Buffalo's Peter Case and Power Pop

[Doug]

Mike Wilhelm (Charlatans, Flamin Groovies, Barbary Coasters) has been helping me put together the roots of the Power Pop genre. Thought this might be of interest to some, especially those in the Buffalo-Western NY area.

MIKE WILHELM, PETER CASE, AND POWER POP

• The Charlatans:
1. regarded as the pioneers of S.F. hippie rock, prepared the way for the Dead, Airplane, Quicksilver, Big Brother, etc.
2. Mike Wilhelm was a founding member of the Charlatans (1964)

• Flamin Groovies:
1. formed 1966 in S.F.; Mike Wilhelm yet to come on board;
2. put out EP, “Sneakers� (USAmerican for “plimsols�) c. 1967

• Peter Case:
1. at 17 in the early 70s, leaves Buffalo to busk in S.F.,
2. meets Mike Wilhelm busking;

• Mike joins The Flamin Groovies in 1976; Europe tour;

• Peter, a Groovies fan, moves to L.A. mid-70s:
1. forms The Nerves (74-78) sounding like the Groovies,
2. then forms The Plimsouls (pun on “plimsols�), sounding a lot like the Flamin Groovies;
3. Flamin Groovies tour England, enthusiastic acceptance

• Flamin Groovies return, evolve into The Barbary Coasters (Mike, Chris Wilson, original Groovies drummer Danny Mihm and
guitarist James Farrell whom Mike had replaced in '76.

• The genre that emerged we now know as Power Pop (The Cars, The Knack, The Heartbreakers);

• The Plimsouls play into the 90s;

• Mike and Peter both play in the Bay Area now, occasionally play together (hope to collaborate on a project...).

If you have info to add, feel free.

Cheers,