Jordan Brothers music

Music Historian and published author Max Furek will make a special guest appearance at the Shenandoah Heritage Day Festival on Saturday August 23, 2008. Furek will discuss his acclaimed book "The Jordan Brothers: A Musical Biography of Rock's Fortunate Sons" published by Kimberly Press.

His is the only book to chronicle the career of the four Jordans - Frank, Joe, Bob and Lou - and their musical love affair with Schuylkill County. Furek traces the Jordans' career from 1954 until 1985, what he called the "official end of the original band." His book details their first release "Send me Your Picture" and explores the roots of their biggest hit "Gimme Some Lovin'." The 231-page text includes a complete discography of the Jordan Brothers' releases, an index, and a listing called the "Jordanization of Schuylkill County." Furek cites Willow Lake in Schuylkill Haven as their longest-running gig. That 15-year span went from 1962 to 1977.

Furek called the Jordan Brothers the most important socio-cultural event to have emerged from the Coal Region. In 1986, the Schuylkill County Commissioners proclaimed "Jordan Brother's Day" where over 700 fans attended a special Jordan reunion at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts located in Pottsville,PA.

That brings back a lot of great memories from my younger days when I grew up in Schuylkill County.

High School and college students packed the "Lake"
On Fridays and Saturdays. Another band that was very popular at that time was " The Other Side" who used to play Thursday Nights at the Globe Hall in Minersville.

Oh the good old days !!

According to Music Historian Max Furek ... "The Other Side landed a record contract in 1977 with Philadelphia label Delight Records. The LP was called "Rock Crossing." They received limited national exposure.
The Other Side was the first act to assault the Coal Region with hard rock and visual stage antics, flashpots and theatrical trickery."
Other bands in that genre included Auburn, Music Machine, Kings and Queens, Sheriff Jones and Ma Rutts.

Thanks for the info, Rock forever.
I forgot about Auburn. For some reason I also remember D Kool and the Casuals ( not sure about the spelling ) and the Yankee Rebels.
I remember another decent a band called "The Living End" ( From Shenandoah, I think)
Good bands but not so sure they had the impact the Other Side and the Jordan Brothers had.

Right on. Don't forget the Jordan Brothers.

Here's an interesting question: Why doesn't Frackville have a shrine to commemorate the legacy of The Jordan Brothers --- Schuylkill County's greatest rock band EVER? Who is going to initiate this significant Coal Region project? We are about 30 years behind with this important cultural project.

Rock forever wrote:

Here's an interesting question: Why doesn't Frackville have a shrine to commemorate the legacy of The Jordan Brothers --- Schuylkill County's greatest rock band EVER? Who is going to initiate this significant Coal Region project? We are about 30 years behind with this important cultural project.

I think you have an excellent point. I do believe they more than earned it. Too bad they didn't have you tube back then. I think their theme song and others would have made it.

I told you tammy chattin mason boussum to stop talking on here; you are barrissing me; Thats it no more std's for you.

Why are racist pathogens like Tammy allowed to post on this site? She is off-topic, crude and pathetic. She has no class. Why can't ya just go away?

I was a member in the rock group, D'Kool & the Kasuals in the 60's. The Jordon Brothers were a fantastic group in our area and their talent was an inspiration to all musicians including our group. We knew the Jordon Brothers and they were our friends. They played at Willow Lake and we played at Lakewood Park. My brother Fritz Dabulis is still playing today with "Shama Lama". They are a great band and they continue to play in Eastern Pa. Look for their schedule on their web site www.shamalama-band.net

If my memory serves me correctly, I do believe you played at a few dances at the Carrol Street auditorium in St Clair. I thought the sound quality and the mix D'Kool and the Kasuals played was impressive. Reminds me of a lot of good times many years ago.

Thanks gettysburgray, I do remember playing a few times in St Clair at Carrol St. auditorium. We enjoyed playing there, the kids enjoyed our music and they booked us a few times afterward. You know gettyusburgray, D'Kool &
the Kasuals played in the coal regions for over 15 years and the kids loved to come and hear live music. They were the best years in my life and I'm very fortunate to be a part of that era. Unfortunately, the Beatles set most American bands backward about 10 years and our recording contract with Cameo Parkway, Phila. dissolved amicably. If your google "She's Good To Me, D'Kool & the Kasuals", You may hear a few versus of the song. By the way the writer and producer of She's Good To Me , was Dave Apple, who is known for writing, The Bunny Hop, Mexician Hat Dance, Candita, Tie A Yellow Ribbon, just to name a few. Lots Of Luck. Jack
The Kasuals"

This is not meant to detract or take anything away from a number of fine Schuylkill County bands but I was in a conversation with another transplanted coal region individual the other day.

We were talking about prominent bands from outside the area that at one time or another did a performance in Schuylkill County.

I remember a group called the Buoys from New Jersey ( Timothy )
and of course the " Hooters" when they played at Martz Hall. Was wondering if anybody remembered any others.

jack dabulis wrote:

Thanks gettysburgray, I do remember playing a few times in St Clair at Carrol St. auditorium. We enjoyed playing there, the kids enjoyed our music and they booked us a few times afterward. You know gettyusburgray, D'Kool &
the Kasuals played in the coal regions for over 15 years and the kids loved to come and hear live music. They were the best years in my life and I'm very fortunate to be a part of that era. Unfortunately, the Beatles set most American bands backward about 10 years and our recording contract with Cameo Parkway, Phila. dissolved amicably. If your google "She's Good To Me, D'Kool & the Kasuals", You may hear a few versus of the song. By the way the writer and producer of She's Good To Me , was Dave Apple, who is known for writing, The Bunny Hop, Mexician Hat Dance, Candita, Tie A Yellow Ribbon, just to name a few. Lots Of Luck. Jack
The Kasuals"

Thanks again for the info,Jack. Much appreciated.

Just an FYI for you Jordan Brothers fans. Joe Jordan of the Jordan Brothers is doing a concert at the Altamont Fire Company in Frackville, PA, along with some other legends of Schuylkill Co. from "The Other Side". It will be held this Saturday, August 23 at 8pm at the Altamont Fire Co. grove.
It is ironic that Max Furek will be in Shenandoah that day as well!

Jimmy, Dale and Kim from The Otherside will be there...Mike Macker from the Mudflaps...and yes..Joe Jordan. I can't wait!! It's gonna be a great show!!!

jack dabulis I was a member in the rock group, D'Kool & the Kasuals in the 60's. The Jordon Brothers were a fantastic group in our area and their talent was an inspiration to all musicians including our group. We knew the Jordon Brothers and they were our friends. They played at Willow Lake and we played at Lakewood Park. My brother Fritz Dabulis is still playing today with "Shama Lama". They are a great band and they continue to play in Eastern Pa. Look for their schedule on their web site www.shamalama-band.net "

I remember when your band played at the Rod and Gun Club in Mahanoy City in the mid 1960s. What instrument did you play? You once let me sit in on guitar. We played Link Wray's "Ramrod". I enjoyed your band because you were all great musicians who were very professional.

Your bass player, if I remember, was in the Coast Guard as was I.

can anyone tell me at what number on the billboard charts did the song gimme some lovin' by the jordan brothers top out at ty plz send reply to gossamerwamp@aol.com

Hey, Just a short note from a coal region and D Kool and the Kasualsdrummer. Music and bands just ain't what they used to be! The Jordan Brothers and all the groups around those decades were great. I was so fortunate to be able to play in many of them but my true start (after playing with small groups to get my chops in shape) was D Kool. Joe Poli, you are right our bassman and boss, Chuck Cesari, was in the Coast Guard. And hello Jack Dabulis, hope your enjoying retirement. We had some great times including recording for Cameo/Parkway and being on WKBW's Joey Reynold's show. Hello to all the super talented coal region musicians and groups.

Rock forever wrote:

Music Historian and published author Max Furek will make a special guest appearance at the Shenandoah Heritage Day Festival on Saturday August 23, 2008. Furek will discuss his acclaimed book "The Jordan Brothers: A Musical Biography of Rock's Fortunate Sons" published by Kimberly Press.
His is the only book to chronicle the career of the four Jordans - Frank, Joe, Bob and Lou - and their musical love affair with Schuylkill County. Furek traces the Jordans' career from 1954 until 1985, what he called the "official end of the original band." His book details their first release "Send me Your Picture" and explores the roots of their biggest hit "Gimme Some Lovin'." The 231-page text includes a complete discography of the Jordan Brothers' releases, an index, and a listing called the "Jordanization of Schuylkill County." Furek cites Willow Lake in Schuylkill Haven as their longest-running gig. That 15-year span went from 1962 to 1977.
Furek called the Jordan Brothers the most important socio-cultural event to have emerged from the Coal Region. In 1986, the Schuylkill County Commissioners proclaimed "Jordan Brother's Day" where over 700 fans attended a special Jordan reunion at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts located in Pottsville,PA.

We got up to Willow Lake several times each summer
1965-1967. The Jordan Brothers helped so many guys and girlies have so much fun. One girl told us she was not keen on "Russian (rushin') hands and Roman (roamin') fingers." Of course, it turned out that she was, indeed, very keen on same.

Looking forward to buying this book.