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Remembering Tim Tam and the Turn-ons

In 1964, every kid wanted to sing in a rock and roll band. And it wasn't unusual to hear four chord progressions emanating from garages and basements around Metro Detroit. Rick Wiesend liked the sounds that were coming out of the Hitsville studios in the early 60s and decided to create his own musical unit to build on the influence of Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and the Temptations. Along with brother Danny and Allen Park High School buddies Don Grundman, Nick Butsicaris, John Ogen and Earl Rennie, he formed Tim Tam and the Turn-Ons. They practiced their six part harmonies in Danny's basement and recruited another local band called the Stattilites to provide the rhythm section.

Rick became Tim Tam, singing a Frankie Valli falsetto that soared above the vocal arrangements. "Rick was responsible for our success," remembers Danny Wiesend. "He taught the group our harmonies and was the force that was responsible for our success." The group bought matching sharkskin sport coats and began playing wherever anyone would listen. Detroit radio ace Johnny Williams, who is today the program director of The Heart on XM Satellite Radio, was the band's manager.

Between 1965 and 1967 they released four 45s on the Palmer label, two of which saw airplay on Keener. The most popular was Rick's composition, Wait A Minute which peaked at number 3 the week of January 19, 1966. In a bit of serendipity, the song was mixed on the same day and at the same studio were Bob Seger was polishing his first significant release, Heavy Music. Other issues included Cheryl Ann (Keener #11, 5/30/66), paired with a B-Side rendition of Sealed It With a Kiss, I Leave You In Tears b/w Kimberly and finally a twin sided vocal/instrumental version of Don't Say Hi.

The band was also the namesake for a pair of Allen Park apartment buildings owned by Rick and Danny's father. For many years, Tim Tam and Turn On stood side by side on Champaign Street. The names were removed from the structures several years ago, but sharp eyes can still see their outline where the letters once stood.

Wait A Minute's sold 30,000 copies in its first week of release, "Double that number in the second week," said Danny Wiesend. "It continued to sell for a long time." The record's popularity lead to a string of concert appearances across the Midwest. The band split up in 1967 after a final gig with Robin Seymour, but they kept in touch and dreamt of a come back. Rick’s passing at age 60 on October 22nd 2003 turned another page in the history of Michigan rock and roll. Johnny Williams, who remained Rick's best friend long after their career's diverged delivered the eulogy.

Wait a Minute, Cheryl-Ann and Kimberly are available on the CD collection A Tribute to the Four Seasons and their Sound - Vol. 1. The original Palmer 45s are occasionally found at Whirlin Disc Records, for around $35.00 a piece.

Link: My First Band - The quintessential 60s garage band website

Comments from Keener13.com Visitors:

The b-side of "Cheryl Ann" is a song called "Seal It With A Kiss," a different song from the Brian Hyland hit "Sealed With A Kiss." Also, in the 60s and 70s our family would often go visit relatives in Canada and we would stop in a town called Grand Bend along Lake Huron. There was a hot dog stand on "the strip" there called The Cheryl Ann and I always wondered if there was some connection to the band or the song. About 10 years ago I was working at an oldies station in Grand Rapids when a guy called me claiming that he had been a member of Tim Tam & the Turn-ons. Unfortunately I don't remember his name, but he said he worked at a furniture store in the Grand Rapids area. I asked him about Grand Bend and he said that there was a connection, I think he said that the family of one of the band members owned it. The last time I passed through Grand Bend, about 2 years ago, the Cheryl Ann was still there. -Jim Heddle

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