At a concert on board the Flower Power Cruise in March 2022 — maybe it was during a set by Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals — a gentleman was singing loudly next to me. The concerts were usually so loud that even I could sing along and nobody would hear me (which was a positive). At the end of the set I mentioned, in jest, that we were both good and should go out on the road together. Knowing that the ship was full of great singers from The Hollies, The Zombies, John Lodge, The Guess Who, The Association and more, he said that he was in a band as a singer with The Royal Guardsmen. But on board the cruise he was just a fan, as was I. I’m guessing that there were probably other known music people on board as fans. His name’s Chris Nunley, and I followed up by getting his contact information. And since I knew he lived in Ocala, Florida, I would be able to visit him for a face-to-face interview.
Ocala was home to The Royal Guardsmen, where they formed in the mid-1960s. Originally known as The Posmen, the band changed their name to capitalize on the British Invasion and the popularity of British bands such as The Beatles. The Guardsmen charted nine singles on the U.S. music charts from 1966 to 1969, including the hit single “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron.” The band, after some breakups and reforming, are still together and getting it done 55 years later.
GOLDMINE: I guess Charles Schulz started it all
