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Bio by Mike
Ferris:
The band emerged from
varying origins. The Henchmen were the beginning
point for Jim and Mike O'Brien; the Overtones was
Mickey's first band; Norm and Pat came into the
Zoopan after Mickey was inducted into the Henchmen.
Once the Henchmen's drummer left town, Mickey
recommended Norm as a replacement - Norm was
accepted instantly as his drum-abilities were right
on key with the band's intentions. Pat (or, Dave as
he's called today) was the band's dream member,
bringing exceptional talent into the fold - writer
of songs, excellent singing abilities, and an array
of instrument abilities placed him at the top of
this band's talent. Jim could play excellent piano,
but preferred the guitar. Sadly, we never exploited
his keyboard talents into our ever growing
repertoire. No recordings, some good originals and
great harmony singing.
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Personnel:
David Patrick Kelly - Mandolin, Trumpet,
Flute,Vocals
Jim Wagner - Fender Telecaster, Vocals
Mickey Ferris - Fender Jazz Bass, Vocals
Norm Sukkar - Drums ,Vocals
Mike O'Brien - Lead Vocals, Bass
and an organist named Wayne (can't remember his
last name) who played with the band for a few
gigs.
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Influences:
Beatles,
Yardbirds, Motown, Brit Invasion
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Setlist
Sample:
Here There and Everywhere, Can I Get a Witness,
Monterey (Norm sang lead), Never My Love (rich
harmony by the entire band), Rock and Roll medley
(assorted tunes that highlighted the birth of the
Rock & Roll music scene), You're My Everything
(Temptations cover - Mickey sang lead).
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Equipment:
Jim's Telecaster was his prized possession - ivory
color. Mickey's Bass was a cherry red Epiphone
until it's neck cracked, then he got a secondhand
Fender Jazz Bass. Norm had Pearl Drums w/Zildjian
cymbals. Fender Amps (Bassman and Super
reverb)...all tubes...(Bassman had an extra cabinet
with 15" JBLs), handmade electric
mandolin.
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Rehearsal
Space:
Jim's parent's
basement after school - the equipment stayed there
most of the time. We practiced everyday it
seemed.
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Band
Vehicles:
Mom's station
wagon, and Jim's parent's station wagon initially;
Norm's cousin's parent's Van (Dave painted some
neat side panels, which adorned the vans sides when
we played our gigs - it was stolen by a bunch of
kids when we played at the Hideout in Grosse Point,
Michigan.
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Fashion
Statement:
White Soul Brother
and Carnaby Street. Nehru jackets, brightly colored
- (it was a Sgt. Pepper thing).
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Best
Gig:
Opening for Bob
Seger, Siverbell Ski Lodge....Bob gave us advice on
how to sing.
The Rooster Tail - The band had the entire crowd on
their feet, even though they were the main band's
break show - it was a great night to be
Zoopan!
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Gig from
Hell!:
Strip Club on Six
Mile Road...our manager lied to us.
A bar within a bowling alley - I think the silence
after each of our songs showed how well the crowd
of boozers understood our music. The strip club on
six mile was a close second, but at least we were
entertained, too!
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Last
Gig:
Dance at Grosse
Pointe High School. The band broke up once members
got closer to high school graduation - Mickey
joined the Army.
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Comments:
The ZooPan was an
exceptionally talented group of young men who practiced long
and hard as evidenced by their excellent performances. While
playing at the Hideout, they actually drew the attention of
Bob Segar who was interested in their rendition of the
Beatle's song "All You Need Is Love". It seems Bob was
having a hard time interpreting some of the chords used in
the song and liked how the ZooPan had made this
interpretation. Bob Segar had just signed with Capital
Records recently, so it was a big event to have his
attention for this brief period. (The band actually played
at many venues as a Bob Segar opener - it was great fun to
watch his band perform after doing one of our own gigs). We
were one of the Great Undiscovered Bands of a rich
time.
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