The Chessmen

The Chessmen

The Chessmen are a US garage rock group from Dallas, Texas, active from 1964 to 1968. They form part of the history of the Dallas music scene in the mid and late 1960s and are remembered for a small recorded output, live performances, and the later success of several members.

Formation and early line-ups

The band forms in early 1964 on the campus of North Texas State University, now the University of North Texas, in Denton, about 25 miles from Dallas. The original line-up includes Robert Patton on guitar and vocals, Ron DiIulio on keyboards, Tommy Carter on bass, and Tommy Carrigan on drums. Tommy Carter remains the only constant member until the band breaks up.

The first line-up records one single for Bismark: a cover of the Drifters’ “Save the Last Dance for Me,” with a girl chorus, backed by the instrumental “Dreams and Wishes,” written by Robert Patton. Later personnel changes bring in Jim Herbert on guitar and vocals, Johnny Peebles on guitar, Doyle Bramhall on drums and vocals, Jimmie Vaughn on lead guitar, and Bill Etheridge on rhythm guitar, keyboards and vocals. The line-up is fluid, with some overlap between members.

Recordings

The Chessmen release only a few 45s, and their surviving legacy is tied to those records and to rare photographs of the group. Their second record, “I Need You There” backed with “Sad,” is generally regarded as their strongest single and is recorded before some of the later well-known members join the band.

Later recognition

The Chessmen become notable in retrospect because several members go on to national recognition. Doyle Bramhall plays with Stevie Ray Vaughan and writes songs for him. Bill Etheridge later plays bass with ZZ Top before Dusty Hill. Jimmie Vaughn later plays in the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The group’s reputation rests as much on this personnel history and its live shows as on its limited discography.