THE TEMPESTS
The Tempests were formed in 1963 in
St. Petersburg, when the original members were just 13 years old. The original
band members included Doug Palmer (rhythm guitar), Bobby Allen (drums), Bill Hickman (bass
guitar), Tommy Angarano (vocals) and the late Charlie Bailey (lead guitar). The second
version of The Tempests replaced Bill Hickman and Doug Palmer with Mike Hammer (rhythm
guitar and vocals) and Buddy Peterson (bass guitar and vocals). These replacement band
members enhanced the band's ability to play more songs with harmony. This was a big plus
since the Beatles dominated the airways in the sixties. As a result of this change they
won the Battle of the Bands at the Electric Zoo. Bobby Allen left the area and was
replaced by
the late Brad Myers (drums). The last version of the Tempests replaced
the late Charlie
Bailey with Roy Delese (keyboards) and included Mike Hammer (lead guitar and vocals),
Buddy Peterson (Bass guitar and vocals), Brad Myers (drums) and Tommy Angarano
(vocals). The Tempests opened for many national groups such as the Dave
Clark Five, the Shangrilas, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Tommy James and
the Shondells, Blues Magoos, Doors, GAP, McCoys,
Mindbenders, Allman Brothers, 3 Dog Night, Left Bank and more. Various
members of the band continued to play and keep the band alive.
There were lots of dances and concerts back in the sixties at teen clubs, halls, rec centers, auditoriums and armories. The Tempests played at almost every one of them. Eldorado Showcase, Joker's Club, Surfers Club, National Guard Armory, Bayfront Center, Gulfport Casino, Yacht Club, Electric Zoo, Holiday Park, Pinellas Park Auditorium, Clearwater Star Spectaculars and more. Almost every rec. center had dances or concerts in St. Petersburg. Some of the other dances and concerts in Florida included The Village, Curtis Hixon Hall, Letter Carrier's Hall, Tiger's Den, Darry Downs, Lakeland Civic Auditorium, The Wedge, Melbourne Civic Center, White Bunny, Sarasota Armory, Bradenton Civic Center, Dante's Inferno to name a few. The Tempests were also chosen as the Florida House Band for the Nationally acclaimed Hullabaloo TV Show and Clubs in the 1960's.
*From the official Tempests website.
-
