Mike Semrad, Stan Johnson, Quinn Kulhanek and Ed Heine
(all future Bumbles) formed Fremont, Nebraska's first
rock band in
1962 (along with Larry Fiehn and Jay Davis)...initially
called The
Nomads. The Fremont High School graduates migrated
to The University
of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1963. Changing their
name to J. Harrison B.
& The Bumbles, they were campus favorites through
the 1960's
and toured Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri
and Kansas
from 1963-68. (The name "Bumbles" was dropped about
1967 - changing the name to "J. Harrison B.")
Other members of
J. Harrison B. during the '60's included Mike Klingner,
George Bryan,
Jack Hagerman, Barry Hanson, Liz Williams (McHargue), Steve Forcier,
Bill Childs, Ron McClure, Dennis Kohout, Brad Timm, Mike Dorsey
and Tom Schultz.
While in Lincoln, they played such
venues as Pla-Mor Ballroom,
Robbie's Happy Corner, Pershing Auditorium, The University
of
Nebraska Union, Jazz & Java, Keen-Time and 9-High
Parties,
The Lincoln and Cornhusker Hotel Ballrooms, Der Loaf
& Stein,
& The Red Ram.
They were regular performers in Colorado during
the summers
frequently playing lounges such as Shad's Lounge in Sterling,
Jax Snax
in Estes Park, The Merry-Ax in Loveland, The Buff Room
in Boulder,
Galena St. East in Aspen, and The Krazy-Katt in Colorado
Springs.
Changing from a pure rock band (guitar-sax-drums), the
band expanded
to an 8-piece Rhythm & Blues Band in the late 60's.
The band
frequently featured a 3-piece horn section, Hammond M-3
organ, and
a wild choreographed stage show, fronted by soul singer,
Liz
Williams. Band members left the stage regularly
to prance around the
dance floor, bopping dancers with a "Whiffle-ball" Bat,
wearing "Captain Crunch Hats", and riding on the shoulders of Stan Johnson,
while still
playing their horns.
Unfortunately, no commercial recordings were ever released
by the
band. However, 45-RPM acetates of The Nomads exist
in EP
form, recorded at ROTO Records in 1963. The band
also recorded
three excellent sides at BraveRecords in Harvey, Illinois
in 1967.
These progressive self-penned tunes combined the funk
of an RB band;
a touch of psychedelia, and jazz overtones mixed with
excellent vocals
and are still fresh some 33 years later. Unfortunately
these masters were
never released.
J. Harrison B. performed for a private party for movie
producer,
Otto Preminger and also performed for the cast of the
then popular
television show "Desert Fox" in Aspen, CO.
Mostly due to graduation from college and military obligations,
the
original group disbanded in late 1968. However,
Stan Johnson has
kept the J. Harrison B. tradition going for over 38 years
by forming
versions of the band throughout the world - literally.
During his military career and later moving to several
different
locations as a high school music instructor, Johnson
carried the
J. Harrison B. flag and formed new versions of the group
in
England, Germany, Japan, Montana, Wisconsin and California.
While in Wisconsin (Fond du Lac) he formed a version
of J. Harrison
B. that is still performing in that area over 20 years
later.
Several versions of J. Harrison B. have surfaced in eastern
Nebraska
over recent years led by Semrad, Bryan and Hagerman.
Johnson has
also kept the flame alive by playing frequently in California
as
J. Harrison B.
Over the last 38 years - more than 150 musicians have
called "J.
Harrison B. & The Bumbles" their band.
While in Wisconsin, Johnson recorded and released an LP
by J.
Harrison B. called "You Can't Get There From Here".
He played most
of the instruments heard on the album.
The Wisconsin version of the band has also released several
singles
over the years - including the local cult favorite "Walleye
Weekend" -
played for weeks prior to an annual civic event.
The band has reunited on two occasions since originally
disbanding
in 1968. The Wisconsin version of J. Harrison B.
has made the
600-mile trip after late gigs to attend both sessions.
In 1999 Johnson,
Semrad and Hagerman attended the Wisconsin J. Harrison
B. Reunion
in Fond du Lac.
Drummer in The Nomads and later J. Harrison B. & The
Bumbles
(from 1963 through 1966) was Mike Klingner, a native
of McCook, NE.
Mike was an Air Force fighter pilot and was shot down
over Laos in
1970. Initially declared MIA, he was declared Killed
in Action a year
later. Wreckage of his plane was found in Laos
in 1995 - but no
evidence of his body or gear was found. A Memorial
Service was
held in McCook, NE on July 3, 2000 to honor Mike &
a room at The
McCook City Library was dedicated to his memory, along
with a
showcase of memorabilia from his life.
