The Gentrys "Keep On Dancing" turns 42

If you're still around from those innocent days and remember the classic song "Keep On Dancing" by The Gentrys...well then my friend...you're getting old. That was 42 years ago. As a matter of fact, for us baby-boomers to recall anything from that era is quite an accomplishment. It's a daunting prospect for anyone (and I should know) to shake-off the cob webs and reminisce those days. Yet, while discussing the song just recently, my better half surprised me when she boastfully stated, "Of course, I remember 'Keep On Dancing.' She continued with her testimony, "My sister and I actually went to the record store and purchased the record." Hm...hard to believe. But she was telling the truth as she revealed that her copy was by... The Bay City Rollers.

Oh, the horror of it all.

The Gentrys were the eternally youthful 60's garage band from Memphis that recorded the original song in 1965. Produced by legendary producer Chips Moman, "Keep On Dancing" was the second release for the band on the Youngstown label. The trendy song started it's life as a mere B-side when it was 'flipped-over' by WMPS disk jockey Roy Mack after the A-side petered out. Across town at radio station WHBQ the request lines received immediate response in support of the upbeat dance song. That's when record giant MGM Records stepped in and purchased the distribution rights from Youngstown and released the record worldwide.

The Gentrys "Keep On Dancing" would go on to conquer the Billboard Charts with a gold record peaking at #4. Quite an accomplishment for a group of high school seniors from Treadwell High. The band was formed in 1963 by vocalist-guitarist Larry Raspberry and joined by members Jimmy Hart, Bruce Bowles, Larry Wall, Pat Neal, Bobby Fisher and Jimmy Johnson. They were a handsome crew and lived-up to their name with band outfits of matching blue blazers, turtle neck sweaters and high-heeled Beatle boots. The band's leader, Larry Raspberry (as seen below), was quite the showman and many local musicians aspired to parallel his band's success.

Oozing with talent and gifted with an unflappable sense of humor, Raspberry's leadership was the spearhead of the band. On nights when the group struggled with various stage elements, band members simply jumped on his back as he carried the weight throughout the performance. Pictured above is a bizarre photo revealing Raspberry pointing a orchestra baton to a poster of keyboardist Stuart Payne's mutilated foot. Quite typical of his wacky shenanigans.

Although the band would later evolve with other talented members, The Gentrys would go on to record albums on MGM and also SUN Records.

In this later version of The Gentrys (seen below), perhaps this was the tightest group to hit the road and stayed together for an extended period. (L-R) Jimmy Hart, Sonny Pittman, Bruce Bowles, Larry Raspberry, Stuart Payne and Mike Gardner.

Below Road Manager Phillip Rauls trys to hold back a muted laugh while band leader Larry Raspberry passes a silent but deadly no-no while sitting next to him for the photo. Got Beano?