The Rovin' Flames
| The Rovin' Flames | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Rovin' Things |
| Origin | Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1965-1969 |
| Labels |
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| Associated acts |
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| Past members | Paul Battle Jimmy "Mouse" Morris J. R. Marietta Jerry Goff Hardy Dial John DeLise Eddie Taylor John Rodgers Robert Thompson |
The Rovin' Flames were an American garage rock band formed in Tampa, Florida in 1965. Releasing five singles in their recording career, which was sometimes plagued by multiple line-up changes, the group is best-remembered for their final record "How Many More Times". The song was the Rovin' Flames biggest hit and remains their most accessible tune due to its appearances on several compilation albums.
The band was formed in 1965 by Paul Battle (rhythm guitar and vocals), Jimmy “Mouse” Morris (lead guitar), J. R. Maietta (bass guitar), and Jerry Goff (drums). No older than 19 years old, the majority of the original members were still enrolled at George D. Chamberlain High School as the group was founded. In September 1965, the Rovin' Flames released their debut single on Fuller Records, a record label owned by businessman Charles Fuller. It included one of the earliest cover versions of the English rock band Them's "Gloria", pre-dating the Shadows of Knight's nationally successful rendition by nearly six months. On the B-side, the group featured their original instrumental piece "J.J.J.P.", which was inspired by the bass line in the tune "Louie, Louie".
In 1966, the Rovin' Flames recruited vocalist Hardy Dial, who formerly was the lead singer for fellow Tampa band the Outsiders. Although Dial's ex-group did not achieve the same notoriety as the Rovin' Flames, they did record two regionally popular singles for the Knight label which included their best known song, an interpretation of "Summertime Blues". In February 1966, the group released their follow-up single "I Can't", a tune written by record producer John Brumage. The notoriety stemming from the two records earned the Rovin' Flames the opportunity to record the rhythm tracks for deejay Brooke Chamberlain. Jeff Lemlich, a close associate of the band and former member of Tampa group Four Letter Words, wrote "I think Tampa Bay was Brooke Chamberlain’s label. He was a disc jockey on WALT Radio in Tampa, and as such had a lot of influence. So when he wanted to cut a record, bands like the Rovin’ Flames and Four Letter Words obliged". Chamberlain's songs included parodic surf rock tunes, with Chamberlain attempting to imitate the lyrical phrasing of the Beach Boys.
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