The Metro St. Louis Live Music

Historical Society

 

 

The Unknown(s)/Spur

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to track from Spur Album:

8 Days a Week

 

 

 

 

RIP Gary "Stix" Maxwell /Drums

RIP Ed Kaletic /Guitar, Keys, Vocals

Stan Bratzski /Vocals

Jimmy Fey /Guitar, Steel Guitar

Rick Willard /Bass, Vocals

Larry Wilson /Drums

Ed Jenny /Guitar, Vocals

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a collage of photos and an original song:

Mr. Creep

 

 

 

Here's another Spur track introduced on KSHE in 1969:

Don't Never Trust a Woman

 

 

Established in the 1960's The Unknown/Spur has had many incarnations over the years. The most notable lineup, which produced the 1969 LP "Spur of the Moment" consisted of members Rick Willard, Stan Bratzke, Jimmy Fey, Ed Kalotek and Stix Maxwell The Unknown were a part of the 60's and 70's music scene and played shows with many notable acts, including the Grateful Dead, The Byrds, Cream, Bob Seeger and Steve Miller, to name just a few. They were managed by Ron Lipe aka "Prince Knight", disc jockey on KSHE radio in St, Louis, Mo. Ron is also an icon in rockabilly history, having recorded "Mister Ducktail", one of the first in that genre. In 1967, they were signed to the fledgling Sire Records label, but no sides were released. Their first release was in 1965, "You Want Me Too" b/w "Baby's In Black" on the Marlo label.                                                                 

Their second, released in 1966, was "Modern Era" b/w "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better", also on Marlo. The third, "All Over The World" b/w "You Could Help Me Ease The Pain", was released on the Cinema International label. An album followed, "Spur Of The Moment" on Cinema and then a very bizzarre album titled "Prayers For A Noonday Church" by Father Patrick Berkery and Spur. The recording consisted of poetry criticizing some of the Catholic church's practices. Spur arranged traditional hymns to 60's flavor as the background. Their last recording session was in 1969 at RCA's studio B in Chicago for GWP Records in N.Y. but was never finished due to friction in the group, eventually leading to a break up.

 

 

 

With good friend and promoter Prince Knight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's one more track from The Spur Album:

Time is Now

 

 

 

 

Rick Willard, Jim Fey and Roger McGuinn

 

 

 

Unknowns and Prince Knight at the Palace in Belleville

 

 

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

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Photos courtesy Jan Marks/Ron Lipe/John Nieman and Facebook and Rick Willard for MP3's