Horn and Soul Rock with The Spectacle

What’s that saying, “What goes around, comes back around”? Or is it, “Old School is New School again”?

The saying is quite true as it relates to musical styles. What was hot in the 60’s and 70’s, most often comes back into vogue.

On today’s large metro music scenes nothing is more popular than the old school soul and R&B ten, eleven, or even twelve person horn and soul groups. That style of music and show is really on the “in”.

One can easily trace the “beginnings” of that music configuration back to the Mid 60’s. Nowhere in the United States, were the eight man plus horn groups more popular than right here in Fort Dodge.

Many of the Iowa horn bands tried to conceive themselves after the Fabulous Flippers, one of this states best was Remsen and Le Mars Iowa’s, The Spectacle.
This nine man configuration of blue eyed soul proved to have the staying power and talent that many of the other big horn groups could not find.

The group was formed in 1967 by area high school students living between the communities of Remsen and Le Mars. It consisted of: Randy Hoyt-lead vocals, Al Schrank-guitar, Jim Weiler-trumpet, Steve Smith-sax, Loren Paulson-sax, Tom Ross-key boards, Mark Moeller-trumpet, Tim Hauff-bass, Tommy Renfro/ Walter Clark-drums, and Fred Juhl-vocals.

By 1968, they had all graduated from high school and were ready to hit the road full time.
First up was to buy a school bus, paint it in rock and roll colors, and travel in style. Next was matching stage suits, tight horn arrangements and vocals and choreography. It was time to make an impact on the Midwest music scene.

Because of the talent this group had, they were one of the hottest midwest based horn and show groups on the scene. In 1968 and 1969, nobody drew bigger crowds in Fort Dodge than these guys at the old Plamor. They traveled the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and portions of Canada. They were true rock and roll road warriors.

There was so much talent in this group that some of the members would later land in even larger rock arenas. More on that later.

They recorded two successful 45 single records. They were: “It’s Not Unusual/Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”- Spectacular Records 61968 and “Going Back to Miami/Exodus” Fish Records 2353. Both are respected by collectors of the horn rock genre.

In 1970, they signed a contract to be the full time house band at one of Minneapolis’ top night club and live music venues, George’s In The Park. As a result of their night after night sell out shows, their reputation grew even larger on the Midwest scene.

After a year at George’s, 1971 was approaching and the band started it’s descent as most groups suffered through at this time. The draft, getting married, “finding a real job”, and family constraints took there toll. They finally called it quits in early ‘71.

As with most groups the story would end there, but not with The Spectacle. The Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association will be inducting The Spectacle into it’s Hall of Fame Labor Day weekend at Lake Okoboji. It should be a truly exciting show. The horns a blazing, the volume pumped up and The Spectacle’s blue eyed soul taking front and center one more time. One should not miss this event!

I stated earlier that some of the groups members saw a high degree of post Spectacle success. Two members come to mind.

Randy Hoyt was such a skilled vocalist that he would be hand picked to front and replace Dennis Lowen in the legendary Fabulous Flippers. He was that good! He recorded one record with the Flippers, a re-make of their “Harlem Shuffle” (Larim Assoc.-203).

Walt Clark, the groups original drummer, went on to play with one of the most infamous horn rock groups of all time, Chase led by the trumpet legend, Bill Chase. Quite an accomplishment for a kid out of Le Mars, la.

Tragically, Walt was killed along with Bill Chase and four other group members as their charted plane crashed while flying in to do a show in Jackson, Minnesota at the Jackson Co. Fair.

This loss to the world of music was significant. That Jackson, Minnesota show and Chase always held a special place in my memory and heart, as I was the booking agent that booked Chase into the fair gig. I’ve always wondered, what if...............