The Castaways | Interview | “Liar, liar, pants on fire”

The legendary Minnesota based The Castaways released a major hit in 1965. ‘Liar, Liar’ became a million seller that vaulted the band into the nation’s top ten!

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The original band was composed of five talented musicians. Jim Donna, keyboards and vocals, was one of the band’s original founders. Robert Folschow and Roy Hensley were on guitars, Dick Roby on bass guitar and vocal, and Dennis Craswell on drums.

Liar, Liar: From Garage Band to Rockstars, The Story of Minnesota’s Castaways in the 1960’s explores the true story of The Castaways as they rise from a Minnesota garage band to chart- topping national rock stars in the 1960’s. It’s a story that could not, and would not, happen today. The book is fully illustrated and includes quotes and stories from The Beach Boys, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Gentrys, The Beau Brummels, and other legendary bands who shared the big stage with The Castaways.

“I wanted to play in a rock and roll band. That was my dream”

It’s really fantastic to have you, especially as you just recently released Liar, Liar: From Garage Band to Rockstars, The Story of Minnesota’s Castaways in the 1960’s, how was it to work on a book?

James Donna: Thanks for having me. Writing a book on The Castaways was something I wanted to do for many, many years. I finally got around to it in March of 2020, just as the pandemic started.

I got a lot of encouragement from my good friend and fellow author, Dr. Wayne Liebhard. Dr. Wayne is also a professional musician. Tom Tourville is another good friend and fellow author. Tom has written numerous books on the Midwest music scene and was a lot of help to me. I can’t thank both of them enough.

It took two years of research, writing, editing, conducting interviews, and rewriting. But in the end, it all came together. It felt really good to preserve the story of the band and the era. It was the Golden Age of Rock and Roll!

Was it difficult to remember all the details from the past?

I get asked that question a lot. I was the keyboard player and band leader from 1963- 1966. 56 years later, I found myself sitting at the computer, writing a book on the band.

Fortunately, I saved a large cardboard box of memorabilia from the time I was in the band. I labeled it “Castaways stuff.” Somehow, it survived all those years and ended up in a closet in my home office. In it I found band contracts, posters, pictures, letters, newspaper clippings, and most importantly my band calendars with all the details of our gigs. They really helped jog my memory and fill in the details as accurately as possible.

Did it bring any (almost) forgotten memories?

Yes! As I sorted through the box, I remembered some things that brought a big smile to my face. I also remembered some things that weren’t so pleasant. All recounted in the book.

What was it about music that made you start a band?

My father was a very talented professional musician, so that was a big influence on me growing up. Dad signed me up for piano lessons when I was in grade school. I listened to my AM transistor radio in bed and became enamored with rock and roll. Being a piano player, I especially loved Jerry Lee Lewis. I got to meet him one night at Danceland Ballroom in Excelsior, Minnesota. After the concert, Bill Diehl, the local DJ, brought me up on stage to meet Jerry Lee. I’m a scared 17 year old kid, but I got up the nerve to ask him to show me how to play ‘Great Balls of Fire,’ and he did! I drove back home and practiced on Dad’s piano until 3:00 in the morning. So that was the beginning of my musical career. I wanted to play in a rock and roll band. That was my dream. A lot of Minnesota kids shared that dream.

It must be special to have quotes from some of the biggest bands of the day, including The Beach Boys, The Lovin’ Spoonful, TheGentrys, The Beau Brummels, … Is there any particular memory that stands above when it comes to your gigs?

All the gigs with those bands were very special, but the one that really stands out was the Fall Spectacular at the CowPalace in San Francisco on October 2, 1965. There were 18 acts on the bill, including the Lovin’ Spoonful and the Beau Brummels. Sonny and Cher were the headliners. The Castaways opened the concert.

Playing before 18,000 fans was incredible; it was not like our usual teen dance back in Minnesota with 500 kids at a ballroom. This was the big time. Steve Boone of The Lovin’ Spoonful and Ron Meagher of The Beau Brummels shared some of their memories of that concert in my book. I am grateful to them and the others who contributed to my book.

I would also like to give a special thanks to Al Jardine of The Beach Boys for his quote in my book. The Castaways opened for The Beach Boys in California and in Minnesota back in 1965. That was pretty awesome and something I will never forget.

How long did you work on the book?

As I mentioned above, it was a two year project.

Let’s take a trip down the memory lane, what was it like growing up for you in Minneapolis? What kind of Singles would we find in your room?

I grew up in Northeast Minneapolis. Like most teenagers, I listened to the local radio stations, especially WDGY—the 50,000-watt powerhouse. WDGY played all the rock and roll hits of the time. My parents did not know that I listened in bed on my transistor radio late into the night. It almost felt like the disc jockey was talking directly to me while he played exciting new songs that I heard for the first time.

Bill Diehl was the main disc jockey at the station and was fondly called the “deacon of the discs,” the “rajah of the records,” among other names. I loved the classic rock songs of the era and played piano along with the ones I could. I especially loved Jerry Lee Lewis, who was nicknamed “The Killer.” No one could play the piano like him. No one at the time. No surprise, I had lots of Jerry Lee’s records in my room, and would play the piano along with them.

How would you describe the early local scene? Would you say your band was the very first or were any other bands starting as early as 1962?

The Castaways were not the very first band on our local scene. We started playing in 1963, and other bands preceded us. I will just give you an excerpt for my book:

“Decades before Prince arrived on the music scene, Minnesota was already a hotbed of musical talent. Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, was also the Land of 1,000 Dances—literally. In the early 1960’s, numerous ballrooms and teen clubs held weekly dances in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and greater Minnesota. These teen dances drew big crowds, because the kids loved their favorite local band. At that time, there were at least a hundred bands talented enough to perform at them.

Some bands were just emerging from their parents’ garages, ready to rock and roll. Others were already performing at the teen dances and had a big local following. The Trashmen recorded ‘Surfin’ Bird,’ which topped the local charts by the fall of 1963 and soon became a national hit record. The Trashmen became rock and roll stars and toured the nation. The Castaways followed with our million seller ‘Liar, Liar” in 1965.’

How did you get to play keyboards? How did that come about? Tell us about your first one?

In addition to working as an engineer at Honeywell, Dad was a very talented musician. Our family would often hear his band play at supper clubs. He played piano, organ, sax, and accordion. I guess I followed in his footsteps taking piano lessons from the nuns at St. Charles – my grade school. Later on, Dad took me for piano lessons from a professional musician. When I joined The Castaways in 1963, I bought my first keyboard – a Wurlitzer electric piano.

I guess The Castaways was the first band for everyone involved?

I was the last to join the band in 1963 and it was my first band. I am not sure about the other members. I was the keyboard player. Bob LaRoy Folschow was the lead guitar player. Roy Hensley was on rhythm guitar. Dick Roby was on bass guitar. Dennis Craswell played drums. At that time, the band was called The Five Castaways.

How did you get signed to Soma Records to record ‘Liar, Liar’ / ‘Sam’?

I will just give you another excerpt from my book:

“Denny Craswell and I wrote ‘Liar, Liar’ in my parent’s living room in March, 1965….

When we were finished, Denny and I walked downstairs to present ‘Liar, Liar’ to the other band members. Unsure what their reaction would be, I held my breath. It was a big moment. Fortunately everyone liked it. The band started working together arranging the song, with everyone figuring out their parts…

Timothy Kehr, our producer, booked a recording session for The Castaways on Saturday, April 3, 1965, at Kay Bank Studios in south Minneapolis. I invited Ira Heilicher to the session; Ira was the son of Amos Heilicher – founder of Soma Records. Ira loved the song and wanted us to sign with Soma.

Early the next morning, Ira Heilicher drove several of us over to the home of his father, Amos Heilicher. I was pretty nervous as I walked into the living room of the president of SomaRecords and didn’t know what to expect. Amos is considered by many to be the “godfather” of the Twin Cities recording industry. Ira played ‘Liar, Liar’ on the tape recorder. Amos listened intently, raised an eyebrow and said the magic words: “Yeah, I like that. Come over to my office, and we will sign you to a contract.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing—in less than five minutes, The Castaways had a record deal!”

“Liar, liar, pants on fire
Your nose is longer than a telephone wire…”

‘Liar, Liar’ became a huge hit and it still sounds as fresh as ever… It’s very dear to my heart and it transcends you right back to the exciting 60s. What’s the story behind it? How did you write it and what inspired you?

Thank you for the nice compliment! By 1965, the band was pretty successful, but we wanted to move up in our local music scene. Having a record playing on our local radio stations was the key to booking more gigs and better pay. I was thinking about that one afternoon at my parents’ home in Northeast Minneapolis. I was sitting at my Dad’s organ and words and music just started flowing in my head. Denny Craswell heard me playing, stood by the organ, and helped write the song. I don’t remember if anything really inspired me; there was just a very strong desire to write a song.

The footage from “It’s a Bikini World” at the Haunted House night club in L.A. on Sept. 23, 1965 is something else? Were there really The Animals backstage?

Yes, The Animals were backstage waiting for their turn to film. We talked to them briefly and then left for a gig.

Do you remember when you first heard ‘Liar, Liar’ on the radio? What went through your mind?

It was amazing to hear ‘Liar, Liar’ playing on the radio. Especially when I was driving my car with a date. I have had that dream since high school.

A new set of singles were on the way, tell us about writing and recording ‘Goodbye Babe’ / ‘A Man’s Gotta Be a Man’?

‘Goodbye Babe’ was our follow up to ‘Liar, Liar’. It was written by Roy Hensley. It got a lot of airplay and sold fairly well – but not even close to ‘Liar, Liar’. The flip side was written by Bob Folschow. Personally, I thought it was the better song. Both were recorded at Kay Bank studio and on the Soma label.

Would appreciate some additional commentary about ‘Girl in Love’ / ‘Why This Should Happen to Me’.

Both were written by Bob Folschow. Recorded at Kay Bank studio and on the Soma label once again. I really liked those songs; they didn’t get a lot of airplay, unfortunately.

‘(I) Feel So Fine’ / ‘Hit the Road’ was recorded for Taunah Records, can you share some further details.

I left the band in 1966. Bob Folschow was drafted into the army and left the band at the same time. The Castaways reorganized the band with some new members and recorded those songs. I don’t have any further details.

What led to Fontana Records where you released ‘Walking in Different Circles’ / ‘Just on High’ and ‘Lavender Popcorn’ / ‘What Kind of Face’?

Again, I was out of the band and can’t tell you much.

What happened to the band next?

The new version of The Castaways continued to tour and record for a few years. They finally broke up.

I restarted The Castaways with some new members in the mid 1970’s and we have been rocking on stage ever since!

Did you ever experiment with psychedelics? How did you enjoy psychedelic rock bands that were on the rise?

No, but alcohol was in ample supply when we were touring! Music changed after I left the band in 1966. When psychedelic rock came along, I didn’t really care for it that much.

How did you first encounter the Nuggets compilation?

A friend sent me the album when it was released. I loved it! I have recently done interviews with journalists in the U.K. They are writing about the 50th anniversary of that compilation.

“Music is a great time part job, but a lousy way to make a living!”

What occupied your and other members’ lives after the 60s?

All of us are still in the music business. I reorganized the band in the mid – 1970’s, because I missed being on stage so much. The Castaways are still playing today for festivals, car shows, street dances, and so forth. It is so much fun playing that classic rock and roll from the 50’s and 60’s; everyone still loves it.

But here’s the inside story. Back in the 60’s, music was a full time job – a career. Today, it is a great part time job. My father once told me: “Music is a great time part job, but a lousy way to make a living!” Besides playing in the band, I spent most of my career as a real estate appraiser. And now, an author.

What are some of the most important players that influenced your own style and what in particular did they employ in their playing that you liked?

Jerry Lee Lewis for his amazing piano playing; he was my idol. The Everly Brothers for their incredible harmonies. The Beach Boys for their early car songs. My band currently plays a lot of their songs at our shows and they are crowd favorites.

Is there any unreleased material?

Not that I know of. I don’t have any songs.

Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band? Which songs are you most proud of? Where and when was your most memorable gig?

I am most proud of ‘Liar, Liar’. It’s still played all over the world. There are millions of views on YouTube. The song has been licensed for the soundtracks of four major motion pictures. 57 years later, I am humbled and amazed by that. Who would have thought back in 1965 that this could even happen!

There were a lot of highlights. I think opening for The Everly Brothers in 1964 was one of those. That was before we recorded ‘Liar, Liar’. Touring with The Beach Boys in 1965 was something I will never forget. In 2018, The Beach Boys were performing at The Minnesota State Fair. I went backstage and got a chance to visit with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. Mike remembered The Castaways opening for them in 1965.

Certainly, the big concert at The Cow Palace was pretty memorable. I wrote about that one above.

It’s fantastic that you are still playing together…

Remember: “You are never too old to rock and roll!”

Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.

Thank you for the interview. It’s been a lot of fun.

I am humbled and amazed at the response to my new book Liar, Liar: From Garage Band to Rockstars, The Story of Minnesota’s Castaways in the 1960’s. It is available on Amazon.

For more information on The Castaways, and my new book, please visit our website.

Klemen Breznikar

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Headline photo: The Castaways in 1965

The Castaways Official Website