ROYALS, The [I]

Homebase: Richland, WA.
Stats: 1958-1961
Misc Notes:
Larry Coryell (guitar) [1943-2017]
Wayne Lysher (piano) [1939- 2006]
Grant Ross (bass, vocals)
Larry McDermott (drums)

Craig Guse (guitar) [1943-2001]
Don Ott (guitar) [1942-2003]

See Also:
1.)  VROOMAN, LYNN [Penguin #1010]
2.)  CORYELL, LARRY

"The Royals clobber with the crude 1959 instrumental 'Thunder Wagon' on Penguin, a label operated out of a Seattle living room. The band also provided solid backing for Lynn Vrooman on her cover of 'Let the Good Times Roll,' also on Penguin."
Liner notes from Chicken Session, Early Northwest Rockers and Instrumentals, Vol 2

"The band was also an opening act for Fats Domino and several others, and was on the show called 'Teen Time' on KEPR television station here in the Tri-Cities."
Lisa Fuller, September 2003 correspondence with pnwbands.com website, (courtesy of webmaster Sam Carlson)

"I'm Wayne Lysher, original member of the band. We played together for about three years. The most famous member of the band was Larry Coryell. He went on to become one of the best guitar players in the world. I played keyboard for the group, and sometimes drums. I wish I had a copy of the record we recorded with Lynn Vrooman. We played for many headliner shows as the opening act. Most notable was Fats Domino, and the first American show by Paul Anka. It was at the Anka show in Spokane that we were signed to a record contract with Penquin Records."
Wayne Lysher, October 2003 correspondence with pnwbands.com website, (courtesy of webmaster Sam Carlson)

"Wayne M Lysher, age 66 of Richland, WA, went to be with our Father in Heaven on January 17, 2006. Wayne was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1939 and moved to the Tri-Cities where he has been a resident for the past 60 years. Wayne was a gifted and talented individual with a love for music and outdoor activities. His first love was being in the outdoors and competing in bass tournaments. In his early years during the fledgling birth of rock and roll he was a member of a local band known as the Royals and their first recording was the fast paced song called 'Thunder Wagon,' a few other recordings also included 'Teen Beat' and a dedication song to Barbara called 'Forever Be.' His talent for playing musical instruments personified his skill and love with the keyboard being his favorite, his love of music enabled him to pass along to his children and grandkids his playing prowess."
Published in Tri-City Herald on Jan. 19, 2006.

"[Photo above] from the 1957-1958 Warrior yearbook from Chief Joseph Junior High School, in Richland, Washington, when Larry Coryell was in the 9th grade. Northwest singer Beth Pederson was also in the same class along with movie star Sharon Tate."
Gary Behymer, January 2009 correspondence with pnwbands.com website, (courtesy of webmaster Sam Carlson)

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