Sources

[Various unsigned advertisements, articles, and editorials, 1967-1969.] Janesville Daily Gazette. Janesville, Wisconsin: Gazette Printing Company.

Forbish, Lynn.  "'Meadow' Is Living From Hand to Mouth."  July 27, 1968.  Janesville Daily Gazette. Janesville, Wisconsin: Gazette Printing Company.

Forbish, Lynn.  "Shy Medical Student Now Popular Singer [Neil Diamond at The Meadow]."  August 19, 1968.  Janesville Daily Gazette. Janesville, Wisconsin: Gazette Printing Company.

Marling, John. Personal interviews (telephone and email).  February 2010.

Martinsen, Leanne.  "'The Meadow' Clicks With Janesville Teens." February 24, 1968.  Janesville Daily Gazette. Janesville, Wisconsin: Gazette Printing Company.

Myers, Gary E. 1994. Do You Hear That Beat. Downey, California: Hummingbird Publishing.

Myers, Gary E. 2006. On That Wisconsin Beat. Downey, California: MusicGem.

Rettgen, Gary. "Fun and Night Life." [Various columns], 1968. Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin: The Capital Times Company.

Rettgen, Gary.  "Fun-Filled Robin, 3 Hoods Have a Ball, Whoop it Up." August 14, 1968.  Capital Times.  Madison, Wisconsin: The Capital Times Company.

Rettgen, Gary.  "Young Rock Band Rolls On Despite Draft Interruptions." September 12, 1968.  Capital Times.  Madison, Wisconsin: The Capital Times Company.

Wald, Elijah. 2009. How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'N' Roll.  New York: Oxford University Press.

Thanks to Cathy Idzerda of the Janesville Gazette for writing "Meadow mania: Website brings back memories of Janesville's psychedelic past," in the June 3, 1010 newspaper!

This site about The Meadow is designed to evolve based in part on your feedback.
If you have stories to share, I'll try to include them on this "Sources & Comments" page.
Contact me:  accardi5 (at) comcast (dot) net

Your Comments and Questions
(May be edited for space or other reasons)

February 19, 2010

It was great taking a trip back to the 60's. I attended many of the shows and looking back, missed some I wish I would've made. I was 16-17 years old then and my memory may play tricks on me but didn't "Friend & Lover" play there, or were they booked, then backed out? I do remember seeing the Ohio Express and saying "those aren't the same guys I seen on TV".

There is one story about the Meadow you could check out that I got directly from a friend...
The Prodigal Sons were supposedly opening for "The Ides of March" who had the national hit "Vehicle". My friend, Dave Vance, played bass for the Prodigal Sons and another friend, Greg Fairfield was their drummer. The story goes the drummer for the Ides of March had a draft day set and they asked Fairfield, on the spot, if he would join them and help them finish the tour dates. Greg eventually declined because we, Greg, Dave and I were going to UW-Whitewater that fall and Greg and Dave had signed on for ROTC, which they figured would keep them out of Viet Nam for awhile. I'm going to pass your web-site on to some of my friends who also made the trip to the Meadow from Milton. Nice job!

Bruce Penny
Class of 69
Milton Union High School

** Thanks, Bruce.  After receiving your email, I learned that Friend and Lover performed at the Meadow on May 10 after the Grass Roots cancelled their engagement.  (See page 3.)  Great story about the Prodigal Sons and Greg Fairfield.  I met those guys at a 1967 "battle of the bands" in Beloit.  Ask them if they remember the No Left Turns.   --Joe

February 19, 2010

[Regarding] "The Meadow," I believe my ex- brother-in-law worked there also. You might want to ask John Marling or Steve Fugate if they remember Larry Entress?

Dave Hernandez, Beloit

** Thanks, Dave.  Another question over to you, John.  --Joe

February 25, 2010

Boy is this great stuff for baby boomers. Fond memories. I still play my Cryan Shames greatest hits CD frequently.
One note (it is a small world): The group "Ben Franklin & The Kites" was actually from Fort Atkinson. I met them at a bar where I worked in 1967 (Wally's Lounge) and ultimately roomed with two of the members. One of those two is Ted Anderson who is now known as Diamond Ted, owner of Diamond Ted's Tattoo Parlor in Janesville. He was a singer and guitar player - pretty talented. He'd be a pretty interesting guy to talk with.

Dave Johnson, Janesville

** Thanks for the info about Ben Franklin & the Kites, Dave.  I made the correction.  Glad some memories were rekindled for you.  --Joe

February 26 and March 24, 2010

That is FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so much!!  I was actually the drummer for Ben Franklin and the Kites... Tom Belzer was our lead singer and rhythm guitar, we also had Terry Woods on guitar and Jim Haag on keyboard (organ), along with Vaughn Manougue on bass. We all still get together a couple times a year, but sadly, Terry Woods passed away last year [2009]. Thanks again for doing this!

Ted Anderson, Janesville, Diamond Ted's Tattoo

** Thanks for the info about the band, Ted.  I hope to visit your shop sometime soon for a tat.  --Joe

September 5, 2010

Great job on the website.
The “break band” referred to the night that Ohio Express played at The Meadow was Mourning Dayze. They are the band that loaned their instruments to Ohio Express. Mourning Dayze was a garage band out of Whitewater, Wisconsin, just down the road a piece from Janesville. Their manager was Ken Adamany who lived in Janesville and auditioned bands there. Later, Mourning Dayze took on Phil Dutcher as their promoter.
The names of the Mourning Dayze were Rick Pfeiffer, Doug Henry, Steve Ellman and Chuck D’Amoto. (See their website: http://www.mourningdayze.com).

Lyle Ernst, author
Davenport, Iowa
Currently writing a biography entitled:  Mourning Dayze, The Story of a Wisconsin 60’s Rock Band Still Rockin’ after 45 Years.  (Available soon.)

June 20, 2014

Really enjoyed this article. So glad there is someone who takes the time to chronicle these times. Wanted to add that The Casserole Boogie Band, consisting of Frank Helland, Greg Sherman and Keith Worden , won the Hagtstrom Battle of the Bands. They later became Point Blank (also managed through the Ken Adamany agency) with Bob Boos replacing Greg on the drums.
Frank eventually left the band and was replaced with lead guitarist Jim Miller and keyboardist Dave Campbell. Name was then changed to Point Blank. This band played throughout the Midwest around 1970, 71 and 72. Interestingly, Bob Boos later joined a popular group called Rosie in Ohio that played with many national recording artists and went on the become an artist rep for the Sabian Cymbal Company in Hollywood,CA for 26 years.

Keith Worden (formerly of the Casserole Boogie Band)
St. Petersburg, FL
(See Wisconsin Garage Bands 1960s site for a photo of the Casserole Boogie Band)

Revised: 06/22/14.

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