The Sunrays

The Sunrays (previously known as the Renegades, the Renegade 5, Larry Tremaine & the Renegades, the Rangers and the Dirt Riders) were an American band from Pacific Palisades, California. The group was led by singer/songwriter/drummer Rick Henn, who was a friend of the Beach Boys member Carl Wilson. Other members of the band were guitarists Eddy Medora and Byron Case, keyboard player Marty DiGiovanni, and bassist Vince Hozier.[1][2]

The Sunrays
The Sunrays in 1965
Background information
Also known asThe Renegades, The Renegade 5, Larry Tremaine & The Renegades, The Rangers, The Dirt Riders
OriginPacific Palisades, California
Past members
  • Rick Henn
  • Eddy Medora
  • Byron Case
  • Marty DiGiovanni
  • Vince Hozier
  • Steve O'Riley

Career

Their first job as the Renegades (in the late 1950s) was at the Seaside Session at Palisades Park in Pacific Palisades. In 1961 they teamed up with Larry Tremaine, and became Larry Tremaine and the Renegades, a rock and roll cover band, consisting of: Larry Tremaine, Steve O'Riley (now deceased), Marty DiGiovanni, Rick Henn, Eddy Medora (November 28, 1945 – October 27, 2006), and Vince Hozier (February 26, 1946 – March 18, 2007). Tremaine booked them every week at radio dances, UCLA, clubs, celebrity parties, and corporate events.

They appeared at Crescendo Interlude on the Sunset Strip with Joey Dee and the Starliters, the Teen Age Fair at Pacific Ocean Park, the after party for the 1963 Academy Awards, The Bob Eubanks TV Dance Party, and every Friday night as the house dance party band at the San Bernardino, California Civic Auditorium.

In 1963, Tremaine went into the radio stations KBLA and KRLA, and later television, and became the host of the syndicated nationwide Casino Royale Dance Party.

In 1964, Murry Wilson, the father of Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys, started managing them and changed their name to The Sunrays.[3] Eddy Medora switched from the saxophone to rhythm guitar. Steve O'Riley, who played lead guitar and sang, left the band when "I Live for the Sun" began to break, saying "I don't wanna be in the group anymore, I think I can make it on my own."[4] O'Riley was replaced by Byron Case.

Their hits included "I Live for the Sun" (1965) (No. 51 US, No. 20 Australia), "Andrea" (1966) (No. 41 US), and "Still" (1966) (No. 93 US).

They toured the United States and opened for the Beach Boys in the U.S. and Canada.

Discography

Singles
  • "Car Party" / "Outta Gas" — Tower 101—September 1964
  • "I Live For The Sun" (Billboard #51, RPM #3[5]) / "Bye Baby Bye" — Tower 148—August 1965
  • "Andrea" (Billboard #41, RPM #2[6])) / "You Don't Phase Me" — Tower 191—December 1965
  • "Still" (Billboard #93, RPM #72[7])) / "When You're Not Here" — Tower 224—March 1966
  • "Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously" / "I Look Baby, I Can't See" — Tower 256—July 1966
  • "Hi, How Are You" / "Just 'Round The River Bend" — Tower 290—November 1966
  • "Loaded With Love" / "Time (A Special Thing)" — Tower 340—May 1967[8]

Albums
  • Andrea — Tower T-5017 (Mono)/ST-5017 (Stereo)—1966[9]

Compilation albums
  • Vintage Rays — Collectable Records—1996[9]

References
  1. "The Sunrays". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  2. Morris, Chris (July 27, 1996). "Collectables Box Sheds Light on the Sunrays". Billboard. pp. 8, 108. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. Carlin, Peter Ames, Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall & Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Rodale Publishing, p. 60
  4. "THE SUNRAYS interview". Earcandymag.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  5. "RPM Play Sheet - October 4, 1965" (PDF).
  6. "RPM Play Sheet - February 21, 1966" (PDF).
  7. "RPM 100 - April 25, 1966" (PDF).
  8. "The Sunrays Discography - USA - 45cat". 45cat.com. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  9. Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 431. ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
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