Five Americans

The Five Americans

Company type	Rock band
Industry	Music
Founded	1962
Headquarters	United States
Products	Music recordings, singles, albums

The Five Americans were a rock group from the United States during the 1960s, primarily recognized for their track "Western Union," which climbed to number five on the U.S. Billboard chart and stood as their sole Top 20 hit. In Canada, they achieved three singles within the Top 20 rankings.

Career

Originating as The Mutineers in 1962 at Southeastern Oklahoma State University located in Durant, Oklahoma, the band members connected on campus and initially performed covers of artists like Bo Diddley and Duane Eddy. Their first single, "Jackin' Around," recorded in Dallas, Texas, in 1963, garnered significant airplay on college radio stations. Inspired by the British Invasion, they incorporated songs by The Beatles into their performances, updated their look, and placed greater emphasis on vocal arrangements. A defining element of their sound became the use of the Vox Continental electronic organ. While performing at The Pirate's Nook in Dallas, they attracted the notice of John Abdnor, president of Abnak Records, who offered them a recording contract. Shortly thereafter, they adopted the name Five Americans.

After releasing five notable singles—"I See The Light," "Western Union," "Sound of Love," "Evol - Not Love," and "Zip Code"—the group embarked on a brief tour. Their financial affairs were managed by Jon Abdnor Sr., who owned Abnak Records along with other enterprises. Upon his passing in 1996, the rights to their recordings were expected to return to the band; however, Sundazed Music obtained the original master tapes. Presently, the Five Americans continue to earn royalties from both sales and publishing rights.

"Western Union"

In a March 1967 interview with Washington D.C.’s Evening Star, guitarist Norman Ezell recounted how "Western Union" originated. Lead guitarist Mike Rabon created an innovative sound mimicking a telegraph key, which served as the inspiration for the song’s development.

Disbandment and members' passings

The Five Americans dissolved in 1969 after several singles failed to make a significant impact on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—"7:30 Guided Tour" reached No. 96, "Virginia Girl" peaked at No. 133 just below the chart, and "I See The Light '69" did not chart at all.

Mike Rabon continued with a prosperous touring career, producing two commercially successful albums and playing guitar for Tyler, Texas pop band Gladstone, whose single "A Piece of Paper" attained No. 45 in October 1972. Later, Rabon earned a master's degree in public school administration and dedicated 28 years to education in Oklahoma. He married Cara Beth Whitworth in 1979 and passed away on February 11, 2022, at age 78.

Keyboardist John Durrill, known for writing hits such as "Dark Lady" for Cher and "Misery and Gin" for Merle Haggard, as well as being affiliated with the Ventures, currently lives in Los Angeles. As of 2024, he remains the last surviving member of the group.

Bassist Jim Grant died from a heart attack on November 29, 2004, aged 61.

Norman Ezell, guitarist and harmonica player who later became a teacher and minister in Northern California, succumbed to cancer on May 8, 2010, aged 68.

Drummer Jimmy Wright transitioned from music to freelance photography and died at Texoma Medical Center on January 30, 2012, at age 64.

Albums

• I See the Light (BB No. 136) – HBR HLP-8503 (mono) / HST-9503 (stereo) (1966)
• Western Union (BB No. 121, CB No. 66) – Abnak ABLP-1967 (mono) / ABST-2067 (stereo) (1967)
• Progressions – Abnak ABLP (mono) / ABST-2069 (stereo) (1967)
• Now and Then – Abnak ABST-2071 (1968)

Singles

Year	Single	Chart positions				Label	Album
		US Hot 100	US Cashbox	CAN RPM	AU
1965	"Show Me" b/w "Love, Love Love"	–	–	–	–	ABC-Paramount 10686	Non-LP tracks
	"Say That You Love Me" b/w "Without You"	-	-	–	-	Abnak 106
	"I See the Light" b/w "The Outcast"	-	-	–	-	Abnak 109	I See the Light
1966	"I See the Light" b/w "The Outcast" (re-release)	26	41	18	-	HBR 454
	"Evol-Not Love" b/w "Don't You Dare Blame Me" (from I See The Light)	52	68	41	-	HBR 468	Progressions
	"Good Times" b/w "The Losing Game" (from I See The Light)	-	-	-	-	HBR 483	Non-LP tracks
	"It's You Girl" b/w "I'm Gonna Leave Ya"	-	-	-	-	Jetstar 104
	"I'm Feeling OK" b/w "Slippin' and Slidin REDIRECT Template:Single+double	-	-	-	-	Jetstar 105
	"Reality" b/w "Sympathy"	-	-	-	-	Abnak 114	Western Union

External links

Year	Single	US Hot 100	US Cashbox	CAN RPM	AU	Label	Album