HELLO TO ALL THAT HAVE COMMENTED: I don't visit these videos that often anymore but am SO grateful for the kind and gracious comments all of you have been leaving. After all of these decades it's very gratifying to see how these songs (and videos I created years ago) have been received. Thank you all so much!!! -Aris (lead singer and keyboardist for The SoulBenders)
I've been introducing my friends at college to the Soulbenders and Phlegethon. Everyone I've showed so far has really been enjoying the music. You'll always be remembered for generations to come! Thanks again for sharing this music with us.
Thanks much...I'm doing fine (just retired from doing 37 years of on-air Rock radio.) The band that won was The Gents from Provo, Utah. They had a violinist in the band, and when they first started to play, I knew they were going to win. Coincidentally (and thankful for it) they were the 'only' band that we befriended while we there. Great guys. We each cheered each other on through the whole affair.
thank you aris and to all your bandmates that went on to form phelegathon and for this music and video as the soulbenders. Liked the song and the video especially because it reminded me of myself when I was at that age and trying to start a band. That\s what most boys wanted to do at that time,be in a band. So nice to have all that video when you were all younger and having so much fun at the same time as being serious about being a famous band. Wish we could go back to a simpler time of our youth.
Remember alot from Oct. 67. Psychedelic music was big and so was flower power, and Vietnam War! Alot of good pop, top 40 pop psych and just mainstream rock an roll. It would take some time for me to dig back to my memory files to name and list some of the big hits in fall 67. But, all you need is love cause love is all you need.
One day I'm going to name a child in your honor Aris. I was blessed enough to hear this masterpiece nearly 15 years ago. I made my mind up all the way back then. Still a dream, but one day I will bring it to fruition❣
I'm listening to this song again and again, I like it very much. Thank you for sharing. I wish I had lived in the 60s, somewhere in the States or England...
I first heard this tune on WLAV on the show "Music To Watch Cartoons By" (courtesy of Steve Aldrich), back in the spring of 1987, and just happen to have taped that show and still have it. I didnt record this readback and for years I never knew who did this tune. Cut to a few weeks ago I got hooked up with a video of 60's garage bands home videos and lo and behold this clip was on it. Was unaware that the Soul Benders did this tune. Always liked this tune.
Jeff Boughner was my dad's cousin, and it's awful that he passed a few years back. Glad i've finally managed to listen to some of their tracks. I feel really lucky that this April, I might be able to buy one of Jeff's old guitars from his brother Lee and hopefully I'll put it to good use.
Hi Aris I absolutely love this song. I have been into 60s lost songs since the mid 80s and have collected and heard many 1000s of them. This is the first time I heard this one and is one of my favorites. Thank you very much for sharing this
Exactly , it's thruth ,but i'm french and i' dont know if they realized one album psychedelic records like CA Quintet or country Joe and the fish or Mary Butterworth or other one underground group sixtees ? or if another name of group ?
Hey there... The Soulbenders had the sound back then and it is still the sound today... Thanks for posting this and the other songs. We really had it all back then! Interested in learning what became of the other band members and what they are up to today etc. Thanks in advance.
Hi Paul: I (the lead singer and keyboardist) ended up doing Rock on-air radio for 37 years and am now retired. Second guitarist, Jeff, passed away in 2007. Dick the lead guitarist is enjoying life in California (away from music) and the other two members have gone MIA. Many thanks for your kind words. -Aris
FORMER GRAND RAPIDS RADIO PERSONALITY ARIS HAMPERS HAS PASSED AWAY Aris' Music Career Aris' love of music began at an early age. As a young man, he sang vocals and played keyboard for a band called the Soulbenders in the late 60s. Their song "I Can't Believe in Love" was a local hit in 1967. The band later changed their name to Phlegethon. The band went back to Aris' Greek roots to come up with that name. In Greek mythology, the river Phlegethon was one of the five rivers in the infernal regions of the underworld, along with the rivers Styx, Lethe, Cocytus, and Acheron. Aris took that love of music and soon became a radio personality in Grand Rapids. Aris On the Air For four decades, Aris worked at many of the local radio stations. His first job in radio locally was a WLAV. He was part of ground breaking rock 'n roll radio in Grand Rapids. The progressive style of the station influenced many. Aris gave his all to air shifts. There was rumor that he actually had a metronome in the studio with him so that when he faded from one song to another, the beat would be the same. It was a very subtle technique, but he found it important to do that for the listening pleasure of his listeners. From WLAV, Aris moved on to the FOX 101, and later to WKLQ. His last air shift in Grand Rapids was probably on The Brew (101.3) sometime in the last decade or so before he officially retired. Aris' Disc Shop Aris' love of music also developed into a love of movies. He opened up a disc shop on 28th Street that predominately featured movies on laser disc. The store would later move to Celebration Cinema at Knapp's Corner. The shop also gave him the opportunity to sell CDs and some of his vast album collection that he had in the basement of his home. Walking into his basement was like walking into a vinyl record warehouse...and everything was carefully cataloged on 3x5 cards in the early days, and later converted to digital files. Aris and Local Music Aris never forgot his musical roots. He did everything he could to promote local bands. For many years, at several of the radio stations he worked at, he would do a "Hometown Rock Search" to find the best local band. It was a very involved process to put these musical competitions together. Bands would submit cassettes of their music and Aris would personally sit down and listen to each and every tape in putting together the line ups for those competitions. Aris was a Big Dog Lover Despite having a big love for music, Aris' first love was his dogs. Over the years he had several dogs that were as pampered as you could find. His last dog, Asia, died of cancer in 2018 at the age of 13. Aris Silenced by Cancer In December of 2019, Aris wrote of his being silenced by cancer. In February of 2016 he started to notice a change in his voice. Doctors did a scope of his through and found nothing. His voice continued to deteriorate for the next three years. Aris said... I chalked it up to getting older and a natural change for a person who spent most of his life ‘talking’ for a living on the radio, not to mention a smoker since my freshman year in high school. In the winter of 2018, doctors found a 1-1/2 inch cancerous tumor on his windpipe. The tumor had damaged Aris' voicebox/larynx to a point it could not be saved. Aris told us of the news in December the following year, stating that he "may be broken, but I'm still here". Here is his complete Facebook post from December 5, 2019... Hello all! I figured it was time to finally speak out as to why I've been absent here on Facebook and from life in general for the past 6 months. I'll try to keep it short and avoid becoming maudlin since that's not my style and it really benefits no one. Nearly 4 years ago in Feb. 2016 I started to notice a very subtle change to the bottom end of my voice and decided, when I went to get my ears flushed, to have a mid-level ENT take a quick look at it. He did a scope of my t... See more News of Aris death has shocked everyone that knew and worked with him (me included). He was truly a radio icon and was always there to help in whatever way he could. As of this writing, there is no official cause of death or any information on his exact age. From information I can find, I think he was 73 or 74. R.I.P. Aris
You've got a great memory, Charlie. I think the song you're referring to was '(We Aint Got) Nothin' Yet' originally by the Blues Magoos. I'm sure we covered it cause we were fans of the band.
you're one the best garage composer and great singer on earth! I'd like to buy all your records! I used to listen "petals" anytime, and though "what a awesome band, who is the singer? is great" nice to meet you!
Every now and then a copy appears on Ebay but be advised they usually go for more than $100. Look for 'Hey Joe' by the Soul Benders since that's the side that's usually listed in the title. I have a very few copies left that I may at some point in the future sell...but it won't be very soon. Thanks for your interest.
OK mosrite guitars and vox amplifiers it doesn’t get any better than this and cars with big V-8 engines I do believe we are in paradise and the song is really good
Har har har! For a split second at 1:11 this old film clip slips from a G rating into a PG rating. It's difficult for me to think of something with this many major7 chords as falling into the "garage" category, but it's a great jazzy tune. Who are the two babes at 2:03? They're gorgeous.
thanks for posting this, very cool clip! sorry by the way the organ in this song is a farfisa compact not vox,I've the same organ from the 1967 sound like this belive me!
Wow, what a great tune. I, like many who have commented, wasn't even born when you wrote and recorded this. As a musician and 60's audiophile, you guys were a tight band with a fantastic original. Wish you had better success...Just know that this has become one of a few tunes that for whatever reason hits my musical soul. Oh, and Aris, is that a major seventh chord in the chorus...just wondering.
Thanks for the kind words...Jeff was indeed special. However, I'm not sure what you downloaded from iTunes. Our music isn't there. Try: arisdisc.com if you're interested in getting our music.
I can't believe I've never heard this !! The video is almost as great as the song. I was born in '67 . hearing this 51 years after the fact blows my mind . this is a GREAT song !! Was this also recorded at that movie theater in Michigan ? The engineers did a great job. Vox amps, Mosrite guitar. I'm wondering about the organ make ?
The organ was a Vox Jaguar. And yes, recorded in Sparta at Great Lakes Studios (home of Fenton records). The owner and engineer of both sides of this record just passed away a few weeks ago. Really appreciate your comments! -Aris (lead singer and organist)
ArisDisc thank you so much for your response ! I have watched the video so intently . It reminds me of being in a "garageband" in the mid 80's ( punk era). Ironically the bass player had The Stooges album. I had the MC5 live album. The video is great. I'm just trying to imagine the sounds of those cars ? The smell in the air? Whose neighborhood ? What were the neighbors like ? What days did you practice ? Just so many things since I love music history. Well thanks again .take care.peace.
Brian: Go to Ebay and type in 'Michigan Tapes' in the search field. It will bring up the CD with all of our music on it. I'm not asking you to 'buy' the cd, but click on the listing and then 'ask a question' or 'send a message' to my user ID which is also Arisdisc. Shoot me a hello message, and I'll send you a link to download the 87 page booklet (on pdf) that comes with our cd. It has tons of stories on all the songs we did, lots of photos and stuff that I think (judging from your last comment) you will really enjoy. No obligation. I'll let you download it for free.
Aris - back then, you guys did a song, it was uptempo, the chorus had words like "you ain't seen nothin' yet" at the end of the chorus. Heavy organ play throughout. I heard you play it on stage at the old OHHS when you would have been a senior. Just wondering.....Charlie OHHS '71
I've thought about making a vid for 'Voyage' but my materials (visual) for Phlegethon are limited. I may some day...we'll see (but making these vids is mighty time-consuming.)
The composer is Billy Roberts not Chester Powers which is A K A Dino Valente.... the copyrights in Billy Roberts hand… You can Google and see the copyright.... there is a cassette recording of him doing it in his room… There are a couple claiming to be the original but if you listen to some of them they're too modern sounding to possibly be Billy Roberts in the 1960s
HELLO TO ALL THAT HAVE COMMENTED: I don't visit these videos that often anymore but am SO grateful for the kind and gracious comments all of you have been leaving. After all of these decades it's very gratifying to see how these songs (and videos I created years ago) have been received.
Thank you all so much!!!
-Aris (lead singer and keyboardist for The SoulBenders)
You ROCK Aris.......always have and always will!
I've been introducing my friends at college to the Soulbenders and Phlegethon. Everyone I've showed so far has really been enjoying the music. You'll always be remembered for generations to come! Thanks again for sharing this music with us.
IT took me many years to discover The Soul Benders, now I am infatuated. Why couldn't you make more marvelous music like this. Beyond Wonderful!
I've just become a fangirl hahah. Your music is amazing & timeless.
Where can I find the vinyl to buy it?😓 I can't find it anywhere
Great song. 1967 -1968 were the 2 best years for great music.
Sixties garage pop at it's finest.
THIS SONG!!
Thank you for your very kind comments. It's nice to meet you too! We 'did' put out all of our music on cd a few years ago.
Thanks much...I'm doing fine (just retired from doing 37 years of on-air Rock radio.)
The band that won was The Gents from Provo, Utah. They had a violinist in the band, and when they first started to play, I knew they were going to win. Coincidentally (and thankful for it) they were the 'only' band that we befriended while we there. Great guys. We each cheered each other on through the whole affair.
Man just came across this gem. Fantastic group and music. Too bad they don't make this kind anymore.
michigan some extremely good garage bands in the 60s.another youtube classic.great moody/psych from 1967.60s was the best era for music
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
thank you aris and to all your bandmates that went on to form phelegathon and for this music and video as the soulbenders. Liked the song and the video especially because it reminded me of myself when I was at that age and trying to start a band. That\s what most boys wanted to do at that time,be in a band. So nice to have all that video when you were all younger and having so much fun at the same time as being serious about being a famous band. Wish we could go back to a simpler time of our youth.
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
Kym from Australia love your music great videos
Thank you,...ARIS. THIS SONG IS TIMELESS.......SO PRETTY AND PURE! HOORAY !!
Ha! Thank you so much!! - Aris
Fab 67 beauty! Rog. Pacific sunset records.
This was released when I was 4 years and one day old. I am certain I would have enjoyed it as much then as I do now.
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
Remember alot from Oct. 67. Psychedelic music was big and so was flower power, and Vietnam War!
Alot of good pop, top 40 pop psych and just mainstream rock an roll. It would take some time for me to dig back to my memory files to name and list some of the big hits in fall 67. But, all you need is love cause love is all you need.
I love this home video! They are so sweet :)
One day I'm going to name a child in your honor Aris. I was blessed enough to hear this masterpiece nearly 15 years ago. I made my mind up all the way back then. Still a dream, but one day I will bring it to fruition❣
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
Naming my kitten Aris
This song is great! The video is very appropriate too, real flashback to the 60's...
What lovely boys with talent. Hard to come by those anymore
I'm listening to this song again and again...I like it very much! Thank you for sharing it.
the bit with the super beatle “falling” onto the bass player is great!
lotsa talent here. these kids knew what was up
It's fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
one of the best '60s garage band, the voice is superb ^_^ just listen over and over...thank you
great great great thanks for this gem
I'm listening to this song again and again, I like it very much. Thank you for sharing. I wish I had lived in the 60s, somewhere in the States or England...
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
This was released one day after my fourth birthday. I was living in Spring Valley, NY at the time.
My apologies for not picking it up then.
HAY WEEEY !!! LA PURA ESENCIA DE LA JUVENTUD DE FINALES DE LOS 60's !!! vivan los sesentas !!
Only being able to click that I "like" this is a vast understatement! Great tune, great video!
RIP Aris. I grew up with you! And miss you here...
nice song, cool footage
Geez! Oct. 1967 I was 10years old in the 5th grade. My uncle kia in South Vietnam 5-6 mos. Later during tail end of TET!
I first heard this tune on WLAV on the show "Music To Watch Cartoons By" (courtesy of Steve Aldrich), back in the spring of 1987, and just happen to have taped that show and still have it. I didnt record this readback and for years I never knew who did this tune. Cut to a few weeks ago I got hooked up with a video of 60's garage bands home videos and lo and behold this clip was on it. Was unaware that the Soul Benders did this tune. Always liked this tune.
Checking out GARAGE ROCK I stumbled upon this,glad I did,great stuff!
Jeff Boughner was my dad's cousin, and it's awful that he passed a few years back. Glad i've finally managed to listen to some of their tracks. I feel really lucky that this April, I might be able to buy one of Jeff's old guitars from his brother Lee and hopefully I'll put it to good use.
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
These Guys sound great
The tune sounds so familiar.
Love this.
Superb song. You've got a great sound on all the soulbenders records
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
Beautiful!!! Amazing people. I love You :)
1/1/2014 first time I heard this. I love the way its played and the way he sings it, super groovy... got to here more...
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
I like "Hey Joe" a lot but man, this one totally knocks me out!
Super cool video, too.
Hi Aris
I absolutely love this song. I have been into 60s lost songs since the mid 80s and have collected and heard many 1000s of them. This is the first time I heard this one and is one of my favorites. Thank you very much for sharing this
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
@@bruceblanchard2599 That is sad to hear. I will be forever grateful that I came across this channel and song. It is one of my all time favorites.
Aris...didn't realize u guys were also the Soul Benders....I luved this song...and Hey Joe too. Used to have them on vinyl plus on 33rpm/45 sized.
This is great stuff !! Worth tracking down for all fans of the various genres of Psych.
Lovely , swirly , atmospheric music !
Que energía se siente y eso que no soy de los sesenta
Cool sound
This is a great song!!!!!!!!!I appreciate you posting this as I would have never heard it anywhere else.
Respectfully From Greg
Thanks For sharing!!! I really enjoyed this!!!
Beautiful.
wow wow wow...what a great stuff! i'm going to check out for more... it reminds me of a smiling doors style
The musicianship is at a level of Country Joe and the Fish's first album and the Doors debut.So damn enjoyable.
Exactly , it's thruth ,but i'm french and i' dont know if they realized one album psychedelic records like CA Quintet or country Joe and the fish or Mary Butterworth or other one underground group sixtees ? or if another name of group ?
Hey there... The Soulbenders had the sound back then and it is still the sound today... Thanks for posting this and the other songs. We really had it all back then! Interested in learning what became of the other band members and what they are up to today etc. Thanks in advance.
Hi Paul: I (the lead singer and keyboardist) ended up doing Rock on-air radio for 37 years and am now retired. Second guitarist, Jeff, passed away in 2007. Dick the lead guitarist is enjoying life in California (away from music) and the other two members have gone MIA.
Many thanks for your kind words.
-Aris
Thanks for the response back along with the information. Much appreciated. Thirty-seven years WOW!
Great song!
man i keep listening to your stuff aris and it keeps takin me places and makin me think a lot....which i like;)
FORMER GRAND RAPIDS RADIO PERSONALITY ARIS HAMPERS HAS PASSED AWAY
Aris' Music Career
Aris' love of music began at an early age. As a young man, he sang vocals and played keyboard for a band called the Soulbenders in the late 60s. Their song "I Can't Believe in Love" was a local hit in 1967.
The band later changed their name to Phlegethon. The band went back to Aris' Greek roots to come up with that name. In Greek mythology, the river Phlegethon was one of the five rivers in the infernal regions of the underworld, along with the rivers Styx, Lethe, Cocytus, and Acheron.
Aris took that love of music and soon became a radio personality in Grand Rapids.
Aris On the Air
For four decades, Aris worked at many of the local radio stations. His first job in radio locally was a WLAV. He was part of ground breaking rock 'n roll radio in Grand Rapids. The progressive style of the station influenced many. Aris gave his all to air shifts. There was rumor that he actually had a metronome in the studio with him so that when he faded from one song to another, the beat would be the same. It was a very subtle technique, but he found it important to do that for the listening pleasure of his listeners.
From WLAV, Aris moved on to the FOX 101, and later to WKLQ. His last air shift in Grand Rapids was probably on The Brew (101.3) sometime in the last decade or so before he officially retired.
Aris' Disc Shop
Aris' love of music also developed into a love of movies. He opened up a disc shop on 28th Street that predominately featured movies on laser disc. The store would later move to Celebration Cinema at Knapp's Corner. The shop also gave him the opportunity to sell CDs and some of his vast album collection that he had in the basement of his home. Walking into his basement was like walking into a vinyl record warehouse...and everything was carefully cataloged on 3x5 cards in the early days, and later converted to digital files.
Aris and Local Music
Aris never forgot his musical roots. He did everything he could to promote local bands. For many years, at several of the radio stations he worked at, he would do a "Hometown Rock Search" to find the best local band. It was a very involved process to put these musical competitions together. Bands would submit cassettes of their music and Aris would personally sit down and listen to each and every tape in putting together the line ups for those competitions.
Aris was a Big Dog Lover
Despite having a big love for music, Aris' first love was his dogs. Over the years he had several dogs that were as pampered as you could find. His last dog, Asia, died of cancer in 2018 at the age of 13.
Aris Silenced by Cancer
In December of 2019, Aris wrote of his being silenced by cancer. In February of 2016 he started to notice a change in his voice. Doctors did a scope of his through and found nothing. His voice continued to deteriorate for the next three years. Aris said...
I chalked it up to getting older and a natural change for a person who spent most of his life ‘talking’ for a living on the radio, not to mention a smoker since my freshman year in high school.
In the winter of 2018, doctors found a 1-1/2 inch cancerous tumor on his windpipe. The tumor had damaged Aris' voicebox/larynx to a point it could not be saved. Aris told us of the news in December the following year, stating that he "may be broken, but I'm still here".
Here is his complete Facebook post from December 5, 2019...
Hello all!
I figured it was time to finally speak out as to why I've been absent here on Facebook and from life in general for the past 6 months. I'll try to keep it short and avoid becoming maudlin since that's not my style and it really benefits no one.
Nearly 4 years ago in Feb. 2016 I started to notice a very subtle change to the bottom end of my voice and decided, when I went to get my ears flushed, to have a mid-level ENT take a quick look at it. He did a scope of my t...
See more
News of Aris death has shocked everyone that knew and worked with him (me included). He was truly a radio icon and was always there to help in whatever way he could.
As of this writing, there is no official cause of death or any information on his exact age. From information I can find, I think he was 73 or 74.
R.I.P. Aris
Great tune! A+
very well made video! thank you
northern soul at its best wot a sound
awesome cut, man! Great stuff!
You've got a great memory, Charlie. I think the song you're referring to was '(We Aint Got) Nothin' Yet' originally by the Blues Magoos. I'm sure we covered it cause we were fans of the band.
I read in the CD booklet that Aris Hampers used the bass keys on his organ in this song. A Vox Jaguar to be precise :)
you're one the best garage composer and great singer on earth! I'd like to buy all your records! I used to listen "petals" anytime, and though "what a awesome band, who is the singer? is great" nice to meet you!
fantastic ! big thumbs up
Rip brother aris.
Every now and then a copy appears on Ebay but be advised they usually go for more than $100. Look for 'Hey Joe' by the Soul Benders since that's the side that's usually listed in the title. I have a very few copies left that I may at some point in the future sell...but it won't be very soon. Thanks for your interest.
I agree with the verses in the song.
Thanks for the kind comment! But...sorry, it's a Vox. I'm the keyboard player and singer on this track. I never owned a Farfisa.
Dick (Steimle) is in California, Steve (Johnson) is in Florida and Jeff (Boughner) passed away 3 years ago.
OMG !
The Vox in the film clips is a Jaguar.
Thanks for your comments.
the house across the street in this video looks identical to the one Samantha and Darrin live in on Bewitched.
That's Ottawa Hills neighborhood in Grand Rapids. Still looks like that.
Heavily influenced by the Doors but in a good way because this is amazing!
RIP Aris and Jeff
The CD 'is' still in print, but only a couple hundred are left, and there will be no re-pressing. Find it on Ebay using "Michigan Tapes" as keywords.
The small 33 vinyl had Smoke and some other bands too....maybe the Frederick?
OK mosrite guitars and vox amplifiers it doesn’t get any better than this and cars with big V-8 engines I do believe we are in paradise and the song is really good
how long WILL forever last ?
Har har har! For a split second at 1:11 this old film clip slips from a G rating into a PG rating. It's difficult for me to think of something with this many major7 chords as falling into the "garage" category, but it's a great jazzy tune. Who are the two babes at 2:03? They're gorgeous.
thanks for posting this, very cool clip!
sorry by the way the organ in this song is a farfisa compact not vox,I've the same organ from the 1967 sound like this belive me!
Wow, what a great tune. I, like many who have commented, wasn't even born when you wrote and recorded this. As a musician and 60's audiophile, you guys were a tight band with a fantastic original. Wish you had better success...Just know that this has become one of a few tunes that for whatever reason hits my musical soul. Oh, and Aris, is that a major seventh chord in the chorus...just wondering.
A friend said this song reminded him of The Tracks of my Tears by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Could it have been an influence?
My first post one FB!!!!Ilovvve!!
Thanks for the kind words...Jeff was indeed special.
However, I'm not sure what you downloaded from iTunes.
Our music isn't there.
Try: arisdisc.com if you're interested in getting our music.
I can't believe I've never heard this !! The video is almost as great as the song. I was born in '67 . hearing this 51 years after the fact blows my mind . this is a GREAT song !! Was this also recorded at that movie theater in Michigan ? The engineers did a great job. Vox amps, Mosrite guitar. I'm wondering about the organ make ?
Thanks Brian - Aris
The organ was a Vox Jaguar. And yes, recorded in Sparta at Great Lakes Studios (home of Fenton records). The owner and engineer of both sides of this record just passed away a few weeks ago.
Really appreciate your comments!
-Aris (lead singer and organist)
ArisDisc thank you so much for your response ! I have watched the video so intently . It reminds me of being in a "garageband" in the mid 80's ( punk era). Ironically the bass player had The Stooges album. I had the MC5 live album.
The video is great. I'm just trying to imagine the sounds of those cars ? The smell in the air? Whose neighborhood ? What were the neighbors like ? What days did you practice ? Just so many things since I love music history. Well thanks again .take care.peace.
Brian: Go to Ebay and type in 'Michigan Tapes' in the search field. It will bring up the CD with all of our music on it. I'm not asking you to 'buy' the cd, but click on the listing and then 'ask a question' or 'send a message' to my user ID which is also Arisdisc. Shoot me a hello message, and I'll send you a link to download the 87 page booklet (on pdf) that comes with our cd. It has tons of stories on all the songs we did, lots of photos and stuff that I think (judging from your last comment) you will really enjoy.
No obligation. I'll let you download it for free.
Actually click on "contact seller" at the right of the Ebay listing. :)
Aris - back then, you guys did a song, it was uptempo, the chorus had words like "you ain't seen nothin' yet" at the end of the chorus. Heavy organ play throughout. I heard you play it on stage at the old OHHS when you would have been a senior. Just wondering.....Charlie OHHS '71
I've thought about making a vid for 'Voyage' but my materials (visual) for Phlegethon are limited. I may some day...we'll see (but making these vids is mighty time-consuming.)
Thanks so much for your very nice comment. -Aris
Your comments are very kind! Thanks for sharing. (and I hope I wasn't a jerk when we met.) ô¿ô
This weekend we received the sad news that Aris Hampers passed away early Sunday morning, February 5th, 2023.
NIce sound. Thanks very much. Hope things are good for you these days. By the by, who won that Battle of the Bands?
think I figured it out on guitar here:
verse: Ebmaj7 F G
chorus: F Ebmaj7
Solo: G
outro: A# G#
Real nice song indeed!
Just read your interview on 60s garagebands.com. This is awesome! Have you read the book Detroit Rock City yet? You're probably in it.
The composer is Billy Roberts not Chester Powers which is A K A Dino Valente.... the copyrights in Billy Roberts hand… You can Google and see the copyright.... there is a cassette recording of him doing it in his room… There are a couple claiming to be the original but if you listen to some of them they're too modern sounding to possibly be Billy Roberts in the 1960s
What did rock bands do before A Hard Days Night showed them how to have fun and be whacky?
The Marx Brothers, Dean & Jerry, Donald O'Connor.... That's all I could think of
Excellent! What are the organ chords ?
Il y a de l esprit Doors ds les claviers et breaks
is there any chance i can get this song on vinyl?
:3
doors ripped these guys off
Blatant rip off of Light my Fire. Okay tune though. I guess.