The Velaires
Encyclopedia
The Velaires were a rock and roll
band from Sioux City, Iowa
. Formed as The Screamers, they soon after changed their name to The Flairs
. However, after playing in the legendary Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines, and with numerous groups on the scene with that same name, they became The Velaires.
The band consisted of Daniel Matousek on rhythm guitar, Bob Dawdy on lead guitar, Jerry DeMers on bass and Don Bourret on drums. The fifth Velaire was their full time manager and booking agent, Dan's older brother, Dick Matousek.
In 1961, as The Flairs, they released their cover of Chuck Berry
's classic, “Roll Over Beethoven
” on Palm Records
. Later in 1961, as The Velaires, they signed with Jamie Records and again released "Roll Over Beethoven".
The record leapt onto the Billboard charts
and was a national hit reaching #1 in Los Angeles. It is reckoned to be the highest selling cover of “Roll Over Beethoven”, ever.
While "Roll Over Beethoven" was on the charts, The Velaires had the opportunity to appear on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand
in Philadelphia being the only-Iowa based group to have ever done so. They also joined the Caravan of Stars
for a time.
They would follow “Roll Over Beethoven” with eight more releases on such labels as Jamie Records
, Mercury Records
, Palm Records
, Ramco Records and Brent Records. Other releases on Jamie Records included their cover of “Dream
” (Johnny Mercer
) and “Ubangi Stomp” (Earl Bostic
)
The original members would stay together until 1963 when Dan Matousek would reform the group and continue on until 1970 under the name of Danny and The Velaires
.
This band recorded in 1966 in Omaha several originals that received ample airplay, but never charted after "Roll Over Beethoven." Gary Kimble St. Martin left in 1967 to join Iowa Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame group, Greg Scott and The Embers.
In 1997, much-deserved recognition came their way when Germany’s Bear Family Records
released on CD their Greatest Hits/Anthology, The Screamers, To Flairs, To Velaires.
Dan Matousek died in May 1998 just a few days prior of a scheduled performance of the group at the DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher, Iowa
.
The Velairs in their current form still perform today.
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band from Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
. Formed as The Screamers, they soon after changed their name to The Flairs
The Flairs
The Flairs were an American doo-wop group based in Los Angeles. They went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members included Richard Berry and Cornell Gunter, who would go on to being a member of The Coasters.-Career:In 1952, an African-American musical group...
. However, after playing in the legendary Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines, and with numerous groups on the scene with that same name, they became The Velaires.
In 1961, as The Flairs, they released their cover of Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
's classic, “Roll Over Beethoven
Roll Over Beethoven
"Roll Over Beethoven" is a 1956 hit single by Chuck Berry originally released on Chess Records, with "Drifting Heart" as the B-side. The lyrics of the song mention rock and roll and the desire for rhythm and blues to replace classical music...
” on Palm Records
Palm Records
Palm Records is a multi-award winning record label based in Kamuela on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is known for its acoustic guitar trio Kohala, its catalog of slack key guitar recordings, and as the first recipient of the Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album: "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2",...
. Later in 1961, as The Velaires, they signed with Jamie Records and again released "Roll Over Beethoven".
The record leapt onto the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and was a national hit reaching #1 in Los Angeles. It is reckoned to be the highest selling cover of “Roll Over Beethoven”, ever.
While "Roll Over Beethoven" was on the charts, The Velaires had the opportunity to appear on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
in Philadelphia being the only-Iowa based group to have ever done so. They also joined the Caravan of Stars
Caravan of Stars
In 1959, Dick Clark formed the Caravan of Stars, a road show featuring some of the most popular stars and musical groups of the day. Chubby Checker, Duane Eddy, Bobby Darin, Fabian, Buddy Holly, Annette Funicello and Bo Diddley toured with the Caravan...
for a time.
They would follow “Roll Over Beethoven” with eight more releases on such labels as Jamie Records
Jamie Records
Jamie Records was a record label founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957 by Harold Lipsius.Their first 45rpm single, "It's Great To Fall In Love"/"Truly" by Marian Caruso , was issued in 1957. However, they really hit the big-time in 1958 with the release of Duane Eddy's "Rebel...
, Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, Palm Records
Palm Records
Palm Records is a multi-award winning record label based in Kamuela on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is known for its acoustic guitar trio Kohala, its catalog of slack key guitar recordings, and as the first recipient of the Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album: "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2",...
, Ramco Records and Brent Records. Other releases on Jamie Records included their cover of “Dream
Dream (song)
"Dream", sometimes referred to as "Dream ", is a jazz and pop standard with words and music written by Johnny Mercer in 1944...
” (Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
) and “Ubangi Stomp” (Earl Bostic
Earl Bostic
Earl Bostic was an American jazz and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist, and a pioneer of the post-war American Rhythm and Blues style. He had a number of popular hits such as "Flamingo", "Harlem Nocturne", "Temptation", "Sleep", "Special Delivery Stomp", and "Where or When", which showed off his...
)
The original members would stay together until 1963 when Dan Matousek would reform the group and continue on until 1970 under the name of Danny and The Velaires
Danny and The Velaires
The Velaires started their rock and roll careers in Sioux City, Iowa as The Screamers. Soon after, they changed their name to The Flairs, However, after playing in the legendary Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines, and with numerous groups on the scene with that same name, they became The Velaires.The...
.
This band recorded in 1966 in Omaha several originals that received ample airplay, but never charted after "Roll Over Beethoven." Gary Kimble St. Martin left in 1967 to join Iowa Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame group, Greg Scott and The Embers.
In 1997, much-deserved recognition came their way when Germany’s Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records
Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label that specializes in reissues of archival material ranging from country music to 1950s rock and roll to old German movie soundtracks.-History:...
released on CD their Greatest Hits/Anthology, The Screamers, To Flairs, To Velaires.
Dan Matousek died in May 1998 just a few days prior of a scheduled performance of the group at the DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher, Iowa
Swisher, Iowa
Swisher is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It part of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 813 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Swisher is located at ....
.
The Velairs in their current form still perform today.