The Metro St. Louis Live Music
Historical Society
The Knight Beats
Part of this band split off into The Jorrells
Gary Crouse /Vocals
Jim Cicigoi /Sax
King Lambird /Guitar, Bass
Terry Saunders /Guitar
Gary Powless /Drums
Steve Combs /Piano
Warren "Nip" Parson /Drums
Bob Haney /Organ
Warren "Goldie" Gholson /Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Jim Boyd /Organ
Gary Presswood /Drums
Mel Presswood /Bass
Alan Presswood /Organ
Don Holloway /Organ
I got this informative note from Bob Fester on 10/24/12:
I have
quite a bit of info on the Knightbeats for ya. When the band in your article
split, half, led by Warren "Goldie" Gholson, became the Jorrells. They
specialized in Motown,
Stax-Volt, and Atlantic tunes. King Lambird, enlisted the Presswood
brothers --Gary (drums) and Mel (bass) and organist Don Holloway to continue the
Knightbeats.
The Knightbeats were a very popular band in southern-eastern Illinois. They won
the Battle of the Bands at the Springfield State Fair and eventually recorded a
single for Norman Record Company in St. Louis, owned by Norman Weinstruer (sp)
and not to be confused with the current Norman company out of the UK. Their
single was a historical novelty tune called "King Arthur". The flip side was an
instrumental which King originally called "The Purple Pussycat" (Pink Panther
influence) but the label changed the name to "Mo-mo".
In the attached pic, left to right: Mel Presswood (bass); Don Holloway (organ);
King Lambird (Guitar, vocals); and Gary Presswood (drums, vocals). The record
pic is the flip of King Arthur--MoMo--which got more play and acclaim than the
"A" side
If you have any info about, or photos or recordings of this band, PLEASE email me at: greg@dejawho.com
Thanks to Suzie Raymond Wildhaber and Bob Fester for photos and Goldie Gholson for info!