Mike Wagoner

Mike Wagoner is an American rock and roll musician from Minnesota .

Career

Mike Wagoner was already enthusiastic about music as a child and began playing with his father's band at the age of ten. He appeared on television for the first time when he was 13 and was shown on various regional channels in the following period.

In 1956, Wagoner founded his first band. At the time, he was attending Richfield High School and winning some of his classmates into the group. In addition to Waggoner ( vocals / rhythm guitar ), the band consisted of Waggoner's brother Colin (vocals / electric guitar ), Dick Benedict (guitar), Doug Barton ( saxophone ), Rusty Bates ( bass ) and Lyle Gudmanson ( drums ). The first performance took place at St. Richard's Church in Richfield, Minnesota. Wagoner named the band The Bops , based on Gene Vincent's song Do the Bop . At that time they played rock 'n' roll and rockabilly; the repertoire consisted mainly of covers by Elvis Presley , Buddy Holly , Chuck Berry , Ricky Nelson , Fats Domino , Gene Vincent and other popular rock 'n' roll stars. Since no member had a driver's license at the time, the group was driven to their performances by the parents.

For the next several years, Wagoner and the Bops played at events and small venues in Minneapolis. Between 1958 and 1959 the group was reorganized, as all musicians left the group with the exception of Waggoner and his brother. Sheldon Hasse came in as bass player and John Lentz as drummer, while the second rhythm guitar and saxophone were omitted. Thanks to sponsors, Waggoner and the Bops were able to improve their technical equipment and became more and more successful. Meanwhile, not only played in Minneapolis, but also in large dance halls in Wisconsin , Minnesota, Iowa , North Dakota and South Dakota . In addition, the Bops advertised Gibson guitars in national magazines .

In 1962, Wagoner and the Bops made their first recordings at Kay Bank Studios in Minneapolis under the production of Bing Bengston. Of the twelve pieces, the Dale-Hawkins cover Baby Baby was released by Bobby Vee's label Vee Records along with the instrumental piece Basher # 5 composed by Colin Wagoner . The single became a local hit in the Minneapolis area. The next two years continued to be characterized by touring the Midwest. In July 1964, Wagoner and the Bops opened the Rolling Stones' first concert in Minneapolis. However, only 300 spectators came to the concert, who were less interested in the Rolling Stones.

Also in 1964, Wagoner and the Bops got offers to tour Australia , New Zealand and other countries where American rock 'n' roll was still very popular. However, Wagoner refused because he was already married and had two children. The Bops broke up that same year; In late 1964 they played their last concert near Amery, Wisconsin.

Wagoner then embarked on a career in radio and television. In 1981 the Bops reunited for a reunion concert at the Medina Ballroom, which also featured other former local bands. Two years later the Dutch White Label Records released a large number of old recordings for the first time or made them commercially available at all. In 2005, Wagoner formed the Old School Rockers until he formed a new rock 'n' roll and rockbilly band, Memphis Trax , in 2010 , with whom he still performs in Minneapolis and St. Paul to this day. In 2008, Wagoner and the Bops were inducted into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame . In the fall of 2010, Wagoner's brother Colin died at the age of 66.

Discography

year	title	Label #
1961	Baby Baby / Basher # 5	Vee 7002
1961	Baby Baby / Basher # 5	Vee 7007 p
1963	Blue Days Black Nights / Where and When	Dove Dr-1011
Unpublished titles
	Blues Stay Away from Me Bye bye Johnny Can I Be Kind Coming up Good rockin 'tonight Guitar Man Hey mum Latn 'Datn' Da Da Three Little Pigs Three steps to heaven Work with Me Annie	Vee

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Wagoner, Mike
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American rock 'n' roll musician
DATE OF BIRTH	20th century