The Cascades
Lakewood, Washington
1962 - 1963
Members
Kent
Miller ~ Drums
Tom
Pegues ~ Guitar
Don
Ellison ~ Saxophone
Al
Pederson ~ Bass
Art
Pederson ~ Rhythm Guitar
Kent
Miller ~ Drums
Tom
Pegues ~ Guitar
Don
Ellison ~ Saxophone
Al
Pederson ~ Bass
Art
Pederson ~ Rhythm Guitar
In the Cascades I played a Jazzmaster through a brown faced Vibrolux 2x10. My drummer was Kent Miller. On bass and rhythm were two brothers who's last name was Peterson, I think. Saxophone was a fellow whose first name was Don. We used the standard PA most others used, a Bogen 35 with a couple of horns. We played Wailers material like most other bands. I remember the Iridescence and Shifters. I also remember the Sonics at St. Mary's. I left Lakewood spring of 64'.
My father retired and we moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where I went to College. In College I met some guys who shared my love for R&B and we formed a band called ( believe it or not ) The Fabulous Regents! Total coincidence! We played the frat circuit in Alabama and were really outlaws.
My third band was a very commercial outfit who enjoyed a brief run with A&M Records. We traveled under various names and opened shows for their recording artists. We played a lot in the beach clubs in the Florida Panhandle. We were great players but not much originality! We had a couple of twins who sang lead and fronted the band. It was a great novelty but A&M used us up and wore us out.
I did keep my ear to the ground down in Alabama for a couple of years hoping to see the Wailers break out and become a super group. But I guess they could not get into the mainstream as a commercial vocal group. In my mind they were at their top with their album " Wailers At The Castle". What a powerful dance band! Those were the days!
The Cascades - Images Courtesy of Kent Miller
One thing that signaled a change and made a MAJOR impression on me as a musician was a band we did a show with at the McChord Teen Club. It was shortly before I left the area. The band could have been the Iridescence. So long ago I can't remember! But they did a set playing every song on the Beatles first Album and brought the house down! I knew that the olds days were gone forever!
After my stint with A&M, I got married and it was the weekend Holiday Inn circuit for me. I did some studio work along the way but have not played professionally since 1980.
I still consider myself a Pacific Northwest Rocker and I am sure you can identify with that! Those days were magic!
Tom Pegues, April 2006
Thank You for setting up and maintaining this site. It is WONDERFUL. I played in both The Cascades and The Shifters 62-63-64.
Kent Miller, March 2014
