capedcrusader
Mark VII Class
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2015
The founder of Kansas City's beloved The Chesmann/Chesmann Square, Ron Hodgden, passed away over
the weekend, after many years of failing health. Although they are known to the members of this site solely
for their 1969 45, their importance to the '60s Kansas City teen scene can never be overestimated. They
were the first and finest post-Beatles local teenbeat band in the area and were hugely popular, worshipped by
all the area teens. Ron formed the band in '64, recruiting his brothers Steve (bass) and Gary (drums), along
with Dave Huffines on lead guitar, later to be replaced by Jimmy 'Mayo' McAllister. In 1966 they recorded
a 6-song demo of Ron's original songs (now sadly lost to time) that got them signed to RCA. However,
nothing came of this contract and it would be another 3 years before 'Circles' b/w 'Try' was released on
the Columbia, MO Lion label. In the meantime they gigged constantly throughout the metropolitan area
and beyond, including what had to have been one of the most amazing gigs to have been witness to,
one that they secured by being voted top K.C. band of 1966 - in Wichita, KS, Aug 1966 - The Chesmann,
The BlueThings + Paul Revere & The Raiders ! Can't get much better than that...
the weekend, after many years of failing health. Although they are known to the members of this site solely
for their 1969 45, their importance to the '60s Kansas City teen scene can never be overestimated. They
were the first and finest post-Beatles local teenbeat band in the area and were hugely popular, worshipped by
all the area teens. Ron formed the band in '64, recruiting his brothers Steve (bass) and Gary (drums), along
with Dave Huffines on lead guitar, later to be replaced by Jimmy 'Mayo' McAllister. In 1966 they recorded
a 6-song demo of Ron's original songs (now sadly lost to time) that got them signed to RCA. However,
nothing came of this contract and it would be another 3 years before 'Circles' b/w 'Try' was released on
the Columbia, MO Lion label. In the meantime they gigged constantly throughout the metropolitan area
and beyond, including what had to have been one of the most amazing gigs to have been witness to,
one that they secured by being voted top K.C. band of 1966 - in Wichita, KS, Aug 1966 - The Chesmann,
The BlueThings + Paul Revere & The Raiders ! Can't get much better than that...
