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Dick Stewart's passion for the reporting and documenting of U.S. garage band happenings began in the mid-'60s when he published his first issue of "The Lance" newsletter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This desire was spurred on by his formation of a band known as The Knights (A.K.A. King Richard and The Knights) in 1961. Stewart was the lead guitarist and he was infatuated with the early '60s traditional guitar instrumental expressions which ruled the airways during that time with The Ventures and The Fireballs leading the way. The band would develop a strong following regionally as a result of its instrumental guitar release of "Precision" in early 1964.
The instrumental guitar rage immediately took a back seat upon the arrival of The Beatles to the U.S. in 1964, and shortly thereafter, The Knights disbanded. Stewart, however, wasn't through with music by a long shot. So rather than continuing as a musician, he began to contribute as a writer/editor of "The Lance" which enjoyed a successful two-year run during the mid-'60s before closing its doors in January 1968.
"But this is an age of nostalgia and the '60s collectors fans are growing leaps-and-bounds," says Stewart. "That coupled with the tremendous asset of the Internet were reasons enough for me to jump into it all over again." And so he has. Not only has Stewart reformed The Knights again (1998) with the continuation of the cool, laid-back, guitar-rock instros of the early '60s, but he has brought back to life "The Lance" newsletter as well as Lance Records which was also very active during the mid-'60s.
Now referred to as "The Lance Monthly," this free webzine specializes in U.S. garage bands that were popular during the '60s thanks to Stewart's right-hand-man and chief staff writer, Mike Dugo as well as his own contributions.
Dick Stewart, a native New Mexican, is presently living in a mountain community just east of Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Judi whom he married 37 years ago. They have two talented musician sons, Jason and Richard, who live in Austin, Texas, and a lovely daughter, Shelbi, who lives with her husband, Sean Cullen in Burbank, California. To the delight of the Stewarts, they have given them four wonderful grandchildren.
Mike Dugo's lifelong appreciation for the music of the Beatles led him to seek out other bands from the same era that parlayed the Fab Four's success and influence into their own (fleeting) careers. From this evolved a true love and devotion for '60s garage band and psychedelic music. When seeking out information on one of his favorite bands (the Driving Stupid of "Horror Asparagus Stories" legend) via the Internet, he made contact with Dick Stewart. Through repeated email communication, a friendship developed and, from that, Mike was offered a position as Staff Writer for "The Lance Monthly."
Mike has also made editorial contributions to numerous '60s related web sites, including Vernon Joynson's groundbreaking Fuzz, Acid, & Flowers update site, and is currently in the preparation stage of collaborating on a landmark research project that will attempt to document all known film footages of '60s garage and psychedelic bands. He is happily married to his wonderful wife, Diane, and the stepfather of two boys, Bradley and Ian Graham, whom he is, of course, weaning on the sounds of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, and 1910 Fruitgum Company.
For additional articles featured in The Lance Monthly, please visit http://www.lancerecords.com
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Alexander "Astro" Hussenet
Beverly Paterson
Dale Smith
Dick Stewart
Don Schenk
François Xavier
Gary Vann
Ken Tebow
Michael Daley
Mike Dugo
Paul Johnson
Roger Kelley
Ron Carlson
Ron Snow
Shane McKay
Terry Slocum
Zack Bocelle
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