstage
2755 E. Napier Avenue."
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-1899
(269) 927-1221.
WE CAME, WE SAW: THE SHADOWLAND BALLROOM (6/25/10)
The crowd was filing out, the management itching to start cleaning up, and the band getting ready to pack, when Five Emprees lead singer Don Cook pointed to my tape recorder: "You look like you've got something up your sleeve."
Technically true, though that had happened earlier, when I'd been snap-snap-snappin' my time away, documenting the Five Emprees' one-night/one-off gig at the rebuilt Shadowland Ballroom, just a stone's throw from Silver Beach County Bark..and the site of many triumphs back in the mid-1960s, when teen culture reigned supreme (present company included, as well).
Indeed, once attractions like the Curious Kids' Museum Discovery Zone and the Carousel Ballroom are factored into the equation, the restored Shadowland Ballroom is an impressive attraction, as bassist Ron Pelkey enthused afterwards: "They had this so well-planned -- I mean, they've got stuff going on, over and over again. They allowed us to set up last night -- they got it going like clockwork."
This time around, Cook, Pelkey (plus sister Debbie Pelkey Cook) and keyboardist Bill Schueneman held down the frontline, while guitarist Mike DePoian deputized for Tony Catania (who was off traveling, and essentially indisposed). With original drummer Mike DeRose embedded in the West Coast architectural life, Billy Winans kept the beat...thus prepared, we were off and runnin' for two 90-minute sets!
For the 2010 model, we heard many of the highlights that have lit up previous reunions, including "Black Magic Woman" (Santana), "I'm A Believer" (The Monkees), "Spooky" (Classics IV), and "Summer In The City" (The Lovin' Spoonful)...along with the Beatles medley from ABBEY ROAD. (I'm going from memory at the moment, since my yellow notepad has seemingly absconded from view.)
There were a few surprises along the way, such as "All She Wants To Do Is Dance," which caused Cook to joke, after the slam-bang ending: "You thought it was from the '60s? Well...we lied." From the band's side of things, we got "Over The Mountain," and "Hey Lover" (the flipside of their classic single, "Little Miss Sad"), which serve to remind us that the Five Emprees' sound owed as much to classic R&B and soul as it did to the British Invasion.
The biggest, and most audacious choice, was an extended set-closing jam on yet another Santana raver, "Soul Sacrifice," which became one of the highlights of their '69 Woodstock Festival performance. Watching the crowd go crazt after those famed opening Latin bars (Dun-DUH-DUH-Dun/Dun-DUH-DUH-DUN-Dun) isn't something that I'll forget easily, if ever, while DePoian, Pelkey and Scheuenman made the most of their golden opportunity to stretch out.
What makes these shows so special is the Emprees' ability to make these well-worn songs sound as though they're playing 'em for the first time, while injecting their own instrumental character along the way...which is no mean feast, and not easy to do (as I can attest, having witnessed many reunited bands from all different eras).
Right around 11 o'clock, it was over, just like that, leaving the true believer and newcomer alike to add this particular show to their stack of memories...for which DJ "Rockin' Randy" Poole's choice of song (The Beatles' "In My Life") seemed so apropos. (Special thanks to Randy, by the way, for allowing me to use three of his Facebook pics -- which I've labeled, "THE VIEW FROM STAGE LEFT," "DRUMMER BILLY WINANS," and "WORKIN' THE CROWD" -- after my trusty punk rock digital camera's batteries crapped out after about 15 shots.)
Since these reunions currently happen one at a time, I naturally had to ask, "What happens now?" It's hard to believe that another year, at least, might pass before we see these guys again.
However, nobody's breaking out the crystal ball yet, as Ron made clear afterwards: "I don't know -- it's not up to us. We play whenever we can. Somebody has to ask."
Well, let's put this way...if anyone finds a better ideal cue, let me know.
Technically true, though that had happened earlier, when I'd been snap-snap-snappin' my time away, documenting the Five Emprees' one-night/one-off gig at the rebuilt Shadowland Ballroom, just a stone's throw from Silver Beach County Bark..and the site of many triumphs back in the mid-1960s, when teen culture reigned supreme (present company included, as well).
Indeed, once attractions like the Curious Kids' Museum Discovery Zone and the Carousel Ballroom are factored into the equation, the restored Shadowland Ballroom is an impressive attraction, as bassist Ron Pelkey enthused afterwards: "They had this so well-planned -- I mean, they've got stuff going on, over and over again. They allowed us to set up last night -- they got it going like clockwork."
This time around, Cook, Pelkey (plus sister Debbie Pelkey Cook) and keyboardist Bill Schueneman held down the frontline, while guitarist Mike DePoian deputized for Tony Catania (who was off traveling, and essentially indisposed). With original drummer Mike DeRose embedded in the West Coast architectural life, Billy Winans kept the beat...thus prepared, we were off and runnin' for two 90-minute sets!
For the 2010 model, we heard many of the highlights that have lit up previous reunions, including "Black Magic Woman" (Santana), "I'm A Believer" (The Monkees), "Spooky" (Classics IV), and "Summer In The City" (The Lovin' Spoonful)...along with the Beatles medley from ABBEY ROAD. (I'm going from memory at the moment, since my yellow notepad has seemingly absconded from view.)
There were a few surprises along the way, such as "All She Wants To Do Is Dance," which caused Cook to joke, after the slam-bang ending: "You thought it was from the '60s? Well...we lied." From the band's side of things, we got "Over The Mountain," and "Hey Lover" (the flipside of their classic single, "Little Miss Sad"), which serve to remind us that the Five Emprees' sound owed as much to classic R&B and soul as it did to the British Invasion.
The biggest, and most audacious choice, was an extended set-closing jam on yet another Santana raver, "Soul Sacrifice," which became one of the highlights of their '69 Woodstock Festival performance. Watching the crowd go crazt after those famed opening Latin bars (Dun-DUH-DUH-Dun/Dun-DUH-DUH-DUN-Dun) isn't something that I'll forget easily, if ever, while DePoian, Pelkey and Scheuenman made the most of their golden opportunity to stretch out.
What makes these shows so special is the Emprees' ability to make these well-worn songs sound as though they're playing 'em for the first time, while injecting their own instrumental character along the way...which is no mean feast, and not easy to do (as I can attest, having witnessed many reunited bands from all different eras).
Right around 11 o'clock, it was over, just like that, leaving the true believer and newcomer alike to add this particular show to their stack of memories...for which DJ "Rockin' Randy" Poole's choice of song (The Beatles' "In My Life") seemed so apropos. (Special thanks to Randy, by the way, for allowing me to use three of his Facebook pics -- which I've labeled, "THE VIEW FROM STAGE LEFT," "DRUMMER BILLY WINANS," and "WORKIN' THE CROWD" -- after my trusty punk rock digital camera's batteries crapped out after about 15 shots.)
Since these reunions currently happen one at a time, I naturally had to ask, "What happens now?" It's hard to believe that another year, at least, might pass before we see these guys again.
However, nobody's breaking out the crystal ball yet, as Ron made clear afterwards: "I don't know -- it's not up to us. We play whenever we can. Somebody has to ask."
Well, let's put this way...if anyone finds a better ideal cue, let me know.