The Dantes
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 in Worthington, Ohio, United States |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Worthington , United States |
Area served | Columbus, Ohio music scene |
Key people | Barry Hayden, Dave Workman, Lynn Wehr, Carter Holliday, Joe Hinton |
| Products | Garage rock music recordings and performances |
The Dantes were a garage rock ensemble originating from Worthington, Ohio, active between 1964 and 1969. They emerged as a prominent band within the Columbus music scene, securing a number one local hit in 1966 with their song "Can't Get Enough of Your Love," which has since become highly prized by garage rock collectors.
History
Established in 1964 in Worthington, a suburb of Columbus, the group's definitive lineup consisted of Barry Hayden on lead vocals, Dave Workman handling lead guitar, Lynn Wehr on rhythm guitar, Carter Holliday playing bass, and Joe Hinton on drums. Hayden stood out for his engaging stage charisma. Drawing inspiration from British Invasion bands such as the Rolling Stones, The Dantes incorporated numerous covers of these artists both in concert and studio recordings. Their local acclaim grew as they frequently competed in battles of the bands against competitors like the Rebounds and the Electras (who later became the Fifth Order).
Under the management of disc jockey Johnny Garber alongside Chuck Swisher, The Dantes debuted their first single in March 1966 via Jamie Records. The A-side, "Can’t Get Enough of Your Love," co-written by Wehr and arranged by Workman, showcased a 12-string guitar style reminiscent of The Byrds. The B-side featured "80–96," a blues-driven instrumental originally titled "8–69" but renamed due to concerns from the record label. This leading track reached the top position on local charts at radio station WCOL.
Their follow-up single was released in September 1966 through Cameo Records, comprising covers of Jagger & Richards' "Under My Thumb" and Holland-Dozier-Holland's "Can I Get a Witness." The band’s final single appeared on Main Line Records with production by Walt Mansky and coordination by Jerry Sharell. This release included another Jagger & Richards cover, "Connection," paired with the horn-accented pop piece "Satisfied," indicating an evolution in their musical direction.
The Dantes had the opportunity to open for Jimi Hendrix at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus. After Workman departed in 1968 to establish Dave Workman’s Blues Group, The Dantes persisted until 1969 when they adopted the name Moonstone. Advertisements from that year show Moonstone performing alongside bands such as the Fifth Order before disbanding shortly after.
Following his music career, Barry Hayden took employment at a Honda assembly facility and later served as director of guided tours at the Ohio Statehouse. He revisited performing with reunion shows during the 1990s and 2000s and participated in two reunion concerts in Columbus in 2008. Currently, Hayden leads the Professors, focusing on British Invasion classics from the 1960s, underscoring his enduring dedication to music despite diminishing commercial success.
The Dantes’ recordings continue to captivate garage rock aficionados; notably, "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" was reissued on the 2005 compilation Psychedelic States: Ohio In The 60s Vol. 1 released by Gear Fab Records.
Membership
- Barry Hayden (lead vocals)
- Dave Workman (lead guitar)
- Lynn Wehr (rhythm guitar)
- Carter Holliday (bass)
- Joe Hinton (drums)
Discography
- "Can't Get Enough of Your Love" b/w "80–96" (Jamie 1314, March 1966)
- "Under My Thumb" b/w "Can I Get a Witness" (Cameo 431)
- "Connection" b/w "Satisfied" (Main Line 1366, November 1967)