Sponsored Links








Add to Technorati Favorites


The Sounds Royale Show

by Steve
Tuesday, October 03, 2006

The Sounds Royale Show was a band that played at various venues in Orange County in 1973. Rick Kern, their dummer, percussionist, and vocalist provided us with a photograph and some background info about the band...
We played in the Orange County area in 1973. The places that we appeared were The Newporter Inn in Newport Beach, The Disneyland Hotel, The Golden Pheasant in Anaheim, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Reuben's Paddle Boat in Newport Beach and Charlie Brown's in Huntington Beach. We were the first show group to grand open the Charlie Brown's. This was also the last place that The Sounds Royale (as this combination) played together.

The group consisted of:

Newport Beach resident Tedd McKeever-keyboards, trumpet, arranger, leader

El Paso, Tx. resident Sam Stephenson-guitarist, vocalist

El Paso, Tx. resident Gayle Hageman-bass guitar, vocalist, he was later replaced with Huntington Beach resident Wayne Mills-bass guitar, sax, vocalist

Orange County resident Debbie Wilson-vocalist/flute

El Paso, Tx. resident Rick Kern (that's me on the bottom right) drummer, percussionist, vocalist.

This was a very unique group that performed everything from the Four Freshman to the rock opera Tommy. The group disbanded due to individual goals and future endeavors. The group was booked by The Agents in Hollywood (Dorise Vance). Howard King was also involved with some of our bookings.

I am looking for anyone that may have pictures of some of the performances of The Sounds Royale Show, particularly of the Charlie Brown's Restaurant in Huntington Beach. I am putting together a CD of our last four shows there and would like to have a picture of the Charley Brown's sign or pictures of us performing there for the last time. Please contact me (Rick Kern) via e-mail at: winmkt2@swbell.net.
The Sounds Royale Show

Labels:

6 Comments:

  • Hey Steve,

    I'm Sam Stephenson, guitarist/vocalist with the Sounds Royale. I have attached a scanned image of a Charley Brown's Brunch menu I didn't realize I had. I have forwarded it to Rick Kern already but, thought you'd be interested in it.

    As information, I now live in Spring, TX, just north of Houston.

    Also attached, is a scanned image of a postcard of The Golden Pheasant, another venue Sounds Royale performed at. I apologize for the condition of the front of it. The lines are from the page of my photo album. The two photos are of Sounds Royale performing at the Golden Pheasant.

    Great website. It brings back memories of when I lived in OC 1973 - 1976.

    Sam

    By Anonymous Sam Stephenson, at December 02, 2006 7:33 AM  

  • Hi again Steve,

    I located my planner from my gigs and here are the dates Sounds Royale played in Orange County.

    Newporter Inn
    Newport Beach
    Sunday, December 09, 1973

    Golden Pheasant
    Anaheim
    Monday, February 04, 1974 - Saturday, March 30, 1974

    Charley Brown's
    Huntington Beach
    Tuesday, April 02, 1974 - Saturday May 11, 1974

    As information, I began working with a local group, Vern Jackson and Changes on May 20, 1974. We mainly played the Ye Olde Yeoman Club at the Sheraton Anaheim.

    Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and may you have a veryMerry Christmas.

    Sam Stephenson

    By Anonymous Sam Stephenson, at December 02, 2006 7:36 AM  

  • Hi Steve,

    As I mentioned in my last email, I began working with a local group in Orange County, Vern Jackson and Changes after Sounds Royale bid farewell. I mentioned we mainly played at Ye Olde Yeoman at the Sheraton-Anaheim. I was incorrect. It was called The Happy Yeoman. Hey, I was close after 32 years. I worked with Vern for a couple of years. I returned to
    El Paso, TX in August of 1976.

    I was in Anaheim this past July and visited the Sheraton. Still looks the same on the outside but, man, has it changed inside. The night club is gone.

    Attached are a couple of memorabilia items. We, Changes, played in the Fiesta Village (outdoor stage) at Knott's Berry Farm the Summer of '74.

    The band promotional photo was taken, as you can see, in front of the Knott's train.

    Left to right: Johnny Higgins - keyboards, keyboard bass, vocals; Vern Jackson - lead vocals; Steve Jacobs - drums, vocals; yours truly Sam Stephenson - guitar, vocals.

    I hope some of this information is useful for your website.

    Have a great Holiday !

    Sam

    By Anonymous Sam Stephenson, at December 02, 2006 7:37 AM  

  • Hi Steve,
    Tedd McKeever here. I want to thank you for posting the information on the Sounds Royale. To this day, I can only say that of all the entertainers that I have worked with, Debi, Rick, Sam and Wayne were then, and always will be, my favorites! What more can a band leader ask for that to work with the best of the best!!!
    Thanks again,
    Tedd

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at January 05, 2007 4:39 PM  

  • If anyone has an issue with Ted McKeever, take it up with him personally. Keep your crap off my site!

    By Blogger Steve, at November 02, 2007 11:52 AM  

  • I knew Tedd and the SR when they were in Memphis ages ago.. maybe in the early to mid 80's playing at Reuben's

    I used to go hear them after I got off from playing my own gigs. They were the last of the great lounge bands in the classic sense of the word.

    I was very close to their female vocalist Kris Coleman.. Does anyone out there know where she is or if she is still around? She had roots in Reno and Phoenix. We totally lost touch. I'd love to catch up with her and say hello.

    Later, a high school friend of mine, Paula Dowling, replace Kris when she left the band.

    Tedd & SR moved on and I totally lost touch of them.

    I remember, they had a guitar player named Dana and heard their drummer was in a horrible accident of some sort. I don't remember his name. I think he was replaced by a guy named Dave Malone.

    Steve, thanks for the site.

    And, Tedd if you happen to see this, drop me a line.

    Pete V.
    bassman410@comcast.net

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at May 30, 2008 10:19 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home