Paul Revere, Leader of the Raiders Rock Band, Dies at 76

Paul Revere, the organist and leader of the Raiders rock band, has died. He was 76. Roger Hart, manager for Paul Revere and the Raiders, said he died Saturday at his home in Garden Valley, Idaho, from cancer. "He'd been quiet about it for some time," Hart said. "Treated at the Mayo Clinic, Paul stayed on the road as long as he could, then retired recently back to Idaho, where he and his wife, Sydney, always kept a home."

Revere, born Paul Revere Dick, became known as "the madman of rock and roll" for his theatrical colonial wardrobe and infectious onstage persona with the band. "From Day 1, we've always been a party band that accidentally had some hit records and accidentally got on a hit television series," Revere told The Associated Press in a 2000 interview.

The group launched its career in 1963 with a popular rendition of Richard Berry's "Louie, Louie" before releasing its own hits, such as "Kicks," "Hungry" and "Good Thing." The band's biggest smash came in 1971 with "Indian Reservation."

Paul Revere and the Raiders served as the house band for the Dick Clark TV show "Where the Action Is" and made an appearance as themselves in the "Batman" TV series starring Adam West. While the band's line-up changed over the past 50 years, Revere remained a constant presence with the group and he continued touring until earlier this year.

For some reason this title didn't strike home with me.

Paul Revere, leader of the Raiders? Say what?

Then reading the article it referred to the group Paul Revere and the Raiders, and it made sense. I had never heart him referred to as the leader of the Raiders, even though I suppose that's what he was.

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I was a co-owner with Paul Revere in half of Dick Clark's AMERICAN BANDSTAND in Reno during the mid-late 90's. Met him at the Orange County fair from a mutual club manager friend to talk about working with Clark to open a Bandstand in Reno. Clark and Revere were best buds going back to the TV days of "Where It's At".

Upon our first meet in his trailer he was drying his hair from the first set and stopped to talk to me (a nobody) about the possibility of a Bandstand in Reno. He was friendly, gracious, ,un-assuming, and excited that we would invest in Clarks' Bandstand in Reno. He had a niteclub called, "Kicks" before and wanted to work with Clark to do it again. The American Bandstand was a huge success with the waiting line going throughout the building (forgot the name which is now gone).

Amongst all of Clark's and Paul's memorabilia on the walls (think Hard Rock before Hard Rock), we had the original American Bandstand TV show neon sign behind the stage.

The interesting thing about the Raiders is that Paul and others were actually funny between songs. They toured forever and entertained everyone whether a small or large venue. They were surprisingly talented throughout the years, even without the girls heart throb, Mark Lindsay.

We never became close friends because of his touring, but trusted each other to make the Bandstand work, even with Clark's demands (won't go there). I'm so sorry to hear he passed. I only knew him as a good guy and have fond memories of our times together when playing at the Reno Bandstand and other venues.

RIP Paul. You entertained so many with not only your music, but your high energy semi-choreography and jokes between songs that set you apart from other nostalgia groups. He was truly an entertainer and you couldn't wait to hear what he would say next. I'm now sad every time I look at the photos, posters, and a gold record he awarded our club when I pull into the garage. Thanks for the kicks, Paul.

"So his real name was Paul Revere and Mark Lindsey was his made up name."

No. Mark Lindsay was the original front man that the young girls screamed about. He was easily replaced when he left. Paul was the keyboard player and his full name was Paul Revere Dick. Didn't have to Google because I was a partner with him in Dick Clark's American Bandstand in Reno, NV. RIP, Paul. Besides some good songs, your stage presence and antics entertained so many people.

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