Era 1
(August of 1965 through March of 1967)


Jonnie Johnson, JB Anderson, Steve Smith, Mike McCormick, Mike Buchholz, Doug Smith
(Photo taken in JB's basement, August 1966)

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Era 1 Song List!

Era 1 Description
(By Mike McCormick)

Although some "informal" rehearsals happened earlier in 1965, era 1 really started in August of that year when the Notorious Noblemen played their first gig. Eventually the band was Doug (Big) Smith, his brother Steve, Mike (Bucky) Buchholz, JB Anderson (All from Albert City) and Johnny Johnson (From Storm Lake, IA). Doug began on drums, Steve on sax, Mike on bass (It was a Noble bass. Guess where the name of the band came from?) and Johnny and JB on guitars. The band matured to the point where in the summer 1966 we were playing some battle of the bands performances at the Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park IA. Mike (Mac) McCormick (Storm Lake) joined on keyboards (well, organ back then) in August just before a big battle of the bands against the Senders from Fonda IA. We won that battle which put us in the finals that year against 3 other bands; Sad Lad and The Mourners, The Pete Klint Quintet and another band than none of us can remember at this time. (Any ideas? Please let me know!)

Any of you who were there can remember what an exciting night that was. The Harlem Shuffle (Remember the Fabulous Flippers?) was our big song at the time, and Pete Klint's big songs were "Summer in the City" by the Lovin' Spoonful and "Drive My Car" by the Beatles. After regulation time was over there was a tie between us and Pete Klint. We had a great contingency from Albert City and Storm Lake there and they were really rooting (screaming!) for us. Each of us had to play another song because even after repeated calls for votes from the audience they couldn't decide who the winner should be. Each band played their hottest song (see photo sequence below) and the powers that be, called for a vote by applause again. It seemed even steven and I really remember that they had a very difficult time trying to decide who should win this thing. In the end, they gave it to Pete Klint and I think deservedly so. The voting may have been even, but they were the better band.

Later in that era, Johnny and Steve quit and on Jan 1 1967, Joe (Joey) Schmitt (Storm Lake) joined and the band existed in that form until March (see last photo at the bottom of this page taken in Hampton, IA). When JB quit that was the end era 1 and era 2 began.

Photos
Click on any thumbnail to see the full size image...

These photos were taken at the Roof Garden Ballroom
(Arnolds Park, IA. August, 1966)

These photos tell the story of the Harlem Shuffle.
(Roof Garden Battle of the Bands finals, Sept 2nd 1966)

Doug and Jonnie sing the verse, "Shake a tail feather baby".

The horns play the chorus to 2200 screaming fans.

Bucky, Steve and JB await the final decision. (KIOA's Peter McLain in background)

Peter McLain announces the winner, The Pete Klint Quintet. Pete is holding the cup.

Miscellaneous Era 1 Photos

The Noblemen's very 1st gig!.

Another shot from JB's basement.

Playing at the Sweetheart dance

Playing at a lumberyard

Late era 1 shot taken in Hampton, Ia after Joey joined the band.

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