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Welcome to
The Treasures
Web Page!
I recollect this information to the best of my ability.
Any additions, corrections or suggestions will be appreciated.
I will only be adding to this page upon improvements of the
scans/photos, and any corrections or additions that I become aware of, at my discreation.
| Ome of two standard posters used. |
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| One of Moorhead/Fargo's underated bands! |
The Evolution
"The Staccatos"
September 1959, I was enrolled at Shanley High School in Fargo ND. The original band, as I recall,
in the auditorium of Shanley High School, were these three guys, Dave Harmon, Leonard Misheski and Byron 'Bud'
Mercereau. They didn't have a drummer, seemed strange, and that needed to change.
I learned piano from my Mother, who was a great player. Despite my Father's interest in violin for me,
and I don't know why, he was not musically inclined, at all, I picked trumpt and joined the school band.
So I started a conversation with these guys, and I recall that it was Leonard who asked me if I knew how
to play drums. I lied, and became the bands drummer. We eventually came up with the name of The
Staccatos, mainly because of Leonard's style of lead guitar. We liked The Ventures sound,
no matter the group. We were by no means an instrumental band, we were a well-rounded group, just young and raw.
The practice sessions began. Music was real back then. There was no lip-sync, phoney background,
if you could dance around and still sing/play, you did.
Next to join the band was 15 year old Bob Carroll. A Buddy Holly nut, he could sing Buddy like nobody
I have ever heard. He believed that Holly was were it was all at, and he worked at being a musician religiously.
He added to the vocal talents of Bud (who had the Elvis sound), and rounded out our sound.
I was not originally much of a singer, though I greatly improved over time. My favorite was Ritchie
Valens, and 'Donna' was the first song I learned and sang on stage.
It seems the name Staccatos was not being well received by those who could promote. Ignorance towards
them is what we felt, we liked the name. So we debated over a new name, and at our first show at the Knights of
Columbus Hall in Moorhead, we held the "Name The Band Contest". The new name did not come from that show..
"The Knights"
| 704 S 4th St - Dave, Bob, Bud and Leonard |
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| St Mary's Church basement |
Our favorite practice place was the front porch of my parents home at 704 S 4th St in Moorhead. Our other practice
location was the basement of St Mary's Cathedral in Fargo. One of the big memories of practicing at the house,was not
just my mother , who was extremely supportive of us, but a 16 year old girl who was babysitting a young child, who decided
to go for a drive in their car, no license and drove into the backend of a car parked in front of our house, as she watched
us.
The Knight drawing was sketched by Ms Frances Pederson. She was with the band for a short time. She brought
spunk and humor that I think we all enjoyed. She sang on one of our demo records.
I don't remember who I got to do the Knight drum skin cover, or what it cost. Very probably my lack of knowledge
on how to preserve/protect paint on plastic that led to the eventual demise of the drumskin cover.
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