The Catskill Chronicle

The lead guitarist in “The Here and Now” is a blur of motion.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

“Echo” took 1st place honors.

LIVINGSTON MANOR – In 1969, Darlene Roberta “Dar” Simpson was a junior in Livingston Manor Central School’s Class of 1970 when, as 11th graders the class decided to hold a fundraising Battle of the Bands.

After she graduated, Darlene Smith (formerly Simpson), came back to work at her high school alma mater, first from1970 to 1972, then from ’75-76’, before returning in 1983 until the 2009-2010 school year. Today she serves as secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, District Clerk and in her spare time, she is custodian of Manor’s archives, including a collection of Manor’s priceless yearbooks called “Manorisms.”

Darlene Smith shows off a photo from the original Battle of of the Bands.

Delving into the Class of 1970 history as outlined in the vintage edition of “Manorisms,” Smith pointed out mention of the first battle of the bands, “Although we discussed having a play, we found our time too limited. On February 24, 1970 we sponsored our second money-making activity for the year, a dance entitled ‘Censored.”

“It was early in March that the initiators of S and S Con, Joel Silverman and Neil Schwatz, presented the class with their latest fund-raising scheme, a Battle of the Bands. For three consecutive Saturdays, music presented by eight different competing bands was enjoyed by people from all areas of the county who came to follow their favorite bands.” When all the votes were in, “Every Soul’s Promise” was selected as the winner and “the project was a great success with the profits totaling $900.”

Recalling those glorious days of ‘69, Smith said, “That’s when the band craze started and everybody got guitars and drums.”

“They picked winners every Saturday night, and on the last Saturday night the final three bands came back…it was great.”

The Class of 1970 used the proceeds of the event to help pay for their senior trip and gifts to the school; including benches for the old pool. 

Body surfing the mosh pit.

On February 12, 2010, the Class of 2011 hosted a 21st century version of the
“Battle of the Bands”, under the supervision of class advisors Diana Fredenburg and Sandy Taggart, with junior Molly Stahl taking a lead role in organizing the event.

After it was all over, the fund-raiser raked in $1,400 which was split down the middle between the three participating bands and the Class of 2011 which will use the money for their senior class trip, caps and gowns, graduation invitations and the senior class photo.

Allie Ellmauer and Jeffrey Yeung of “Paint the City."

First Place ($280) “Echo” with Joey Fredenburg, Danny Turner and Justin Maggio.

Second Place ($233) “Paint the City” featuring Max Carmack, Jeffrey Yeung, Allie Ellmauer and Christian Calvo.

Third Place ($200) “The Here and Now” with Josh Lawrence, Adam Chin, Dan Lacasse and Ryan Perez.

Rounding out the evening, several kids took center stage with their guitars and vocals between the band performances: Dylan Bowers, Bonnie Neist and Justin Maggio, “November Fallen” with Chris Murphy, Russell Bryant and Anthony Nicoletti, and Beth Hoffman-Patalona.

Max Carmack, drummer for “Paint the City."

Looking back on her tenure at Manor, Smith said, “It feels like home, it’s a family that I never left.”

To view more photos or to purchase prints from “Echoes” of the Past visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.