February 14, 2018

THE SHILOS (Pembroke / Hanover, MA)

Memorabilia courtesy of Tom MacEachern and Diana Foster.
On the flipside of their low-key surf ballad "Lonely Town," The Shilos cut loose with the jumpy, Kinks-inspired workout, "Cause I Love You." And bubbling beneath the surface, waiting to explode, is 20 seconds of one of the wildest, crazy-assed guitar solos ever from Massachusetts teens!

The band consisted of brothers George MacEachern (drums and lead vocals) and Tom MacEachern (lead guitar), with Bill Mark on rhythm guitar and Paul McWhinnie on bass (played by Don Bishop in the band's early incarnation). The outfit was managed by C.W. Wing Jr. of Hanover.

Details of the band's story are slim, but thanks to the few surviving newspaper clips we get a glimpse into their busy schedule. The Shilos performed at the Battle of the Bands at New Weymouth High School cafeteria in February 1966, sponsored by the Weymouth Jaycees. Another battle took place at the Stoughton Armory in April 1966.

The Shilos also performed at the Eastern Regional Jaycees Battle of the Bands in April 1967 in Waltham, shortly after the 45 was released. An accomplished drummer, George previously had won "best talent" award in the Braintree Jaycee Battle of the Bands, which they won and secured eligibility for the Eastern Regional battle.

Sadly, Bill Mark passed away in 2011.

Special thanks to Diana Foster. In memory of her dad Bill Mark.

Silver Lake News (Pembroke, Mass.), March 11, 1965.


In AAA Studios in Dorchester, Mass., recording their 45, February 1967.




THE SHILOS
Lonely Town / Cause I Love You
Norfolk Record Productions (201,268/69)
April 1967



6 comments:

  1. Diana FosterFebruary 14, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    The best and most important band in my life growing up! I wish my dad was still here to see this. He's looking on from the heavens above! This is for you dad! Love always your daughter, Diana. Thank you to everyone in the band and to Jason for publishing this for me on Valentine's Day as a tribute! God bless

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    Replies
    1. Tom MacEachernFebruary 21, 2018 at 11:45 AM

      Hugs Diana, so nice to see your comments about the band your Dad loved. As you can imagine, your Dad and I were together alot in those crazy 60's days. Eventually, the Army took him, and the Air Force took me away...paths barely crossed after that. I heard of his passing less than two weeks after it happened, couple of days later, Billy and I were having a nice private chat in Bourne. God speed to him, and God speed to you for your involvement of this tiny bit of history. Hugs, Tom

      Delete
    2. Diana FosterMarch 7, 2018 at 11:33 AM

      Thank you Tom, it means a lot. My dad loved the band so much! The memories will forever live in my mind and heart. Thank you for being a part of my family, it means the world to me. God bless, and take care. Xo

      Delete
    3. UnknownMarch 11, 2018 at 1:37 PM

      So nice to see the Shilos on this site. I have fond memories of listening to them play and it's wonderful to hear their music again.

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    4. Diana FosterMarch 27, 2018 at 9:16 PM

      Thank you. That means a lot to hear. The Shilos were a great band. I'm proud to be the daughter of a band member.

      Delete
  2. UnknownAugust 9, 2018 at 7:50 PM

    Diane,
    I'll upload some other pics, and as I mentioned, I still have an original 45 of the songs..
    Steve Wing

    ReplyDelete

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