The Monterays
Encyclopedia
The Monterays, featuring the distinctive vocals of Dan Elliott, are the longest working band in Upstate New York. Formed in 1962, The Monterays were well established on the Syracuse scene in the 1960s, and after a decade layoff in the 1970s, continue to play over 100 dates a year.
The band was formed in East Syracuse, New York
in 1962 by Jack Abert (bass guitar/Hawaiian guitar), John Wisnewski (guitar/vocals), Larry Landry (rhythm guitar) and Jack Holton, who was soon replaced by Tommy Forrest (drums/lead vocals). Early inspirations were The Beach Boys
, surf music
and the theatrics of East Syracuse's first rock and roll band, The Sabres, featuring the talented lead guitarist Ron Lauback
.
The Monterays developed a loyal following with Syracuse teenagers, so much so that they found themselves at Riposo Studios in the fall of 1964 to wax their first single, the Beatles meets Beach Boys original "Bye Bye", and the Larry Santos
penned "Sheryl-ane". ("Sheryl-ane" was also recorded by Utica, New York
act The Madisons for MGM Records
in 1965)
After this single came and went, The Monterays signed a management deal with "Dandy" Dan Leonard, a popular disc jockey
for WNDR (1965). He was able to arrange another recording sessions for the band, this time in New York City, which resulted in the Larry Santos
penned "I'll Be Around" on the A side, with the Madisons on side B. The single was released on the Twin Hit label, and went on to sell 500 copies in Upstate New York.
At this point Landry and Forrest departed (both joined the military) and were replaced by Dan Elliott
(nee Rubado) (lead vocals)and Dave Moziak (rhythm guitar) (ex-The Dimensions) and drummer Dave Usiatynski (Tommy Forrest took up the lead vocal duties for another popular Syracuse
band The Saint and the Sinners also featuring guitarist Ron Lauback
). This is the version of The Monterays that created the most buzz around New York State. Things seemed to be looking up, Dan Leonard booked them into various clubs and live functions (scoring a major coup by getting the band an opening slot on the Beach Boys concert at the Syracuse War Memorial in July 1966.
The third single "Very Last Day"/"You Belong To My Heart" (Sahara Rec. #118) was released in late 1966 and sold about as well the last one.
The Monterays scored another coup by wooing away keyboardist George Day
from The Saint and the Sinners just in time to record their fourth single "If Wishes Were Horses"/"Conquistador". The single was recorded again at Riposo Studios, produced by Dan Leonard and the A side featured Thomas Bacon on French Horn. Released on the tiny Buff Records label, "If Wishes Were Horses" (Buff # 323681) took off regionally, and The Monterays soon found themselves on A&M Records
's radar. A&M ultimately passed, preferring to sign the band Procol Harum
instead ("Conquistador" was written by Procol Harum members Brooker
/Reid
but recorded by The Monterays first). Without the promotional support of a major label, "If Wishes were Horses" peaked at ##88 on the Cashbox charts in October 1968.
By this time, The Monterays (Elliott/Abert/Moziak/Wisnewski/Usiatynski/Day) were now a seven piece, with Tommy Forrest returning on vocals. Unfortunately, family and outside interests began to tear the band apart, and The Monterays split in 1969. Dan Elliott resurfaced with the rock band Wilksbury Brigade, before joining The Glenn Miller
Orchestra in 1973. A year later, he joined The Belmonts
(of Dion and the Belmonts
fame) and continues to perform with them. George Day
opened Dayson Studios, recording many top Upstate New York musicians from 1970-1987. George Day
also became involved with Ron Wray who curated the Syracuse area artists rock and roll album series in the 1970s and '80s. Tommy Forrest remained active as well, fronting local act The Seven
into the early 70's.
In 1978, The "Wishes"-era Monterays reformed for a one off show at The Beginning club in Syracuse NY to over two thousand people. But after Dan Elliott left California after finishing work on H.B. Halicki's film The Junkman
, he reformed The Monterays permanently. Now called Dan Elliott and the Monterays, they've been a mainstay on the Syracuse
scene since, recording a single for the Belmonts-owned AIR Records label ("Stay Awhile"/"Ruby Baby" 1983), and winning a SAMMY
(Syracuse Area Music Awards) lifetime achievement award in 1996.
The group has undergone some major changes in recent years, with the departures of Jack Abert in 2002 (Jack stayed on as executive producer and live sound mixer), George Day in 2004, and Dave Moziak in 2005. The current line-up is Elliot, Ronnie Dark (drums/vocals), Brian Carr (bass/vocals), Rob Modugno (keyboards) and lead guitarist Ron Lauback
. Ron's addition to band was another major score for The Monterays, as his band The Sabres inspired Dan Elliot to form The Dimensions. They are currently working on their first full-length CD.
The Monterays' official website is: http://www.danelliottandthemonterays.com
visit their myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/themonterays
Thomas Bacon
's official website is: http://www.hornplanet.com/tbinfo/index.html
The band was formed in East Syracuse, New York
East Syracuse, New York
East Syracuse is an incorporated village and a suburb of the City of Syracuse in eastern Onondaga County, New York. United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the village had a population of 3,178....
in 1962 by Jack Abert (bass guitar/Hawaiian guitar), John Wisnewski (guitar/vocals), Larry Landry (rhythm guitar) and Jack Holton, who was soon replaced by Tommy Forrest (drums/lead vocals). Early inspirations were The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
, surf music
Surf music
Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly as found in Orange County and other areas of Southern California. It was particularly popular between 1961 and 1965, has subsequently been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music...
and the theatrics of East Syracuse's first rock and roll band, The Sabres, featuring the talented lead guitarist Ron Lauback
Ron Lauback
Ron Lauback is a guitarist/bassist/songwriter from Syracuse, New York. Ron is currently performing with Dan Elliott and The Monterays and celebrated his fiftieth year in the music business in 2008.-Beginnings :...
.
The Monterays developed a loyal following with Syracuse teenagers, so much so that they found themselves at Riposo Studios in the fall of 1964 to wax their first single, the Beatles meets Beach Boys original "Bye Bye", and the Larry Santos
Larry Santos
Larry Santos is an American singer-songwriter. He wrote tunes for several American pop bands in the 1960s, including the 1963 #3 hit "Candy Girl" for The Four Seasons. In the mid-Sixties, he recorded a few singles as part of a group called The Madisons, as well as under his own name...
penned "Sheryl-ane". ("Sheryl-ane" was also recorded by Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
act The Madisons for MGM Records
MGM Records
MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946, for the purpose of releasing soundtrack albums of their musical films. Later it became a pop label, lasting into the 1970s...
in 1965)
After this single came and went, The Monterays signed a management deal with "Dandy" Dan Leonard, a popular disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
for WNDR (1965). He was able to arrange another recording sessions for the band, this time in New York City, which resulted in the Larry Santos
Larry Santos
Larry Santos is an American singer-songwriter. He wrote tunes for several American pop bands in the 1960s, including the 1963 #3 hit "Candy Girl" for The Four Seasons. In the mid-Sixties, he recorded a few singles as part of a group called The Madisons, as well as under his own name...
penned "I'll Be Around" on the A side, with the Madisons on side B. The single was released on the Twin Hit label, and went on to sell 500 copies in Upstate New York.
At this point Landry and Forrest departed (both joined the military) and were replaced by Dan Elliott
Dan Elliott
Daniel Michael Elliott , commonly known as Dan Elliott, currently anchors KXTV News10 Good Morning from 5-7am with Kelly Jackson and News10 Midday from 11-11:30am with Jennifer Smith and solo on Friday....
(nee Rubado) (lead vocals)and Dave Moziak (rhythm guitar) (ex-The Dimensions) and drummer Dave Usiatynski (Tommy Forrest took up the lead vocal duties for another popular Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
band The Saint and the Sinners also featuring guitarist Ron Lauback
Ron Lauback
Ron Lauback is a guitarist/bassist/songwriter from Syracuse, New York. Ron is currently performing with Dan Elliott and The Monterays and celebrated his fiftieth year in the music business in 2008.-Beginnings :...
). This is the version of The Monterays that created the most buzz around New York State. Things seemed to be looking up, Dan Leonard booked them into various clubs and live functions (scoring a major coup by getting the band an opening slot on the Beach Boys concert at the Syracuse War Memorial in July 1966.
The third single "Very Last Day"/"You Belong To My Heart" (Sahara Rec. #118) was released in late 1966 and sold about as well the last one.
The Monterays scored another coup by wooing away keyboardist George Day
George Day
George Day may refer to:*George Day , Bishop of Chichester, 1543–1551, and vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1537*George S. Day, marketing specialist in the 1970s...
from The Saint and the Sinners just in time to record their fourth single "If Wishes Were Horses"/"Conquistador". The single was recorded again at Riposo Studios, produced by Dan Leonard and the A side featured Thomas Bacon on French Horn. Released on the tiny Buff Records label, "If Wishes Were Horses" (Buff # 323681) took off regionally, and The Monterays soon found themselves on A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
's radar. A&M ultimately passed, preferring to sign the band Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
instead ("Conquistador" was written by Procol Harum members Brooker
Gary Brooker
Gary Brooker, MBE, is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and founder of the rock band Procol Harum. Brooker was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours on 14 June 2003, in recognition of his charitable services.-Early life:Brooker was born in...
/Reid
Keith Reid
Keith Reid is a songwriter who wrote the lyrics of every Procol Harum song that is not a cover...
but recorded by The Monterays first). Without the promotional support of a major label, "If Wishes were Horses" peaked at ##88 on the Cashbox charts in October 1968.
By this time, The Monterays (Elliott/Abert/Moziak/Wisnewski/Usiatynski/Day) were now a seven piece, with Tommy Forrest returning on vocals. Unfortunately, family and outside interests began to tear the band apart, and The Monterays split in 1969. Dan Elliott resurfaced with the rock band Wilksbury Brigade, before joining The Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
Orchestra in 1973. A year later, he joined The Belmonts
The Belmonts
The Belmonts are an American doo-wop group that originated in the mid 1950s. The group consisted of Fred Milano, Angelo D'Aleo, Carlo Mastrangelo, and Nick Caruso.. The group took their first name from Belmont Avenue in the Bronx. There were several stages in their history, including the 1958–1960...
(of Dion and the Belmonts
Dion and the Belmonts
Dion and the Belmonts was a leading American vocal group of the late 1950s. The group formed when Dion DiMucci, lead singer , joined The Belmonts - Carlo Mastrangelo, baritone , Freddie Milano, second tenor , and Angelo D'Aleo, first tenor , in late 1957.-History:After an unsuccessful first single,...
fame) and continues to perform with them. George Day
George Day
George Day may refer to:*George Day , Bishop of Chichester, 1543–1551, and vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1537*George S. Day, marketing specialist in the 1970s...
opened Dayson Studios, recording many top Upstate New York musicians from 1970-1987. George Day
George Day
George Day may refer to:*George Day , Bishop of Chichester, 1543–1551, and vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1537*George S. Day, marketing specialist in the 1970s...
also became involved with Ron Wray who curated the Syracuse area artists rock and roll album series in the 1970s and '80s. Tommy Forrest remained active as well, fronting local act The Seven
The Seven
"The Seven" is the 123rd episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. This was the 13th episode for the 7th season. It aired on February 1, 1996.-Plot:...
into the early 70's.
In 1978, The "Wishes"-era Monterays reformed for a one off show at The Beginning club in Syracuse NY to over two thousand people. But after Dan Elliott left California after finishing work on H.B. Halicki's film The Junkman
The Junkman
The Junkman is a 1982 independent film which spent two years in production. To make the film, H. B. Halicki used his own personal collection of over 200 cars, toys, and guns - including Eleanor, the star of his 1974 cult classic Gone in 60 Seconds....
, he reformed The Monterays permanently. Now called Dan Elliott and the Monterays, they've been a mainstay on the Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
scene since, recording a single for the Belmonts-owned AIR Records label ("Stay Awhile"/"Ruby Baby" 1983), and winning a SAMMY
Sammy
-People:*DJ Sammy, a musician*Sammy Davis, Jr.*Sammy Ijaz*Sammy Sosa*Sammy Hagar*Sammy Cahn*Sammy Gravano*Sammy Fain*CeCe Sammy*Sammy Baugh*Sammy Kaye* Sammy Luftspring, Canadian champion welterweight boxer*Sammy McIlroy*Sammy Kershaw*Sammy Lee...
(Syracuse Area Music Awards) lifetime achievement award in 1996.
The group has undergone some major changes in recent years, with the departures of Jack Abert in 2002 (Jack stayed on as executive producer and live sound mixer), George Day in 2004, and Dave Moziak in 2005. The current line-up is Elliot, Ronnie Dark (drums/vocals), Brian Carr (bass/vocals), Rob Modugno (keyboards) and lead guitarist Ron Lauback
Ron Lauback
Ron Lauback is a guitarist/bassist/songwriter from Syracuse, New York. Ron is currently performing with Dan Elliott and The Monterays and celebrated his fiftieth year in the music business in 2008.-Beginnings :...
. Ron's addition to band was another major score for The Monterays, as his band The Sabres inspired Dan Elliot to form The Dimensions. They are currently working on their first full-length CD.
The Monterays' official website is: http://www.danelliottandthemonterays.com
visit their myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/themonterays
Thomas Bacon
Thomas Bacon
Thomas Bacon may refer to:* Thomas Bacon , 16th Century Master of the then Gonville College, Cambridge* Thomas Bacon , English Member of Parliament*Thomas Bacon Thomas Bacon may refer to:* Thomas Bacon (academic), 16th Century Master of the then Gonville College, Cambridge* Thomas Bacon...
's official website is: http://www.hornplanet.com/tbinfo/index.html
- VARIOUS MONTERAYS LINEUPS:
- (1962–1965) Jack Abert (bass/Hawaiian guitar/vocals), John Wisnewski (guitar/vocals), Larry Landry (rhythm guitar), Jack Holton (drums) rep-Tommy Forrest (drums/vocals-1962-1965)
- (1965–1969; 1978 reunion) Jack Abert, John Wisnewski, Dan Elliot (vocals), Dave Moziak (guitar/vocals), Dave Usiatynski(drums), George DayGeorge DayGeorge Day may refer to:*George Day , Bishop of Chichester, 1543–1551, and vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1537*George S. Day, marketing specialist in the 1970s...
(keyboards/vocals-1967-1969), Tommy Forrest (vocals-1968-1969)
- (1982–1984) Jack Abert, John Wisnewski, Dan Elliot, Dave Moziak, George Day, Bob Passafume (lead guitar), Joe Pangaro (drums)
- (1985-early 90's) Jack Abert, John Wisnewski, Dan Elliot, Dave Moziak, George Day (who leave and rejoin the band several times over the next two decades), Bob Passafume, Dave MillerDave MillerDave Miller may refer to:* Dave Miller , United States baseball player and coach* Dave Miller , South African athlete in cricket* Dave Miller , British athlete in football...
(drums)
- (early 90's-1999) Jack Abert, John Wisnewski, Dan Elliot, Dave Moziak, George Day, Bob Passafume, Rich Luzzy (drums)
- (2000–2001) Jack Abert, John Wisnewski, Dan Elliot, Dave Moziak, George Day, Bob Passafume, Tommy Forrest (drums/vocals)
- (2002–2005) Dan Elliot, Dave Moziak, George Day (left band in summer 2004-replaced by Terri Wilson), Ron LaubackRon LaubackRon Lauback is a guitarist/bassist/songwriter from Syracuse, New York. Ron is currently performing with Dan Elliott and The Monterays and celebrated his fiftieth year in the music business in 2008.-Beginnings :...
(bass-replaced Jack Abert, who moved to backline-retired in 2006), Tommy Forrest (who departed in 2003-briefly replaced by Rance Walters, followed by Ronnie Dark-2003)
- (2007-) Dan Elliot, Ron Lauback, Ronnie Dark, Brian Carr (bass/vocals), Rob Modugno (keyboards) (2005–2007). Wayne Muller (keyboards, live sound director) joined in August 2007.