A RIOT OF THEIR OWN: THE FIRST GENERATION OF FEMALE ROCK BANDS

I first met Dodie and Geri in August of 1966 at a Beatles Concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia.  Shortly afterwards, Dodie and I started dating.  I met the rest of the band and was knocked out at how great they were! I would go to Princeton on weekends or whenever I could get up there.  I lugged their equipment and helped them set up.  I may have booked a gig or two for a frat party or something but that would have been incidental.  I'd also watch out for them at their gigs because sometimes the crowds got loaded and rowdy.  My friend Denny Bourke from the band - "The Effects", was there at times because he dated Geri for a while.  I was very much in their lives from August '66 til about the end of '67, or so.  Dodie and I moved on before the band broke up.

“I loved your band! Interestingly, when you were making your record, that’s the first time in my life that I was ever in a recording studio!” – John Storyk, world renowned studio architect and designer starting with the 1969 completion of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

Princeton University/Cap & Gown 1966-1967 The Untouchable At Princeton University I was the Social Chairman for the Cap & Gown Club – one of the prestigious student eating clubs on Prospect Street. Not only were eating clubs the setting for dining, but they were renown for throwing great weekend parties. During my tenure, our noteworthy bands included the likes of the Thorton Sisters, and Bo Diddley for the big weekends, but local bands for the off-weekends. Our absolutely favorite local band was the ‘Untouchable’ – a rising all-girl rock band of Princeton locals. I estimate that they were our weekend band for more than twelve shows over my two years as Social Chairman. The Untouchable has gone down in rock & roll history as the first all-girl rock and roll band that played professionally. At regional rock concerts, they were the opening band for the likes of: The Beach Boys at Rider College, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, The Critters, and The Lemon Pipers along with Junior Walker & the All Stars at Dillon Gym. They also were the opening band for Gladys Knight & The Pips at the Allentown, State Fair, and The Grateful Dead, Deep Purple & Pink Floyd at the Electric Circus in NY – all of the unforgettable rock bands that began in the 60s.

There were two reasons why I was willing to be their manager. First, when I drove my sister Geri, to her rehearsal in Princeton, I stayed to hear the girls play and I could see they had raw talent. Second, I realized these five cute, young girls were going to need protection…after all, I had to watch out for my little sister!