The Metro St. Louis Live Music

Historical Society

 

 

Pepsi Tones

aka The Bel-Tones

 

 

 

 

Listen to The Pepsi Tones:

Keep On Walking

And here's the B-side:

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me

 

Donna Boxx /Vocals

RIP Donald Hollingsworth /Guitar

George Azzani /Sax, Vocals

Tom Reiss /Bass

Randy Stevens /Drums

RIP Bruce Zarka /Keys

Barry Ong /Sax

Bob Mort /Bass

Mike Labrier /Trumpet

Tom Ostermueller /Vocals

RIP Dale Walkenhorst /Drums

Larry Wadsak /Guitar

Dave Etto /Keys

 

 

 

 

Here are two more studio recorded covers:

Money

 

Shotgun

 

 

 

 

 

Pepsi Tones with Star KXOK DJ Johnny Rabbitt!

 

 

...and two more great blue-eyed soul cuts:

Man's Got Soul

 

Somethin' Bout You

 

 

 

I got this note from Don Hollingsworth on 6/30/10:

The Pepsi-Tones was an eight-piece horn band formerly known as the Bel-Tones, playing R&B and Top 40 music in the mid-60s. In early 1965 Pepsi-Cola was looking for a wholesome local band that it could use to promote Pepsi-Cola in the teen town environment, and to provide goodwill throughout Eastern Missouri, playing at county fairs and a variety of public engagements.

They conducted a battle-of-the-bands, which we won, thus becoming the Pepsi-Tones. The band consisted of:

George Azzanni - tenor sax, vocals, and co-leader; Don Hollingsworth - guitar and co-leader; Donna Boxx - vocals; Randy Stevens - drums; Tom Reiss - bass guitar; Bruce Zarka - keyboards; Barry Ong - tenor sax; Mike LaBrier - Trumpet.

At the battle of the bands, we used Jim Zimmer, from the band Z, as vocalist, since Donna Boxx was having a tonsillectomy.

At the beginning we were in our mid to late teens, and the band subsequently made some changes, due to some leaving for military duty or other careers. here are the later members:

Larry Wadsak - guitar

Tom Ostermueller - vocals

Dave Etto - keyboards

Dale Walkenhorst RIP - drums

We produced a 45 called 'Keep On Walking", with a cover "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" on the B side. It was not for sale, but was given out at many large events and band jobs. We used to play at shopping centers in big promotional engagements, and the records would be distributed free. We also recorded a song called "Number 42" written by local musician Bill Livesey that was never released. It was a great time, and lasted until late 1968. The Bel-Tones was started in 1962.

 

 

 

If you have any info about, or photos or recordings of this band, PLEASE email me at: greg@dejawho.com

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