The Sentinals (band)

The Sentinals were a surf rock band from San Luis Obispo, California (1961–1965). The band is notable for a Latino influence in some works, such as "Latin'ia" (1962). Notable band members included Tommy Nunes,^[1] drummer John Barbata (later of The Turtles and Jefferson Starship) and Lee Michaels (then known as Michael Olsen) on keyboards.

Background

Even though a surf group, they added an appealing Latin accent to their music.^[2] According to band member John Barbata, as mentioned in Craig Fenton's Take Me to a Circus Tent: The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual, the group was actually rhythm and Blues.^[3]

In the summer of 1962, the group toured the country and opened for bands including The Coasters and The Righteous Brothers.^[1] Also that year, through Norman Knowles, the group came across Tony Hilder,^[4] whose company Anthony Music would later became involved in legal action with Del-Fi records, slapping the label with a $122,000 lawsuit as a result of royalties not being paid. This was relating to an alleged agreement for the masters of albums by The Sentinels, The Centurians, Dave Meyers and the Surf Tones, etc.^[5]

In 1963 the band was featured in the March 16 issue of Central Coast Living section of The Tribune. Kenny Hinkle was pictured on the cover.^[6] Also that year, their Big Surf album was released on the Del-Fi label.^[7]

According to Robert J. Dalley's book Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties, the 1965 line up consisted of John Barbata, Ron Gornell, Kenny Hinkle, Norman Knowles, and Tommy Nunes.^[8]

Members

• John Barbata: drums, 1961–66
• Ron Gornell: organ, 1965–66
• Peter Graham: guitar, 1961–66
• Kenny Hinkle: bass, 1962–66
• Bobby Holmquist: saxophone, 1961–64
• Norman Knowles: saxophone, 1965–66
• Lee Michaels (Michael Olsen): organ, vocals, 1966
• Tommy Nunes: guitar 1961-66
• Ronnie Page: vocals, 1966
• John Ryan: bass
• Harry Sackrider: guitar, 1964–65
• Mike Scott: drums
• Gary Winburne: bass, 1961-63^[12]

Discography

References