Neal Ford and the Fanatics
| Neal Ford and the Fanatics | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1964–1970 |
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| Past members | Neal Ford Johnny Stringfellow Jon Pereles W. T. Johnson Dennis Senter Steven Ames Lanier Grieg |
Neal Ford and the Fanatics were an American psychedelic rock band formed in Houston Texas, in 1964. Led by Neal Ford and featuring members who were all capable songwriters, the band was a forerunner in the development of psychedelic music in the region, along with their contemporaries, The 13th Floor Elevators and the Moving Sidewalks. The group released one album in 1967 before disbanding later in 1970.
In the end of 1964, Neal Ford (lead vocals), a veteran of the local pop scene with other groups like the Ramadas and the VIPs, formed the first line-up of Neal Ford and the Fanatics, which consisted of Johnny Stringfellow (lead guitar), Jon Pereles (rhythm guitar, vocals), W. T. Johnson (bass guitar), Dennis Senter (keyboards), and John Cravey (drums). Though not as experimental as their contemporary, The 13th Floor Elevators, the band possessed an appreciation for the British Invasion groups, emphasized organ-driven instrumentals, and a R&B-inspired rhythm atypical of other garage rock acts. At first, the group went relatively unnoticed performing cover versions of songs by The Animals, The Zombies, and James Brown locally in their own club named Teen Scene, until record producer Ray Rush saw promise in the developing band, specifically their spontaneous live act. As a result, Neal Ford and the Fanatics recorded the song "I Will Not Be There" at ACA-Recording Studios, and released the single in May 1965. The single was among the first in Texas to note "British influence", received airplay in Houston, and managed to reach the regional charts.
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