12/30/2004 - I
just received a GREAT eMail from Bob Lee, who was kind enough to share his
story of seeing Link Wray and the Wraymen at Hershey Park in June 1958, at
the height of Link's success with Rumble. Here's his story -
Hi,
Here's a couple of pictures...one of me and Link in June of 1958, one of the
Wraymen backing up Jan and Arnie, and one of
Link "doing his thing."
Here's what I recall of the
concert:
Irving Feld, who "packaged" tours of a dozen or so rock and roll
stars on one bill in the 50's and early '60's, put together a smaller
package billed as a "Summer Dance Party" to play at various
amusement parks, etc. around the east and south from June-August
in 1958. I was a "teenage" dee-jay at WCOY in Columbia, PA and saw
the show in June at the nearby Hershey Park "Ballroom."
Link Wray and the Wraymen,
augmented with a sax player who's name I never knew, were the house band,
backing up the others on the tour and playing their own stuff between acts.
Headlining the tour was Frankie
Avalon ("DeDe Dinah") and the Kalin Twins ("When"),
along with Jan & Arnie ("Jennie Lee"), and Dickie Doo &
The Dont's ("Click Clack"),
plus "Ray Vernon" who did a couple of his Cameo releases, one of
which I think was "Evil Angel."
Cameo ran ads in Billboard
Magazine for most of its single releases and that's where I first heard of
"Ray Vernon," only to discover during that tour his "true
identity."
It was backstage that Link
mentioned to me "Rebel 'Rouser" was going to be included on an EP
that was coming out shortly. The EP, of course, never appeared and it
was later that I heard that Cadence Records put a "hold" on future
Link Wray releases.
Fifteen years later, having moved to Tucson, Arizona, I had the opportunity
to get reacquainted with Link and Doug when they also relocated here from
Waldorf (Accokeek), Maryland, bringing the "Shack" with them on a
flatbed truck. Link and the "Wraymen" did a few appearances here
in '74 before Link moved on. Vern remained in Tucson, performing
regularly at several "lounges" until a year or so before his
death.
"Wasted," was recorded
here in Tucson and he "hawked" copies of it wherever he was
appearing. I stayed in contact with Vern for several years, but his
lifestyle made it increasingly difficult to keep track of him.
Link made at least two
appearances in Tucson in the late '90's. Unfortunately I was unable to
catch either of them. I hope he returns soon.
Bob Lee
Tucson, Arizona
December 30, 2004
These never-before-seen pictures
of Link are courtesy of Bob Lee.