”One of the most commercially successful US garage bands. In 1965, the Raiders began recording a string of garage rock classics. Under the guidance of producer Terry Melcher, the group relocated to Los Angeles and increasingly emulated the sounds of British Invasion bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Dave Clark Five, and the Animals, while adding an American, R&B feel. Their first major national hit, “Just Like Me” (No. 11, 1965) was one of the first rock records to feature a distinctive, double-tracked guitar solo, performed by guitarist Drake Levin.
The band appeared regularly in the U.S. on national television, most notably on Dick Clark’s Where the Action Is, Happening ’68, and It’s Happening, the latter two co-hosted by Revere and Lindsay. In November 1966, the band appeared as themselves performing a song on the popular Batman television series in the episode “Hizzonner the Penguin”. The Raiders had an endorsement deal with the Vox Amplifier Company through its U.S. distributor, the Thomas Organ Co., with Revere using the Vox Continental combo organ and Volk occasionally playing the Vox Phantom IV bass. When performing, the entire band was plugged into Vox Super Beatle amplifiers. The band was reported to be the first major band in history to tour with all members amplified, including sidemen such as horn players.
Their hits from this period included “Kicks” (Billboard Pop Chart No. 4), “Hungry” (No. 6), “The Great Airplane Strike” (No. 20), “Good Thing” (No. 4), and “Him or Me – What’s It Gonna Be?” (No. 5). Of these, “Kicks” became their best-known song, an anti-drug message written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil that was originally earmarked for the Animals. (Mann later revealed in interviews that the song was written about their friend, fellow 1960s songwriter Gerry Goffin, whose ongoing drug problems were interfering with his career and his relationship with then wife Carole King.
In mid-1967, with three gold albums to their credit, the Raiders were Columbia’s top-selling rock group.”
This is ultimately definitive comp. of The Raiders 60s stuff from 1965. to 1969. so don’t go no further ’cause this is essential! Step out ‘n’ Dig!!!
SURFADELIC 