The Five Americans

Five Americans
Five Americans in 1967
Background information
Also known as	The Mutineers
Origin	Durant, Oklahoma, U.S.
Genres	Rock pop rock garage rock
Years active	1965 (1965)–1969 (1969)
Past members	Mike Rabon John Durrill Norm Ezell Jim Grant Jimmy Wright

Five Americans was a 1960s American rock band, most famous for their song, "Western Union", which reached number five in the U.S. Billboard chart and was their only single to chart in the Top 20.

The Mutineers, formed in Durant, Oklahoma (Southeastern State College) in 1962. The band members crossed paths at the university, and began performing a repertoire of Bo Diddley and Duane Eddy standards within the campus. In 1963, the band recorded their debut single, "Jackin' Around", in Dallas, Texas, an instrumental which received extensive airplay in their college. The British Invasion influenced The Mutineers to include Beatles numbers to their repertoire, a change in outfitting, and a slight emphasis to vocals. However, their most impactful acquisition was their utilization of the Vox Continental electric organ, a later highlight of the group's sound. While in Dallas, the band achieved notoriety playing as a frequent attraction in a venue called The Pirate's Nook. There they came to the attention of Abnak Records whose president John Abdnor took the group under his wing. Shortly thereafter, the band identified themselves as the Five Americans.

For a short while after their five top 55 singles "I See The Light", "Western Union", "Sound of Love", "Evol Not Love" and "Zipcode" were released, they toured. However, their manager, Jon Abdnor Sr., president and owner of Abnak Records and Bankers Management and Services Insurance Co., was allowed control of their finances.