The Baskerville Hounds

Cleveland rock'n'roll quintet the Baskerville Hounds was formed in 1964 by ex-Grasshoppers singer/guitarist Dante Rossi, lead guitarist Lawrence Meese, bassist William Emery, keyboardist Jack Topper and drummer Michael Macron. Originally dubbed the Dantes, the group was quickly renamed the Tulu Babies in reference to a catch phrase popularized by their manager, WWHK radio personality Ron Brittain; in early 1965 they scored a massive local hit with their debut single "Hurtin' Kind," issued on local producer Jim Testa's TEMA label, and when Testa assumed managerial duties months later, he rechristened his charges the Baskerville Hounds. The singles "Debbie," "Space Rock" (Parts 1 & 2) and "Christmas Is Here" soon followed, and after releasing "All You Had to Do Was Ask" on TEMA in 1966, the group signed to Dot the following year to release their lone LP, The Baskerville Hounds Featuring Space Rock. Neither the album nor the single "Baby Am I Losing You?" elevated the Baskerville Hounds beyond hometown favorite status, however, and they moved to Buddah for 1967's bubblegum-inspired "Caroline." Although the 1969 Avco label single "Hold Me" cracked the Top 100, the band soon dissolved, briefly reforming during the mid-1970s. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide