Tony Bowens And The Soul-Choppers
21181 – Don’t Be So Mean
21182 - Boilin’ Water
Tony Bowens
1968
A copy is currently auctioned at eBay. Five copies are archived in popsike, in the 150-415 $US range.
21181 – Don’t Be So Mean
21182 - Boilin’ Water
Tony Bowens
1968
Recorded in NY Bell studios.
One of the most popular bands in Hartford, Connecticut.
Bertha Lee ``Glass'' Bowens, Tony's mother, managed the Soul-Choppers band formed in 1967 around Tony. In 1968 they won amateur night at The Apollo Theatre in NYC. The band recorded one other single 'Do you feel it' pts 1 and 2.
Leader Tony played sax. Lt. Tony Bowens was killed in Vietnam in 1970.
Guitarist was Eli. Eli is originally from Savannah, GA. After his move to Hartford in 1967 Eli played with, "Tony Bowens and the Soul Choppers". Eli was the only black guitarist in Hartford playing in a 'punk' band, "The Repels". Later known as XY Eli.
Rob Fried was the drummer [1]. Another member was Sharon Clay Watson, who had already recorded with the Daydreams, a female singing group she had formed.
Hartford musician Roland Carter remember Tony Bowens in an interview :
[1] Not the drummer ? : see Funkman53 in comments
One of the most popular bands in Hartford, Connecticut.
Bertha Lee ``Glass'' Bowens, Tony's mother, managed the Soul-Choppers band formed in 1967 around Tony. In 1968 they won amateur night at The Apollo Theatre in NYC. The band recorded one other single 'Do you feel it' pts 1 and 2.
Leader Tony played sax. Lt. Tony Bowens was killed in Vietnam in 1970.
Guitarist was Eli. Eli is originally from Savannah, GA. After his move to Hartford in 1967 Eli played with, "Tony Bowens and the Soul Choppers". Eli was the only black guitarist in Hartford playing in a 'punk' band, "The Repels". Later known as XY Eli.
Rob Fried was the drummer [1]. Another member was Sharon Clay Watson, who had already recorded with the Daydreams, a female singing group she had formed.
Hartford musician Roland Carter remember Tony Bowens in an interview :
Man, Hartford was burning hot during that era. I guess music was the commonality of that generation, huh?
I have a cousin in N.C. (North Carolina) named Joe that was born blind. Joe was considered to be a musical prodigy because he could not only play almost any kind of instrument; he was a fantastic singer as well. I took Tony Bowen and The Soul Choppers' 45(record) "Don't Be So Mean" down with me and he freaked out on how good Tony and the group sounded. He played that song over and over. He called Tony the best sax player he had ever heard. That song became the yard stick around here by which all of the up and coming sax players were measured.
from Roland Carter interview HERE
[1] Not the drummer ? : see Funkman53 in comments
A copy is currently auctioned at eBay. Five copies are archived in popsike, in the 150-415 $US range.
I Have to Disagree That Rob Fried was their Drummer He was Born in 1958 When I saw them in 68 They had a Black Drummer Rob would have been 10 years Old . Im was Born in 53 When I saw Them I was 15 Years Old in 68. So This has to be a Mix Up . But I'm positive He was Not Tony's Drummer
ReplyDeleteTony was the soul reason i started playing the sax at the late age of 16 years old. No lessons. Two years later i was in the drafted, however i joined the U.S.C.G. but i never stop playing. Then i had the pleasure of playing with his brother skip. What a time had getting chance to play with my Idol's brother. Much love for those two brothers.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t Bobby Whitic play trumpet?
ReplyDelete'Skeeky",..Carl Colbert- was the " only Drummer for the: Soul Choppers'! Phil " flip' Andrews; Organ Player for TB, SC's
ReplyDelete..."Yes! (Flip)...P.
ReplyDeletePaul Priester is the one who was self tough on sax because he fell in love with sax after hearing Tony live.
ReplyDeleteYes: 'Bob Wittig, ..was one of the 'original members..on 'second- Trumpet: & front line men's. G. Scott
ReplyDelete"Spoon was: 1st Trumpet..& original
Lineman'. P. Andrews/ keyboard- Organist; & co- founder .'TB, & the Soul Choppers. Peace. P 😀.