The Back Beats vs. The Kript Kickers
FRONT-BACK: Allan Mason, Drums; Larry Davis, Rhythm; Lee Norman, Lead; Bob Orsell, Bass
DECEMBER 7, 2021 ATHENS, GA It is with a heavy heart we report the passing of Vernon Lee Norman 1940-2021. |
FEBRUARY 17, 2019 JACKSONVILLE, FL It is with a heavy heart we report the passing of Timothy Yaquinto 1949-2019. |
OCTOBER 27, 2017 KENOSHA, WS It is with a heavy heart we report the passing of Larry Davis 1946-2017 |
AUGUST 27, 2015 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL It is with a heavy heart we report the passing of Paul St. Pierre 1947-2015 |
Kript Kickers
LEFT-RIGHT: Allan Mason, Drums; George Christensen, Keyboard; Jimmy Smith, Lead; Bob Orsell, Bass; Tim Yaquinto, Rhythm<
The Kript 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 Kript 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, 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.
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| 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 Potocar | Drums | BackBeats | 1966 | ||
| Kript Kickers | ||||||
| 1964 | Jimmy Smith | Lead Guitar | Kript Lickers | 1986 | 6-10-1996 | |
| 1964 | Tim Yaquinto | Rhythm Guitar | Kript Kickers | 1986 | 2-17-2019 | |
| 1964 | Bob Orsell | Bass Guitar | Kript Kickers | 1986 | ||
| 1964 | George Christensen | Keyboard | Kript Kickers | 1986 | ||
| 1964 | Dave Bonavitch | Drums | Kript Kickers | 1966 | ||
| 1966 | Allan Mason | Drums | Kript Kickers | 1986 | ||
Side Note: In 1966 The BackBeats auditioned for a gig at the 4 O’clock Club in Miami Beach. Union contracts were signed. The group changed drummers but went on to play the gig anyway. The second night the club owner wasn’t happy with the different sound, and asked for each band members identification. Where’s Allan Mason? It’s his name on the contract. They were released from the contract for obvious reasons. Dennis Potocar was an excellent drummer for the MoJo Men, but the Backbeats had a chemistry that could not be changed. The group broke up, and reformed a year later with a new drummer.