By Ron Johnston
After about a year or so of performing at teen dances locally in Monroe County, The All Rights made a business investment.
The rock and roll cover band purchased an orange 1955 Chevy Ambulance with the name of the group printed on it in black and white letters.
Formed during the Beatles period in ‘64, the All Rights lineup included Kenny Whelpton on drums; Russ Coon, lead guitarist; Tom McMullen, bass; and Greg Slack, rhythm guitarist. Later, Skip Streber would become the rhythm guitarist.
Except for Whelpton, who attended Churchville-Chili, Coon, McMullen, Streber, and Slack were all from Gates-Chili. During the group’s second year, Coon and McMullen matriculated at Monroe Community College.
Early on, The All Rights entertained the younger people at its home base at the Chili Grange at Chili Scottsville Road (Route 251) and Stryker Roads. On stage weekly, Fridays from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, the cover charge was 75 cents. In the summer, the teens danced to the All Rights “Liverpool Sound” on Wednesday nights.
The band even promoted and sold All Rights sweatshirts at the live performances.
Occasionally, the foursome performed at the “Pussy Cat” Lounge on Main Street in Rochester.
The idea, of course, behind buying the Ambulance was to make it easier hauling instruments, amplifiers, and other musical gear to gigs.
Not long after obtaining the vehicle, the All Rights appeared on the Joe Deane Sock Hop TV show and won the Battle of the Bands, defeating several other bands from the Rochester area. As a result of this, the group earned a recording contract with Atlantic Records in New York City, and was also outfitted by the Bon Jon Tux Shop.
In late fall of ‘65, the All Rights were brought back by popular demand and featured on two more Sock Hop Shows.
Sadly, by the late ‘60s, the All Rights disbanded and the members went their separate ways.
But for a couple of years, it was a fun ride for these young musicians. Especially in the Chevy Ambulance!
Note: Ron Johnston, a 1966 Churchville-Chili graduate, is the author of One-Game Wonder.
