The Unholy Rollers
This powerhouse group was named after the American International
motion picture The Unholy Rollers starring actress-playmate Claudia Jennings, and featured a sensational 50's combo named
Louie and the Rockets who appear in the film and recorded the entire soundtrack, at the stars' request. The Unholy Rollers
were every bit as authentic in their reproduction of the 1950's music and musician as their predecessors Louie and the Rockets,
but with more emphasis on comedy and theatrics.
Under the direction of comedian manager Jay Shack Gigandet,
who was Bud Abbott's personal manager and had been involved in the management of Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee, the Unholy Rollers
became as popular as Louie and the Rockets. The Unholy Rollers performed to sold-out audiences in the US and Canada using
revised comedy routines from Abbott & Costello combined with incredible choreography and stellar vocals.
After the breakup of Louie and the Rockets, founding
member Mick Radford met with his management and presented the idea of developing a group containing the same elements
as Louie and the Rockets, but with a few different twists. Such as, more character definition for the players creating a musical
comedy image to complement the nostalgia of the 1950's music. The name the Unholy Rollers seemed to everyone to be the obvious
choice.
The original lineup for the group was Mick Radford (Mickey
Torelli) guitar/vocals, Gary Shelton (Rocky) bass/vocals. Gary Shelton had actually been the bassist for Louie and the Rockets
for a short period following the split-up of the Rockets. Dave Lee (Slick) piano/vocals, and Tom Williams (Johnny) drums/vocals.
Later, while on their first Canadian tour, Gary Shelton phased out of the Unholy Rollers to persue other endeavors and was replaced by
Steve "Bumper" Morgan. Mick recalls, "I felt excited and nervous for Bump because his first gig with us was a very large outdoor
concert. I think it was Canada's version of Woodstock called "Woodtick II", though I could be mistaken. We played so many
concerts and clubs all over the US and Canada as well as doing a lot of crazy promotional stunts like driving on stage in
a 1928 Cadillac limousine in Edmonton Alberta, or jumping into a 14 passenger sea plane in Thunderbay, Ontario, its hard to
keep track of it all."
According
to at least one newspaper article, the Unholy Rollers were hailed as Canada's "number one old Rock n' Roll band. The popularity
of the Unholy Rollers reached as far as the Provincial Penitentiary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where the Unholy Rollers were
requested by inmates and administration alike. They gave such a memorable performance that each member of the group received
a certificate as an "Honorary Con" with an assigned con number and handmade wallets. Exactly where and when is not clear to
us at this time but it is believed that Paul Speer joined the Unholy Rollers just prior to their second Canadian tour. Paul Speer writer, producer, and celebrated artist in
his own right, contributed his talents as a guitarist and vocalist at first during the portion of the Unholy Rollers performances
where members of the group would cover current music unrelated to the 1950's. Later the Unholy Rollers incorporated Paul into
hilarious musical comedy skits where he appeared as Cookie Burns, Howdy Doody,
and Frankie Avalon.
Paul Speer
The Unholy Rollers developed a 1940's show where they took their vocal and comedic talents
to new heights. One of the most memorable segments of their 1940's show was their Andrew Sisters skit complete with the appropriate
wigs and sidesplitting comedy. Paul Speer went on to pursue other musical endeavors and was replaced by Greg Duffy who played
the role of "Vinnie". Originally from Halifax Nova Scotia, Greg Duffy contributed strong guitar and vocals during both the
cover band sets and 1940's portions of the performances.
In addition to wild sellout performances throughout the U.S. and Canada, the Unholy Rollers appeared on television
and radio shows, including an episode of the unusual Seattle channel 13 Tony Visco Show, which featured Leon Ames from the
Bella Lugosi movies and the Unholy Rollers. During their appearance on the Tony Visco show, the group had to lip-sync the
theme song "Karen" from the movie The Unholy Rollers, which was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and originally recorded
and performed by Louie and the Rockets. Mick was interviewed about the movie the Unholy Rollers and the soundtrack. Being
a martial arts enthusiast, Mick sought out Asian arts and sciences in his travels and while in Florida on tour with the Unholy
Rollers Mick met individuals connected with martial arts films in China. Mick left the Unholy Rollers approximately mid 1975,
after they returned to Seattle, to pursue a film career in Hong Kong. Due to unbelievable red tape and politics, Mick abandoned
the China quest and, after many requests, developed a project that performed 1950's and Motown music, which included a tribute
to Elvis Presley. We will provide more information to you regarding this group as it becomes available.
The cover of the HBO VHS version of the film. It was discovered that when American International
sold the film to HBO, HBO, not wanting to pay royalties to Louie and the Rockets and Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, paved over
the original soundtrack, which was recorded at Wally Hyder studios in Los Angeles. There is a search at this time for the
original soundtrack. If anyone out there has any information regarding the original tracks please
contact us.
This is a Spanish version of the movie poster for the Unholy Rollers. We found German, Italian, and Mexican Versions
as well.
We had to censor this one but you get the picture. If you want the full enchilada, we learned that the Unholy Rollers
is now out on DVD!!
Greg Duffy
Originally from Newfoundland, Greg
played the role of "Vinnie" in the 1940s nostalgia comedy show with the Unholy Rollers 1974-1975.
Unholy Rollers Left to Right: Mick Radford, Dave Lee, Tom Williams,
Gary Shelton, Paul Speer.
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One of several official promo shots of the Unholy Rollers, the above
was done with mirrors, really! Clockwise: Mick Radford, Dave Lee, Steve "Bumper" Morgan, Tom Williams.
Mick with the 1972 Fender Strat "Tux" in an out-take shot for
a press kit 1974.
Mick "live" with Comedian Irwin Corey
Actor Comedian Professor Irwin Corey oppened for the Unholy Rollers and the photo above is of Mick and the Prof in a hilarious routine. Mick indicated that just
prior to the show Corey was just about to go on but wanted his mic adjusted. The stage curtain was closed but you could hear
it was a packed house out there. Corey walked up to test his mic and said loudly into the mic "is this fuckin' thing on?".
If you look closely you can see Bumper and Slick to the right of Mick.
Extremely rare photo of the Unholy Rollers off set and out of character. Photo was never used by management. Left to
right: Tom Williams, Gary Shelton, Mick Radford, Dave Lee.
Rare Unholy Rollers Promo shot used briefly
but the look was abandoned by Mick and branded as "way ahead of its time". The group returned to leather jackets and white
bucks. Clockwise: Dave Lee, Mick Radford, Gary Shelton, Tom Williams.
The cover of the press book for the American International film
the Unholy Rollers, used by movie theaters and promoters.
A still photo from the movie the Unholy Rollers with Claudia Jennings, Louie and the Rockets
on stage, and their manager Jay "Shack" Gigandet at the table in the white hat.
Cover of Maxim magazine, February 2000, where the film the Unholy Rollers scored number "30" out of 50 in a "B" movie
shoot-out. Mick and Bruce Campbell from "Evil Dead", had a good laugh over the article.
Taken directly from the article entitled "B movie shoot-out" in Maxim
Magazine February 2000.
Unholy Rollers
Mick Radford, Tom Williams, Dave Lee. After many years the Unholy Rollers gathered in
memory of friend and fellow Roller, "Bumper" Morgan, November 20, 2005. According to Mick, "playing with the guys again felt
like we just picked up where we left off, like we'd never stopped playing together".
Bumper Morgan, John Mayall, Soko Richardson
The Unholy Rollers met up with John Mayall and had the privilege of performing with Mayall a few
times. There is an unknown crew mwmber in this photo in the background. We asked Mick about this pic and he thinks he is the
one who snapped it at an after hours bash. Photo courtesy of Mark Morgan
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