APRIL 5, 1968
West To Host Cryan Shames
The Shames were founded by Dennis Conroy, Tom "Toad" Doody, Jim Fairs, Jim "J.C. Hooke" Pilster, Issac Guillory, and Lenny Kerley, have come a long way since their hit of "Sugar and Spice."
The Shames were founded by Gerry Stone in January of '66. At a record hop on January 22, Dex Card, formerly of WLS, was impressed with their performance. Jim considers this their biggest break because Dex signed them for more hops with him and a record contract with MGM. The success story of the Shames then began.
Denny, who is 19, and plays drums, considers his favorite groups the Byrds, the Beatles, and the Lovin' Spoonful. Hobbies of painting, driving, and walking in the country take up some of the time of rhythm guitarist Linus, 21.
Toad, the lead singer, 22, feels his biggest break was meeting Bob Monoco of MGM. Jim, 19, lead guitarist, has a professional ambition to set important new trends in music.
After their hit of "Sugar and Spice" and "I Wanna Meet You," their first album was released. "Mr. Unreliable," their most successful, which followed, is becoming a hit.
The Shames visited the east coast last August on a month-long tour sponsored by Columbia. They then returned to New York and spent 16 days recording their latest album, "Scratch in the Sky." The Shames feel that this is their best material to date.
The album includes "Could Be We're in Love," their latest release "Up on the Roof," and also "Mr. Unreliable." It has hit the national album charts and is selling around Chicago very well.