The Escapades
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Memphis , United States |
| Products | Garage rock music, singles "I Tell No Lies", "Mad, Mad, Mad" |
The Escapades were a garage rock ensemble originating from Memphis, active during the 1960s. They rose to prominence as one of Memphis's leading bands in the mid-1960s, producing two singles. Their initial release, with "I Tell No Lies" as the A-side, achieved notable regional success throughout the Southern United States. After signing with Verve Records, they issued "Mad, Mad, Mad," distinguished by its unique fuzz guitar riff. Their music continues to be esteemed by aficionados and collectors of garage rock and is featured on multiple compilation albums.
Formation and early years
Established in early 1963 in east Memphis by Tommy Minga, the original group comprised Minga (vocals), Jerry Phillips (guitar), Billy Wulfers (bass), and Eddie Robinson (drums). Jimmy Tartbutton was also among the initial members. Their chief rival was the Jesters, led by Teddy Paige. Both bands dissolved around 1964 as members departed for college but later reunited with altered lineups.
In 1965, Paige revived the Jesters, incorporating former Escapades members Minga, Phillips, Wulfers, and Robinson. They recorded Minga's composition "Cadillac Man" at Sun Studios with pianist Jim Dickinson as a session musician. However, producer Sam Phillips replaced Minga's vocal tracks with Dickinson’s on both sides of the single, which caused tension within the group.
Definitive lineup of the Escapades
Shortly after, Minga exited the Jesters to reassemble the Escapades with students from Oakhaven High School: Benny Kisner (guitar), Ron Gorden (keyboard), Ronnie Williamson (drums), along with Dale Roark (bass) from Memphis State University. Renowned for their vigorous live performances highlighted by Gorden’s animated Farfisa organ playing, they rapidly became one of Memphis’s foremost acts.
Their debut single, "I Tell No Lies" backed with "She's the Kind," was recorded at John Fry’s garage studio and released via Arbet Records. It received extensive regional radio play and was subsequently reissued by MGM/Verve Records on their XL label. The follow-up single, "Mad, Mad, Mad" backed with "Try So Hard," was produced by Stan Kesler at Sun Studios and featured fuzz guitar performed by session player Tommy Cogbill.
Under the management of Johnny Dark, the band toured throughout the Southeastern United States supporting artists such as Sam the Sham & the Pharos and Tommy Roe. Despite this exposure, their second single did not replicate the success of their first. Returning to local performances, most members were drafted into military service during the Vietnam War era except for Ron Gorden. The band ultimately disbanded in late 1967.
Subsequent developments
Ron Gorden later joined a reformed Bar-Kays lineup, originally Otis Redding's backing band. He went on to work for Stax Records as an art director, where he designed over one hundred album covers and earned a Grammy Award for his design on Isaac Hayes' Black Moses.
The Escapades’ recordings have been embraced by garage rock collectors over time. Their track "I Tell No Lies" is featured on Pebbles, Volume 5 (AIP Records) and A History of Garage & Frat Bands in Memphis 1960-1975, Vol. 1. Meanwhile, "Mad, Mad, Mad" is included on Zone 66 Records’ Destination Frantic, Volume 2. Several songs also appear on the Jesters’ compilation Cadillac Men: The Sun Masters.
Membership
- Tommy Minga – vocals
- Benny Kinser – guitar
- Dale Roark – bass guitar
- Ron Gorden – organ
- Ronnie Williamson – drums
Discography
- "I Tell No Lies" backed with "She's the Kind" (Arbet 1010, February 1966; XL 356, March 1966)
- "Mad, Mad, Mad" backed with "Try so Hard" (Verve 10415, May 1966)