The Sixth Generation
Burke, Virginia, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
In the early 1960's British beat groups were on the cutting edge world domination. Hundreds of home grown bands were playing up and down the length of the country and some were treading the boards of night clubs in Hamburg, Germany.
One such band from Liverpool was The Beatles and another was The Rolling Stones from West London. However in 1964 both these fantastic outfits went out to conquer the world... so first stop America.
The Beatles were the first band to make it big, followed on quickly by the 'Stones' Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, Gerry & The Pacemakers etc. The Americans called it The British Invasion, and sat at home in Michigan where, glued to their TV sets, were a couple of young men called Ron Hamrick and David Walenga. Their lives were changed in an instant. Millions of Americans tuned into The Ed Sullivan Sunday Night Show and on the following Sunday they all tuned in again.
Influenced and with never a hope of ever turning back they formed their own band The Sixth Generation. "I was the major turning point in our lives, said drummer David. "We are recently reformed and we are packing out the venues each time we play". Keyboard player Ron agrees. "In our youth we had good jobs to go to but when you put the Beatles and 'Stones' music along side it, you were in musical heaven. So off we went to copy what we were hearing and play this wonderful rock music." David adds, "and now, incredibly, we are waiting until July 4th to make our first ever tour of the UK's
northwest and play at the world famous Cavern Club, Liverpool. It's truly a dream come true for all us. You could say we are coming over to give a little back to Britain for what you gave us way back when in the first place, but to do so at The Cavern Club sends shivers down my spine!"
Whilst American's such as Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Gerry Lee Lewis etc famously pioneered the mid 50's explosion of rock n' roll music, The Sixth Generation are to carry the tradition somewhat onwards and into a brand new style of musical exchange. "We hope to set a trend
for US bands like us, for them to make the pilgrimage to The Cavern as the spiritual home of The Beatles, as we are doing, and we'd love for UK bands to come over to play for us in Michigan." - Liverpool Beat
In the early 1960's British beat groups were on the cutting edge world domination. Hundreds of home grown bands were playing up and down the length of the country and some were treading the boards of night clubs in Hamburg, Germany.
One such band from Liverpool was The Beatles and another was The Rolling Stones from West London. However in 1964 both these fantastic outfits went out to conquer the world... so first stop America.
The Beatles were the first band to make it big, followed on quickly by the 'Stones' Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, Gerry & The Pacemakers etc. The Americans called it The British Invasion, and sat at home in Michigan where, glued to their TV sets, were a couple of young men called Ron Hamrick and David Walenga. Their lives were changed in an instant. Millions of Americans tuned into The Ed Sullivan Sunday Night Show and on the following Sunday they all tuned in again.
Influenced and with never a hope of ever turning back they formed their own band The Sixth Generation. "I was the major turning point in our lives, said drummer David. "We are recently reformed and we are packing out the venues each time we play". Keyboard player Ron agrees. "In our youth we had good jobs to go to but when you put the Beatles and 'Stones' music along side it, you were in musical heaven. So off we went to copy what we were hearing and play this wonderful rock music." David adds, "and now, incredibly, we are waiting until July 4th to make our first ever tour of the UK's
northwest and play at the world famous Cavern Club, Liverpool. It's truly a dream come true for all us. You could say we are coming over to give a little back to Britain for what you gave us way back when in the first place, but to do so at The Cavern Club sends shivers down my spine!"
Whilst American's such as Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Gerry Lee Lewis etc famously pioneered the mid 50's explosion of rock n' roll music, The Sixth Generation are to carry the tradition somewhat onwards and into a brand new style of musical exchange. "We hope to set a trend
for US bands like us, for them to make the pilgrimage to The Cavern as the spiritual home of The Beatles, as we are doing, and we'd love for UK bands to come over to play for us in Michigan." - Liverpool Beat
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix…these names are reminders of the dynamic, high-energy age of rock and roll. Another name also belongs on that list: The Sixth Generation. Formed in Niles, Michigan in 1966, the band quickly gained regional fame playing popular music at local venues.
The band’s fame grew tremendously when they released their first single “This Is The Time” in 1967; the song was heard on radio stations across the Midwest, and The Sixth Generation found themselves headlining with groups like The Kingsmen (who sang the popular hit “Louie, Louie”) and The Box Tops. While the band continued to perform when the band members went to college, soon life and education priorities made it impossible to continue. The band played its last venue in December 1970.
The Sixth Generation reunited in 2010 after 40 years of various jobs and raising families. The band is now touring the Liverpool, England area, as well as many venues across the US. They recently played at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool on July 7, 2013 (which also happens to be Ringo Starr’s birthday).
The Sixth Generation represents a time of simplicity, a time when it was possible for a small group of high school kids from Michigan to form a band and be successful. The music of The Sixth Generation ensures that, as the band’s recent hit “That Was The Time” states, “You can’t ever leave those times behind.” - Lorton Patch
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix…these names are reminders of the dynamic, high-energy age of rock and roll. Another name also belongs on that list: The Sixth Generation. Formed in Niles, Michigan in 1966, the band quickly gained regional fame playing popular music at local venues.
The band’s fame grew tremendously when they released their first single “This Is The Time” in 1967; the song was heard on radio stations across the Midwest, and The Sixth Generation found themselves headlining with groups like The Kingsmen (who sang the popular hit “Louie, Louie”) and The Box Tops. While the band continued to perform when the band members went to college, soon life and education priorities made it impossible to continue. The band played its last venue in December 1970.
The Sixth Generation reunited in 2010 after 40 years of various jobs and raising families. The band is now touring the Liverpool, England area, as well as many venues across the US. They recently played at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool on July 7, 2013 (which also happens to be Ringo Starr’s birthday).
The Sixth Generation represents a time of simplicity, a time when it was possible for a small group of high school kids from Michigan to form a band and be successful. The music of The Sixth Generation ensures that, as the band’s recent hit “That Was The Time” states, “You can’t ever leave those times behind.” - Lorton Patch
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
As The Sixth Generations recent hit That Was The Time states, You cant ever leave those times behind. This is especially true regarding music from the 1960s. Five decades later, 60s songs still permeate our culture. They are often used in product commercials, television programs, and as background music in office buildings and retail stores. In fact, many popular present-day artists have done remakes of songs that were hits in the 60s. Theres no doubt that some great music came out of the 60s, and that it is known and loved by people of all ages. But, there is no one that loves 60s music more than baby boomers, because it brings back fond memories of their younger years. The Sixth Generations shows take their audiences back to that carefree time.
The Sixth Generation is an authentic 1960s band made up of original members. The band was formed in 1966, had a hit record called This Is The Time in 1967, and was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends hall of fame in 2011. Their recently released album, That Was This Is, has received international acclaim. The band performs regularly across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions in the United States and recently completed a tour in England, which included performances at world-famous venues such as the Cavern Club and Lathom Hall in Liverpool.
Playing original songs written in the 60s style and remakes of classic songs from the 60s, The Sixth Generation never fails to delight audiences. With all five members singing lead at various times and incredible harmonies, the band is able to deliver a variety of 60s song-styles. Their family-friendly performances are always fun, upbeat experiences featuring great music for young and old. Even in concert settings fans have a tendency to get up and dance in the aisles because they so thoroughly enjoy the music.
Band Members
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