LEWIS COMBO, DAVE

Homebase: Seattle, WA.
Stats: Combo years: 1955-62
Misc Notes:

Original Combo:
Dave Lewis ~ Keyboards (1938-1998)
J.B. Allen ~ Sax
Barney Hilliard ~ Sax
Al Aquino ~ Guitar
John "Jack" Grey ~ Bass
George Griffin ~ Drums

Later Members:
Bud Brown ~ Guitar
Chuck Whittaker ~ Bass
Jerry Allen ~ Guitar
Carlos Ward ~ Sax
Jim Manolides ~ Bass
Donald Mallory ~ Drums

See Also:
1.) FIVE CHECKS, The
2.) DAVE LEWIS TRIO, The

"DAVE LEWIS: THE FATHER OF NORTHWEST ROCK"
by Peter Blecha [Courtesy & copyright, 2008, HistoryLink.org]

The Seattle Times, display ad, May, 1957

"Dave Lewis (1938-1998) was the singularly most significant figure on the Pacific Northwest's nascent rhythm & blues scene in the 1950s and 1960s. By 1955 he'd helped found Seattle's first notable teenage doo-wop vocal group (the Five Checks). By 1956 his Dave Lewis Combo  (progenitors of what would become known as the "Original Northwest Sound") began establishing themselves as the region's most musically influential ensemble. Then, in the early 1960s the Dave Lewis Trio's infectious electric-organ-based instrumental compositions were fondly embraced by fans and fellow musicians -- including young Jimmy (aka "Jimi") Hendrix -- and after subsequently being recorded by such 1960s Northwest rock 'n' roll luminaries as the Kingsmen, Dynamics, Viceroys, Counts, Courtmen, Chosen Few, and Don and the Goodtimes, the tunes were firmly established as classic regional standards. Lewis went on to become an early inductee into the Northwest Area Music Associations' Hall of Fame in 1989." [READ MORE...]

Reminiscences:

"George Griffin moved down to California in 1970. While in California, Griffin recorded with many artists at the Gold Star Studios. He played and sang on many movie soundtracks and TV commercials. He was very active on the Long Beach scene doing club dates, R&B and jazz concerts, and also produced a tribute to Otis Redding show in California and Hawaii. Griffin a toured Holland at the Blues Festival with The Elliott Chaver Band. After 36 years in California, he moved back to Seattle in August 2006." - George Griffin correspondence with pnwbands.com website [courtesy of webmaster Sam Carlson]

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