Louie and the Rockets, the brainchild of Mick Radford, was one of three primary super-groups responsible for the return of the 1950's craze in the 70's. This four member authentic 1950's sensation amazed frenzied audiences internationally with their incredible energy, flawless vocals, and blue humor, which was unique for the time. Due to their rapid rise to popularity, Louie and the Rockets received requests to perform for some very special VIPs at some very diverse venues including Royalty, the Jerry Lewis March of Dimes telethon, and The Dating Game. In addition, Louie and the Rockets received the first place float award at the Portland Rose Parade for their live mobile Rock 'n' Roll show. Due to the demands of actress-playmate Claudia Jennings, Louie and the Rockets appeared in the American International film The Unholy Rollers and recorded the ten hit soundtrack under the direction and production of award winning songwriting team Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, tunesmiths for The Monkees. Boyce and Hart had two chart toppers of their own, "You're Still My Favorite Girlfriend Alice Long" and "I Wonder What Shes Doin' Tonight". This is all in addition to the fact that Louie and the Rockets shared the stage with many of their 1950's Rock 'n' Roll idols. Among these greats were Chuck Berry, The Platters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon, The Four Seasons, and The Diamonds, to name but a few. The original members of Louie and the Rockets were Mick Radford as Mickey Torelli, Blair Hill as Lefty Benvenuti (bass & vocals), Dale Luvas as Louie (vocals & occasional piano), and Steve Buckner as Moose (drums & vocals). Steve Buchner was replaced just prior to the film the Unholy Rollers by Craig Thornburg as Duke Bradkowsky (drums & vocals). Many have wondered what happened to Louie and the Rockets. Their management issued no statements, the group members were not available for comment, and the mystery continued until Louie and the Rockets were just a memory. Now, through research and construction of this website, we have the story. Here it is, straight from Mick himself.

"I remember being in the basement of an old house rehearsing cover tunes as a band named SAGA. Then, while on tour in the US, we were playing a dive on the coast and all they wanted to hear were 50's tunes, Not because it was popular then, but, because the place was that far behind.  After the first night, we were eating breakfast at this greasy spoon across from the hotel called The Rocket Café. I presented the idea of Louie and the Rockets to the rest of the band. and, within six months we had a new house, new management, leased cars, new equipment, our first record, and we were looking at appearing in a motion picture with Claudia Jennings and recording the soundtrack for the film. We were hanging out in L.A. with Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Danny Jansen, Hoytt Axton, Brian Hyland, Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night, Noel Redding from the Jimi Hendrix Experience and a bunch of other guys. My belief is that for two of the members of Louie and the Rockets fame and fortune came too fast, too soon. As a result there was a hellacious two-year court battle over the rights to everything associated with Louie and the Rockets including the name, which was my idea. By the time the legal battle was almost over, the name Louie and the Rockets had such a bad vibe associated with it that I told my legal and management teams to give the singer and bassist the name - that I didn't want it. Then I created the group "The Unholy Rollers" after the American International film I was in, with The Rockets, and began to tour the US and Canada to promote the film and soundtrack".

Our research discovered that bassist Blair Hill (Lefty) and singer Dale Luvas (Louie) continued for a while using the name Louie and the Rockets but parted ways and Blair Hill went on as Louie Fontaine and the Rocket Band.  Later, Blair Hill became the lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders for a short while. Dale Luvas started a Seattle-based 50's group known as The 57's. We are still searching for Steve Buchner (Moose). We recently located Craig Thornburg (Duke) in Washington State and will be attempting to contact him for a candid interview in the very near future. For any of you who were avid Louie and the Rockets fans, as we were, maybe this information will help dispel some of the mystery. If you look on ebay you can find VHS copies of the American International movie The Unholy Rollers. Beware! When American International sold the original film to HBO Canada, they replaced the original soundtrack recorded by Louie and the Rockets with an inferior instrumental! As well as cutting out some footage of Louie and the Rockets! Though this classic film still has the Rockets appearing in the nightclub scenes... and then there is actress-playmate Claudia Jennings who in this film shows off a lot more than her skating skills! Roger Corman says the Unholy Rollers is his favorite roller derby flick! Did you know Martin Scorsese was the managing editor for the film? And, that the set director was Spencer Quinn the mean redheaded kid in the "Our Gang" / "The Little Rascals" comedies?

The American International film "Unholy Rollers" nightclub scenes were filmed at #70 Sunset Strip Hollywood, California. Louie and the Rockets appear throughout the film and recorded the entire soundtrack. This is a movie still used in theaters. You can see the rockets on stage behind Claudia Jennings, Mick on the far right. At the table in the white hat is Rockets manager Jay "Shack" Gigandet.

SAGA's second promo photo after signing with General Entertainment Corporation, managers Don Tunnell and Jeff Beals (the Kingsmen).

This is the first official promo shot of Louie and the Rockets, under the management of G.E.C. (General Entertainment Corporation) in Seattle Washington, managers Don Tunnel and Jeff Beals (the Kingsmen). Later, Louie and the Rockets signed with Jay "Shack" Gigandet, former manager for Bud Abbott from the famous comedy team Abbott and Costello. And, in less than one year the group had a record, a sound track and film, TV and radio spots, and appearances with numerous stars of stage and screen.

Louie and the Rockets were invited by the city of Portland to perform at the famous "Portland Rose Parade" where they won First Place for their live performance, on a moving float nonetheless, while radio DJs and personalities rode around the float on custom motorcycles (more info). Center, in white hat, is drummer "Duke", in forefront playing bass behind his head is "Lefty",  Mick and "Louie" are behind the piano on the opposite side of the float, "Louie" at the mic.

In the photo above, Louie and the Rockets entertain the crowd prior to a Chuck Berry concert at the Paramount in Long Beach California. If you look closely to the right you can see Bobby Hart, Don Gram (Chess Record label Representative), and Tommy Boyce, standing in the isle. Below is songwriting team Tommy Boyce and Bobby hart. Bobby Hart produced Louie and the Rockets first record.

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were instrumental in Louie and the Rockets success. Mick was friends with Tommy Boyce who died November 23rd 1994. Mick still maintains contact with Bobby Hart. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, along with Louie and the Rockets, wrote the theme song "Karen" for the American International film "the Unholy Rollers."

This is one of the greatest shots in the history of Louie and the Rockets. Mick and Louie on the same mic at the Whiskey in L.A.

Louie and the Rockets played to packed concert halls all over the US. Here's a shot from back stage with Mick on the left, check out the Armadillo strap.

The Kings of Rock n' Roll Bop and Stroll, Louie and the Rockets! Official promo photo from Seattle based management. Mick is far right in the top frame and has Lefty on his shoulders in the lower frame, Johnny B. Goode!