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The
Fabulous Ravens
Dates: 1967 - 68
Band Members: Ray Renz, Moffit (lead guitar - lead vocals – harmonica – Hammond organ), Al (Bart) Bosch, Linton (drums), Duke Rosendahl, Hazleton (lead rhythm player - vocals), Allan Bosch, Hazelton (lead guitar), Les Job, Hazelton (bass guitar), Barry Seeklander, Hazelton (trombone), Jerry Seeklander, Hazelton (trumpet), and Roger Baker, Hazelton (trumpet), and replacing Bosch on the drums, Darrell (Corky) Lipp, Linton.
Top Forty 60’s rock (featuring rhythm & blues)
The airwaves were adding the soulful sounds of rhythm and blues with talents like Wilson Picket who just a couple years earlier started a career in Rhythm and Blues with his top 25 hit Midnight hour and later with Mustang Sally. Others were making their mark including The Who (the Supremes and Martha and the Vandellas) with Heat Wave, and even the Monkees with “Stepping Stone”. Strong brass was making it’s way into the sound of rock n’ roll. Ray and the Ravens continued to forge their way regionally into the hearts of a growing number of fans by doing a little growing of their own. Three brass players from Hazelton (Barry and Jerry Seeklander and Roger Baker) were added to the group. A whole new sound was taking shape. Only this time with a slight change in name to The Fabulous Ravens.
A series of big events and changes were unfolding. Two large concerts held in Bismarck and Minot brought bands in from around the state and Canada. “I remember overhearing Tom Turcott (deejay for KFYR AM radio) telling one of the other deejays at the Bismarck Concert that he wanted to introduce The Fabulous Ravens because he considered us his band,” said Duke Rosendahl. “We were friends with a lot of deejays and over the years we were making our mark - -I think they liked being around us.” Although the concerts were not really a battle of the bands it was not hard to see which bands were popular. “I remember we were the first band to play,” Rosendahl said. “Turcott introduced us and then our song “Heat Wave”. There were four guitar notes, a snap on the snare, and then the horns came in. It was pretty awesome. We played for about 20 minutes then had to wait until several other bands played their mix. People were moving back to our stage long before the other band ended so they could get a spot and hear us play our second grouping of song. It was a thrill.” It was pretty clear that the Fabulous Ravens were a very popular choice among the crowd of over a thousand people.
The momentum of their sound and reputation was starting to get notice and a two week stand at the infamous night spot Grammas in Billings, MT was one of the next highlights. “I remember when we went out there (Billings) we heard the radio stations playing ten second commercials. It was a chant and all they said was something like – The Ravens are Coming – The Ravens are Coming – The Ravens are Coming – To Grammas!!!,” Rosendahl said. “In short, we played one week with our brass players to a totally packed house and then the next week to another packed house doing a completely different set of songs minus the brass who had to get back to Hazelton.” If there ever was a time that a small glimpse of fame entered into our lives it was going to a larger town like Billings and getting the raves like we did. It was something we grew into that started back in 1964. A great ride.”
After returning home the group and the music continued to evolve. So did their name. This time to a something they felt fit the times. Something simple. Something like – TRACK. The generation’s music had by now included psychedelic vibes and the former Ravens once more (this time without brass players) moved into a new and final chapter in this era of their music history. Dubbing themselves as Track, the five young men laid out a new roster of songs lead by groups and artists such as The Doors, Vanilla Fudge, Steppenwolf, The Beatles and Cream to name a few.
In addition to playing gigs, learning new songs and in general maturing into adulthood, the group began using their talents to record jingles for radio spots. Evans Men’s Shop was the first to utilize the group. The jingle is still remembered by many. Approaching adulthood and the responsibilities it carried (including college) caused the group to eventually come to an end. Ray and Duke went on to play with other groups for a duration. For most, it was the end. But -- not for the originals.
