The Spectras
It’s 1964. Any young man worth his salt was contemplating an assault on a guitar, a keyboard or a set of drums, as the British Invasion and The Beatles were forever changing the landscape of popular music.
Once upon a time, there was indeed a group of young men matriculating at the University of New Hampshire who were exacting their own dream. From those innocent yet fruitful times, a powerhouse of a band was cultivated, a band that continues to entertain crowds from the seacoast of New Hampshire and well beyond.
Formation, Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Opening spots
The Spectras, formed by Chris Quackenbush, Dick Ray, Chip Wayne and Les Warren, may have originated as a garage band but quickly began to distinguish themselves with their comprehension of showmanship, singing abilities and high-energy performances. From the campus, they moved on to the teen dance clubs and private parties on Long Island during the summer of 1965 as their popularity grew, refining their many skills onstage.
Returning to UNH in the fall, the band began to incorporate their original material as well as appearing on local television, but perhaps they secured their biggest plum in 1966 when they became the house band at the famous/infamous Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom for four summers (1966-1969). In 1967, they expanded their sound, complimenting it with a dynamic four-piece horn section and adding “touring” to their resume. Opening for many iconic acts – Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Doors, Blood Sweat & Tears, Janis Joplin, The Rascals, Ray Charles, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Revere & The Raiders and many more – confirmed their status as among New England’s top-tier bands.
And You Love Her, Later singles, Disbanding, Reunions
In 1969, the band recorded their first album, And You Love Her, garnering national exposure from Billboard magazine and also charting a single, “Best Years of Our Lives.” As the late ‘60s shifted into the ‘70s and ‘80s, the band went through many changes in personnel as well as philosophical differences. Dick Ray, back from a tour of duty in Vietnam, reformatted the group with seven members including a three-piece horn section. Adding “relentless road warriors” to their already large resume, the boys toured extensively throughout the region and also found time to record another single, “Home Again/Keep On Drivin’.”
Tired of the touring grind, the band called it quits in 1980. However, in 1990, serendipity struck in the form of a UNH reunion. Band members were contacted and not only did they re-group, but they were so well received that the appearances resulted in more offers to return to the stage. Today, The Spectras continue to entertain thousands of fans with new recordings and performances at outdoor venues and private parties. The band marked its 50th anniversary in 2014.
(by Lew DiTommaso)
