It all began in Hinsdale, Illinois with a band called "The Travelers." Comprised
of Tom Doody (Toad), Gerry Stone (Stonehenge), Dave Purple (Grape) from the Prowlers,
Denny Conroy and Jim Fairs from the Roosters, and Jim Pilster (J.C. Hooke), the band later
changed its name to The Cryan' Shames in 1966. J.C. Hooke was responsible for naming the
group because of the problem they had coming up with a name ... "being a Cryan' Shame."
As told to us by Tom Doody, "Gerry was the founder of the group,it was his vision and persistence which gave the group it's direction. He was the producer of the Shames".
After playing in the Chicago area for a bit, they captured quite a following which
included Dex Card, the DJ from WLS radio. This led to them meeting and signing with
Bob Monaco, the promotion manager for Destination Music. Their first hit single was
"If I Needed Someone", which was not released in the US. It was soon followed by
"Sugar and Spice," a Tony Hatch song that was done prior to their version by an English
group called The Searchers in 1964. The flip side of the single, "Ben Franklin's Almanac,"
was an example of Jim Fairs' genius as a songwriter/musician. "Sugar and Spice" was
promoted by Clark Weber on WLS radio and sold over 400,000 copies. Soon after, they
were signed to Colombia Records, and released another single featuring two more Fairs'
originals, "I Wanna Meet You" and "We Could Be Happy." They had a strong English
Influence and first recorded at Sound Studios in Chicago.
Their first album, also titled "Sugar and Spice," showcased the prior two singles
as well as new material. Its cover was a photograph of the band that was taken at Piper's
Alley in Old Town, Chicago. This album held my favorite version of "Hey Joe," which
was done earlier by The Leaves. Also on the album were versions of "Heat Wave,"
formerly by Martha and the Vandellas, and "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," formerly
by The Animals. These songs were all remarkable versions, but what made the group
stand out from the start was their incredible vocal harmonies that featured Tom Doody
as lead vocalist.
Their August 1966 version of "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" was the last song they recorded during the Sugar and Spice album session at Sound Studios.It was recorded for a personal collection and was never intended to be released.It later appeared on Happy Tiger's "Early Chicago" compilation album.
Shortly after its release, Grape left the band and was replaced by Isaac Guillory,
formerly of The Illusions, and The Revelles. Guillory was a talented songwriter who had
already written over 70 songs. Stonehenge followed and was replaced by Lenny Kerley from The Kingmen, The Galaxies, and the Squires.
Lenny and Jim Fairs combined their songwriting talents, and Lenny wrote the song "Mr. Unreliable"
which quickly became their third single. They had a UK version of
the "Sugar and Spice" 45 that was released under the name "The Shames."
Around June of 1967, they released another single entitled, "It Could Be We're
In Love" that skyrocketed to number one that August. The following December they
released their second album, "A Scratch In The Sky," which contained even more Fairs
and Kerley originals such as "A Carol for Lorelei," "Sailing Ship," "In the Cafe (French
Verse)," and "The Town I'd Like To Go Back To." The group's musical ability was
exemplified on this album, highlighting their complex vocals, harmonies, and guitar
arrangements. It also brought about their use of bag pipes, mandolin, horns, and
acordion. Next came their singles "Up On The Roof," and "Young Birds Fly." They made
their nationwide TV debut on NBC-TV's "Showcase '68."
In June of 1968, Jim Fairs and Denny Conroy left the group and were soon replaced
by Dave Carter of Saturday's Children and Alan Dawson from The Boston Tea Party, and The Squires. The Fall of 1968 brought a single
"Greenberg, Glickstein, Charles, David Smith, and Jones." Followed by "First Train To
California," and in early 1969, their third album "Synthesis". Synthesis featured original songs by Kerley, Guillory, Carter and Fairs, with Dawson appearing on the lead vocal for "let's get together".
Later that October, they released their last single "Rainmaker." In January 1969 Alan Dawson left the group to
finish his college education, and was replaced by Denny Conroy. Ron Kaplan, replaced Denny Conroy when he left again in 1969. Ron finished the last six months, and played the reunions at the Wild Geese, Chicagofest, etc..
Though the Road Staff varied for the Shames',Jack Doody was their Road
Manager for the longest period,with Mike Hruby as their Equipment Manager.
Mike was a talented artist,who was well known for his charactures
of the band. The Road Staff performed with the Shames as The Muggy Flooz.
From 1966-1969 The Cryan'Shames National Fanclub was staffed by Lynn Janutka, and Kathy Cantwell from M.G.Productions which handled the group's promotions.
I was fortunate enough to meet the group in the Summer of 1969 while they were
filming for "Scene 70" at Washington Park in Michigan City, Indiana.
I Took twopictures drawn by Steve Krueger and myself. The band
invited me into their motorhome and gladly autographed them for me.
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