The Shadows Of Knight were formed in early 1965 in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights as The Shadows (completely unaware of Cliff and The Shads of course), by Jim Sohns together with rhythm guitarist Norm Gotcsh, lead guitarist Warren Rogers, bassist Wayne Pursell and drummer Tom Schiffour. With their classic lineup complete, The Shadows Of Knight built up quite a following in Chicago and surrounding areas, and became the undisputed rulers of the super-hip Cellar Club.
It was at a showcase at the Cellar Club that they impressed Bill Traut and George Badonsky of the fledgling Chicago label, Dunwich Records, with their rendition of garage staple "Gloria". Them's version of "Gloria" had been a radio hit in some markets, but was losing airplay in others due to it's perceived sleaziness. Wasting no time, Traut and Badonsky got the band into the studio to cut their own version of'Gloria" and another song, the amazing "Dark Side".
By the middle of April, the song had entered the Billboard Hot 100 where it climbed to number 10 within a couple of weeks. The Shadows Of Knight were now a hot commercial property and were quickly placed on the travelling hit roadshow of the time, Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars, touring the United States with The Outsiders, ? And The Mysterians and The Seeds. http://rockasteria.blogspot.fr/2012/10/the-shadows-of-knight-shake-1968-69-us.html
7 Comments (since 7 Jan 2014)
music_xplosion
The Shadows Of Knight were formed in early 1965 in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights as The Shadows (completely unaware of Cliff and The Shads of course), by Jim Sohns together with rhythm guitarist Norm Gotcsh, lead guitarist Warren Rogers, bassist Wayne Pursell and drummer Tom Schiffour. With their classic lineup complete, The Shadows Of Knight built up quite a following in Chicago and surrounding areas, and became the undisputed rulers of the super-hip Cellar Club.
music_xplosion
It was at a showcase at the Cellar Club that they impressed Bill Traut and George Badonsky of the fledgling Chicago label, Dunwich Records, with their rendition of garage staple "Gloria". Them's version of "Gloria" had been a radio hit in some markets, but was losing airplay in others due to it's perceived sleaziness. Wasting no time, Traut and Badonsky got the band into the studio to cut their own version of'Gloria" and another song, the amazing "Dark Side".
music_xplosion
By the middle of April, the song had entered the Billboard Hot 100 where it climbed to number 10 within a couple of weeks. The Shadows Of Knight were now a hot commercial property and were quickly placed on the travelling hit roadshow of the time, Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars, touring the United States with The Outsiders, ? And The Mysterians and The Seeds. http://rockasteria.blogspot.fr/2012/10/the-shadows-of-knight-shake-1968-69-us.html
moondog
Great jam!
UncannyUK
Smokin'!
music_xplosion
@moondog Thanks :) Glad you liked! I only just found out they apparently played on 'Quick Joey Small' by Kasenetz-Katz (another favourite of mine).
music_xplosion
@UncannyUK Indeed :) Happy you enjoyed it!