Abstract	A posed portrait of Dave Kennedy and the Ambassadors with some instruments. Pictured left to right are Tom Neary, Ronnie Rink, Tari Tovsen and Dave Kennedy. Kennedy, a vocalist and guitarist from La Crosse, Wisconsin. The typescript material on the front says: "Cuca Recording Artists - photo by Steve Bute." David E. Kennedy (1942-2004) was matched by promoter Lindy Shannon to record with one of his other bands, the SuperPhonics. Dave created his own band Dave Kennedy and the Ambassadors and they became the studio house band at Cuca Records in Sauk City, Wisconsin, until military service commitments broke them up in 1964/65. Kennedy moved to New York and joined the Argoes band which evolved into the Good Times. Eventually he formed the U.S.A. Band. Kennedy died in New York in 2004.
Abstract	This photo was a part of a scrapbook that Evadine "Evie" Ratajczek created of local rock and roll bands and entertainers who performed in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, area, many of whom were connected to Lindy Shannon.
Abstract	In Ratajczek's handwriting on the backside it says: "#1 Tom Neary - Ronnie Rink - Tari Tovsen - Dave Kennedy 1961."
Abstract	In January 1990, Lindy Shannon wrote an article for the La Crosse Tribune, "Coulee favorite Dave Kennedy still in groove 3 decades later." Shannon recaps Kennedy's professional career and his involvement in Kennedy's early days as a musician and composer.Whenever people talk about the all-time great drummers from this area, Johnny's always included, and rightfully so. He's a young veteran in this business, and it all started back with the 'Fendermen' and 'Mule Skinner Blues.' Remember?"
Alternative title	mss185-01-09-023
Metadata contact	Tanya Vaughn Johnson
Owner	La Crosse Public Library
Photographer	Steve Bute
Type of resource	still image
Genre	picture
Genre authority	marcgt
Publisher name	La Crosse Public Library
Place of publication	La Crosse, Wis.
Date published	1961
Date captured	2023-08-07
Language	eng
Width	3.33
Height	2.67
Subject geographic	Country: United States State: Wisconsin County: La Crosse City: La Crosse
Subject temporal	1960s
Subject topic	La Crosse (Wis.)--Social life and customs--20th century--Photographs Authority: LCSH
Subject topic	Rock musicians--Wisconsin--La Crosse--Photographs Authority: LCSH
Subject topic	Ratajczek, Evadine Authority: Local
Subject topic	People--Group Authority: Local
Subject topic	Kennedy, Dave (Musician) performer Authority: Local
Subject topic	Shannon, Lindy, 1928-1995 Authority: Local
Subject topic	Dave Kennedy and the Ambassadors (Musical group) performer Authority: Local
Subject topic	Cuca Records (Firm) Authority: Local
Subject topic	Neary, Tom (Musician) performer Authority: Local
Subject topic	Rink, Ronnie (Musician) performer Authority: Local
Subject topic	Tovsen, Tari (Musician) performer Authority: Local
Note	Forms part of the La Crosse History of Rock and Roll Project (LHRRP)
Note	The photographer is Steve Bute
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	Area Historical Photographs / Musicians
ID	975a4c9f-eedb-4618-b83a-4ba57861c240/wlac0000/20240130/00000019