Or you can click on the record!

Breakwater

Johnny B Good

Why You Make Me Cry

The Reason Why

These are 4 of the first 6 recordings ever done by The Barons. The other 2 are still lost!

This is one of the 1st, if not THE 1st, Battle of the bands we played at in Redondo Bch., CA around 1965, 66.

We are the 1st band. I don't know who the other 2 bands were.

The music was added later and is not us, but it makes it a bit more fun to watch!

SAMPLE SET LIST OF THE ORIGINAL BARONS

Gloria

House of the Rising Sun

Wooly Bully

Last Time

Satisfaction

Little Red Riding Hood

Breakwater

As Tear Go By

7 & 7 is

Dirty Water

For Your Love

Johnny B Good

Sorrow

Tambourine Man

It Ain’t Me Babe

Ruby Tuesday

I'm A Man

For what It’s Worth

You really got me

Heart of Soul

Psychotic Reaction

Pushin to Hard

Louie Louie

Wild Thing

Hanky Panky

Hang On Sloopy

THE BARONS

(Original)

Memories

Larry and Roger Nelson’s dad was the first and best supporter of the early Barons. I guess you could call him our Manager. I remember that he took all of us to a clothing store and bought each of us matching “collarless” green suits with tuxedo shirts and black ties. That was the look of some of the early Rock and Roll bands and he thought we should have a neat, uniform, and professional appearance. We didn’t know any better and were excited about the whole thing. (Thought we were The Beatles!)

Later, uncle Mert paid for us to do a recording in a real recording studio! This studio was located in the back room of one of the local “Hi-Fi” stores (notice I didn’t say stereo store). It was another exciting, but intimidating experience for me at least, that I know none of us will ever forget. Our first recording! We did 6 songs, As Tears Go By, Sorrow, Johnny B Good, The Reason Why, Why you Make Me Cry, and our first original song Breakwater (an instrumental). Four of them are here on this page for your listening pleasure. Unfortunately, Sorrow and As Tears Go By are still lost. Maybe someone will find them someday.

Somewhere along the line, we started playing a lot of “Battle of the Bands”.  Sometimes, there wasn’t enough stage room for all of the bands to set up, or even a stage at all. Uncle Mert came to the rescue again! He designed, got the materials (with a little help from us and some construction sites in the neighborhood) and supervised us in the building of a portable stage that we could, and did, take to the Battles! Pretty cool! No other band in the South Bay could say that they had their very own stage!

Dennis Hageman


 I was not in the Barons because I was just 12 and was not included. I didn't care though because I was learning to play not being in a band, and being a kid. I really don't think I had any ambitions to be a real “rock star” but I did enjoy making noise with my guitar, teaching myself some easier 60's songs, and was hooked on making music. I learned a lot of the same stuff the Barons were playing so I didn't think I was missing much by not being in the band.

DARBY PARK 

I remember I put some itching powder down Dennis' neck as the Barons were about ready to go out and play with their suits on. I know that stuff made it hard for Dennis to play and concentrate and he was pissed off at me. To this day I feel bad for doing it. Just a dip shit thing I did that I am not proud of. Dennis can tell the story of how bad he itched while trying to play. Hey Dennis if I never said I was sorry...well I really am.

I remember at Darby Park, "The Winds" were playing and they were very tight. Nobody thought the Barons had a chance of beating them. They were slick looking too. The Barons went out and dazzled the audience with raw power that the Winds did not have. The Winds were better musicians but the Barons knew they’d have to do something special if they were going to beat the Winds. Don't remember the song ... It mighta been Gloria. The feeling in the dance hall was leaning towards the Barons over the Winds. I was there and remember that night. Anyway the Barons won the battle and everyone was happy because the Winds were too pompous and a bit arrogant and the kids knew it.

Roger Nelson


I recall that very well! The back of Dennis’ neck was Sweaty Raw Red and his first reaction started before the 2nd Set. A few of us went into the bathroom and he stood there with wet paper towels rubbing his neck. “It might have been nerves” was my 1st thought. Well the cool water helped and we went on to the second set. The competition was pretty much even vote-wise. We had a “play off” of 2 songs from each group. The Winds went 1st and they were great! They were on the stage and we were on our home built stage at the other end of the hall. I remember going up on stage before we went on and tuning all of the guitars. I can’t recall the 2 songs we played but they were powerful and we nailed them perfectly. One thing that stays with me is the expression on the other group’s faces for they knew they may have lost ... Sweet!

Sitting here really thinking about the 2 songs we played, something, I don't know exactly why, is telling me they were 2 of these songs ...  Satisfaction, Gloria, Last Time, or 7 and 7 Is. Those were our main “power” tunes. [I'm Going with Gloria and 7 and 7 Is] 

Larry Nelson 

Band Members

Steve Rush – Lead Guitar, vocals
Larry Nelson – Guitar, vocals
Dennis Hageman – Bass, vocals
Larry Gorman – Lead Singer
Gary Ozine - Drums