The
Monuments
Ada,
Oklahoma
1964-1966
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Gary (my
cousin) and I started playing guitars
together in 63. This band held together
really well. The main personel change was
when Burl Moore left and Gary Sims
rejoined the band after returning from the
army. Howard had originally been a drummer
but switched to organ after Burl left the
band. The nucleus stayed the same for the
duration of the band. Tom left in August
of '66 and we went to a 4 piece band. The
unique thing was that we always had
perfect 3 part harmony on all vocals.
Terry and Burl did excellent harmony with
Howard. Then when Burl left and Gary
rejoined the band the harmonies only got
better. They were doing Beatle stuff like
Paperback Writer, Nowhere Man, some
Hollies and some very good Everly Bro type
stuff. Our singers were always right on
pitch. It did not matter which 3 we had
singing.
We recorded a single "African Diamonds"
which was included on the compilation
album
"Monsters Of The Midwest Vol. 3" , now out
of print.
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Personnel:
Jerry Sims - Bass
Terry Bell - Drums, Vocals
Howard (Goob) Collings - Organ ,Vocals
Tom Wilds - Lead Guitar
Burl Moore - Organ, Vocals
Gary Sims - Guitar, Vocals
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Influences:
Hollies,
Animals, Beatles, Lonnie Mack and
Ventures
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Setlist
Sample:
We Gotta get Out Of This Place, Bus Stop,
Roberta ,Last Train To
Clarksville
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Equipment:
Magnatone Amps We had 4 mag 5's, with 2
15's each. Standel amp w 2' 12's We went
from a Farfisa to a Vox organ and various
guitars. Mainly 2 Chet Atkin's Gretschs
and Telecaster.
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Rehearsal
Space:
Terry
Bell's basement
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Band
Vehicles:
Goob's
'64 Dodge, my 53 Chevy and our manager's
62 Chevy pulling a self made custom
trailer.
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Fashion
Statement:
White
pants, white/black turtleneck and a
variety of jackets. sometimes changed each
set.
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Best
Gig:
Battle of
the Bands in Tulsa 1966 we beat out 95
bands and won a Standel amp and a
recording contract.
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Gig
from
Hell!:
McAlester,
Ok Jr. High Puterbaugh. Goob and Lugue
(Terry) had too much Champagne.
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Last
Gig:
December
31, 1966 Elks Lodge in Ada Ok
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Comments:
We could not have
done this without some other people like Danny
Clemons, relief guitarist and roadie and confidant.
Monte Bell was our manager and leader. He kept it
all going in the right direction.
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Henryetta Teen Town,
1966
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Battle Of the Bands,
Tulsa, OK, 1966...we won!
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Where
are they now?
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Jerry Sims is a
History teacher at McLoud Ok. Gary Sims is retired
and playing again. Howard Collings is playing
keyboards, harmonica, and singing with the Scott
Ellison Blues Band, Kansas City, he's traveled all
over the US and Europe playing music. Terry Bell is
program director of KKAJ radio of Ardmore Ok. Burl
Moore is retired and now coaching in Siloam Springs
Ark part time.
Tom...who knows.
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The Monuments 1995 Reunion
back row: Howard (Goob) Collings, Tom Wilds, Gary Sims
front row: Jerry Sims, Terry Bell
Information contributed by
Jerry Sims cheese01@mbo.net
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