Subject
Tropics (Musical group)
Tampa (Fla.)
Cocoa Beach (Fla.)
Music--Florida
Rock bands--Florida
Rock music--United States
Rhythm and blues music--United States
R&B (Music)
Musicians--Southern States
Description
The Tropics, a Tampa-based band, wearing red and white costumes. From left to right is Bobby Shea, Mel Dryer, Buddy Pendergrass, Eric Turner, and Charlie Souza. The Tropics, also known as "The Bitchin' Red Band" when performing on the Pier in Cocoa Beach, were founded in 1964 in Tampa, Florida, consisting of Buddy Pendergrass on guitar and keyboard, Eric Turner on guitar and vocals, Mel Dryer on lead vocals, Bobby Shea on drums, and Charlie Souza on bass guitar and vocals. They were performing around the state and the Southeastern United States by the summer of 1965, opening for popular acts such as The Who, The Young Rascals, and Herman's Hermits. The band won the 1966 International Battle of the Bands at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, taking first place over 441 bands, including future successful acts like Tommy James and the Shondells and Chicago. This won the group a recording contract with Columbia Records, where they recorded the single, "Take the Time," which was played on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and topped the local charts. Pendergrass and Shea would later form the glam rock band, White Witch, in 1971.