Band History
Rick's Continentals ... A Southern Rock & Roll band (originally known as The Continentals). This Mississippi Band was prominent during the mid 1960s best known for their hits ”Live It Up” and ” I Don’t Know”. The group’s home was Meridian, Mississippi. The band members were; Stan Suire, Ray Vaughn, Bob Minnis, Darrell Ross and Rick Spence. The Continentals met in high school and began playing together in the mid 60s. Eventually teaming with Rick Spence, the band name changed to Rick's Continentals. Rick had previously played with the Kingsmen in New York before they gained fame as The Lovin Spoonful. The Continentals Band was active throughout the southeast in concerts, private bookings and television broadcasts from 1965–1968 and were the featured entertainment in the 1967 Junior Miss America Pagent. They performed Southern Style Rock & Roll, Pop, Classic Rock, Instrumentals, Soul and classic standard music. Rick’s Continentals Band [1] was contemporary with groups like Paul Davis and the Endless Chain, David And The Giants, John Fred And The Playboys and The Jagged EDJ. The band recorded with Paul Davis and George Soule [2] on their first two records and toured with Jimmy Ellidge [3] performing his great hits.
Rick’s Continentals band members
(1965–1967)
Stan Suire, Lead Guitar
Ray Vaughn, Rhythm Guitar
Rick Spence, Lead Vocals
Bob Minnis, Bass Guitar
Darrell Ross, Drums
Richard Coard, Producer and Manager
Band members
(1967–1969)
Stan Suire-lead guitar
Ray Vaughn-bass guitar
Al Mayo-drums and percussion
Ray Hare-drums and percussion
Glenn Johnson-keyboard and lead vocals
Wanda McGee-lead vocals
Notes: During the 68-69 period, the band’s name changed to The Flower Generation
Band history, popularity and successes
Their Smash Hit, Live It Up, played throughout the country gaining considerable popularity in the southeast and the northeast US. Live It up reached No. 67 on the nations Top 100 Billboard charts and remained in the top 100 for 7 weeks. In other regional locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida panhandle and Louisiana, Live It Up reached No. 1 on these local area Top 40 Tunedex surveys (the most requested songs) and remained in the Top 40 listings for weeks. Under the management of Rip Cord, the group became popular performing in concerts, radio and television broadcasts throughout Mississippi and other southern areas. They were the featured entertainment for the Junior Miss America Pagent in 1967. Their second smash hit, I Don’t Know backed by Who Are My Friends featured Paul Davis playing organ for the group on his first record recording. Paul Davis released his first two songs on the RAP label a few weeks later, It’s Over My Head and I Gotta Find A Way. George Soule was instrumental in Rick’s Continentals recording and music productions playing drums on one of the bands recordings and producing another record. In 1967 Richard Cord, the bands manager, announced in a press release that he was in contract negotiations with Capitol Records for their acquisition of Rick’s Continentals song, Live it Up and there was promise that the group would land a contract with this Music giant. The contract with Capitol Records never materialized.
WTOK TV
CBS Network
The group however did make several promotional recordings for marketing distribution. During this popular period, the band traveled and played throughout the south playing college concerts and performing with other notable recording artists. The band appeared at many record autograph and promotional events in which they autographed copies of their records for their fans.
Discography
The Groups Recorded Songs
Live It UpCold Lonely Winter
I Don’t Know (with Paul Davis)
Who Are My Friends (with Paul Davis)
Money
Do You Wanna Dance
House Of The Rising Sun
Summertime
WipeOut
Notes: The Singles I Don't Know and Who Are My Friends were produced by George Soule
Back To The Beginning
CD Release 2009 includes all above songs remastered
Other recorded sound tracks included album length promotional tapes for marketing and audition distribution recorded on the RAP Records Label & WTOK TV Studios, Meridian, Ms
