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| Duration | 00:06:34.266 |
| Abstract | Alex Campbell was Interviewed over the phone in two parts by 1490AM radio personality Rick Wilson circa 2020 as part of a series of long-time professional musicians who had an association with Lindy Shannon of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Shannon was a disc jockey, record store manager, local band promoter and agent as well as being a weekly music columnist. Shannon was active with area musicians from roughly the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s. Shannon worked with Roger Gilbeck under the agency name Lin-Beck. |
| Abstract | Campbell was discovered by Shannon in a 1964 talent contest at 14 years old. Shannon tapped Campbell to sing vocals in 1966 with a Shannon-managed band The Fax. They recorded Witchi-Tai-To which stayed on top of the Milwaukee market rock charts for four weeks. Shannon then added Campbell permanently to another band he managed called The Ladds in 1966. In July 1968 the Ladds opened for Tommy James and the Shondells at La Crosse's Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium. The rock group was signed to Bang Records in 1970 and changed their name to Today's Tomorrow. Shannon then turned management of the group over to a Milwaukee agency. The band toured the Midwest mostly for two years. Campbell returned to college but eventually joined the Changing Times band |
| Abstract | Alex K. Campbell was born June 23, 1952, and died in La Crosse, Wisconsin, at age 69 on February 28, 2022. |
| Abstract | Contents: 0.01 Introductions -- 0.25 Band name -- The Ladds – 1964 talent show judged by Lindy Shannon – Campbell part of a duo called Mystery Two; Shannon called Campbell to record a record with one of Shannon’s bands called The Fax; it was called Witchi-Tai-To then Campbell was matched with The Ladds, another Shannon band. In 1970 was signed to Bang Records and had to change the band name – chose Today’s Tomorrow. -- 2:04 Band members, musical influences, instruments -- Marv Melby, Eric Melby, Chucky Holzer, Ralph Russell and Alex Campbell; started on rhythm guitar then moved to keyboards; Hal Atkinson was very inspirational -- 2:37 Touring -- Toured Midwest mostly; opened for Tommy James and the Shondells at the Mary E. Sawyer auditorium as the Ladds in 1967/1968; Campbell wanted to go back to college; spent two years touring in the Midwest; the band would stay in one area and play Tuesday-Sunday then travel on Monday -- 4:01 Joined the Changing Times -- Spent ten years with the Changing Times – Campbell joined the band when Times Square the bar was closing down as the popular music changed over into disco; became the Macomba Club; bandmates were Tari Tovsen, Danny Bottcher, Larry Gaulke and Alex Campbell -- 4:47 Pay -- The band was paid $1200 per week -- 5:06 Transportation and traveling -- Limousine hauled a trailer when they traveled; when in Milwaukee, the band stayed at the Tyrolean Townhouse -- |
| Creator | 1490AM WLXR The Eagle (Radio station : La Crosse, Wis.) |
| Interviewee | Alex Campbell |
| Interviewer | Rick Wilson |
| Owner | La Crosse Public Library |
| Recording engineer | Rick Wilson |
| Type of resource | sound recording |
| Genre | sound |
| Genre authority | marcgt |
| Place of publication | La Crosse, Wis. |
| Date captured | 2023-09-12 |
| Language | eng |
| Subject topic | Shannon, Lindy, 1928-1995 Authority: Local |
| Subject topic | Fax (Musical group) performer Authority: Local |
| Subject topic | Todays Tomorrow (Musical group) performer Authority: Local |
| Subject topic | Changing Times (Musical group) performer Authority: Local |
| Subject topic | Ladds (Musical group) performer Authority: Local |
| Subject topic | Oral history--Wisconsin--La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Rock music--Wisconsin--La Crosse--1961-70 Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Rock music--Wisconsin--La Crosse--1981-90 Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Rock musicians--Wisconsin--La Crosse--Biography Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Rock musicians--Wisconsin--La Crosse--Interviews Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Rock music--Wisconsin--La Crosse--1971-80 Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Rock groups--Wisconsin--La Crosse--History Authority: LCSH |
| Subject geographic | La Crosse (Wis.)--Social life and customs--20th century |
| Subject topic | Campbell, Alex--Interviews Authority: LCSH |
| Subject topic | Interviews--Wisconsin--La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
| Subject geographic | Country: United States State: Wisconsin County: La Crosse City: La Crosse |
| Note | Forms part of the La Crosse History of Rock and Roll Project (LHRRP) |
| Note | Duration: 6:34 |
| Note | Broadcast on radio 1490AM The Eagle in 2020 |
| Use and reproduction restrictions | This item has been made available for educational purposes only and may be protected by copyright law. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. |
| Collection | Oral Histories and Audio Recordings |
| ID | 0f244de8-65a3-46f8-8bd2-da7a3beb615a/wlac0000/20230720/00000001 |