1965-1967 Annual Rock 'n' Roll World Championships (Battle of the Bands)
In the 2nd year of the contest (1966), the event took on a greater magnitude by adding the National Tea Council as a co-sponsor, with the Music Circus. Regional contests were held in New York, Boston, Baltimore/Wash D.C., Miami, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, and Kansas City. First prize was $1000, a TV Appearance & a recording contract. Second prize was $500 and a recording contract. Third prize was $250.
Robin and the Hoods featured in "Teen Scoop" magazine, September, 1966.
The 1966 winners were "Robin & the Hoods", of State College, PA, from the Pittsburgh regional finals.
Second place that year went to "The Rocking Paramounts" from the Buffalo, NY region finals.
In 1967, the contest had grown to 2600 bands, from 15 regions across the USA. The 15 regional winners competed for the Championship in August, at the Music Circus between concerts by Robert Goulet, and Mitch Ryder, both of whom were judges along with author James Michener, band leader Paul Whiteman, representatives of the Press and Radio, and Former Winners.
First prize was, again $1000, a recording contract, and a TV appearance. But, an additional prize of Ampeg Musical Equipment was added. Ampeg had been added to the list of sponsors, and they were supplying the amplifiers on stage, for the event. Second prize was $500 and Third prize was $250.
I remember that many of the bands were "British Invasion Style". One band wore 1776 style clothing and white wigs. Another, from Florida, had around eleven members. (See note below.) Fourth place went to "The Day Before" from Dallas. Third place went to "The Novelles" from Los Angeles.
The event's emcee, Cousin Bruce Morrow, of WABC, announced the runner-up prize this way: "Winning the $500 prize and missing first by an unbelievably close margin, The Combinations." We were from Easton, PA and it was disappointing to know we'd come that close to winning.
But, after the show, we were surprised to have the President of Ampeg approach and invite us to the Ampeg Headquarters in New Jersey, where he personally gave me an Ampeg BT-1 5C Bass Amp, an Ampeg Bass Guitar, and an Ampeg Baby Bass Upright, all new models at the time. He also gave us an Ampeg Guitar Amp and an Ampeg PA system. So, it was quite a thrill for us.
We were also contacted by the Milton Bradley Company to record a song for a new dance game they were putting into production. That song would be based on the original tune our guitarist and I had written, for the 1967 Music Circus contest. So, we ended up recording it at RCA's NY studio.
We also traveled around promoting the record and game when it was released, even making appearances on TV a few times. So, even though we came in second in the 1967 Rock 'n Roll World Championships, we actually ended up with more prizes and benefits than had been listed for a first place finish.
First place that year went to a six-piece horn band, from Memphis, TN. Called "The Chasers."
It was a great time in a great music venue. We always appreciated the fact that we were part of it.
Regards, Bobby Scammell, "The Combinations" Easton, PA
"The Combinations" on stage, during the contest in 1967 with our Ampeg Amplifiers.
L to R: Neil Wellen, Marty Freifeld, Bobby Scammell, George Ross
Photo courtesy of Bobby Scammell
"The Combinations" receiving their 2nd place trophies from Bruce Morrow & the Tea Council Teen Queen, Pamela Jo.
L to R: Sam Losagio, Neil Wellen, George Ross, Bobby Scammell, Marty Freifeld, Pamela Jo, Cousin Bruce Morrow.
Photo courtesy of Bobby Scammell
"The Combinations" receiving their $500 prize check, from St.John Terrell, owner of the Lambertville Music Circus.
L to R: St. John Terrell, Bobby Scammell, George Ross, Sam Losagio, Marty Freifeld, Neil Wellen
Photo courtesy of Bobby Scammell
"The Combinations" (with the Bass Guitar given by Ampeg's President) recording in RCA Studios, NY, with Hall of Fame record producer, Jim Fogelsong.
L to R: Marty Freifeld, George Ross, Bobby Scammell, Jim Fogelsong, Neil Wellen, Sam Losagio
Photo courtesy of Bobby Scammell
Canadian Contestants - 1967 Third Annual Rock 'n' Roll World Championships
So I was heartened to find your site and also that 1967 has some detail. But the article(s) on the 1967 rock band competition do not make any mention of a Canadian representation. I was hoping to fill in that blank if possible.
See attached article that appeared in the paper after we had been selected to represent Quebec in Toronto.
Thanks, Bob Glass
Editor's Note:
If anyone has more information of the Canadian national contest, please let us know.
"The Cousins" - 1967 Third Annual Rock 'n' Roll World Championships
July 2, 2022
My name is Cindy Stafford (Cole). I was in the Battle of the Bands in 1967. There was mention of the band from Florida with 11 members. That band was "The Cousins", I was the lead singer in the band. I have such good memories of that time. We stayed in Bucks County, I think it was at the Bucks County Inn. There were cottages and a common area with a piano. Robert Goulet also stayed there and we had a great jam session with him playing the piano and lots of people singing. Mitch Rider was there as was Pete Fountain and James Mitchner. It was a special time.
Thank you for putting the website together. I have no pictures of this time as my cousin kept them.
Thanks so much, Cindy Stafford