Richard Froemming - The Delcords Interview

Are you originally from Kenosha, WI? What was your childhood like and how did you initially get into music? Was music something that was relevant around your household, or was this something you found entirely on your own? Do you have any siblings? What would you do for fun back in the day before music took over? Who were among some of the first groups, or artists that left a heavy impression on you? Did you participate in any groups, or projects prior to The Delcords? How did you initially meet your bandmates?

Yes, born and grew up there. Got married in 1971 and moved to SE Minnesota. I had a decent, middle-class upbringing and just about every family member was musical in some way; they either played an instrument and/or sang. There was almost always music playing in the house, as my parents were fans of the "big bands" of the 40s. I was exposed to a ton of great, legit, advanced music that included artists like Sinatra, Crosby and again, the "big bands." That didn't guarantee that I would also be musical, but it laid the foundation for that. My parents never imposed music lessons on me; I sought that on my own and they were very supportive, especially when it came to writing the checks for instruments and related equipment. They recognized that I had "the gift" and that I was serious about developing it, in spite of the particular timeline, which was between Elvis and the Beatles. They weren't too sure about all the new kinds of popular music that were springing up, but they knew I was becoming a serious musician. Yes; two younger sisters. They didn't really pursue music in any way, though. My interests/hobbies included model making; mostly cars. That and just hanging around with neighborhood friends.

I wasn't into sports of any kind, lacking the particular, necessary physical skills and having no desire to pursue that kind of thing. If it involved a ball of any kind and pitching, hitting, throwing, kicking it, I didn't give a shit about any of that. Well, since my parents loved music, and they played both the radio and records frequently, I was exposed to many of the great performers from the 40s, including people like Sinatra, Crosby and many of the "big bands." So, we're talking about some pretty legit and complex music, here. Then of course, I heard Elvis for the first time and even though I had no idea who this guy was (initially) I thought,"Wow. This is huge!" Bear in mind that my home town (Kenosha) was between two other major midwest cities (Milwaukee and Chicago) that had major radio stations that were playing all the latest pop hits. I listened to WLS (Chicago) a lot on my little transistor radio. BTW, I attended the Beatles' first concert in Chicago. I had a balcony seat that cost less than $20. Imagine that. Yes, I was in the school band during junior high, but abandoned that (my first instrument was the clarinet) to pursue guitar lessons. I was in choir, too. I met the other two guitarists at the music store where we were all taking lessons. The drummer was a classmate of mine.

When and where did you guys initially get together to jam/rehearse and what was the initial chemistry like between you guys? When and where did the band make its live performance debut and what was that experience like? How did the name come about? The band released its debut single in ‘65. Can you tell me about writing and recording those songs and how the deal with Orlyn came about? What was the over vision and approach to those songs? When and where did the recording take place?

We would get together for weekly rehearsals at our parents' homes. All of the parents were very supportive of our efforts. I'd have to say that I was recognized as the "leader" of the Delcords, but in recent years, in conversations with the guy who played rhythm guitar in the band, I told him that the main reason that the Delcords experienced such relative success was because everyone in the band "played their positions." Perhaps an odd compliment coming from someone who isn't into sports. But true. Our first performance - I believe - was at a little neighborhood bar. One of the "band dad's" got us the gig. At that time, I think we only played instrumental guitar songs, but even at that age, we understood the concept of "looking good." We wore white shirt/black tie but soon invested in sharp- looking iridescent sport coats. As I recall, we were pretty well-received for being a bunch of young guys, playing for adults who were probably used to hearing something like Johnny Cash. Nothing against Johnny. Just sayin'. "Back in the day" performers and bands were all trying to come up with snappy, catchy names. We probably brainstormed over a long list and settled on "The Delcords." In the 60s, Montgomery Wards was conducting "talent contests" at many of it's midwestern stores. We were the band winners of two consecutive annual contests. The contest "prizes" promised "recording contracts" (lol) and a European concert tour. Well, the "recording contracts" were paid studio time at an RCA affiliate studio, run by an engineer named Oren Stembl (or Stembel). Our first "recording" was just an acetate cut. Any additional copies were on our own dime. That first recording never went anywhere past the initial acetate cut. But the following year, when we won our second talent contest, we again went to the Chicago RCA studio, where we recorded (A-side "I Got Wise" and B-side, the Ventures "Driving Guitars). We had a ton of 45's pressed from that session.

Side note - the music scene those days in Kenosha was huge, and vicious, in a way. Being a UAW town (American Motors) there was also a Musician's Union, which we eventually joined. But before that point, all of the other bands that didn't win the talent contest were just rabid about our win. We didn't project the "bad boy" image that was so popular at that time. We were clean-cut. And we simply played better than they did. But the real "path to success" as they call it, was that the senior members of the Kenosha Musician's Union who were certainly aware of the Delcords, also recognized us as kids who were serious about music. And so, the offers for gigs began to pour in, as we gained recognition in the town - and the union. Because I had become able to fluently read and write music, I tried my hand at writing an original song. I was also quickly gravitating toward literature in school, so I had a knack for writing verse. Ergo - "I Got Wise" was written. I can't say that I had a "vision." I just wanted to write a song. It was part of the start of a long, exciting, satisfying and profitable career in music. Oh, and upon the second visit to the RCA Orlyn studio, when we arrived there was a black pianist/vocalist finishing his session and when he exited the recording booth, he handed me a handwritten manuscript and asked,"So, what did you think?" Seriously? I was like 17 and here was this seasoned artist was asking me what I thought? I told him it sounded pretty good. After he left, I asked Orin (the engineer),"Who was that guy?" He told me it was Orlando Murden, a guy who wrote for Sinatra. Wow. And regarding the "talent contests" held by Montgomery Wards? My father discovered that it was just another "payola" scheme, as the band that eventually won First Prize was supported by some wealthy Chicago family, who basically paid-off the promoter so their kids could win. I forget exactly how my dad found this out, but it was fact.

What eventually happened to the band after ‘65? Did you continue to play music after The Delcords? Is there anything else you would like to further share with the readers?

The Delcords enjoyed performing until our rhythm guitarist left for college. For a few glorious years, we played around town and made a name for ourselves, both as a band and as individual musicians. We played for a huge Wisconsin RV group. We got to warm up the crowd at Carthage College Fieldhouse before the arrival of Bobby Kennedy. We sat on our little riser, only a few feet from his podium. Eventually, the bass player and drummer passed away. I didn't have any significant contact with them after the band dissolved, but I am still in contact with Larry, the rhythm guitarist. I have never stopped writing/recording/performing. I've played with some really great musicians in some great bands over the years. I've always believed in that odd saying,"Talk is cheap." Serious musicians seem to find one another and most of them are modest people. And probably "liberal." I'd venture to say that most all the musicians I've known and performed with voted Democrat in elections. Over the years, I've met my share of "musicians" who talk a big game, but they never actually produce anything of value. They boast about their equipment, their guitar collection, or complain about why they just can't get started, because they can't find the right people, etc., etc. I was fortunate as a novice musician, to have had a really good tutor, who pushed me to become better and who knew that I wouldn't run away from a stern instructor. Around the time of The Delcords, my guitar teacher invited me to perform with his group, which was also part of getting recognition from other local senior artists. There's just no substitute for doing your practice. Yeah, it's hard work, but rewarding. Beyond that, you just put one foot in front of the other and move forward. You accomplish what you can, you stretch yourself and you lift other people up along the way.

Thanks so much for taking interest in me and my music.