Re: "Keep on Dancing" (#4, 1965 by The Gentrys) ["Shindig!" tv show]
Dean F.
1963 and by a group called the Avantis. No idea what else they might
have recorded.
Roger Ford
Sems to be at least four different "Avantis" groups,all confusingly
active around the same time.
There were the Exciting Avantis who had "The Plea"/"Walkin' Bird Dog"
out on Scotty in 1959 but sounds like a different group.
Then there was the Surfaris-like instrumental group The Avantis who
had a lot of so-so sounding surfin' shit ("Wax 'Em Down","Phantom
Surfer" etc etc) out circa 1963/1964.
Gregory Dee & The Avantis were a white garage band from Minneapolis
contracted to Garrett Records (the home of the Trashmen of "Surfin'
Bird" fame) who had a regional hit in 1964 with their revival of Paul
Peek's "Olds-Mo-William"
And finally the black Avantis who did the original "Keep On Dancing"
(featuring Billy Young who later went on to greater fame as a member
of the wonderful group The Ovations)----which the Gentrys later remade
in their hit version. Released on Argo the flip was "I Wanna Dance". I
like both sides but I don't know of anything else thats definitely by
them. There are two other Avantis singles I never heard that might be
them---"Midnight Blues"/Too Much" on Ikon and ""One Man's Poison"/"You
Got A Funny Way" on Pepper. I don't have exact date on either of these
but both are 60's.
That's all I have sorry. Maybe someone can add more?
ROGER FORD
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Grossberg sent me a tape of original recordings that went on to be
hits for other groups or artists and this Avanti's recording was quite
good!!, Not as lively as the Gentrys' but it had a more attitudinal
groove to it. I liked it!
Dennis C from Tennessee
Dean F.
> Grossberg sent me a tape of original recordings that went on to be
> hits for other groups or artists and this Avanti's recording was quite
> good!!, Not as lively as the Gentrys' but it had a more attitudinal
> groove to it. I liked it!
I gotta say, Dennis, your assessment of "Keep On Dancin'" pretty much
matches mine. I also prefer the Gentrys but thought the Avantis'
original was good too.
Uni
> For anyone who's interested, the original "Keep on Dancing" is from
> 1963 and by a group called the Avantis.
Knew that long ago.
Uni