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Feature
of the Month |
| Written
on 2.14.11 This is the eighteenth edition of the Feature of the Month for the South Dakota Rock & Roll Music Association. We are rock and roll fans, and looking to write a feature each month, that will not only bring back wonderful memories, but will also remind us all of the history that was made in our great state of South Dakota. We are hoping to write a feature each month selecting one of the many talented Bands, DJ's, Radio Stations, and Dance Halls throughout SD. The Sioux City, IA area was the home to many 1960's rock and roll bands. But of all the groups who called this city home, perhaps no one experienced success like the Velaires. Starting out as the Screamers, they soon changed their name to the Flares. But they soon found out that numerous other groups were using that same name and after playing at the Vel Aire Ballroom in Des Moines, IA they became the Velaires. Members of the early group included guitarists Bob Dawdy, Jerry DeMers, and Dan Matousek, along with drummer Don Bourret. The band was managed and booked by Dick Matousek, Dan's brother. They were a fixture in the "Sooland" area and got their break when they signed with national label "Jamie Records". The rerecorded a Chuck Berry classic "Roll Over Beethoven" in the early 1960s and it peaked on the national top 100 chart at #51. This was followed by a number of other recordings on Jamie, Mercury, and other labels. One of the group's biggest thrills was appearing on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" and performing their hit song. The Velaires performed all over the United States until 1963, when the original band broke up. Lead singer and front man Matousek reformed the group under the name "Danny & the Velaires and they continued to perform throughout the sixties. In 1977 the Velaires were part of the inaugural class inducted into the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the state of Iowa. They have gone down in history as one of the most successful groups to come out of that state. |