This issue will mark a year since I began trying to tell a story and share my memories that I had hoped that others would enjoy. And it has made me feel really good to hear from some (many musicians) who were too young to have shared the same experiences (some were not even born), that they have enjoyed reading my perspective of the times and the music, and some now feel they had the chance to be there as well. There are so many more musicians and bands that I hope to have a chance to talk about. Musicians I feel need to be included in the journey back, not just in my opinion, but because of the talent and impact their roles played in making the music scene what it is today, some continuing to be a part of it. And it didn’t happen over night, but rather over many, many years.

In 1968, while still in high school, a young man named Robbin Thompson had the insight to realize that blues in Brevard County would soon stand on its own, whereas, previously, only what would have been considered your best and most established bands, such as the Fantastic Group, would combine blues along with their general repertoire. It later became obvious that with the bands Robbin had formed (with many names you will recognize and remember) also came a new trend in Brevard that would continue right up to the present, the “blues”. But this no longer includes just a small percentage of bands who, at the time, had a strong enough following that they could play whatever they wanted and the people would like it. It now encompasses such a large portion of the musicians in the county, and individuals such as one of our best and most memorable, David Michael Fiester, who was the reason I began my story and trip down memory lane a year ago. There are so many others I hope to have a chance to talk about along the way.

The band in 1968 was known as “Transcontinental Mercy Flight” (later to be known as just “Mercy Flight” after Robbin left the area and continued his musical career). But previously Robbin had also formed a band known as the “Hanging 5” at the age of 14 years old, which led to the “Gents” followed by the “Fab Gents”, who played Melbourne Teen Town and not only opened for the then very popular “Beau Brummels”, but had the Brummels practicing at Robbin’s house). This band would later become the “Tasmanians”, a band I always went out of my way to see. By now Robbin and his band mates had been noticed by Bud Blount who along with his brother promoted rock shows in West Palm and Fort Lauderdale. Bud became the band’s manager and promoter, also giving the group the name “Tasmanians”. The band went through a couple of transformations as far as members, but ended with Robbin Thompson (singer), Ron Cable on guitar (formerly of the Fantastic Group), Steve Bland on the Hammond B-3 organ (also of the Fantastic Group), Woody Pollard on bass, and Greg Brunt on drums.

During the summer of 1967 the first version of the “Tasmanians” (Robbin Thompson, Mike Carns, Woody Pollard, Greg Brunt and Craig Davis) would grow their hair very long, dress in psychedelic clothes with knee high moccasins which became their signature, and Robbin would find himself writing original songs (along with Mike Carns who sang and played guitar). Bud Blount decided to put the group into the recording studio where they would record two 45 rpm records at Criteria Studios on Bud’s record label known as “Power Records” (later to become “Conda Records”). The songs were “Baby” and “Love, Love, Love”, “I Can’t Explain This Feeling” and “If I Don’t”. Criteria wasn’t just any recording studio, many of you may remember other musicians who recorded there as well, talents such as Aretha Franklin, one of an endless list of the same caliber.

The “Tasmanians” played places such as “Pirate’s World” in Miami (that should shake a lot of memories) and appeared on local television shows, their song “Love, Love” reaching #2 on the West Palm Beach radio stations. But as so many musicians know things can happen fast and end just as fast.

By 1968 the band would become “Transcontinental Mercy Flight”, which also went through some member changes, but this particular version I will be talking about consisted of Robbin Thompson (vocals and front man), John Lane (bass), Jim Nash (guitar), Joe Billington (guitar), and Hank Saunders on drums. Robbin had just begun attending Brevard Community College, others in the group, like John, were still in high school. But like Kenny Cohen and the members of the “Fantastic Group”, this young group would take off, touring and playing places such as Virginia Beach, and Washington D.C., and what a time they would have, and what a time it was. John Lane was still only 16 years old, but the experiences they had were impressive.