The
Vipers
Mountain
Home, Arkansas
1964-1968
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After a
chance encounter with some high school
buddies, aspiring drummer Bob Ketchum
suddenly found himself the man behind the
drums of what would eventually become The
Vipers. From dances at the local Armory
and Legion Hall, to frat parties at The
Universary Of Arkansas, to sharing the
bill with Frank Sinatra Jr, The Vipers had
their eyes on the prize and were destined
to hit the big time! For a more detailed
account by Bob Ketchum of their short
strange trip, including more photos, sound
clips and an interview with Lance Record's
Mike Dugo click here:
THE
VIPERS
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Personnel:
Bob Ahrens - Organ
Bob Ketchum -Drums
Steve Tullgren - Guitar
Gary Shelton -Bass
Hiram Byrd - Trumpet
Joe Summers - Vocals
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Influences:
The
Animals, The Rolling Stones, The
Standells, The Raiders, The
Ventures
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Setlist
Sample:
Light My
Fire, You Can't Sit Down, House of the
Rising Sun, Satisfaction, It's My Life,
For Your Love, Do Wa Diddy, What'd I Say,
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
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Equipment:
Silvertone guitars and amps, Ampeg amps,
homemade PA system, Slingerland drums,
1964 Ludwig Super CLassic drums (The
"Ringo" set), Farfisa Combo Compact Organ
thru Fender Bassman head into
Fender/Leslie. Moserite and Strat guitars
into Fender Bassman amp. Apollo "Hofner
copy" bass into Fender Bassman amp. Shure
SM58 mic's into Standel Solid State PA
system.
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Rehearsal
Space:
Guitar
player's parent's basement.
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Band
Vehicles:
Plymouth
Barracuda (seat folded down for drums).
1962 Rambler SW.
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Fashion
Statement:
You'd
have to see it to believe it. Waaaaaaaaaay
before KISS!
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Best
Gig:
The Lodge
of the Four Seasons - - the Pinnacle of
our career. We opened for Frank Sinatra,
Jr., the Guy Lombardo Band, and other
nationally known acts and
artists.
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Gig
from
Hell!:
The Lodge
of the Four Seasons -- We played every
afternoon and also evening
performances,
ALL in makeup and costumes.
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Last
Gig:
Hestand
Stadium, Pine Bluff, Arkansas..... Spring
of 1968
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KISS
meets The Hello
People?
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Where are they
now?
Bob1, Bob2, Hiram, and Gary still
live in the Mountain Home area. Joe lives in Texas
and Steve lives in Illinois.
The Vipers reunion 1992. From
left:
Hiram Byrd, Bob Ahrens, Bob Ketchum, Joe Summers, Steve
Tullgren, Gary Shelton.
Information contributed
by Bob Ketchum
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