Driving Dynamics: Featuring early Randy Meisner of The Eagles
Nebraska garage rock combo the Drivin' Dynamics formed in the state's Gering-Scottbluff area in late 1961. Singer/bassist Randy Meisner, guitarists Larry Soto and Richard Rohnke, and drummer John Ankeny made their debut at a private party and within weeks landed a gig in support of Bobby Vee. Throughout 1962 the Drivin' Dynamics appeared regularly at the Henry, NE, dancehall Little Moon Lake. With little competition, they quickly emerged as the region's most popular rock & roll outfit. Rohnke left the lineup in late 1962 to enter the military, prompting the addition of saxophonist Paul Asmus. Soon after, the Drivin' Dynamics self-released their debut four-song EP, featuring the instrumental original "Sidewinder." After a New Year's Eve gig, Ankeny also announced plans to enlist, and upon adding Soto's younger brother Bobby, the group began touring beyond the western Nebraska circuit, promoting their appearances via Oklahoma City's 50,000-watt radio station KOMA. In the wake of Beatlemania, the Drivin' Dynamics updated their repertoire, adding British Invasion covers alongside their traditional R&B staples. They also expanded their roster, recruiting lead guitarist Dave Margheim and pianist Steve Cassells. In mid-1965 the group signed to Ray Ruff's Sully label to cut their second single, "So Fine." The record fared well regionally, and by year's end the Drivin' Dynamics were regularly playing locales as distant as Rapid City, SD, often outdrawing national acts in the process. In February 1966 the Drivin' Dynamics traveled to Denver to compete in a battle of the bands contest, coming in second to local favorites the Soul Survivors. Soon after, Meisner accepted the Soul Survivors' offer to join their ranks and relocated with them to California, where the act renamed itself the Poor. Meisner later resurfaced in the country-rock combo Poco before ascending to multi-platinum success as a member of the Eagles. In the meanwhile, the Drivin' Dynamics returned to Nebraska before going on temporary hiatus. The Soto brothers reunited the band in mid-1967, and while close to three dozen new members rotated through the lineup in the decades to follow, upon their 2000 induction into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame the group was honored as the longest-running rock act in state history. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Drivin Dynamics - So Fine
