Paul Revere & the Raiders: 'KICKS' - 1966

Reaganite Republican ^ | 31 January 2013 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

Perhaps the hottest rock act to ever come out of Boise, Idaho was (and is) the group Paul Revere & the Raiders, who saw considerable commercial success in the 1960s and early 70s with hits such as 'Kicks' and 'Hungry' (1966), 'Him Or Me- What's It Gonna Be?' ('67) and then in 1971 their only #1 single, 'Indian Reservation' ('Cherokee people, Cherokee pride...' -you know, that one).

The band was together as early as 1958 as The Downbeats, and enjoyed an early Northwest-only regional hit with 'Like, Long Hair' in 1961. Influenced by British Invasion bands such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dave Clark Five, and The Animals, their sound evolved over time to include those influences but with more of an American, 'R-n-B' feel to it.

Even though keyboardist 'Paul Revere' -born Paul Revere Dick in Harvard, Nebraska- was a conscientious objector who worked in a mental hospital to avoid overseas combat assignments -so not much of a patriot really- the band featured a 'patriotic' look to play off his name -an American answer to the British Invasion.

They appeared in Revolutionary War uniforms, three-pointed hats, etc to play off the New England 1770's period theme. This created a visual appeal/gimmick that was a natural for TV, and they appeared on Dick Clark and other shows of the day for (lip-synched) appearances, as below.

Trivia: in November 1966, Paul Revere & the Raiders were scripted into the original Batman show for an episode entitled 'Hizzoner The Penguin'...

Video/more at Reaganite Republican...

[Reaganite Republican]

*** PING ***

[JustSayNoToNannies]

[donna]

conscientious objector who worked in a mental hospital to avoid overseas combat assignments

Before Vietnam, being a conscientious objector who performed over public service was a respectable thing to do.

[dainbramaged]

One of my favorite bands from way back when - they would play at dance halls around the Puget Sound area. Used to watch them on Lloyd Thaxton and “Where the Action is” after school. They also did a great version of “Louie Louie”.

[llevrok]

There was a local band (Portland OR) that was like the AAA minor league band from which The Raiders got new/replacement members (such as Jim Vallet aka “Fang”)

They were called Don and the Goodtimes and wore uniforms similarly (three cornered hats) as well.

I recall many night (as a 14 year old) standing up by the stage at the local Sons of Norway Club dance floor listening to them. Which might explain why I can’t listen to much now (am age 62) !!

http://pnwbands.com/goodtimes.html

[re_nortex]

I never cared for this group or for the hippies of the 60's. They aided the undermining of our effort in what was otherwise a very winnable war in Vietnam. The anti-American lyrics of their semi-hit, "Indian Reservation" (although written by John Loudermilk) is yet another reason why I shun most of the music of this entire era:

Took away our native tongue,
And taught their English to our young...

Though I wear a shirt and tie,
I'm still part red man deep inside.

...as if learning English is a bad thing! And why be a "red man" when you can be an American.

[C. Edmund Wright]

For some reason, I always conflate the Raiders and the Monkees in my mind. Don’t know why.....

[donna]

Where the Action Is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GeD4cHMNk8

[Donkey Odious]

Lloyd Thaxton.....now there’s a blast from the past! King of the one-inch ties!!!!

[Fiji Hill]

That’s a great video of “Kicks,” which is just about my favorite Paul Revere & the Raiders tune. I assume that the song is about a cat.

[dainbramaged]

Lloyd Thaxton..
He used to put on these giant fake feet and lip sync to Robert Parker's "Barefootin'".
Youth is wasted on the young.

[Fiji Hill]

You can hear John Loudermilk's original recording of "Lament of the Cherokee Nation," aka "Indian Reservation," here. In the summer of 1971, while Paul Revere & the Raiders' version rode high in the charts, this got some airplay on KREL, broadcasting out of Corona, Calif. at 1370 kilocycles on the AM band.

[Fiji Hill]

Orbit--Paul Revere & the Raiders (1960)

[David Isaac]

Remember watching ‘Where the Action Is” very well. Even liked Freddy Boom-Boom Cannon. Also remember watching Hootenany and another similar show prior to that time. Used to have the Raider’s Greatest Hits Album.

[Scoutmaster]

Just to keep the record straight: Indian Reservation was not released by Paul Revere & the Raiders. By that time, the group was simply called The Raiders. Mark Lindsay was still singing lead for the group although he had a simultaneous solo career.

[nikos1121]

Paul Revere and a handful of “new” Raiders played at Decatur, IL Days around 7 or 8 years ago. They were good, but I have to tell you Paul looked more like Ben Franklin.

Last I knew they were still doing a hundred or more shows a years, but don’t know.

Mark Lindsey played in Columbus, GA here last year in an Oldie’s Show.

[klgator]

They were called Don and the Goodtimes and wore uniforms similarly (three cornered hats) as well.

I remember Don & The Goodtimes. In fact, I have their vinyl album. They had a minor hit with "I Could Be So Good To You."

[OldPossum]

I saw this band in person in 1966 and noticed how clumsy the lead singer, Mark Linday, was. The man had no grace in his movements on stage, none at all. The voice was pretty mediocre, too.

[Fast Moving Angel]

They’re still touring, although Mark Lindsay isn’t with them any longer. https://www.facebook.com/paulrevereraiders?ref=ts&fref=ts