The dance took place at the Ft Sidney Motor Hotel.
The yearbook page below includes a picture of the band. Randy is on the right.
The following article is perhaps The Dynamics first-ever review. The students at the dance were asked what they thought of the band.
Even then the critics were tough.
On December 9th, 1961, the band played their first paid gig at Little Moon Lake, which was located about 30 miles northwest of Scottsbluff on the Nebraska-Wyoming state line.
Guitarist Larry Soto recalled the excitement of that first dance at Little Moon:
“That concert went so fast it was like it was over in a split second. The excitement level was incredible as the people were screaming and hollering and wanted to dance. Dances at Little Moon were big.” (Gering Courier, July 25, 1991)
This dance was the start of what became a regular job, in which the band performed at least two weekends a month. Twenty years later, Randy remembered how his parents drove him to the dances:
“Our first regular job was playing at this dance club that was about 30 miles away. I think we earned about $12.50 a night. My mom and dad would drive me out there, sit through the entire dance, and then take me home.” (Teen magazine, February 1981)
It was at Little Moon Lake that the band developed as performers, especially Randy.
“The dances at Little Moon Lake were responsible for us learning to play as a group and also as individuals. Randy and I had a hard time playing our guitars and singing at the same time. I was very shy, afraid of playing in front of a crowd. Randy, on the other hand, was a pure showman, playing in front of people made him perform better. He had the knack of feeding off the crowd. He was always on a different level than we were, which later on, helped him with his career.” (Larry Soto,The Drivin’ Dynamics: A Rock And Roll Retrospect Of The Early Years, 1996)
Photographer: Ken Studio, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Photographer: Downey Studio, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Location: National Guard Armory, Scottsbluff
The posed photo was also used in a 1964 newspaper ad for the Dynamics’ New Years’ Eve dance at Terry’s Arena in Scottsbluff.
Location: Ken Studio, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
These were the band’s second set of publicity photos.
Location: Terry’s Arena, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
We take a closer look at the gig history of Randy’s first band, The Dynamics, through clippings and remembrances of those who were there.
Twenty years ago this month, Randy attended a 40th anniversary celebration for the Drivin’ Dynamics in Gering, Nebraska.
This is part three in my ongoing series where I let Randy tell his own story through a compilation of quotes. Here, he describes his early life and career, up until the formation of the Eagles.
Randy Meisner: A Retrospective is honored that former member of The Dynamics, Steve Cassells, has agreed to answer some of our questions. Cassells played keyboards with the band from 1964-1966. We appreciate his insight into this early part of Randy’s career.
Forty-four years ago this week, the Eagles gave an interview for BBC Radio 1 in London shortly after their arrival to kick off their European tour. Each member is interviewed individually, including Randy who answers questions for a full six minutes.
