The I Band - Revision history

Adminwac at 12:06, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T12:06:38Z

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	[[File:Torsketunger.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Authentic Torsketunger]]		[[File:Torsketunger.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Authentic Torsketunger]]

			The note that accompanied the cartridge said the music was recorded over a period of six years on their tiny Stuckscheisse reel to reel recorder on cellophane tape and transferred to 8 track cartridge to preserve the recording for posterity in a studio in Southern California.

			The cartridge contained songs recorded between the Fall of 1959 and the Spring of 1966. Raffone immediately realized that this could be the mysterious I Band.

			The songs show the growth of the band from their early days. And their growth as songwriters.

Adminwac at 12:04, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T12:04:10Z

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	In 2013, Mike Raffone, a well-known connoisseur of flea markets, purports to have found an 8 track cartridge containing an early recording of the band - whom some have dubbed “The I Band” - at one of the first flea markets held in Minneapolis – where they have been illegal for the past 60 years.		In 2013, Mike Raffone, a well-known connoisseur of flea markets, purports to have found an 8 track cartridge containing an early recording of the band - whom some have dubbed “The I Band” - at one of the first flea markets held in Minneapolis – where they have been illegal for the past 60 years.

	For the younger people, at one time all recorded music had to be stored on a physical medium, like vinyl or tape (reel to reel & cassette) or (more recently) CD’s. The 8 Track Cartridge was a giant step forward in portable music technology from vinyl LP’s and reel to reel tape, and was the predecessor of cassette tapes.		For the younger people, at one time all recorded music had to be stored on a physical medium, like vinyl or tape (reel to reel & cassette) or (more recently) CD’s. (And don't get me started about streaming. But I digress.) The 8 Track Cartridge was a giant step forward in portable music technology from vinyl LP’s and reel to reel tape, and was the predecessor of cassette tapes.

	*[[File:Vinyl.jpg\|none\|thumb\|~~300px~~\|Vinyl (a record)]]		[[File:Vinyl.jpg\|none\|thumb\|200px\|Vinyl (a record)]] [[File:Reel2reel.jpg\|none\|thumb\|200px\|Reel to Reel Tape]][[File:8-track-tapes.jpg\|none\|thumb\|200px\|8 Track Tape]][[File:Cassette-tape.jpg\|none\|thumb\|200px\|Cassette Tape]]

	*[[File:Reel2reel.jpg\|none\|thumb\|~~300px~~\|Reel to Reel Tape]]

	*[[File:8-track-tapes.jpg\|none\|thumb\|~~300px~~\|8 Track Tape]]

	*[[File:Cassette-tape.jpg\|none\|thumb\|~~300px~~\|Cassette Tape]]

	Raffone discovered the cartridge at a table of Dinkytown music memorabilia run by a 90 year old one-eyed Norwegian. The old fellow seemed to have been someone of note in the Minneapolis music scene of the late 50’s/early 60’s.		Raffone discovered the cartridge at a table of Dinkytown music memorabilia run by a 90 year old one-eyed Norwegian. The old fellow seemed to have been someone of note in the Minneapolis music scene of the late 50’s/early 60’s.

Adminwac at 11:58, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:58:57Z

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	*[[File:Cassette-tape.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Cassette Tape]]		*[[File:Cassette-tape.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Cassette Tape]]

			Raffone discovered the cartridge at a table of Dinkytown music memorabilia run by a 90 year old one-eyed Norwegian. The old fellow seemed to have been someone of note in the Minneapolis music scene of the late 50’s/early 60’s.

			He explained to Raffone that the 8 track cartridge contained recordings of a band he booked to play at the 10 O’Clock Scholar in the Fall of 1959.

			He said that the band sent the 8 track to him in May of 1966 as partial payment of a debt they owed him for room and Torsketunger.

			[[File:Torsketunger.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Authentic Torsketunger]]

Adminwac at 11:56, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:56:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:56, 23 October 2018
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	In 2013, Mike Raffone, a well-known connoisseur of flea markets, purports to have found an 8 track cartridge containing an early recording of the band - whom some have dubbed “The I Band” - at one of the first flea markets held in Minneapolis – where they have been illegal for the past 60 years.		In 2013, Mike Raffone, a well-known connoisseur of flea markets, purports to have found an 8 track cartridge containing an early recording of the band - whom some have dubbed “The I Band” - at one of the first flea markets held in Minneapolis – where they have been illegal for the past 60 years.

	For the younger people, at one time all recorded music had to be stored on a physical medium, like vinyl or tape (reel to reel & cassette) or (more recently) CD’s. The 8 Track Cartridge was a giant step forward in portable music technology from vinyl LP’s and reel to reel tape, and was the predecessor of cassette tapes.		For the younger people, at one time all recorded music had to be stored on a physical medium, like vinyl or tape (reel to reel & cassette) or (more recently) CD’s. The 8 Track Cartridge was a giant step forward in portable music technology from vinyl LP’s and reel to reel tape, and was the predecessor of cassette tapes.

			*[[File:Vinyl.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Vinyl (a record)]]

	*[[File:Reel2reel.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Reel to Reel Tape]]		*[[File:Reel2reel.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Reel to Reel Tape]]

Adminwac at 11:52, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:52:17Z

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	[[File:Young_I_Band.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Quite possibly an actual photo from that event … or not]]		[[File:Young_I_Band.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Quite possibly an actual photo from that event … or not]]

			Immediately afterward, they were going to work their way back to Birmingham to perform at the church where it all started. But first, they were going to join the Civil Rights March through Mississippi with James Meredith at the end of May.

			While there has been no credible documentation that they arrived in Mississippi and began the march, after the shooting of James Meredith on June 6th, it is very clear that they disappeared - as did their trunk of songs.

			Nothing was heard of them again.

			Such is the stuff of legends.

			== The 2013 Discovery ==

			In 2013, Mike Raffone, a well-known connoisseur of flea markets, purports to have found an 8 track cartridge containing an early recording of the band - whom some have dubbed “The I Band” - at one of the first flea markets held in Minneapolis – where they have been illegal for the past 60 years.

			For the younger people, at one time all recorded music had to be stored on a physical medium, like vinyl or tape (reel to reel & cassette) or (more recently) CD’s. The 8 Track Cartridge was a giant step forward in portable music technology from vinyl LP’s and reel to reel tape, and was the predecessor of cassette tapes.

			*[[File:Reel2reel.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Reel to Reel Tape]]

			*[[File:8-track-tapes.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|8 Track Tape]]

			*[[File:Cassette-tape.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Cassette Tape]]

Adminwac at 11:44, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:44:32Z

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	Early in May of 1966, they performed their last open air concert in the back yard of Mason Darby for his relatives celebrating Lost Sock Memorial Day.		Early in May of 1966, they performed their last open air concert in the back yard of Mason Darby for his relatives celebrating Lost Sock Memorial Day.

			[[File:Young_I_Band.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Quite possibly an actual photo from that event … or not]]

Adminwac at 11:42, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:42:10Z

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	[[File:emptystage.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|"The I Band" - An Artist's Rendering]]		[[File:emptystage.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|"The I Band" - An Artist's Rendering]]


	Dubbed "The I Band" by Lionel Twanes, a modern day researcher in 2005, in reality the legend gives us no clue to what they actually did call themselves during their brief tenure in the music scene from 1959 to 1966.		Dubbed "The I Band" by Lionel Twanes, a modern day researcher in 2005, in reality the legend gives us no clue to what they actually did call themselves during their brief tenure in the music scene from 1959 to 1966.
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	Or is it just ... a myth.		Or is it just ... a myth.


	== The Early Years ==		== The Early Years ==
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	[[File:3stooges.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|From the diary - Lev, Harlan and Nestor, circa 1957]]		[[File:3stooges.png\|none\|thumb\|300px\|From the diary - Lev, Harlan and Nestor, circa 1957]]


	== At Calumet College - The Musical Awakening ==		== At Calumet College - The Musical Awakening ==
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	So … they decided to create a folk trio to sing protest songs.		So … they decided to create a folk trio to sing protest songs.


	== The Band - Starting Out ==		== The Band - Starting Out ==

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	Based on their experience, they went into seclusion in their dorm room. Weeks later, they emerged. They finally came up with a new name. And that name was ... Well, we don't really know what that name was, and so we use the name given to them by Twanes, et al - The I Band.		Based on their experience, they went into seclusion in their dorm room. Weeks later, they emerged. They finally came up with a new name. And that name was ... Well, we don't really know what that name was, and so we use the name given to them by Twanes, et al - The I Band.


	== On to Minnesota ==		== On to Minnesota ==

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	Giddy with their success, they retired to The Knoll to sleep under the stars and dream of their debut.		Giddy with their success, they retired to The Knoll to sleep under the stars and dream of their debut.


	== The Dinkytown Years ==		== The Dinkytown Years ==

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	Thus, the Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood Tour was born.		Thus, the Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood Tour was born.


	== Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood Tour ==		== Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood Tour ==
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	They packed up their gear and played one final gig. With the fruits and vegetables picked up from the stage afterward, they had enough food to reach their next destination.		They packed up their gear and played one final gig. With the fruits and vegetables picked up from the stage afterward, they had enough food to reach their next destination.


	== Welcome to California ==		== Welcome to California ==
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	[[File:Manson-shaved.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Charles Manson, circa 1965]]		[[File:Manson-shaved.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Charles Manson, circa 1965]]

			The young man would hang around almost constantly asking anyone there to listen to his songs and help him improve. Since Manson was a friend of "BW's" brother, the boys felt obligated to help him as they had once done with a young Bob Dylan.

			After listening to his music, the boys had three suggestions for him:
			# Find a girlfriend ... find several. The era of Free Love was nigh.
			# Get out of town. Find a remote place to evaluate life and choices.
			# Find some other way to achieve fame.

			Manson seemed a bit unhappy with the advice, but left to pursue it anyway.

			Anyway, one morning they woke up and discovered that a year had passed. It was time to rekindle their passion - Civil Rights.

			And they made a plan.

			Which they immediately forgot.

			Then, they awoke another morning and discovered another 4 months had passed. Clearing away the liquor bottles, rolling papers and drug paraphernalia, they made another plan (which was exactly the same as the one they made 4 months ago).

			However, this time they wrote it down.

			== The Disappearance ==

			Early in May of 1966, they performed their last open air concert in the back yard of Mason Darby for his relatives celebrating Lost Sock Memorial Day.

Adminwac at 11:38, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:38:06Z

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	[[File:Vwhippy.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|VW Microbus, circa 1960's]]		[[File:Vwhippy.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|VW Microbus, circa 1960's]]

			Anyway, during the journey, their style matured into what some call the "finest example of American music".

			Leveraging their propensity for securing room and board gratis, they managed to get an invitation from the musical genius with the initials, "BW" to stay at his home. Due to legal issues, we can't get more specific except to say that the band probably had more than a passing influence on his "Pet" project.

			Songs that they wrote during this period began to address different issues and themes. Their influence on their host should be apparent to any student of the music of the period.

			There is evidence that they met a thirty year old man, one Charles Manson, during their time with "BW".

			[[File:Manson-shaved.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Charles Manson, circa 1965]]

Adminwac at 11:34, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:34:49Z

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	[[File:Tom-waits.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Tom Waits 11 years old (note the beard even then)]]		[[File:Tom-waits.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Tom Waits 11 years old (note the beard even then)]]

			The rest is musical history.

			In April, they were saved from starvation or worse by their old friend from The 10 O'Clock Scholar days, Bob Zimmerman - now going by the more Irish sounding "Dylan". They received a telegram in Pompey's Pillar, Montana which read, "Good news ... Stop ... Found a way for you to earn cash ... Stop ... Have market for your songs ... Stop ... Call me ... Stop ... Keep writing ... Don't Stop".

			When they called him he told them how he sang their praises to all the new acts springing up that he met as he toured and recorded. These new acts needed material, and would be willing to pay upwards of $20 per song. They were overjoyed. And so it began. What started as a trickle became a raging torrent as the songs became instant hits.

			The next three years were busy with the songwriting and playing gigs. They were writing more songs than they were selling, and some say they found an old trunk and used it to hold the extras.

			They had quickly moved through Idaho and finally set up in the Puget Sound area where there were more people and opportunities. These were relatively happy times.

			They finally decided to head toward their original final destination, Southern California, in the Winter of 1964.

			They packed up their gear and played one final gig. With the fruits and vegetables picked up from the stage afterward, they had enough food to reach their next destination.


			== Welcome to California ==

			It has been rumored that they reached California in January of 1965.

			This is an amazing accomplishment - if true - considering they traveled 1,160 miles from Puget Sound to Los Angeles on foot and/or hitchhiking in only approximately 60 days. Their documented poor sense of direction and short attention span makes this even more incredible. We can only assume that they received many rides from friendly "hippies" in Volkswagen Microbuses who knew where Los Angeles was.

			[[File:Vwhippy.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|VW Microbus, circa 1960's]]

Adminwac at 11:30, 23 October 2018

2018-10-23T11:30:29Z

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	They became friendly with young Bob Zimmerman, who often played on the same bill with them, but just as often would sit in the audience with his High School girlfriend, Echo Helstrom, transfixed.		They became friendly with young Bob Zimmerman, who often played on the same bill with them, but just as often would sit in the audience with his High School girlfriend, Echo Helstrom, transfixed.

	[[File:Echo.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Echo ~~Hellstrom~~, circa 1958]]		[[File:Echo.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Echo Helstrom, circa 1958]]

	They would gather after each engagement and talk long into the night.		They would gather after each engagement and talk long into the night.
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	They began to have feelings of bitterness and hopelessness at this point in the tour. As an interesting side note, they finally got a gig at a town festival in Custer in March of 1961. They were to be paid in funnel cake. And who was in that audience, up from Whittier, CA visiting family? Little, eleven year old Tommy Waits.		They began to have feelings of bitterness and hopelessness at this point in the tour. As an interesting side note, they finally got a gig at a town festival in Custer in March of 1961. They were to be paid in funnel cake. And who was in that audience, up from Whittier, CA visiting family? Little, eleven year old Tommy Waits.

			[[File:Tom-waits.jpg\|none\|thumb\|300px\|Tom Waits 11 years old (note the beard even then)]]