Well, I’m not positive this version of Bobby Troup’s “Route 66” was recorded in a Duke City garage. But this cover by The Monkeymen was indeed captured in low-fidelity in Albuquerque and released by a local label, QQ Records, in 1965.
The history of the band is obscure, but bits and pieces can be found here and here. The band’s name later was changed to Piggy Bank.
As an original member of the Monkeymen, I would like to fill in some gaps. Orginal band was Vic Gaberial guitar, Wes Smythe guitar and keyboard, Terry Bradely on drums and myself on bass. As a band we were around for about 5 years. Mainly in Albuquerque and in New Mexico. This was our first record, and our manage turned down a offer from another record company to do another record. I left the band first, and then Wes and then Terry. Good old times. I spent several years in a nightclub band and then decided to get out of music. Loved it most of the time, but it started getting old…
Thank you for chiming in, Fred. It’s always good to have the details straight from the source for posterity’s sake.
Fred aren’t you forgeting Noel Rozelle. I was also one of the 1st members of the Monkeymen. I filled in When we went to TorC New Mexico on one of our 1st gigs. Remember I had a 58 Merc that we painted our logo (the Monkey with the Top Hat) on the doors. It was @ some local band contest & we won 1st prise. Then we got hooked to play @ a place called El Fuego’s that same night & we watched them have cookarocho racing while we were on break. Terry Bradly dated my sister Elaine while we were playing together & Wess dated a gal named Pam. Many years later Terry & I hooked up again because he & I were @ Pres. hospital together while our children were being born on the same day. April 6th 1979. I still have a lot of good memories of all the good times we had traveling the state & playing all the good old stuff & of course being amoung the 1st in Albuq. to learn the British songs as they arrived. Our harmony certainly got a lot better. Long time Fred Still Love Ya
Fred, Noel~ I am the daughter of El Fego! I was curious about the dances my dad had back in the 60’s! I have posters of the dances he had there and one of them is the Monkeymen! This was 1965! I can’t figure out how to post it on here so you can see it! I was wondering if you had pictures of that night at my dad’s dance hall?
Your right Noel. Being old and forgetful I was in error . Nice to hear from you. I dated Pam and we are still married.
I remember all of you guys. What fun we had,and I would love to hear from both of you.I see Wes, and we always make sure to slander both of you. Don’t hear much from Terry.I also see Don Gleicher regularly. I continued my music, and still love it so. Back to back and belly to belly!!
Noel Rozelle, I Was just watching some Classical Rock on TV & I thought of Fred, Wes, Terry, Vic & all the great times we had together. We were the 1st Rock band in Albuquerque that learned the British beat. Vic & I went to the old record Rendezvous @ Winrock Cnt. & had them play The 1st Beatle album. We bought it & went to Vic’s home & worked for hours picking out the cords. When we got with you guys for practice we learned them & Since we were the 1st band in New Mexico to start playing Beatles @ that old place in the Tijeras Canyon called Little Beaver Town, We became semi famous in New Mexico & traveled all over the state to many fun places. We were never great musicians but we were the !st British music players in the state & that was the thing back then. I still think of you guys & the great times we all had. MoJo & Rout 66 was our record & I still have one of our 45 rpm records. Bfn My Friends