It was 20 years ago today...
On January 18th, 1981, The Mr. Myers Band, as they were known then, made their debut at the Newman Center in DeKalb, Illinois. The sound changed slightly over the years, but the band has always focused on reggae, ska, calypso and other carribean sounds.
Todd Donnelly, who sang lead vocals and played drums and rhythm guitar, is still the front man of the band. Now he is known for playing the steel drums, which has become the signature of Mr. Myers music.
The setlist from that first show was:
Is This Love
Mother & Child Reunion
Walk And Don't Look Back
Get Up Stand Up
Master Blaster
Easy Skanking
Spanish Moon / I Shot The Sheriff
Pressure Drop
Ob La Di
So Lonely
Stir It Up
The original members of Mr. Myers were:
Todd Donnelly: Lead Vocals,
Rhythm Guitar, Drums
John Hasbrouck: Lead Guitar, Background and Lead Vocals
Kevin Smith: Organ, Saxophone
Jim Widlowski: Drums
Ed Groebe: Bass Guitar
Here are two soundclips from the very first show:
Their first single, Carnival Feeling, was released in 1982.
Check out a sound clip:
Here's a promo photo of the band from 1983. Can you spot lead man Todd Donnelly?
Return to
The Tropic
of Punch