Monday, June 27, 2016

The Ivy

From L to R: Mike Lloyd, Larry Schott, Ned Goff, Ladd Paul

The Ivy was formed in the fall of 1966 by four men stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX who met while living in the same section of the barracks.
Guitarist Ladd Paul was from Benton Harbor, Michigan originally and had played in bands through high school after finding his first guitar at a rummage sale.
Mike Lloyd from West Virginia was originally a trumpet player who learned how to play bass for the band.
Ned Goff was from Louisville, Kentucky and played sax.
Larry Schott was from Pontiac, Illinois and played drums in the band.

The band started rehearsing in the basement of the barracks and by early 1967 were performing at the army base and at the notorious "Holiday Inn" (not related to that Holiday Inn) at Lake Mcqueeney.



In March of 1967 the group went to record a single with two original songs composed by Ladd. One song of which was a matter of contention due to its resemblance to "Mrs Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter." The record bears a TSS code of 670529, indicating that it was mastered at Texas Sound on May 29th of 1967.

Ladd recalls hand delivering copies of the record to radio stations all through the south and in Michigan after having it pressed up. However, it did not pick up much traction, as it didn't appear to chart anywhere.


"I'll Never Understand You"


The band fared some success after winning a battle of the bands event at the air force base, and were sent to a bigger talent show in Biloxi, MS.

Alton Elvy replaced Mike Lloyd on bass when he was shipped out.

Scattered deployment eventually broke the band up by mid to late 1968.

Thanks to Ladd Paul and Ned Goff!