When the Lovin’ Spoonful played at Brien McMahon High School in 1966, Jon Manners’ band the Sticky Wickets opened for them.
Jon is now a singer/songwriter in Minnesota, reports his brother Tim.
A few weeks ago Tim — a Westporter — asked him to collaborate on “an old-fashioned folk song” about our town’s Tar Rock.
Tim wrote the words. Jon put it to music, and made a video.
“Tar Rock Ode” is a tribute to what happened when the British landed on Compo Beach in 1777. Signal fires were lit on a high, flat-topped rock, to warn Danbury that the British were coming (after landing at Compo Beach) — and to call militia to fight.
(Yes, it was possible then for people in Danbury to see all the way down to Long Island Sound — or at least see smoke from here. Those were the days.)
But, Tim adds, the song “could also be interpreted metaphorically, as a modern-day protest song against the distressing number of teardowns around Westport (including one pending on Tar Rock Road itself, where I live).”
Tim believes Tar Rock “may be the only historic site in Westport with its own theme song. Certainly, it’s the only rock!”
Tar rock (Photo/Tim Manners)
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And of course Tar Rock Road is also where another star performer grew up, Barry Tashian.
Yes, of Barry & the Remains fame, who opened for another well-known pop combo, The Beatles.
Well done.
And, yes, Barry, to the best of my knowledge, spent at least part of his childhood on Tar Rock Road.
Finally, I was curious about the Spoonful concert at Brien McMahon in 1966 as the band had decided that year not to go ahead with a tentatively agreed to concert in the spring of ‘66 at Staples that was to be sponsored by Staples’ student groups and that was organized by students Dick Sandhaus and Paul Gambaccini.
Some quick research showed that the McMahon concert took place in early summer and was organized/sponsored by the Norwalk Democratic Town and City Committee. Holy cow!
Also, the article (in the Hour) said that Jon’s band had done “several television performances.” Just curious: what TV shows did the Sticky Wickets play on? Thanks.
Zacherley’s Disco-Teen, way back in 1965. I think we were on two or three times. I’m not recalling any other tv shows…
We were probably still called The Critters when we played Zacherley’s Disc-O-teen. We had to change our name after Younger Girl came out. It was funny, we’d been playing that song for quite a while and everyone thought it was us!
Yes, It could be a modern-day protest to the tear downs in Westport. Asi I listened I also thought it could be a protest to so much that is happening in our country politically. I hope the song goes viral and many people think……….
Extremely cool.
John Manners is like a fine wine… he keeps getting better the older he gets!!!