The Crackerjacks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Roy Yeager, David Preola, Jerry Stampson, Bobby Sowell, 1966 Memphis Rock Band 1966 |
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| Born: | 1965 Memphis, Tennessee |
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| Occupation: | Musicians |
| Website: | Memphis Bands |
The Crackerjacks, A popular 60's Memphis Garage Rock Group. Band members included Organ/bass Bobby Sowell, Lead Guitar David Preola, Lead Singer Jerry Stampson, Drums Roy Yeager. They gained popularity in 1966-67, regularly appearing on Memphis WHBQ TV Talent Party with George Klien (also a popular radio DJ and friend of Elvis). They won the Mid-South Fair in 1966 for best Group. What was unique about The Crackerjacks sound was the fact they had no bass player. Bobby Sowell played bass and organ at the same time. The group was short lived due to several reasons. Bobby Sowell was drafted in 1968, David Preola also went into the Army, Jerry Stampson went into the restaurant business and Roy Yeager went with Lobo and the heavy metal grout Atlanta Rhythm Section. Bobby Sowell was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2002. The Crackerjacks are featured in a rock book, History of Memphis Bands, 1960-72 by Ron Hall, available at bookstores.
[edit] Early Band History
The Crackerjacks was formed out of another popular 60's Memphis Garage Band,
The Out Of Its, 1965-66. Besides Bobby Sowell, David Preola and Roy Yeager, other members included brothers Ricky and Micky Caughron and bass player Murphy Odom. They were a popular band with area colleges and universities, traveling the Mid-South in Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. They won several Memphis area Battle of the Bands.
Personal conflicts and other factors lead to their breakup. Micky, Ricky and Murphy went with other bands while Bobby, David and Roy formed the "Crackerjacks", adding Jerry Stampson to the mix. Eventually, Fred Prouty replaced Roy Yearger on drums and occasionally, Bobby Whitlock also sang with them. They also performed regularly at the popular club, The Roaring 60's. Bobby Whitlock went on the play keyboards with Derek and the Dominoes, Eric Clapton and the Beatles's George Harrison.
[edit] Selected Reading
- History of Memphis Bands: 1960 - 1975 by Ron Hall (2003) Memphis, TN: tuneage@shangri.com.
- Bobby Sowell Rockabilly Biography: Bob Timmers (2002 )
