Rockicks, previously known as "Rockit", was signed to RSO, the label best known for carrying The Bee Gee's. RSO was formed in 1976, who, in addition to their manager Warren Entner (who also managed an early version of Quiet Riot), was responsible, for the bands all to cheesy and frankly dumb name. (but, that's the music biz!). The band's "leader" was guitarist Brian Naughton,
Brian's previous musical life saw stints with Rock Candy (MGM), and The Grass Roots between 1970 and 72. After which he joined Peanut Butter Conspiracy and remained with them until he formed Rockit in 1973.
Rockicks deliver a variation of 70's biker rock not unlike Black Oak Arkansas, Creed, and The Boyzz. Just what RSO planned to do with Rickicks remains a mystery. It's not as if the band had any real chances. They toured around the U.S. with Quiet Riot, and were on the bill to perform with Blondie, but were pulled at the last minute. (replaced by an unknown by the name of Tom Petty and his band The Heartbreakers) As fate would have it, Blondie's gigs opened up doors for Petty, and in turn closed doors for Naughton and Co. Pretty good biker/stoner rock and recommended for purveyors of such.
The only album by an American band from Minnesota, formed in 1969, and existed until 1972. They managed to sign a contract to MGM in 1970 and released this sole self titled L.P. The band consisted of Brian Naughton (guitar), Andy Andrews (bass), Frank Daniels (piano/organ), and Joe Roffredo (drums).
Guitarist Brian Naughton ended up a member of Rockicks, who released an L.P. on RSO records in 1977.
This small tidbit is the only info I was able to dig up on this release. And the band is from my home town! If I learn more I'l update accordingly. Otherwise, anyone? Bueller?
The Glass Sun, from Westland Michigan, made several recordings from 1964 to 1972. Originally The Cyclones, the band consisted of Bruce Roll (guitar/vocals), Rick Roll (bass/vocals on "No One Knows About Me"), and Danny Sills (Drums).
In 1965, the band played weekly gigs at a local Army/Navy hall for Friday night teen dance, in addition to the Westland Civic Center. As with many other bands of the time, they played a number of local band wars from time to time resulting in victory in Wayne, Michigan in 1966.
They began recording original material in fall of 1964, when the group met Danny Dallas, who would assume the role of production for the next 8 years at his own studio.The band released two 7" 45's on Dallas' 'Sound Pattern' label. The Brothers Roll ended up serving military tours in Vietnam, yet still made recordings whenever time permitted. The last sessions made with Mike Cassengrande (guitar) and his brother Bob (keyboards) until Bruce could be discharged from the service.
The Glass Sun recently released a CD retrospective: Cyclonic Revue of most (if not all) of their recordings on the still existent Sound Pattern Records. https://www.facebook.com/GlassSunBand/
Mick Wayne's first band was 'The Outsiders' with Jimmy Page on guitar. After recording one single for Decca in 1965, The Outsiders broke up the following year at which point Wayne joined Hull musicians 'The Hullabaloos', replacing Rikki Knight briefly before they too, broke up. He made an attempt to form a new lineup in Hull with drummer John Cambridge, but soon returned to London (Cambridge later joined the Hull band 'The Rats', with Mick Ronson). Wayne next joined the 'Bunch of Fives' (including ex-Pretty Things drummer Viv Prince) during 1966 and his band evolved into 'The Tickle' with band members Mick Wayne (guitar), Mike Docker (Vocals), Dave Williams (keyboards), Richard Dowling (bass), and John Beckerman (drums). The Tickles only single - "Subway (Smokey Pokey World)" - has appeared on many psychedelic compilation albums, including Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionery.
After the breakup of Tickle, Mick Wayne formed Junior's Eyes in early 1968 originally with drummer John "Candy" Carr and then with John "Honk" Lodge (Ex-Grahm Bond Organization) (bass), and Steve Chapman (drums). They soon recorded a single with help from pianist Rick Wakeman and producer Toni Visconti. The trio added singer Grahm "Grom" Kelly and (briefly) organist John Redfern in 1968, and began work on an album. Battersea Power Station was released in June, 1969.
That same month Rick Wakeman and Mick Wayne were among the guest musicians who recorded David Bowie's breakthrough hit "Space Oddity". For the followup Space Oddity album recorded between June and September, Bowie and producer Visconti were backed up by a new lineup of Juniors Eyes comprised of Mick Wayne (guitar) John "Honk" Lodge (bass), John Cambridge (drums), and Tim Renwick (Guitar, flute, recorder)
The same band backed Bowie on a BBC Radio Dave Lee Travis Show session in October 1969, and (without Wayne) on single B-side "Conversation Piece" recorded in January 1970. Wayne had also helped record James Taylor's debut album between July and October, 1968, and Honk played on the album "Think Pink" by Pretty Things drummer Twink, in 1969.
These recording sessions for other projects disrupted progress for the band, and the new lineup recorded only one single. They played their final gig on February 3, 1970 supporting Bowie. It was at this gig that former "Rats" drummer Cambridge introduced Bowie to Ronson and within days, Cambridge, Ronson and Visconti (bass) were Bowie's new backup band.
