Published: October 03, 2009 07:24 pm      

Remembering the good old days

Logansport man looks back at the time he played with “The Casuals”

The 1960s were a popular time for garage bands.

Tom Shaver believes so many bands were popular in the Logansport area for one reason:

“I thought, maybe, we had some hidden talent here.”

Shaver remembers his days of playing in a rock band and even cutting a record to sell to fans.

“It’s been 44 years, so it’s difficult to remember all the details,” Shaver admitted. “It was a tremendous experience for a group of poor kids from the west side of Logansport.”

The band, known as the “The Casuals,” was created in 1964 and lasted until 1966. Members included Shaver as the lead singer, Ed Schawich on bass guitar, Tony Wood playing rhythm guitar and keyboards, lead guitarist Buck Wood and Jim Murray on drums. Shaver could fill in on drums when needed.

Because his dad was the police chief, the band practiced in Murray’s basement.

The Beatles had the most influence on The Casuals, who even grew their hair out to resemble the “Fab Four.” The band played music by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, The Animals, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.

Most of The Casuals’ gigs took place at after-game dances at the Logansport Memorial Home. They traveled to nearby locations including, Peru, Monticello, Delphi, Fort Wayne and Kokomo.

The group also played Indiana Beach, Culver Military Academy, St. Elizabeth Nursing School in Lafayette and a teen dance club in Indianapolis called the Pink Panther as well as a number of country clubs, wedding receptions and proms. Band members played at the Cass County Fairgrounds at Spencer Park and a skating rink at known as “Logan-a-go-go.”

Shaver’s favorite gig was playing for the Happy Burger grand opening on the east side of town.

The band started when Tom Wood and Shaver went to college in Colorado. While there, the two were hired as the entertainment when the governor was coming to town for a Republican barbecue in 1963.

When they finished playing, Shaver recalled the governor came over to shake their hands.

“We thought we were going to be famous,” he said. “So we quit school and came back to Indiana.”

In 1965, band members decided to cut a record with two songs on it. On one side of the record, the band placed “Summer Fun,” which was an original piece written by Shaver and Tom Wood. On the flip side of the record, the band recorded its version of “Wooly Bully” by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.

Shaver said WSAL used to play the band’s cover of “Wooly Bully.”

“It was really neat,” he said about hearing the band’s song on the radio.

The band had its own following of fans and members were also approached for autographs. Shaver said all the guys in the band enjoyed the attention.

The band eventually broke up in 1966, for two reasons.

“Vietnam and marriage came along,” he said. “Vietnam mostly.”

Shaver and Buck started another band called “After Hours,” which lasted for another year and a half. It never cut a record like the first band, but members enjoyed the time playing music.

Ron Hildebrand joined the group as rhythm guitar, Jim Bird on keyboard and Dave Raikes as drummer.

The group played at a bar known a “T&T Lounge,” four nights a week for one year.

Shaver’s favorite part of the band experience was being the spokesman. He also enjoyed establishing a good rapport with the audience.

Since those days, Shaver has spent time singing at weddings and funerals along with gospel music in church. He even sings church duets with his wife, Janet.

Even though he still sings, Shaver misses the good times he had with the other band members and the type of music they played.

“I miss the good ole’ oldies,” he said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com