The Back Beats
FRONT-BACK: Allan Mason, Drums; Larry Davis, Rhythm; Lee Norman, Lead; Bob Orsell, Bass
PHOTO RESTORATION BY JONATHAN ABRAMS.
DECEMBER 7, 2021 ATHENS, GA |
FEBRUARY 17, 2019 JACKSONVILLE, FL |
OCTOBER 27, 2017 KENOSHA, WS |
AUGUST 27, 2015 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL |
SEPTEMBER 23, 2006 PEMBROOKE PINES, FL |
Krypt Kickers
LEFT-RIGHT: Allan Mason, Drums; George Christensen, Keyboard; Jimmy Smith, Lead; Bob Orsell, Bass; Tim Yaquinto, Rhythm. PHOTO RESTORATION BY JONATHAN ABRAMS.
The Krypt Kickers reformed when Dave Bonavitch, a really great jazz drummer decided to leave the group. Since they were all friends the Kickere’s convinced Allan Mason, drummer in the Backbeats to join the group. This happen in 1966, and expanded the groups rock and roll range. According to Tim Yaquinto, “a rock group needs a solid rock drummer.”
One More Thing
When my Granddaughter was eight years old (2003) she was introduced to the Beatles.This is the song she loved the most. When she discovered it was my group… She fell in love with the Beatles forever. Nothing wrong with that. She never knew I sang the wrong words in the song. All I Gotta Do, by the Backbeats. Lee Norman, Lead; Larry Davis Rhythm; Paul St. Pierre, Bass and George Christensen on Keyboard; Allan Mason Drums and Vocal. Recorded in 1982.
Keep on loving the Beatles.
South Florida Rock Bands
It’s all Rock’n Roll to me. If you were in South Florida during the 60’s you’ve heard the Backbeats and the Krypt Kickers. Two prominent rock groups that dominated the club scene, appeared at places including the War Memorial Auditorium, Code 1, PAL, Winterhurst, the Deauville Resort, the Eden Rock, Castaways, Cloverleaf Lanes, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Tigers Den, and heard on WQAM and WFUN radio. The Backbeats were voted Band of the Year in 1965 and went on to tour the nightclub circuit around the country.
ReverbNation.com Advertisement
 | Backbeats Make Headlines During the British Invasion in 1964 the infamous Beatle haircut was the rage. If you were in a Rock group, you had that hairstyle. Of course during schooldays your hair was combed back losing the popular bangs. As the newspaper article points out Paul St. Pierre and Allan Mason did just that. But that wasn't good enough for school officials... They wanted a buzz cut. According to Mason, "We were making a bundle of money, and the hairdo was part of the act." A haircut wasn't on the program, so the end result was suspension. St. Pierre remarked "Get a haircut and lose $480.00 a week? No thanks." That equates to $4,837.91 per week in today's money. Top brand Night Clubs were paying union scale, $80.00 a night, per player in 1964. You Can't Do That: Larry Davis Rhythm guitar and vocal - Lee Norman Lead guitar backup vocal - Paul St. Pierre Bass - Allan Mason Drums and backup vocal. |
| YEAR | PLAYER | INSTRUMENT | BAND | ENDED | DECEASED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Backbeats | ||||||
| 1962 | Lee Norman | Lead Guitar | BackBeats | 1972 | 12-7-2021 | |
| 1962 | Bob Orsell | Bass Guitar | BackBeats | 1964 | ||
| 1962 | Larry Davis | Rhythm Guitar | BackBeats | 1972 | 10-27-2017 | |
| 1962 | Allan Mason | Drums | BackBeats | 1966 | ||
| 1963 | Paul St. Pierre | Bass Guitar | BackBeats | 1972 | 8-27-2015 | |
| 1966 | Dennis Potokar | Drums | BackBeats | 1966 | ||
| 1967 | George Christensen | Keyboard | BackBeats | 1967 | ||
| Krypt Kickers | ||||||
| 1964 | Jimmy Smith | Lead Guitar | Krypt Lickers | 1967 | 9-23-2006 | |
| 1964 | Tim Yaquinto | Rhythm Guitar | Krypt Kickers | 1967 | 2-17-2019 | |
| 1964 | Bob Orsell | Bass Guitar | Krypt Kickers | 1967 | ||
| 1964 | George Christensen | Keyboard | Krypt Kickers | 1967 | ||
| 1964 | Dave Bonavitch | Drums | Krypt Kickers | 1966 | ||
| 1966 | Allan Mason | Drums | Krypt Kickers | 1967 | ||