Do you remember Floyd Dakil and the Pitmen?

From Left to Right: Floyd Dakil, Geoff West*, Laurry Michlin, Ronny Randall* and Terry Billings*

*1965 TJHS Grads

In 1963, TJ sophomores Geoff West, Ronny Randall and Terry Billings hooked up with Highland Park HS musicians Floyd Dakil and Andy Michlin. The next year they won the "Battle of the Bands" to become the house band at Lamar Hunt's teenage "Pit Club," located at the Bronco Bowl in Oak Cliff. The song "Dance, Franny, Dance" was recorded live at the Pit to a crowd of several hundred teenagers. The song peaked at # 4 on KLIF in May, 1964. Many of you participated in the synchronized clapping heard at the beginning of this tune.

For the 40-year TJ Reunion, we are pleased to announce that the original members of Floyd Dakil & the Pitmen will reunite for the first time in 40 years and play one show at the end of the evening. The show will include special appearances by Robert Price of The Exotics singing their 1963 hit, "I Said, Hey Little Girl," Billy Joe Shine of The Nightcaps singing their 1959 classic, "Wine, Wine, Wine," and guitarist Mike Erickson (a '65 TJ grad).

So bring your dancing shoes and be prepared to do some synchronized clapping!