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Under 20 Inter viewThe Tigers Are Probably YoungestSuccessful Combo In CountryBy JOHN LARSONBeing (he son of television comic Soupy Sales wasn'l enough for 14-year old Tony Sales. He decided to gel a group together and today has a highly successful combo, perhaps the youngest really professions' group in the country.JTl all started a little ovei a year ago,” Tony told us. “) began guitar lessons and m3 brother, Hunt, began drun lessons. From (hat moment 01 1 knew that eventually I'd ge A grcup together. And, I wanfe •it to be a really young group/AND YOUNG it is! Hunt Sale is eleven, Jon Meredilh is fourteen and John Posetdart i; thirleen. Jon brings another fa maus name to the group. Hi.1 father is the well-known actor Burgess Meredith. “John’s fam ily isn’t famous,” injected Hunt, who has a pixie approach to lire much like that of Herman of the famed Hermits.The boys freely admit I hat they couldn't have made it without the help of their parents. “Dad gave us our first chance,” said Tony. He put us in a show he had at New York’s Paramount Theatre. A recording executive heard us andsigned us to do our first ree- siuff out on us at home,” re-ported Hunt, who likes beingThe record, “When The Par- funny and tends towards the‘TlfE TIGERS' — From left, Jon Meredith, John Posetdart, Tony Sales and Hunt Sales, at the drums, comprise The Tigers. This groupwas organised by Tony Sales, son of television comic, Soupy Sales. The boys recently finish* ed taping an appearance for “Hulabaluo.”1y‘s Over” and Summertime Is The Best Time for Making Love” was “picked” by a number of trade journals. “It didn't Ho very well,” Tony said, “but I just didn’t think it was pushed bard enough.”CHIMED in Hunt, “That isn’t going to stop us, though. We're getting ready to make an album.”When we talked to Tony and Ilunt about the group they had just finished taping an appearance on “Hulabaloo.” “Jerry Lewis was the host of the show, Tony lold us, “and he’s wonderful to work with. He’s really a very, very funny guy.The boys are used to funny guys. “Dad tries most of hiscomedian while Tony has hopes one day of becoming an actor.We feel our music is kindof a cross between The Beatles and true rock ’n roll.” Tony said. “I think, though, that the trend is now going toward folk music. I think the kids today want lyrics, they want the song to tell a story.”How did the group get together? “Well,” said Tony, “wewere in a music store in New York when a boy came in to buy 2 guitar. He foaled around with it and he sounded good. We asked llie man in the store to introduce us and it turned out (o be Jon Meredith. John Posetdart was a friend of Hunt’s.DESPITE THE FACT that Tony is very' handsome it is Hunt who extracts the squeals from the girls. “They all think he’s cute. said Tony. Hunt lowered his head modestly and all that could be seen was the long bangs he wears.‘As the boys drank [heir coke they returned to the subject of their parents. “Mom has been a big help to us,” said Hunt. She’s the one that encouraged us lo get the group logclhcr and she makes us feel that we can do whatever wc have lo do.“1 don’t know whether we would have gotten anywhere without their help, said Tony. “But, I know one thing. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to be in the entertainment business. One way or another I would have gotten into it, but maybe not so early.”After recording sessions, personal appearances and their slint on “Hulabaloa” the boys feel like old limers. There jsmom television in lb? offing anda new recording contract insures that they’ll be heardaround the country by rock ’n rail fans.EXPERTS REPORT that the typical record buyer is between 9 and 13 and Tony and his Tigers feel thal they know what kids their own age like. “Teenagers,” says Tony, “want lo be on the go. They don’t want to sit around all day, They love the beat in today's music.” Tony and the Tigers are 011 the go like the rest of the younger generation.
Newspaper Details
Derrick
Oil City, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Dec 24, 1965
Page 23
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 24 Feb 2019
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