The Jesters
OriginAthens, GA
GenresSoul, R&B
Years active1964 (1964)–1970 (1970), 1982 (1982)–2014 (2014)

The Jesters were a white soul/R&B band in Athens, Georgia, United States, formed in 1964. They lasted 50 years. Among the acts they either toured with or opened for were Jerry Butler, Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, The Marvellettes, The Platters and Jackie Wilson.

Background

1964 - 1970

Along with Zodiacs and the Blue Blenders, they were one of the pop bands in the Athens area.[1] They played Motown and Beach music which made them well suited to back up other touring acts such as Marvin Gaye, The Drifters and The Platters.[2] The group was formed in 1964.[3][4] In their early days they did venues like campus fraternity houses, rented halls and lounges and even a navy hall. They also played at the Georgian Hotel, Charlie Williams' Pinecrest Lodge.[3] David Prince left the band in 1966 and joined a psychedelic band in Athens called October People.[5] One of the venues they played in the late 1960s was the Shelby Teen Club in July 1968. Other groups to play there in that period were The Attractions, The Embers and The Monzas.[6] Also in that year, they recorded an album that was made up of the rhythm and blues hits of the day.

The group broke up in 1970.[7]

1982 - 2014

They got back together again 12 years later in 1982.[8] In 2014, the band decided to call it a day and played their farewell concert at the Georgia Theater.[9] The event was for Harold Williams who had suffered serious injuries following a fall.[3][10]

Original and founding member Harold Williams died on May 17, 2015.[11]

Members

[3][8][12][13][14]

List of past members

[15]

Discography

  • Sure Thing - SKU: 1933 - (2010)[13]

References

  1. ↑ Athens by Patrick Garbin Five The Music Scene AND Culture, Page 80
  2. ↑ Montgomery, Jeff (December 4, 2001). "Athens has served as wellspring of musical talent". OnlineAthens. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Flagpole Friday, May 30 50 Years Later, The Jesters Say Goodbye By T. Ballard Leseman
  4. ↑ Athens Banner Herald Monday, September 05, 2011 Blueprint: Athens High Class of '66 reunion a success By Jim Massey
  5. ↑ Athens Banner-Herald Friday, November 27, 2009 Longtime Athens musician playing Saturday by Chris Starrs
  6. ↑ Shagging in the Carolinas by Fessa John Hook Page 91
  7. ↑ Gainesville Times June 28, 2008 Jesters keep rockin’, 40 years later by Jeff Gill
  8. 1 2 Gainesville Times June 28, 2008 Jesters keep rockin’, 40 years later, Band with local roots opens The Arts Council’s summer series by Jeff Gill
  9. ↑ Motovo 30 Things You′ll Never See In Athens, GA Again 25. The Jesters Playing Smooth Grooves
  10. ↑ The Covenanter May 4, 2014 Page 6 The Jesters 50th Anniversary and Concert for Harold Williams
  11. ↑ '"Athens Banner-Herald May 19, 2015 Harold E. Williams (1949 - 2015) Obituary
  12. ↑ the Heeey Baby Days OF BEACH MUSIC The Photos - Heeey Baby Days
  13. 1 2 athensmusic.net Jesters, The Sure Thing
  14. ↑ Hey Baby Days Band Directories Jesters / Athens, Georgia
  15. ↑ Hey Baby Days Athens, Georgia Band Directories, Jesters
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