Rick Spence, a talented singer from New York joined The Continentals in 1965. Spence, who had previously performed with The Kingsmen (later became The Loving Spoonful) brought strong vocal talent to the group and was able to sing in a wide variety of music styles from the old standards of the era including blues, soul and of course Rock & Roll. The band soon changed their name to Rick’s Continentals.
His four year term in the U.S. Navy ended in 1969. Spence longed to get Rick’s Continentals back together when his term was over, but the other band members had each gone in different directions with thier own careers. After leaving the military, Spence attended Jr. College in Meridian, Mississippi.
Ann and Rick moved to Slidell, Louisiana about 25 miles east of New Orleans where Ann still resides today. Around 1986, Spence left Xerox to find work within the music industry which was his real passion. Unfortunately, that did not prove lucrative for Spence. So, he settled down with the Veterans Administration in 2003 which turned out to be a job he actually enjoyed for the remainder of his life.
Rick Spence passed away in June of 2008. Having served his country honorably, he was buried on July 1, 2008 in the VA Cemetary in Biloxi, Mississippi where four servicemen in full Military dress saluted him and folded the flag which was presented to his brother while taps was played.
According to Ann, Spence kept an album of memorabilia including band photos, newspaper articles and other documents from his days with Rick’s Continentals, his performances in theatre and from his time as a local radio Disc Jockey.
Rick is remembered as a truly talented vocalist who had a unique sound and was able to produce a wide range of vocal styles. Rick passed away before the band was reunited in 2009. He was missed at the reunion and will always be remembered by his brothers in the band.
It is sad the band did not reunite before Rick left us. It would have been great fun to have the whole group together again in a reunion.
So from your brothers in the band,....we say goodbye and bid you farewell Rick. We will always remember you as you were, out front on the band stand, singing in your unique style.
* bio information from http://www.rickscontinentals.com/
