The Chessmen
| The Chessmen | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Denton, Texas, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1964-1968 |
| Labels | Bismark, B.R.S. |
| Associated acts | The Gentlemen, Jimmie Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, Texas Storm |
| Past members |
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The Chessmen were an American garage rock band from Denton, Texas, near Dallas, who were active in the 1960s. They were one of the most popular bands in the region and recorded for Bismark Records, where they recorded three singles including, "I Need You There", which is now considered a garage rock classic. The band is notable for including several members who went on to greater fame. Jimmie Vaughan, brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan was briefly a member, joining after the death of original band leader, guitarist, and vocalist, Robert Patton, who died in a boating accident in 1966. Drummer Doyle Bramhall later played with and wrote songs for Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Bill Etheridge later played bass with ZZ Top. Following the breakup of the Chessmen, several of their members, including Jimmie Vaughan, went on to form a group that would come to be known as Texas Storm, which eventually included Stevie Ray Vaughan on bass.
The Chessmen were formed in early 1964 by students at North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), in the town of Denton, approximately twenty five miles from Dallas. The original lineup included Robert Patton from Midland in West Texas on rhythm guitar and vocals, Ron DiIulio on keyboards, Tommy Carrigan on drums, Tommy Carter on bass. Carter would be the only member to remain with the band throughout their whole tenure, playing with them until their breakup in 1968. They began playing at sports events such as basketball games and football pre-game rallies. In early 1965 they signed contract with George Rickrich, owner of the Fine Arts Theatre in Denton, who became their manager. Rickrich had them play between movie screenings. He hired a photographer to take promotional shots and began booking them for shows outside of Denton.
Rickrich immediately arranged a deal with Bismarck Records to record their first single, a version of the Drifters’ hit "Save The Last Dance For Me", backed by a female chorus. On the flip side was an atmospheric instrumental ballad, "Dreams And Wishes" composed by guitarist Robert Patton. Ron DiIulio left the Chessmen shortly thereafter, but remained at North Texas State, forming two short-lived bands, first the Rejects and then the New Sound in 1966. He later joined Noel Odom & the Group and the Bad Habits from his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. After keyboardist Ron DiIulio left the band in May 1965, the band auditioned several musicians to replace him, but on guitars, not keyboards during the intervening months between May and July. At this time the group received several write-ups in the Denton Record-Chronicle that on listed three guitarists appearing with them on different occasions: Jimmy Herbert (mentioned as "Jimmy Kay"), Ricky Marshall, and Richard Dace. Jim Herbert won the spot and joined the band as lead guitarist. Drummer Tom Carrigan met Jim Herbert while seeing him play various gigs around the NTSU campus, and invited Herbert to a band rehearsal at his mother’s house, which was located just off the campus. The group's new lineup consisted of Herbert on guitar, Patton on guitar and vocals, Carter on bass and vocals, and Carrigan on drums.
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