The Artesians had an auspicious start as Gary Raines (cousin of Mary Lou Raines of the Buddy Deane committee) bragged that he had a band. He was asked to bring his band to perform at a teen dance. Only one small problem – he didn’t actually have a band – and he began scrambling to assemble one. In order to bail Gary out and thus save his honor, a group of musicians from around the Hamilton area were organized by Gary and became known as Gary & the Playboys. The band featured Gary (lead vocals), Bob Sallers (guitar), Frank Dazzell (guitar), Lou Branflick (piano ex-Checkers), Ron Schwartz (trombone), and Bob Hughes (drums). The band was “very loose” Lou explains, and early on they did not play out much.
Their high school math teacher whom they referred to as ‘Mrs. T’ took the group under her wing as a manager. She allowed the band to practice in her basement while she made arrangements for booking teen dances. The band was later managed by Roy Gunther who also managed the Legends, Del-Rays, Del-Vinos, and The Package.
The name was soon changed to Gary & the Artesians. The band wore red jackets with black velvet collars. Various personnel changes were to take place with the line up eventually including Bill Krahling (guitar), Ken Wilkinson (bass), and Rick ‘Igor’ Morgan (guitar). Later Hughes left to join The Legends and was replaced with Terry O’Patterson (ex-Del-Vikings). Terry was eventually replaced with drummer Steve Bach. Wilkinson eventually left, prompting guitarist Rick Morgan’s switch to the bass guitar.
The Artesians made appearances at places such as the Satyr House and the Hullaballoo Club. On March 24, 1967 they opened for the Marvelettes at the Parkville Armory along with Denny & the Hitchhikers at a dance hosted by WCAO’s Paul Rodgers.
Raines was later with the American Revolution… Branflick went on to join Rush Hour (later known as Time Machine). Morgan was later with The Package. The nucleus of the Artesians – Krahling, Hughes and Branflick went on to become members of the band Legend. Krahling later went on to the Better Half, and with Hughes later played in the Lower East Side…
