Published: October 23, 2008 12:40 am            

Band of Gold destiny is Crystal-clear for time being

FAIRMONT — There is life after high school.

Mike Criado, former band director at North Marion High School, is now enjoying a run as keyboardist with the local group Band of Gold, which specializes in classic rock and soul.

That band is enjoying a run itself as local back-up band to the oldies trio, The Crystals, who are appearing Saturday at the Creative Arts Center, School of Creative arts, in Pittsburgh.

Also appearing will be the Vogues.

Although its members are experienced, Band of Gold is relatively a newcomer, having formed earlier this year.

Other members are Gary Schnook, drums; Larry Schenck, lead guitar; Chris Coll, bass; and singer Karla Jose.

Members of the band have played with such groups as the Drifters, Danny and the Juniors, the Shirelles, the Dixie Cups, the Marvelettes and Barbara Lewis.

“Gary and Larry were in Subway and I was in Crabby Red,” Criado said. “And Chris was bassist for The Crystals.”

The band now plays at casinos, including Wheeling, Charles Town and Washington, Pa.

“Dee Dee Kennibrew (original Crystal) needed a back-up band and guess what?”

With Coll as their former drummer, Band of Gold was a shoo-in.

“After this Saturday, we’ll probably be their official local back-up band. But when they go to California or Japan, we won’t go with them. But I’d like to,” Criado said.

As back up, “We play what the artist sings,” he said. “I wish we could sing our songs.”

Backing up big-name entertainers is nothing new to Criado, who has played for The Vogues oin his last band.

“I like their music. It’s easy to play.”

The Cyrstals aren’t the only oldie group to hit the tour circuits. There’s a resason, he said.

“I think a lot of people are getting back to basics. The younger kids are hearing what we listened to in the ’60s.

“People want to hear classic rock and soul in sophisticated clcubs. People our generation. We do a couple of Journey and toto tunes, but we are strictly classic rock and soul,” he said.

One of the most popular of the 60s girl groups, the Crystals were the first act that producer Phil Spector gave full attention to while establishing his Philles label

This group was not your typical collection of girlfriends singing together in the neighborhood; they were mostly from different sections of Brooklyn. The eventual quintet was a creation of Benny Wells, a former big-band musician and by 1960, the groups manager.

Deciding in the fall of 1960 to form a group, Wells recruited his niece, 17-year-old Barbara Alston, 15-year-old daughter Delores (Dee Dee) Kennibrew, 17-year-old Mary Thomas and 17-year-old Merna Girard.

Early in 1961 Wells took the group to the Celebrity Club in Freeport, Long Island, to get the feel of a stage and live performing. This would be the group’s only public appearance until after their first record.

Influenced by the Bobbettes, the Chantels, and the Shirelles, Spector was reshaping the Crystal's sound to redefine the girl group style. The first indication of this was with their second single, the Mann/Weil written “Uptown.”

Later hits included “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)”, “He’s a Rebel,” He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “This Is Dedicated to the One I Love.”

The Crystals split in 1967 but was reformed by Kennibrew and toured from 1971-73. After that, she kept touring with two new Crystals.

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.

        

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