The Continentals

An integrated band active in the '60s that played college parties and clubs on Jefferson St. and Printers Alley.

Not to be confused with the rock n roll bands from Meridian, MS, Texas or New York. Also not to be confused with the Nashville-based gospel singing group led by Lady Corder.

History[edit | edit source]

The Continentals, an integrated band, including 3 black and 3 white members, played clubs and parties and often had difficulties playing white clubs, where audience members would occasionally call the police to shut down the performances. Playing frat and college parties, the group also performed often in North nashville including black clubs and at Hadley park with other notable local greats, like Alpha Zoe Hall and Jimmy Church.

Working with Teddy Acklen, owner of several Jefferson St clubs, The Continentals often performed at the Del Morocco, where in 1963 they were the house band, headlining on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and performing as the backup band for big stars on Fridays and Saturdays.

When a guitar player quit in 1963 to join a jazz ensemble, Larry Perigo, a white sax player approached club owner "Uncle Teddy" to help find a replacement, coming up with a shy transient kid living in one of his apartments above a beauty salon, at that time named Jimmy Hendrix. That spring, Hendrix played with the group, who called him "Marbles" due to his tendency to whisper and cover his mouth while talking. In and out of financial trouble, Hendrix pawned his guitar while a member and offered up as a replacement Memphis-born Larry Lee (who would alter back up Jimi Hendrix and Al Green among others). When Lee's skills were insufficient, Hendrix rejoined the band by flipping around Lee's right-handed guitar and playing it upside down. The turbulent member turnover frustrated the rest of the band who voted Hendrix out. Perigo recalls, "The last time I saw him, he was walking down Jefferson Street with a guitar in his hands, not in a case, and an amp cord was still plugged in. The other end was bouncing on the sidewalk."

Larry Perigo left in the late 60s to start the club band General Assembly.

An unrelated band credited as 'Frank Howard and The Continentals' put out a 7" in 1970 and was produced by radio dj Hoss Allen, who also hosted The !!!! Beat.