My name is Toby Montry(tbags123@hotmail.com) and I started The Lykes Of Us in 1966 . Larry
Micallef and I played in bands together from Junior High School onwards. The
Lykes Of Us were Larry-lead guitar, John Tyno-rhythm guitar/keyboards, Terry
Stevens-bass, Mark Carlie-lead vocals, and myself-drums We were all from
Trenton, Michigan. Mark Carlie the lead singer was later replaced by Gary
Burgmeier who was a soul type of singer. We played many live shows and one day
at a band practice in my house, Terry the bass player didn't show. We
rehearsed anyway and during that day a musician from the next town over
(Riverview) was visiting his aunt down the street. He heard us playing and came
over and looked inside. We invited him in and he said he played bass (which in
those days, a bass player was rare in deed.). So he came in and jammed with us.
His name was Larry Lamb and he had been involved in two bands at different
times, The Octones and The Chips Are Down. We liked him right away and we
invited him into the band. He could sing as well as play bass. Terry was out,
Larry was in. Later on Gary was out also, he had played in the band for about
two months . This was all happening during the summer of 1967.
We rehearsed and gigged a lot and became as we were told, the
best band around. We got to a point where we were asked to do a concert to help
raise money for a project at
Trenton
High School. In return for our performance, we would receive money so that we
could record two songs Larry Lamb had written, "Tell Me Why Your Light
Shines" and "7:30 Said". The concert was held on November 1-2, 1967. Both
songs written by Larry were played at the concert as well as numerous cover
songs of the time. The Beatles were a huge favorite of The Lykes Of Us and "If I
Needed Someone", "Ticket To Ride" and "Day Tripper" were played. Other
songs from the concert were "I'm So Glad", "Mustang Sally", "Gimme Some Lovin'",
"The Letter", "Show Me", "Heavy Music", and "How Can I Be Sure. The Lykes
Of Us equipment included Super Beatle Amps, Vox Bass Amp, Ludwig Drums and a Vox
Continental. I didn't think anyone would come during the week .I thought the
concert should have been held on the weekend. At any rate, the weather was
lousy for both nights of the weekday concerts- snowy and rainy-but to my
surprise- the concerts were sell outs!!! It was such a success that Larry
Lamb's high school wanted to do the same thing. Thus we were going to do another
concert on December 13, 1967. The afternoon of the concert we were at rehearsal
in Riverview and Larry Lamb wanted to add a new song into the concert at
the last minute. We tried to play it but I was not happy with my drum part. I
thought it was a bad idea to put in a new song a few hours before the concert.
I though if we messed it up it would look bad for us. Larry Micallef agreed
with me but John Tyno agreed we should play it. 2 for, 2 against. Well they
worked on Larry M and he caved in but
I refused, and said I won't play in the band if you are going to play this
song. I packed up my drums and loaded them in my car and went home WAITING for
them to call me and say, ok baby, you get your way, but the call never came.
They got Dennis Odine (good friend of Larry Lambs) to play the drums, with no
rehearsal. The band did go on to make the single with the money Trenton High
School had provided us for the two prior concerts, but I was not on the record.
Larry Lamb picks up the story. "Tell Me Why Your Light Shines" was inspired by an old girlfriend of mine who kept carrying the torch for me while I was still looking at other girls. The flip side of the single was "7:30 Said" and this was inspired 100% by "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". 500 copies of the records were pressed and released on the Molt record label. The label stood for the initials of the last names of the band members. The records were sold to fellow students for a buck a piece. For the next several months we played dances ,sock hops and graduation parties. When the group members graduated high school the band ended. This was in June or July of 1968. Through it all John Tyno and Larry Micallef were the only original members from the start of the band in 1966 till the end in 1968.. Below are the handwritten lyrics for both songs.which feature: Larry Lamb-Lead Vocals, John Tyno-Harmony, vocal,organ Larry Micallef-guitar, Dennis Odine-drums. For further details from Larry on the history of The Lykes of Us and more photos
Record Labels Courtesy Of Robert Jarod Steckmeyer