BACK ALLEY
Shreveport, LA
In 1966 "The Back Alley" was formed with Ellis Starkey - drummer, vocalist; John Barlish - guitar, vocalist; Bob "Fist" Raley - Hammond organ, trumpet; Kenneth Nealy - trumpet, vocalist; and Gary Rhineheart - bass, vocalist.
The Tau Kappa Epsilon, at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. "adopted" the band and we were able to play all of their dances. They had the BEST "weekend" parties at a private camp on Lake 'O the Pines, in East Texas. We would bring our camping and fishing gear along with a ski boat and stay all weekend.
Fist, the organ player, on guitar; Ellis on drums and John, the guitar player on organ at LSU, Baton Rou
"The Back Alley" performed at fraternity and sorority parties at all of the surrounding colleges in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi until 1969. The Back Alley recorded several original songs but didn't put anything out, we basically played gigs.
Ellis Starkey on drums
(courtesy GARAGEHANGOVER)