Blues based R&B band played early rock and roll covers of Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, James Brown, etc. Members included Randy Holden (guitar), Carmine Palumbo (bass), John Larkins (drums), and Ray Hales (vocals).
L-R: Holden, Larkins, Hales, Palumbo
Photos courtesy of Randy Holden
Hales joined the Du-Kays… Holden later formed the Fender IV along with Mike Port (bass, vocals), and Joe Kooken (guitar, vocals). The group was mostly an instrumental band that played rock and roll and surf sounds. In 1963 the group moved to Los Angeles and released a couple singles on Imperial Records (1964-66). The band later became known as the Sons of Adam and included another Baltimorean Earl French (Ex-Skyliners, Nomads) on drums. Earl returned to Baltimore where he later played in Sticky Leaf. The Sons of Adam with their new drummer Mike Stuart (later of Love) released one album before folding.
Holden went on to join the Other Half, another LA band that featured heavy guitar and a touch of psychedelia. They released two albums and several singles. Randy’s next stop was with the hard rock band Blue Cheer. He joined the group in 1969 and is featured on the LP “New! Improved!” although by the time the album was released he had moved on. His next solo LP “Population” failed to attract much attention and he eventually moved away from the music business and worked as an artist.
After nearly 20 years Holden was persuaded to pick up his guitar again. He recorded a new album in 1996 “Guitar God” with former Blue Cheer drummer Paul Whaley. “Guitar God 2001” was released in ‘01.
