The Rhode Runners Cincinnati, Ohioi 1964-1967     Don Mangus and Shirley Cook both of "The Rhode Runners" band from Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1965.  We were a young close knit group of local kids just trying to have some fun and meet girls like everyone else those days. We Named The Band After Dusty Rhodes a local DJ on WSAI radio Cincinnati, Thus the name Rhode Runners, I dated a girl named Shirley Cook and lost contact with her when my family moved to Ross (Venice), Ohio in late 1968. I hung around and became the advertising agent for another local group in the neigborhood called Tony and the Bandits, They had a hit and was on SHINDIG in 1965 with " It's A Bit Of Alright. Tony left the band and Ivan of Ivan and The Sabers joined the Bandits and made the famous band "The Lemon Pipers". I was too young to join the band in California for the taping. Tony Brazis still keeps in touch with me as well as Ivan Browne of The Lemon Pipers. Personnel: Don Mangus - Guitar/Vocals Frank Gilb - Lead Guitar/Vocals Billy Rielly - Drums/Vocals Jerry Hanna - Bass Guitar/Vocals Influences: Beatles, Ventures, The Beach Boys, Tony And The Bandits, Rolling Stones, The Kinks Setlist Sample: Love Potion #9, Walk Don't Run, Here Comes The Sun, If I Needed Someone, Satisfaction Equipment: Lots of Rolled and Pleeted tufted large oversized speaker cabinets by Casino, Gibson Sg Junior guitar (white) B-25 Gibson Flattop, Fender Stratocaster (Frank) with Fender twin Reverb amp, Ludwig wood drums (Billy) and some real crappy old sound system we had made in the garage (we were truely a garage band). Rehearsal Space: Frank Gilb's Garage in Bond Hill (suburb of Cincy) Band Vehicles: Frank had an old Ford Galaxie and I wasn't even driving yet! Fashion Statement: Straight Leg black slacks with black shoes/Beatle Boots and white shirt and black thin tie. Alternate with stripped surfing shirts. Best Gig: The high school graduation dance for Elmwood Place, Ohio because I grew up there in my younger years along with my best friend Billy Rielly. Gig from Hell!: The same Graduation Dance .. .this may sound funny but we were so young and scared crapless when everone finally showed up. I got to the gig late because my mother made me attend church service that night and I was 30 minutes late. By the time I got there the band was running out of songs that they could do without my vocal or musical help. Last Gig: It was a Private party for a young girl's birthday at Woodward High School . Her last name was (Spivak). I got into an argument with Jerry our bass player over saying something really childish about his musical ability but we soon made up. Comments: We had a car washing/waxing biz and a newspaper sales route to help with our band expenses at that time. I give credit to Tony Brazis for all his help showing us how to operate a band on limited funds and helping me with my guitar lessons from time to time. I know I use to drive the Bandits crazy but I loved those guys and followed them to all the gigs I could to learn the biz. Thanks Tony Brazis, Steve Walmsley, Bob Nave, Bill Bartlett and Rest in Peace, the late Bill Albaugh. Don Mangus 1969     Where are they now? Winter, 2004 I (Don Mangus) am residing in Fort Myers, Florida and still write and produce music under ASCAP. Frank Gilb Moved away in the summer of '67 never to be heard from again. I am still trying to locate Frank Gilb, Billy Rielly, and Jerry Hanna. another fellow who played in the band for awhile too. His last Name was Boone, and Randy Chapman, who lived in Bond Hill too. Would like to locate him too someday!    Information contributed by Don Mangus Dmild2wild@yahoo.com

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