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Biography: The Mods
THE MODS Biography:, written by Larry Smith - bass guitarist for THE MODS (Larry is not a professional writer, so please excuse any writing errors in this biography he has written from memory.The 1960's band from Toledo, Ohio that billed themselves, as "THE MODS" did not start out using the name "THE MODS." The original group that was formed in Toledo, Ohio had several other names before they took on the name "THE MODS." The group was originally started by Terry Smith and his brother Larry Smith and their best friend, Larry Music. I know what you are saying, (Larry Music) yes, Music was his real last name... great name to have if you are going to be in a band playing music, (lol). The three originally formed a group in 1963 shortly after the Beatles took America by storm.
As young boys, the Smith brothers, Terry (age 12) and his younger brother Larry (age 10), they both learned to play guitar on their own after their father showed them how to make a few basic chords on their father's guitar. Their father was very musically inclined and had the ability to play several musical instruments, as did most members of his family. The Smith boy's father, uncle's and grandfather all played musical instruments, so I guess it must have been in the genes for the Smith brothers to play too. The Smith brothers did inherit the ability to play music by ear on the guitar, and both eventually learned to play several musical instruments between them. Terry Smith ended up teaching the brother's friend, Larry Music to play guitar in 1962.
In 1962 the two Smith brothers along with their best friend Larry Music, formed a small combo consisting of three electric guitars. They boys never thought of playing out anywhere but only played for their own enjoyment and for a few of their neighborhood friends. They thought the needed a name and so they started calling themselves "Terry and the Blasters." They played around early on with a lot of instrumental stuff by The Ventures and other rock instrumental acts of the early 1960's.
In 1963 THE BEATLES took America by storm. Soon on the heels of the Beatles came the other English groups that became known as, the "British Invasion." All of these groups changed the face and sound of Rock N' Roll forever. The songs by the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals and all of the other English Rock groups that followed them, inspired the three guitarists. They boys soon learned to play cover songs of their favorite groups and in early 1963 a drummer by the name of Terry Fitzsimmons was added to the group. (Terry Fitzsimmons left the group in 1965 when he was drafted to serve in in the Vietnam War.) Terry Fitzsimmons was replaced on drums with a great drummer by the name of Fred Jablonski in 1965. With the addition of a drummer and the three guitars, they now had a full-fledged band and that was when the group changed their name from Terry and the Blasters, to "THE IMITATIONS." About that same time, Larry Smith switched from playing electric guitar, and started playing a bass guitar. The four teens became quick friends with the local radio DJ's and started playing at local teen dances on the weekends with an occasional high school dance performance thrown in.
The IMITATIONS soon found out that there was to be a series of "Battles of the Bands" to be held at the Toledo Sports Arena, with the chance to win a recording contract. The name the group had chosen soon fit, because "THE IMITATIONS" performed the latest cover songs of all of the popular big British bands of the early 60's. THE IMITATIONS entered the first series of the "Battle of the Bands" at the Toledo Sports Arena for three years in a row, 1963 - 1964 and 1965. In 1963 as Larry Smith says "we just plain out and out sucked as a band." In 1964 they had improved so much that they came in 2nd place in the Battle of the Bands. In 1965 the IMITATIONS finally won the Toledo area Battle of the Bands at the Toledo Sports Arena
The IMITATIONS were rewarded as winners of the Battle of the Bands, with the opportunity to record a 45-RPM record in Toledo, Ohio. The record was to be distributed on the PECK record label. The IMITATIONS felt they needed a better name to record under, and chose the name "THE MODS." The two brothers in the band, Terry and Larry Smith had started early in 1963 trying their hand as a songwriting duo. The two co-writers already had a few songs that could go on theie 45-RPM record that they were soon to record. The Smith brothers wrote several songs during 1963 through 1966 and their group The Mods, had already recorded the first two songs written and placed it on a 45-RPM demo record at A&T Productions Inc., a local studio in Toledo, Ohio. Those two songs were never released. Instead the group chose to record two recent songs the Smith brothers had recently co-written in either late 1965. Those two songs were titled, "I GIVE YOU AN INCH (AND YOU TAKE A MILE)" and "YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THINK COMIN', and it was those two songs that became the A-side and B-side of the PECK 45-RPM record that was released in 1966 in Toledo, Ohio. When the group released the PECK single they had no idea that several other groups in the USA were also using the same name for their groups, "The Mods."
THE MODS recorded the two songs on the PECK label in the basement of "Buzz Jamieson" sometime in 1966 somewhere in South Toledo. Mr. Jamieson, (I am sure Buzz), was a nickname; was the engineer on this recording. So "THE MODS" were really not a Garage Band, but a basement band! Hehe! I don't know if "Buzz" Jamieson is still alive but he later founded "Jamiesons Stereo" on Monroe street in Toledo, a mainstay in the area for stereo equipment repair. The PECK label was owned by George Peckinpah, a Toledo area businessman. The producer George Peckingpah took advantage of the boys young age and never did pay them any royalties for the copies of the records he sold. I think I remember George Peckinpah saying he was related to Sam Peckinpah a Hollywood director. Not sure if he really was or not.
As for writing credits listed on the 45-RPM PECK record label, if you look at the label on the (A-side) "I GIVE YOU AN INCH (AND YOU TAKE A MILE) the writing credits under the title read (T. Smith - L. Smith) with copyright by Terry Smith.
The (B-side) "YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING", the writing credits read (T. Smith) only. But, Larry Smith say's he did co-write both songs and does not know why his name was left as co-writer on side-B. Larry says he wrote the chord structure, the melody and some of the lyrics for each of these songs at age 15. Terry Smith was 17 years of age when he co wrote these two songs on the PECK record. Larry says, "We did co-write several other songs before and after the PECK record. The only other original songs that we recorded were put onto a demo for ourselves only. Those two songs were titled, "A PLACE WHERE LOVERS GO" and "NIGHT AFTER NIGHT." These two songs were written and recorded as love songs to imaginary girls. Both of these songs were recorded prior to the PECK recording. In fact an interesting fact about the demo was that these two songs on the demo record were recorded in early 1964 or 1965 at Attila Records in downtown Toledo. Attila Records was owned by another Toledoan, (John Pocisk) aka' Johnny Paris, of Johnny and the Hurricanes.
Before THE MODS we recorded the PECK 45 RPM recording we played the average gigs that high school garage bands play at, high school sock hops, proms, roller rink dances, CYO dances etc, local DJ sock hops, county fairs, private parties. After the PECK recording in 1966, we played a lot better venues and finally started to make some good money for playing music. We started playing in many nightclubs in the Toledo, Ohio area. For a while we were the "house band" at the "PEPPERMINT LOUNGE" in Toledo on Jefferson avenue, and I (Larry Smith) was only 15 or 16 years old.
THE MODS play back-up for CHUCK BERRY in Toledo in 1966
The Peppermint lounge was on the circuit for many early rock artists that came to Toledo to play. My greatest rememberance while playing there was when "Chuck Berry" came to town and "THE MODS" opened up for Chuck Berry and Chuck said that he said that he really like our sound. Chuck showed up without a band to back him when he came to town, I later read somewhere that he always did that. He didn't even bring a guitar so he borrowed my brother Terry's Gibson SG, and played with it for his first set. Chuck used a group called, Eddie Cash & Company to back him for his first set. But, when he came back to do a second set, he asked that "THE MODS" back him up. That was a real trip!! Just before we started the set with Chuck, we asked him, "what songs we were going to play?" Chuck just looked at us and said, "Boys, we're going to play some Chuck Berry songs!!! Chuck Berry took off playing that set with us backing him up like a man possessed! He didn't tell us what key he was playing in or anything, we just had to look at his hand chording on the guitar and figure it out for ourselves. I guess you could say that was the biggest highlight of THE MODS tenure as a band, playing backup for a rock n' roll legend.
We also heard lots of other groups that toured at the Peppermint and opened up for a few of them. Some of those groups were, THE McCoy's (of "HANG ON SLOOPY"), Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis. We also played in the tri-state area of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana at many events. We played one large gig in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1966 with so many kids we could not hear ourselves play. The DJ at the concert played our record before we came out to play and gave us a great build up. When we finally came out there were between five to six thousand screaming teens cheering us on. We had our amplifiers miked through the house PA and still could not hear ourselves play because of all of the screaming. I guess that we were Battle Creek Michigan's version of the Beatles or Stones that night. When we finally closed the concert and came off the stage we were chased by girls ripping at our clothes. That was kinda scary too for someone who had never really had a girlfriend yet.
THE MODS sign a record contract in 1966 with IMPACT RECORDS in Detroit, Michigan
With the success of that first 45-RPM record, my brother Terry tried getting us an audition with some record companies in Detroit, Michigan. Believe it or not, he talked us into an audition with a major label in Detroit. Terry was the leader of the group and had, excuse the term, a-lot-of-balls. He cold called a bunch of record companies in Detroit, Michigan and got us an audition for a label just by talking on the phone. The A&R people of the label we auditioned for liked what they heard and we were signed to a two-year recording contract. The label for that record company was called, "Impact Records." Again, another name change was comning for the group. The record company told us that the name we were using, "THE MODS" was already being used by another group recording records. So we had to pick a new name quickly to record under. We threw up a bunch of names in the air and came of with the name "THEY." I think because it reminded us of another sixties group called "THEM." So the name "THEY" was the name that we used when we signed with IMPACT RECORDS. We were all under eighteen so our parents had to sign the contract too.
We were also very excited because our new group name, "THEY", would be recording at "Golden World Studios" in Detroit, Michigan. We finally did record two separate studio sessions at "Golden World Studios" for "Impact Records." Those sessions had had to be several hours long with a bunch of material and mostly included just cover songs.
In January of 2003, I contacted our former A&R director from "Impact Records", by e-mail after accidently finding him on the internet. His name is John Rhys Eddins and he has a cool internet radio company called BLUEPOWER.COM. Blue Power's website has lots of pre-recorded radio shows that you can listen to as John plays music and interviews people in the music business. The website has lots of BLUES information and sixties music conversation in general on the radio shows. Here is a quote from John about his company Blue Power. (Quote from John Rhys Eddins) "bluepower.com has become the hub for Bluespeople from all around the globe and that is how I keep my hand in the business." (End-quote) Here is a link to bluepower.com John's website: http://www.bluepower.com
***UPDATE*** February 1, 2003
John Rhys Eddins, our former A&R man at "Impact Records" finally e-mailed me back and he says he will look around to see if has any of the tapes our group (The Mods) recorded as, "THEY" for Impact Records. John says that the owner of Impact Records, Harry Balk is still alive and he will check with him to see if he has any tapes in his possession and get back to me. Cross your fingers for me!!! None of these tapes were ever released as records because my brother Terry ended up getting drafted into the armed forces in 1967 or 1968. I would love to hear these tapes again if they still exist. The studio we recorded at, "Golden Worlds Studios", had recorded a few of the major radio hits during the 1960's. Two of the groups that had recorded there were, "Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels", and the "Shades of Blue." I remember that "The Shades of Blue" had a hit song out at that time called. "Oh, How Happy!"
The Lost IMPACT RECORDS tapes from 1966
***UPDATE*** March 12, 2003 :o(
I just received this e-mail from our former A&R man at IMPACT RECORDS back in the sixties about any "lost tapes" of THE MODS, music. So this closes the door on any future releases.
Good Afternoon Larry,
I am sorry to say that due to all the moves since I saw you last, I don't have a copy of any tapes of The Mods. I have not had the chance to speak with Harry Balk, the owner of Impact Records; as he has been out of town for the last couple of months. I will call him Friday as I need to speak with him also. I doubt seriously that Harry would have a copy of something he didn't release. I just finished digitizing the Impact catalog and since there was no release by The Mods, the cuts were not included.
I think the only tape ever made was the one I cut that day and that's a shame. I too, have lost endless amounts of recorded work due to lack of room or just plain stupidity on my part. But, if I remember correctly, it certainly was a mighty time. I wish you all the best and I will check with Harry Friday.
Warm Regards,
John Rhys Eddins
BluePower.com
Our recording on the PECK label made us local celebrities in our hometown of Toledo, Ohio for a while in 1966 through 1967. Altogether THE MODS played together from early 1962 through 1970. Both our rhythm guitar player and our drummer left the group early 1969 because they both married and started families. My brother Terry, and I kept the group together for about another year into 1970 with another drummer and another guitarist. The group THE MODS finally came to an end sometime in late 1969 or early 1970 when my brother got his draft notice and that ended our recording contract with IMPACT RECORDS.
The main Personnel line up for "THE MODS" and featured on recordings:
Name: Instruments: Terry Smith aka (Big T or Spike);
lead guitar, harp, lead vocals, backup vocals 1963-1970
Larry Smith aka (Sock and a few other names that we will not mention, heh!);
bass guitar, occasional lead vocals, backup vocals 1963-1970
Larry Music aka (Jay R);
rhythm guitar, backup vocals 1963-1970
Fred Jablonski aka (Jabo);
Drums, backup vocals 1965-1970
Other Personnel that were in the band for short periods but never appeared on recordings, with the exception of Terry Fitzsimmons, our original drummer when we were known as THE IMITATIONS... (Pre-Mods)
Terry Fitzsimmons (aka) Fitzy -(Drums) 1963 - 1965 appears on the Atilla 45 demo (unreleased)
Michael Matoni (aka) Fingers Matoni - Keyboards, 1965 - 1965
As I previously said, the group recorded several sessions for Impact Records at Golden World Studios in Detroit, Michigan. None of the recordings from these sessions were ever released due to the lead singer of the band, Terry Smith; receiving a draft notice and subsequently joining the naval reserves. Because of Terry's duties with the reserve and his additional duties with his regular day job, the group eventually disbanded as each member went their separate ways.
"WHERE ARE THE MODS NOW?"
Terry Smith the lead singer on The Mods recordings and also the lead guitarist for the group, passed away at age 52 on November 20, 1999 in Toledo, Ohio after
he developing sepsis due to complications from a surgical procedure at MCO Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.
Larry Smith age 53, former bass guitarist for The Mods still lives in the Toledo, Ohio area and has continued in the field of music by singing Southern Gospel Music. In April of 1997 Larry released his debut Southern Gospel project titled, "OH, WHAT A SAVIOR" which is available on either cassette or CD from his website. Here is a link to Larry's website for his Southern Gospel Music Ministry: Larry Smith Ministries The other two remaining members of the band pursued separate careers other than music.
Larry Music age 55, former rhythm guitarist for The Mods still lives in the Toledo, area and is about ready to retire from the local Coca-Cola bottling plant in one year after many years of service as an employee for Coca-Cola.
Fred Jablonski age 55, former drummer for The Mods lives somewhere in Arizona and the last I heard from Fred he was working as a barber.
My brother Terry Smith passed away without knowing that the two songs that he and I wrote in the sixties, and recorded as "THE MODS" went on to be added to several garage band compilations in the 1980's and 1990's. Terry would have really gotten as big as a kick as I, if not bigger knowing that that the music
that he and I created now is enjoyed by a larger audience then we ever dreamed of. If it had not been for the existence of the internet, I would never have
known that our 45 RPM made it onto these compilations. When I contacted Tim Warren of CRYPT RECORDS to give him some information on "THE MODS", he said that he had been searching for information on us for years. That is why I have designed this website, so the many garage band fans that have heard our music on the compilations that are out there, can now know the story behind the 1960's garage band from Toledo, Ohio that billed themselves as "THE MODS."
Letter Received from CRYPT RECORDS on January 8, 2003
As a final note: Here is a an e-mail quote that I received back from Tim Warren of CRYPT RECORDS, when I e-mailed him about "THE MODS" from Toledo, Ohio, and that I had found our 45 RPM on their compilations. I hope that you don't mind me sharing this Tim....
Dear Larry Smith!!!
WOW! I've been trying to find members of the Mods since I first heard "I Give You An Inch" on the compilation "The Chosen Few Vol 1" back in 1983!!!!!
I spent almost ALL of the years 1983-1989 trying to find members of 60s garage bands and interviewing them - and the Mods was IMPOSSIBLE! The 2 cuts were never registered at the Library Of Congress and that made pinpointing your whereabouts a murderous task! Wow! So it was TOLEDO!!! Crazy! And the PHOTO you emailed? WOW!!! My first sight of the band whose TWO-SIDED MONSTER snarl of a genius gem I've been digging since 1983! Too much!!! Can you update me on the author credits for the 45 RPM on each side? I can't find my 7" of it (and i sure HOPE i didn't LOSE it!!!
I am glad that you've SEEN your band's songs listed but now you must HEAR them - so please do send me a mailing address and I will send out a package of the Grave #3 lps and CDs PLUS the Teenage Shutdown #10 lp and CD.
And: Can I do a proper INTERVIEW with you? Either by PHONE or MAIL or EMAIL - Your choice - (heck, I'll DRIVE to see MORE PHOTOS of the MODS!!!)
So.. please do get back in touch. A big fan of the bold sound you and your brother Terry laid down.
Tim Warren
Crypt Records http://www.cryptrecords.com
A note back to Crypt Records from THE MODS - Toledo, Ohio
A SPECIAL NOTE TO: Tim Warren of CRYPT RECORDS...
Tim Warren,
A special thanks CRYPT RECORDS and to you and your pal Mike Markesich for finding the 45 RPM recording on the PECK label, by THE MODS from Toledo, Ohio. You have made all of "THE MODS" exceedingly happy with the re-release of I Give You An Inch (And You Take A Mile) / You've Got Another Think Comin' on your CRYPT RECORDS compilations of 60's garage bands from the U.S.A. These two songs were written by my brother, (Terry Smith) and I while we were still in our teens and playing in a band in Toledo. Now the rest of the world can know that Toledo, Ohio did have a band that could ROCK!! I only wish my brother could have known about these re-releases of our material before he passed on in November of 1999 at the age of 52.
I also see from your e-mail above that CRYPT RECORDS had no other information our band "The Mods", other than we were from Toledo, Ohio. I hope that through this website that I have launched on THE MODS, helps fill in the gaps for you, and for our many new fans around the world. These are fans that we would never have known we had, had you not added us to your BACK FROM THE GRAVE & TEENAGE SHUTDOWN compilations on CRYPT RECORDS. Many Thanks for keeping "The Mods" music alive!!!
Sincerely Yours,
Larry Smith
Former bass player for "THE MODS" 1963-1970
Biography: Fred Jablonski
Fred is still alive and well and drumming his little heart out four or five nights a week in Sedona, Arizona and the surrounding area! I sat down with him recently to find out where his life took him after playing drums for The Mods.He was drafted soon after the Mods got their recording contract. He left the group but continued playing for six months with Gypsy Blue and the Echoes. The Echoes played on the Dick Clark Traveling show, opening for such legends as Tom Jones, Peter & Gordon and Billy Joe Royal.
He then did a more somber tour of Viet Nam. I asked him to summarize that experience, to which he simply replied, "I made it home alive."
Fred married in 1968 and in 1972 moved his family to Louisville, KY where he played drums at a Baptist church for up and coming stars like The Oakridge Boys, Andre Crouch and Amy Grant.
Around 1973, Fred and family came to Phoenix. He got his barber's license and opened several shops in the valley. In 1986 Fred returned to Ohio for three years, playing drums for Tony and the T-Birds.
The red rocks of Sedona called him home in 1989 and Fred has been an intregal part of the music scene here ever since! He has played in several bands ranging from country to rock (including The Root Doctors, SRO, Grateful Fred and Big Newton.)
He hosts a jam session at the Laughing Coyote every Sunday night. Participants have included everything from hardcore amtures to members of bands such as Dr. Hook, Fastway, Berlin, and some fresh faces you'll soon see like Dan McGuiness and Garrison Bailey.
Yes, Fred is still cutting hair, so when you plan your trip to Sedona, schedule an appointment and plan to stay through Sunday night.
Take a drink!