New Colony Six
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, albums, singles |
| Website | www |
New Colony Six (often shortened to NC6) is a garage rock band from Chicago, United States, that later embraced a soft rock style. The group was established in 1964.[1]
Music historian and writer Richie Unterberger characterized the band's early sound as resembling "a more pop-oriented American Them featuring prominent organ melodies, distinctive Lesley amplifier effects on guitar, and energetic tempos," which gradually shifted into "a cabaret-style ensemble with modest national chart successes by the late 1960s."[2]
Formation and initial achievements
New Colony Six originated from students attending St. Patrick's High School in Chicago, who were approximately 18 years old at the time.
Similar to Paul Revere & the Raiders, with whom they once shared a living space before either band gained chart recognition, NC6 adopted Colonial-era costumes for their stage performances—unaware that the Raiders had chosen the same attire.[3] In late 1964, Columbia Records and Dick Clark Productions selected Paul Revere & the Raiders over NC6 to appear on the ABC television program Where the Action Is.
Following this setback, Ray Graffia Sr., father of one of the band members, provided financial backing for their debut single "I Confess," with additional support from other parents. The group founded their own label named Centaur (which was later renamed Sentaur and then Sentar). Initially handling their own management, NC6 eventually hired promoters Pete Wright and Howard Bedno.
Between 1966 and 1971, New Colony Six reached their commercial peak by placing ten singles on the Hot 100. Their first album, Breakthrough, issued on Centaur Records in early 1966, featured "I Confess," which became a significant local success, reaching #2 on Chicago’s WLS radio station. Distribution responsibilities were subsequently assumed by Cameo-Parkway Records, and by 1967 their label transitioned to Sentar for the release of Colonization, which included the track "Love You So Much" (WLS #2; Hot 100 #61; Canada #49).
In late 1967, after signing a contract with Mercury Records and adding Ronnie Rice to their lineup, NC6 moved away from their garage rock origins towards a softer musical approach marketed as soft rock. Their two most successful singles during this period were Rice's compositions "I Will Always Think About You" (WLS #1; Hot 100 #22; Canada #14) and "Things I'd Like to Say" (WLS #2; Hot 100 #16; Canada #6).
Later releases such as "I Could Never Lie To You" achieved moderate chart performance (WLS #7; Hot 100 #50; Canada #38), but none of their final four singles entering the Hot 100 between 1969 and early 1972 managed to break into the top 55 positions.
Band member transitions
The membership of New Colony Six has undergone numerous changes over time. The founding lineup consisted of Ray Graffia Jr. (lead vocals), Chic James (drums), Pat McBride (harmonica), Craig Kemp (organ), Wally Kemp (bass), and Gerry Van Kollenburg (guitar). In 1966, Ronnie Rice joined as vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist, replacing Craig Kemp. Present-day members include Graffia, Rice, and Bruce Mattey.
In 1967, Ellery Temple briefly took over bass duties from Wally Kemp before Les Kummel assumed the role; Kummel passed away in 1978. Bruce Gordon succeeded Kummel in August 1969. Billy Herman replaced Chic James on drums in 1969. Although Graffia departed early in 1969, he later rejoined and continues with the band as of 2023. Chuck Jobes followed Craig Kemp on keyboards. In 1972, Skip Griparis took charge of guitar and vocals until the group disbanded live performances in 1974.
Past and Current Engagements
In 1988, thanks to Bruce Gordon's initiative, New Colony Six reunited at Chicago's Park West and has maintained a steady performance schedule since then. The group takes part in The Cornerstones of Rock concert series, sharing the stage with prominent Chicago-area mid-1960s bands such as The Buckinghams, The Shadows of Knight, The Cryan' Shames, and The Ides of March.
Honors
The band earned induction into the Iowa Rock n' Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2002 and was later honored by the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Albums
- Breakthrough (1966, Centaur)
- Colonization (1967, Sentar)
- Revelations (1968, Mercury)
- Attacking a Straw Man (1969, Mercury)
- Colonized!: the Best of New Colony Six (1993 Compilation, Rhino)
- At the River's Edge (1993 Compilation, Sundazed)
- A Live and Well (2005 The Colony Live)
Singles
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
U.S. Billboard |
Canada |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "I Confess" b/w "Dawn Is Breaking" |
80 | – | Breakthrough |
| 1966 | "I Lie Awake" b/w "At the River's Edge" |
111 | – | |
| "The Time of the Year Is Sunset" b/w "Sunshine" (Non-album track) Unreleased |
– | – | ||
| "Cadillac" b/w "Sunshine" |
– | – | Non-album tracks | |
| "(The Ballad of the) Wingbat Marmaduke" b/w "The Power of Love" |
– | – | Colonization | |
| "Love You So Much" b/w "Let Me Love You" |
61 | 49 | ||
| 1967 | "You're Gonna Be Mine" b/w "Woman" |
108 | – | |
| "I'm Just Waitin' (Anticipatin' for Her to Show Up)" b/w "Hello Lonely" |
128 | – | ||
| "Treat Her Groovy" b/w "Rap-a-Tap" (Non-album track) |
– | – | Revelations | |
| 1968 | "I Will Always Think About You" b/w "Hold Me with Your Eyes" |
22 | 14 | |
| "Can't You See Me Cry" b/w "Summertime's Another Name for Love" |
52 | 57 | ||
| "Things I'd Like to Say" b/w "Come and Give Your Love to Me" (from Attacking a Straw Man) |
16 | 6 | ||
| 1969 | "I Could Never Lie to You" b/w "Just Feel Worse" (from Revelations) |
50 | 38 | Attacking a Straw Man |
External links
- ↑ "The New Colony Six Homepage". Newcolonysix.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ↑ Unterberger, Richie. Music USA: the Rough Guide. Page 268. Rough Guides, 1999, ISBN 978-1858284217
- ↑ Enright, Laura L. Chicago's Most Wanted. Page 175. Brassey's, 2005, ISBN 978-1574887853