Pastels

One of at least three garage bands that performed under the name the Pastels, this particular group was formed in Battle Creek, MI in 1961 by singer Carl Parker, a veteran of the Detroit club circuit. Recruiting guitarist Don Rogers, bassist Carl Chapman and drummer Dan Bendward (all of whom previously teamed in the Del Keys), Parker rounded out the lineup with ex-Nite Rocks keyboardist Dick Dudley; the Pastels were soon staples of the southwestern Michigan scene, but when Parker signed a solo deal with Decca, the group's continued existence seemed doubtful. According to an interview with Chapman at www.60sgaragebands.com, the remaining Pastels instead enlisted singer Jim Eastwood, soon after replacing Bendward with drummer Bob Pridgion. The band continued gigging regularly until 1964, when Rogers left to back local soul phenom Jackey Beavers and Eastwood relocated to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting; Chapman then assembled an all-new Pastels lineup, adding singer Bobby Dee, guitarist Benny Cook, keyboardist John Anglin and drummer Terry Mallard. In June 1966, the Pastels traveled to nearby Portage, MI to record their lone single, "'Cause I Love You," at Cap Studios; released on the Phalanx label, the flip side "Don't Ya Know" was a regional hit, and the group toured the Midwest in 1967 in support of acts including Mitch Ryder and the Newbeats, but never managed to earn significant recognition outside of the Battle Creek area. Although lone remaining founder Chapman left the Pastels in 1968, various lineups continued touring until 1972. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide