Members:
Ken Noecker: bass guitar, vocals
Rick Pearson: drums
Jay Gilbertson: guitar, vocals
Chris Kathol: guitar, vocals

The Quazy story began in 1974 when Ken Noecker and Chris Kathol (who had been playing together since 1969 in a band called Rainbow Bridge) were looking for musicians to start a new band. It was a chance meeting with guitar gunslinger, Craig Jensen, who had returned from San Jose, California to small town Hurley, South Dakota and drummer, Harley Zumbrum, having just returned from Texas, that the band formed and became Quazy. A short time later, Rick Pearson was added to the line-up, creating a dual rhythm section.

The band was based out of Yankton, South Dakota and Bow Valley, Nebraska. From 1974 to 1982 the band toured non-stop through 6 states in the Midwest, playing numerous shows in South Dakota’s ballrooms, nightclubs and roadhouses. Whether it was playing the ballrooms (Rest Haven, Groveland Park, Island Park), the nightclubs (the Barbarian, Revolution, Dakota Territory, Rick’s Rock n Roll Palace), bars (Safari Club, Fridays, the Old Style, Harbor Bar, Lazy D, Llama Room) or roadhouses (Mayfield Store, Turkey Ridge, Woonsocket) - from the far western area of the State to the eastern border there was no area of South Dakota the band did not play. In 1982 the group was disbanded but got together in 2007, when they were inducted into the Nebraska Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

After the death of Craig Jensen, the band recruited guitar virtuoso, Jay Gilbertson, to take his place. They have been doing shows since 2008 with the current members. The band plans to keep playing and having fun well into the future.

We would like to acknowledge a special thanks to our production crew Clark Schulte, Colin Schulte and Randy Thoene. Also, a big shout out to all of our fans who have partied with us throughout the years. It’s been a lot of miles and a lot of fun! See you soon!

Awards