If you lived in Tampa/St. Pete or if you were in Miami in the late '60's and early '70's you know Duckbutter. All of the innocence and all of the naughtiness of the era was embodied in this lame brain, hillbilly, punk outfit. We were supposed to be famous. Big deal!
We were a real rock'n'roll band. We worked with Canned Heat, Dion, John Mayall, Van Morrison, the Chambers Brothers, Michael Bloomfield, Dave Van Ronk and the Allman Brothers. We toured with Bo Diddley, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, the Coasters and Bill Haley & the Comets. Bo Diddley wanted to produce us. So did Berry Oakley.
A Duckbutter show had comedy, magic, drama and rocked and rolled like nothing else. It was dumb and it was sweet.
This is a medley that we put together for Phil Gernhard, our producer. It was recorded on a little Sony stereo deck that we borrowed with a little help from Terry Kane. The usual lineup for the band is here: Harry Hayward on vocals; Gary Dobbins and Pete Yorkunas on guitar; Doug Wingate on drums; and me on bass. In addition, Steve Hill is playing piano and Spencer Hinkle is playing congas. Pete doubled on banjo, too.
When we walked out of Electric Lady after recording the "real" record a month later, Phil grumbled to me, "Your demo is better." It was. It is.
Thank you for this! I remember Duckbutter and still have their 45. Gary Dobbins was my first cousin!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, Ronnie. ~Dane
ReplyDeleteI think my father played for the band at one time Toby Ruckert. If so Cruckert@gmail.com is my contact info. I'd love to get any recordings.
ReplyDeleteLove this history! I saw Duckbutter at the Univ. of Fla. Gainesville when I was a student there in 1971. They performed on a stage set up in the center Quad. area (today is referred to as "Plaza of the Americas". Other bands included Tom Petty's old group-Mudcrutch. And as they say, "the rest is history".
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ReplyDeleteRonnie, Gary and I were playing in a band called Snickers in Dunedin fla. at a Wilson's liquor lounge. He had you and Harry come sit in with us one night. I don't remember exactly what you said just be fore we started playing but it was something like 'what ever Harry does don't freak out". That was some good stuff, Thanks, Bryan Mann
I saw Duck Butter in 1970 when they opened for CCR in Tampa FL. I was in the hospital in November 70 and a friend of theirs was in there too and they came and visited her.
ReplyDeleteWhen you introduced the band and it got to you, you said and I'm stark naked.. ya'll were funny along with being highly talented.
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