In memory of my North Forsyth High School classmate, J. C. Johnson, here’s a photo of the Vee Jays combo. J. C. is holding the microphone and is the man standing (jumping?) second from the left.
They were playing at the Carolina Theatre for a dance party.
J. C. sang at many school functions and also performed at the Downtown-A-Go-Go.
If you have memories of seeing or hearing J. C. Johnson when he was performing, please share your memories.
Here are a few photos of the Downtown-A-Go-G0, but J. C. is not in these photos. Dick Bennick is the man in the center of the second photo. Can anyone identify the band?
Comment by Ron Lewandowski about the band performing at the club (The Eradicators):”On the front row left is Sammy Roberts playing the bass. Bucky Crater is the lead singer in the fancy tux with microphone. Ronnie Landreth is in the dark suit (actually navy blue double breasted jacket and grey continental pants) playing lead guitar and singing back up with Bruce (Winky) Roberts far right. Winky was a member of the Vee Jays before he joined the Eradicators. He sang lean and played great saxophone. Wink and Sam were brothers. Mike Holder was our drummer and the youngest member of the band. Ronny Lewandowski is on the back row playing rhythm guitar on a Fender Jaguar guitar.”
The Downtown-A-Go-Go Club was located at 409 N. Spruce Street, above the Woolworth store that faced West Fourth Street. The entrance to the club was nearly at the back of the Woolworth Building, practically out of sight at left in the photo below.
If anyone recognizes someone in these images, please let me know. And, please share your memories of the Downtown-A-Go-Go.
Here’s a comment about the Vee Jays by Ron Lewandowski: “The Vee Jays picture was likely 1964. Left to right are Harold Miles on bass–Jerry Mayberry on drums–JC Johnson –Winky Roberts–Dick Bennick–and Bill Gwynn on guitar. Remember the song “Shout”? The line”Jump up and shout”? I saw them practice this song often at Sammy and Wink’s house.”
Photos courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
I believe this unidentified band may be the Eradicators, a band who played there a lot. I can’t see very clearly, but I think I can identify two of the band members. Several of my friends and I would go most Saturday nights!
Cathy, Thanks for your comment. I believe you are correct about the band being the Eradicators. One of the band members contacted me, and I’m hoping he can ID all of the members.
That is deffinitely the Eradicators. Myself and Ronny Lewandowskinare the only living members remaining. We had a great time at the Downtown A-Go-Go.
Ron, Could you identify all of the band members,letting me know the names from left to right? I’d love to add this information to the photograph? Also, can you date this image? I’m thinking it is 1966-1967, but I’d like your input. Thank you.
On the front row left is Sammy Roberts playing the bass. Bucky Crater is the lead singer in the fancy tux with microphone. Ronnie Landreth is in the dark suit (actually navy blue double breasted jacket and grey continental pants) playing lead guitar and singing back up with Bruce (Winky) Roberts far right. Winky was a member of the Vee Jays before he joined the Eradicators. He sang lean and played great saxophone. Wink and Sam were brothers. Mike Holder was our drummer and the youngest member of the band. Ronny Lewandowski is on the back row playing rhythm guitar on a Fender Jaguar guitar.
I’m not sure of the date but I agree you Molly, 1966 – 1967. We had a great time in that band.
Ron, Thank you so much for identifying the band members. I’ll add this info to the photo database.
Hello Molly,
Thanks for the memories. Just came across your post. I knew JC was very sick but did not know he had passed. I think of Bucky, Sammy, Mike, Winky, JC, Sam Moss and so many other local musicians. They made music in Winston-Salem so very special. We could certainly add a few verses to “Rock and Roll Heaven” by the Righteous Brothers.
The Vee Jays picture was likely 1964. Left to right are Harold Miles on bass–Jerry Mayberry on drums–JC Johnson –Winky Roberts–Dick Bennick–and Bill Gwynn on guitar. Remember the song “Shout”? The line”Jump up and shout”? I saw them practice this song often at Sammy and Wink’s house.
Yes…Ron Landreth was right ..we had so much fun playing in The Eradicators!
Thanks again Molly
Ron
I really got a kick out of seeing these old pictures of my little brother and the guys in the band. I spent many a night at the go-go ( even though I was too old to be there) thrilled to hear them and see how the kids loved them. Also, hauling them around to gigs at NC State and recording session at I think Arthur Smith studio in Charlotte. A blast from the past. They were all so talented, and none but Winky was even old enough to drive when they started! Thanks,
Vicky (Lewandowski) Bledsoe
My brother Wayne and I were at the Downtown A Go Go every time it was open. Wayne is in one of these pictures. It was a great place to go for music and dance for young people. The Eradicators along with James Brown and so many other great bands we got to see. Thanks to Dick Bennick the young people always had a place to go. Thank you for posting these photo. I believe this was around 1965.
I used to go often an meet my girlfriend. Thanks 4 the photos sorry if is one . Mike Hodges 1967 north grad.
Margo and Janet are the go go dancers, I was there most Saturday nights also. Given a minute I can remember last names. Great place! So good to see Bucky again and Winky and Sammy and the guys. Man.
Great times ! Right behind the Eradicators, were the next generation of “combos”. I’m Randy Grimes and was fortunate to play with Sam Moss in one of them. Then came The Adequates, from SW Jr. High and then West Forsyth High School. We played at the Carolina Theater ” Kiddie Shows” on Saturday mornings. What purely fun times we lived in, in the 60’s. Fast forward 50 some years….I’m still playing keyboards, a vintage Hammond B-3. I own a rocknroll bar, High Rock Outfitters in downtown Lexington, NC, and still play every day !
My dad, Harold Miles, is on his left playing base!!
Hi everyone, Ronnie Copeland here, I am the brother-in-law of J.C. Johnson’s brother, Allen “Butch” Johnson. Allen and his wife (my sister Carol) are still alive and live in Greensboro. After the VeeJays, J.C. and Butch had a group called “The Johnson Brothers”.
Also, I went to school with Sammy and Winky Roberts at West Forsyth, and was in a couple of classes with Bucky Crater there. I hauled some of The Eradicators to some gigs in my 1962 Fairlane, took them down to High Point for that High School Dance Party TV show on Channel 8 once.
Does anyone have the lyrics to that “Reputation” song the Eradicators recorded ? Was trying to remember it, couldn’t find it on Google or Youtube, that’s how I got here.
I’m living in Brasil now for 13 years.
Too bad that there isn’t clean decent places like The Downtown A GO-GO any longer. I remember going there with my best friend for the first time and was surprised that Dick stopped us at the door and made us put on a tie and sport coat, that he supplied since we didn’t have either, before we were allowed in. It became a regular Saturday night thing for us to go to from Elkin. We met and danced with many nice girls there. I sure missed it when it closed.
My husband, Harold Miles, loved his time with the band. Fun times for him and me.💕
Our band ( The Durango’s ) played following the
V J’s at the Downtown A Go Go above Woolworth store
I played a couple songs with the Eradacators
Mike let me sit in on drums and Cris Miller sang a couple
This was the night before we left for Vietnam
Thanks guys for the “ sit in “
Durango’s band
Drums , Frankie Everhart
Lead guitar , Doug Sealey
Rhythm guitar , Dean Sykes
Bass guitar , Billy Edwards
Sax , Donnie Cook
Singer , Dick ( Slick ) Morgan
The VJ’s and Eradacators ( the greatest)
I still have record Goodbye Cheating Lover Vee Jays only Record