The Tropics in Red Costumes

TMH00016.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

The Tropics in Red Costumes

Alternative Title

The Tropics

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.

Source

Original color photograph: Profiles: Bands & Artists, Tampa Bay Music Scene Historical Society.

Date Created

ca. 1964-1970

Is Format Of

Digital reproduction of original color photograph. http://www.tampabaymusichistory.com/resources/The%20Tropics3.jpg.

Is Part Of

Profiles: Bands & Artists, Tampa Bay Music Scene Historical Society.
Rock Collection, Central Florida Music History Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.

Format

image/jpg

Extent

135 KB

Medium

1 color photograph

Language

eng

Type

Still Image

Coverage

Tampa, Florida
Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Accrual Method

Donation

Mediator

History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Music Teacher

Provenance

Rights Holder

Copyright to this resource is held by Tampa Bay Music Scene Historical Society and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.

Curator

Cravero, Geoffrey

External Reference

"The Tropics." TampaBayMusicHistory.com. http://www.tampabaymusichistory.com/the-tropics.php.

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

1 color photograph

Collection

Citation

“The Tropics in Red Costumes,” RICHES, accessed November 14, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/5450.

Locations

Categories