Duration | 00:10:11.683 |
Abstract | Larry Gaulke, formerly known as Larry Ball, was interviewed over the phone 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 | Gaulke was a part of a Lindy Shannon promoted band called Johnny and the Shy Guys. The band did well and branched out beyond Shannon's management, changing their name to the Fabulous Shy Guys. Gaulke was a bass player active with this band from its inception in 1963 to 1968. |
Abstract | Later bands Gaulke was a part of were Orange Colored Sky based in California; and Four Pound Smile and Changing Times based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. |
Abstract | Contents: Introductions -- :38 Name; radio contest/Pepsi party/Shy Guys band members John Bernadot from Dakota, MN / Les King who was a Logan High School classmate / Rick Sobek from Winona, MN / Larry Gaulke (Ball) who played bass and was the lead singer -- 2:40 Lindy Shannon influence; suggested they record “Til the End of Time” at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis -- 3:23 other area bands that were active at this time were Dave Kennedy & the Ambassadors; T-Js and Changing Times; at one point the Shy Guys had seven guitarists in the band -- 4:10 cut the record; local hit and local and got some regional air play “Shorty’s Shack” and “From me to You”; Sobek was replaced by Rudy Von Ruden and he took over lead vocals -- 5:17 travel and touring; opened for Jerry & The Pacemakers at McCormick Place in Chicago -- 5:45 opened for Paul Revere and the Raiders/spent 17 weeks in Salem, Oregon, at the Chateau. Met Hal Atkinson from Biloxi, Mississippi, there who then joined the band and took over lead vocals; band returned to Wisconsin and Von Ruden left the band -- 7:20 “What’d I Say” released with Von Ruden as lead vocalist; Ray Charles called and talked to them as it had been released by him -- 7:58 places the band played; DJs in Madison packed the place – fun place to play -- 8:30 Changed names to Fabulous Shy Guys with Larry Gaulke / Hal Atkinson / Danny Baker from Chicago / J. C. Haseman, Tari Tovsen / Dave ? from La Crosse; worked for Al Schultz Orchestrations out of Chicago and they let a record hit slip away with “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogaloo Flu” then Johnny Rivers recorded it and it became a big hit “Rockin’ Pneumonia the Boogie Woogie Flu.” -- 9:55 transition |
Alternative title | Oral History Interview with Larry Ball : Part 1 / interviewed by Rick Wilson |
Creator | 1490AM WLXR The Eagle (Radio station : La Crosse, Wis.) |
Interviewee | Larry Gaulke |
Larry Ball | |
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 geographic | La Crosse (Wis.)--Social life and customs--20th century |
Subject topic | Gaulke, Larry--Interviews Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Interviews--Wisconsin--La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Oral history--Wisconsin--La Crosse Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Rock music--Wisconsin--La Crosse--1961-70 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 groups--Wisconsin--La Crosse--History Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Rock music--Wisconsin--La Crosse--1971-80 Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Rock music--Wisconsin--La Crosse--1981-90 Authority: LCSH |
Subject topic | Changing Times (Musical group) performer Authority: Local |
Subject topic | Johnny & the Shy Guys (Musical group), performer Authority: Local |
Subject topic | Fabulous Shy Guys (Musical group), performer Authority: Local |
Subject topic | Shannon, Lindy, 1928-1995 Authority: Local |
Subject topic | Ball, Larry--Interviews 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 | Broadcast on radio 1490AM The Eagle in 2020 |
Note | Duration: 10:11 |
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/wlac0000/20230720/00000006 |