The Dynamos Delhi, Ontario, Canada 1960-1965   One of the more memorable gigs was opening for Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks at Don Ivey' s Summer Gardens in Port Dover. Other venues included Wasaga Beach, The Highlands at Long Point, and various teen towns and dance venues throughout Southern Ontario. The Dynamos were instrumental is assisting Lou Christian, then manager at The Delhi Belgian Club, to establish the Belgian Hall as a longstanding and very popular area rock and roll spot. The Dynamos played regularly at the hall, becoming the house band, and appearing opposite some of the best R&R and R&B groups on the Ontario circuit. Groups such David Clayton Thomas and the Shays, Little Caesar and The Consuls, Robbie Lane and the Disciples, and the Charmaines appeared on the hall stage. Personnel: John Chanda - Guitar and Vocals Tom Schooley - Bass Guitar Roy Esbaugh - Keyboards Grant Gilmour - Sax John Yuristy - Drums Influences: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles Setlist Sample: Forty Days, Stormy Monday Blues, Sexy Ways, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin', Johnny B Goode. Equipment: Ludwig Super Classic silver sparkle, (prior to that a collection of junk), Fender Telecaster & Fender Concert Amp. Fender Precision bass & Ampeg Twin, Selmer tenor & alto saxes, some kind of electric piano and a reed organ... Rehearsal Space: Garage on the Chanda tobacco farm. Band Vehicles: Most Notable- 1960 Isetta (2 passenger bubble car), 1954 Pontiac, 1949 Merc, 1960 Meteor (Ford) to pull the trailer. Fashion Statement: Very classy, skinny black mohair suits, alternate skinny dove grey mohair suits. Best Gig: Opened for The Hawks at Summer Gardens, Port Dover, 1962. Famous and classic venue, now long gone. Had the balls to cover several Hawks tunes. Dream come true, after standing out front watching this band, now were on stage with them. Gig from Hell!: Roosevelt Dance Hall -Walsingham. Don't dance with the local girls... Last Gig: Dunno, probably 1965 as the original band...      John behind those Ludwig Super Classics!   Where are they now? Winter, 2004 John Yuristy - retired, drummer in classic Ottawa rock band GYPROCK. Grant Gilmour- died young, 1980's; John Chanda -died 1990's; Tom Schooley- still in the area. Roy Esbaugh- still around somewhere. John Yuristy today!    Information contributed by John Yuristy jvy@sympatico.ca

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