Sooo,
what
did
a
typical
set
list look like? I don't know, because we never
had one! Neal would tell us what the opening song would be and
sometimes what the next song was, but for the rest of the show he would
call the songs off the top of his head. He liked to do this so he could
tailor the set on audience reaction, how well we were sounding, etc. We
seldom knew what was coming next, but I think we pulled it off very
well. We adjusted to it and just had so much fun performing.
Some
of
the
songs
we
learned and performed in our early days include: Johnny
B. Good, Try Me, Papas Got a Brand New Bag, Twist and Shout, What'd I
Say, Sweet Little 16, Long Tall Texan, Memphis Tennessee,
Blueberry Hill, Time is on My Side, Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Charlie
Brown, Searchin, to mention a few. These were all songs that most of us
knew and Neal knew the lyrics. The idea was to get a quick repertoire
of songs ready for performances. Neal did all the singing and was the
front man of the group with Jon, String, and me doing backup
singing.
ORIGIN OF THE GROUP'S NAME
After rehearsal one afternoon at the Teen Scene, we were sitting around
the stage area talking; Neal, String, Dennis, Jon, John, John’s
girlfriend Janie Henske (now DeGuerin), Neal’s girlfriend, and me. We
knew it was going to be “Neal Ford and something”. We were going
through a lot of silly names such as Neal Ford and the Studs…. or
Pumpkins… or Penguins, etc. We thought of “Turtles” briefly but decided
we didn’t like that and it was a good thing because a group named “The
Turtles” had some big national hit songs. I don’t remember who thought
of “Fanatics”, maybe Jon, but I’m not sure. The important thing was we
all liked it and we became “Neal Ford & The Fanatics". For me,
having
a group name was a big step. We now had an identity and were now ready
make it known.
FIRST GIGS
We
rehearsed
for
several weeks at Dennis' house before our first gig, and
I have no recollection of where or what it was. There is an old show
business adage that when you're starting out, you don't turn down any
work. And we didn't! I remember playing for a private teen party at a
house in Memorial, a fraternity party, Saturday morning performances at
a movie theater in Spring Branch, a talent show at Spring Woods High
School, and the Carousel Skating Rink. We even had our own teen club
for a short while called The Teen Scene on Long Point at the $1.19
Steak House. I remember that it got raided by the police one night but
can't remember why. During the first several months we were not making
much money for our efforts, so Dennis Senter (keyboard) got discouraged
and quit. That caused two problems for us. We needed to find a new
keyboard player and place to rehearse.
We
started
rehearsing
at
my house, and Neal found Steve Ames to play
keyboard. Steve would be with us for a long while. Shortly after Steve
joined, Neal was activated for six months by the Navy Reserves. It was
a rough time for us.
FIRST RECORD AND GARNER STATE PARK GIG
Neal was in the Navy Reserves, and was activated for about six months
at the beginning of 1965. The timing of this could not have been worse
for us. Our first record, “I Will Not Be Lonely”, was released and we
had several bookings scheduled and no Neal Ford. Jon did the lead
vocals with String and me doing backup. Jon did a great job but it was
hard times for us. “Garner State Park” by B.J. Thomas was a hit record
at the time and KNUZ radio was putting on a Rock Show at Garner State
Park for July 4, 1965. We were invited to be a part of it. Without
Neal’s leadership we did not know we had to find out all the details
and requirements of the trip. Radio station KNUZ chartered a bus for
the performers. We left Houston that morning and thought we would do
the show, get back on the bus and come back that night. Being young and
so naive, we didn’t realize we were spending the night there until we
arrived. The show was good, the crowd liked us and B.J. Thomas and the
Triumphs were great. Over all though, for us, this was the worst gig we
would ever do.
Neal was released from the Navy at the end of July, 1965. The group
almost broke up while Neal was gone, but when he got back we quickly
got back on track. Rehearsals were going well and bookings were coming
in. It was a happy and exciting time.
1/24/66: W.T. Johnson hit by a train?
Yes,
its
true!
It
happened
at the railroad track by the intersection
of Hillcroft and Westpark in the early evening. It was dark and I was
traveling south on Hillcroft. I had a green light going through the
intersection but there were NO train warning lights nor any drop down
traffic barricades. That area was not very developed at that time
and there were a lot of open fields. When I was crossing Westpark, I
noticed the lights in the distance to my left were disappearing as if
something was blocking them from my view. I was within about 15 to 20
feet of the track when I saw the train crossing the northbound side of
Hillcroft. I knew instantly it would hit me, so I floored the gas pedal
in hopes of beating it across. I didn't! It hit right behind the left
rear door and sent the car spinning down the road. I don't know how
many times the car spun around, but when it stopped it was facing
back towards the train tracks. I had two girls with me at the
time and they had no idea of what had just happened. The wouldn't
believe me until they realized a train was stopped on the track.