www.evanjonesmusic.com
The Wakefield Story
It began in 1973, Evan Jones, who had just entered 9th grade, decided he'd like to start a band. He called the only person he knew that could play guitar, a kid named Chad (Chad played guitar one day for Axtell Park's 9th grade music class...this is how Evan knew him). Chad said that he didn't feel talented enough to play in a band, but knew a kid who might be interested. Chad gave Evan the phone number of an 8th grader, Geoff Gunderson. Now you have to understand, Geoff grew up in a musical family. Three of his older brothers all played instruments. In fact, there is still a film somewhere where brothers Gordy, Kevin, and Bob are all rockin' out in front of a little kid playing drums (that was Geoff!). Geoff came over to Evan's house one day with his guitar, where they met for the first time. They instantly became best friends.
With the help of some older kids (Ron Bartlekowski and Mike Riley), and big brother Bob, Shadowfax was formed. At this time, Geoff and Evan were in 8th and 9th grade, and after a year or so, decided they would like to be in a band with other kids their own age. So they left Shadowfax to form a new band.
They knew a kid drummer named Jeff Koller who was already playing for junior high school crowds around Sioux Falls (Jeff also came from a musical family...his father Duane was the leader of the local band DK & The Coachmen whom Jeff would often sit in with whenever they were short a drummer!). They called Jeff one day and asked if he would be interested. His previous band had kind of dissolved, so he said he would give it a try. These three would stay together playing music for the next 13 years!
They needed a bass player, so the called on another famous Sioux Falls musical family. Danny Paul was the youngest of the Paul family (older brother Duane was a Sioux Falls drumming legend), and happened to play bass. He was the final member of the quartet.
They started rehearsal. Of course, the music they were going to play was either going to be original or obscure enough that only other musicians would recognize the songs. And so it began. But the band needed a name, so everyone was to come to practice one day with a list compiled of possibilities. Names such as "Electric Funeral" and "Fawn" were favorites among individuals, but everyone else hated them. So, the most neutral name was chosen. "Wakefield" was taken from a story about a European manor. It made the guys think of castles, which became the band's insignia for the next eight years.
Wakefield began touring that same year. Jones was the oldest at 15, the others were 14, 14, and 13. Their age was a problem. Although folks were amazed at these youngster's talent, none of them could drive let alone get into clubs to play gigs. This is where Evan's father Rollie stepped in. He became the band's manager and chauffeur, driving the bus from town to town, and arranged with local authorities to monitor the kids while playing in the clubs, allowing them to perform years before they would otherwise be allowed by law! This went on for the next 3 years until Evan was old enough to drive the bus. During this time, in 1975, the band's first live recording was made. It was called "Live in Koller's Basement". It featured several originals and a collection of tunes known as "The Fantastic Voyage".
In 1977, the band peformed several outdoor summer concerts at "Great Bear" which is a ski area East of Sioux Falls. One of the concerts was actually a local "Battle of the Bands" in which the guys took first prize. As part of the winnings, free studio recording time was included. In those days, recording music was much more difficult than it is today, and the band entered a studio for the first time. The outcome of this recording session was the band's first and only 45 RPM release. It included the songs "Wonderstar" written by Evan, and "Here I Am" written by Geoff.
Over the next few years. Wakefield went through several bass player changes. Danny left the band and former Starchild member Chuck Salisbury, and Pat O'Dea, another local bass player, were used to fill the opening. In addition, Al Hanson, Starchild's lead vocalist played with the band for a short period of time. Eventually Chuck was to fill the bass player slot for several years to come.
Until 1981, the band played weekend gigs only, with the exception of a 3 month stint at the local "Main Gate" club, where they played 5 nights a week for 3 months in a row! This became the band's testing ground for new original material, and various stage antics which were developed and intended to keep the band fresh for what seemed to be the same audience night after night. After Evan graduated from college in 1981, the road became fair game. Joined by sound man Mark Smith, and light man Paul Wyatt (aka "Ma"), the band began touring their 10 state region, playing venues from Canada to Kansas, and Colorado to Illinois. The band played as many as 267 dates in a single year!
During this stage, another lead vocalist joined the band. Leroy Hedges from Aberdeen became the second and last lead singer tried by the band. Although the band was in constant search of "The Voice", it was difficult to find someone that fit in, and when Chuck decided to leave the band, Leroy left also. This meant the band was again without a bass player. Many bassists had been auditioned, and Rapid City native Dave Horan won the job. This would be the
