The Jades (Herrin)

The Jades were a popular teen combo from Herrin, Illinois.    In early 1966, the lineup consisted of Rick McNeill on vocals and lead guitar, Carl Sutton on rhythm guitar, Steve Sutton on bass, Ron Minter on drums and Greg Marlow on organ.  Sometime after August, Paul Helms replaced Carl Sutton on rhythm guitar.

On March 26, 1966, the Jades were one of nearly a dozen southern Illinois bands to perform at a "Battle of the Bands" at the Mt. Vernon Armory in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  Other local groups on the bill included:  

The Crescendos (West Frankfort), The In Crowd (Mt. Vernon), The Ivy Five (Mt. Vernon), The Niks (Centralia), The Screwdrivers (Carbondale), The Sting Rays (Mt. Vernon), The Universals (Centralia), The Vibrations (Salem) and The Yakks (Mt. Vernon).

The Jades performed everything from "Shout" to "House of the Rising Sun," and claimed the grand prize of a $100 and a trophy.  According to the Southern Illinois newspaper, the Burgandys of Southern Illinois University (not on the original bill) came in second.  The Vibrations of Salem were third in the "experienced" division.  Judging was done by popular vote from the 1,100 teens in attendance.

The Jades performed all around southern Illinois that year.  In the summer of '66 they held a weekly "Splash Party" at the Herrin pool.  They also performed at Teen Beat '66 which was held in the Bank of Illinois parking lot in Mt. Vernon.  

Beyond dances, they continued to "battle" other bands at events around the state such as the Young American Fair in Springfield as well as the Du Quoin State Fair Teen A Go Go.

While promoting an upcoming performance by the Jades in January 1967, the Mt. Vernon Register-News mentioned, "the popular Southern Illinois group is scheduled to cut a record for RCA Victor in Nashville, Tenn. sometime in the near future."

It is unclear when in early 1967 the band traveled to Tennessee to record their only single but it appears they headed north of Nashville to the Nugget Sound Studio in Goodlettsville.  There they recorded "Island Of Love" and "You Have To Walk."  Both songs were written by Paul Helms.  The single was released on Clark Records in May 1967.

According to the YouTube video below, Helms provided the lead vocals for "You Have To Walk."

The Jades continued to perform throughout 1967 around Herrin and southern Illinois, ending the year with a gig at the Herrin Teen Town New Year's Eve dance.  In 1968 however, the shows came to a stop.  According to information provided by Paul Byron Helms on the above YouTube video, the Vietnam War broke up the band.

Here are the Jades in simpler times, playing in their swim trunks at the Herrin pool for around 250 teens in the summer of 1966:

 

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Additional photos and info about some of the other area bands: