Named after famed Omaha turn-of- the- century madam Fay Hoagan –
they were Nebraska’s first and best psychedelic band. Not
following the trend of other Nebraska bands moving into soul influenced
RB music – they patterned themselves after groups like Moby Grape,
The Jefferson Airplane, The Jimmy Hendrix Experiment, Vanilla Fudge and Crème.
Decked out in Nehru-jackets, flared
bell-bottomed pants, peace-necklaces
and shoulder lengthed hair – they
took the Midwest by storm – playing
psychedelic covers and originals
drawing huge crowds. They were
mainstays at the legendary Sandy’s
Escape in Omaha, NE – won several
regional Battle of the Bands contests
and played for a major “Peace
Rally” in Lincoln, NE in the late
60’s to every hippie in a 300 mile radius.
They were complimented by “The Retinal
Circus Light Show”
which flooded their stage show
with stills, movies, and pulsating
oil-lamp. Images throughout their
show. They paved the way for many other
regional bands playing this popular
type of music into the 70’s.
Fay Hoagan Experiment was signed
to record with Buddah-White
Whale producers “Kasenetz &
Katz” – who earlier had national hits with
Nebraska artists like The Smoke
Ring (Buddah – “No Not Much”) and
Professor Morrison’s Lollipop (formerly
The Coachmen) –
(White Whale Records – “You Got
The Love”). They made a decision
to not sign as the producers wanted
only their lead singer to perform
songs written by their staff and
not original Fay Hoagan material.
Unfortunately, there are
no released recordings available by this
great groundbreaking band – but
they are remembered by many for their
mind-blowing performances and visual
light show. Members Bob Davis
and Otto Spalti have continued
in the music business throughout the years.
Davis operates Jam Palace
Studios in Lincoln, NE who recently
produced recordings by Lincoln’s
first rocker, Bobby Lowell and a
compilation CD by The Coachmen.
Spalti performed for years with
internationally known Lincoln rocker
– Charlie Burton. The Faye
Hoagan Experiment will unite for
the first time in over 25 years at
their induction into The Nebraska
Music Hall of Fame
in Lincoln, NE on August 21, 1999.
