A Gary Talley recollection of being on tour with the Beach Boys in 1968 on his 21st birthday: "Bill Cunningham (our bass player), Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson went out and bought me a birthday cake and brought it to my hotel room.The Beach Boys (and Bill)sang "Happy Birthday" to me."
Check out the YouTube videos of Danny Smythe's early band, The DeVilles. The DeVilles on July 4, 1964 and
The DeVilles circa 1965
Also, see The DeVilles link on our FAQ page for further info on the group and how it developed into The Box Tops.
Danny Smythe 1966 pre-Box Tops video from the Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour, a hit television show that set the stage for programs seeking to find talent stars in a similar fashion to American Idol today. (Yes, Danny won.)
Note the Devilles name on the bass drum head.
Gary Talley's website. Gary has
produced a 60-minute video, "Guitar Playing for Songwriters." Check it out!
