We Go A Long Way Back
Pocatello Party Bands
Pocatello night life has always been punctuated with live music. Some of the best bar and lounge entertainment the Gate City has enjoyed over the years are presented below to remind everyone no matter how much things change, partying and bar hopping never changes! Especially when there is a hot band playing at one of the city’s dance and party venues.
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Cottonwood
Vintage Cottonwood Radio Ad for Lava Hot Springs Bar
Cottonwood Rocked Pocatello Back In The Day
The Rock Band COTTONWOOD (1975-1985) hailed from South East Idaho, in the city of Pocatello, home of Idaho State University. Over the 10 year career span of COTTONWOOD, there were several personnel changes that occurred as the band evolved. Original members, Alex Conger
(Bass Guitar, Vocals), Craig Gregersen (Drums, Vocals) and Gary Rhoads (Lead Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitar), had been working together in other bands, including GROUND EARTH and MERKIN, since 1970.
The Tidals
The Tidals Were A Popular ISU Party Band
Spring 1964, three Idaho State University students combined their talents along with a former Idaho State graduate to form the Rock and Roll group “The Tidals”. Roger Perotto and Pete Espinoza had performed together in high school and Larry Roberts joined the duo following graduation and looking forward to college. Bill Blazek and Larry had worked previously with another group and were well aware of the demand for live music in the area.
Bill knew of a “college watering hole” that was looking for a band and so the relationship began. SATANS CELLAR was the place to go on Friday and Saturday night. Get there early, or plan on standing for the evening. The good sounds never stopped. With Roger and Pete singing harmony to a current Beatles song, and Larry and Bill providing a mean bass and drums, the dance floor was always full.
Keyboard player Steve Armstrong came along in the fall of 1964 and bass player Louie Stauffer took Larry’s place in 1965 when he moved on to another group.
The group continued to play at SATANS CELLAR, the college, and other local clubs until late 1966 following graduation, when they moved on to persue other interests.
No recording was ever published and their music is only a memory to their many fans.
Larry Roberts, May 2005
*Editor’s Note: From Pacific Northwest Bands 1954 – 1979 and their later bands 1980 to Present.
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