Myke Scavone

Myke Rocco Scavone (born 1949) is an American harmonica player and vocalist best known for his work with the bands the Doughboys and Ram Jam.

Myke Scavone
Born1949
Genres
InstrumentsVocals, harmonica, drums, percussion
Years active1964–present
Associated actsThe Doughboys, Ram Jam, the Yardbirds

Early life and career

Scavone grew up in North Plainfield, New Jersey. He attended North Plainfield High School, graduating as part of the class of 1966, where he would meet the other future members of his first successful band, the Doughboys.[1][2]

Scavone joined his first band, the Apollos, in December 1964. He then joined the Ascots in 1965 with another member of the Apollos, guitarist Mike Farina. The band toured the United States opening for bands such as the Vagrants (which featured Leslie West on guitar) and the Hassles (which featured Billy Joel). They changed their name to The Doughboys in 1966 and secured a contract with Bell Records after winning a battle of the bands contest. Scavone was dismissed from the Doughboys in early 1968 when they decided to concentrate on instrumental music before disbanding at the end of that year.[3]

Following the disbandment of the Doughboys, Scavone began a career as a session drummer throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was performing on demos for producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz when he joined the newly formed Ram Jam, led by guitarist Bill Bartlett, in 1977.[4] The band had found success with a cover of the song "Black Betty". Scavone performed on both of the band's albums, Ram Jam and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ram before the band disbanded in 1978. He did not perform on the band's only hit, "Black Betty", as it had been recorded by Bill Bartlett's band Starstruck and credited to Ram Jam following Starstruck's disbandment.[5]

Following a period of inactivity in music, Scavone joined a reformed version of the Doughboys in 2000 and still performs with them. The reunion was originally intended to be a one-off. It ended up being a full-time reunion and resulted in the recording of five new albums, Is It Now? (2007), Act Your Rage (2010), Shakin' Our Souls (2012) and Hot Beat Stew (2015), "Front Street Rebels" (2017), and Running For Covers (2019).

In 2015, Scavone joined the Yardbirds. He was recruited to play harmonica, percussion and backing vocals.[1] He continues to tour with them.[1]

References
  1. Makin, Bob. "Makin Waves with Myke Scavone of Doughboys, Yardbirds", Courier News, June 19, 2016. Accessed September 30, 2016. "Q: What are you looking forward to most about playing the North Plainfield High School class reunion on Sept. 9? A: That's my 50th high school reunion."
  2. "The Doughboys @ North Plainfield High School in Plainfield, NJ". Facebook.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  3. "Myke Scavone – About". Facebook.com.
  4. "Charismatic singer Myke Scavone talks about Ram Jam, Doughboys, Blues, 60s, and his long career". Blues.gr.
  5. "Ram Jam – Biography – Billboard". Billboard.com.
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