Roger Lewis and The Moondawgs
The Moon Dawgs made an instant splash on the Maine music scene when they became one of four bands to share the stage at the very first Pal Hop dance in 1964. Their popularity led to bigger venues as opening acts for the Dave Clark Five, the Kingsmen, Freddie and the Dreamers, and the Searchers. Except for a few brief interruptions, the Dawgs have remained together over 50 years playing for legions of die-hard fans at benefit dances, concerts and festivals. Almost from the beginning, the band has featured Roger Michaud (lead singer and keyboards), Dave Brissette (guitar), Bob Poulin (bass), and Bob Roy (drums). Two later additions to the band include Roger Renaud (saxophone) and Marty Lang (guitar). The Moon Dawgs were on the edge of stardom when producer Van Trevor accompanied lead singer Roger Michaud to New York to record two songs as Roger Lewis & the Moon Dawgs. Studio musicians and backup singers filled in for the rest of the band. A 45 rpm single featuring "Don't Let Him" and "Harriet" was released simultaneously on the Karate label, a subsidiary of the national record company Audio Fidelity, and the PAL label which was a local pressing coordinated by Lewiston's Police Athletic League that ran the Pal Hop dances. The Moon Dawgs quickly launched a tour before enthusiastic crowds in the Canadian Maritime Provinces and Nova Scotia where their record was receiving major airplay. During the tour they met a young fan backstage named Anne Murray who went on to become a superstar. In October, 1965 "Don't Let Him" peaked at #2 on the WLOB-AM "Big 30 Survey" in Portland, Maine and immediately became the focus of an advertising campaign in Billboard Magazine with the optimistic slogan, "As Maine goes, so goes the nation!" Later, the Moon Dawgs made one more attempt on the PAL label with Van Trevor producing the songs "Wild About You" and "Pretty Little Ramblin' Rose." The band continued to play on and off throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, performing for various charities and special events. And now, well into the 21st century, the Moon Dawgs continue to howl. Meanwhile, Michaud recently released his own solo album on CD, "American Stories" which includes the title song of the documentary "Pal Hop Days."
Info above come from PalHopDays here
Info above come from PalHopDays here
Don't Let Him
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| Billboard ad, 16 Ocotober 1965 |
