Chandels Teen Band

by John F. Edwards

The Chandels Circa 1964

I first played rhythm guitar and was the lead singer for the Chandels, an Anchorage teen band from 1963 to 1965.

We often played as the house band for the Cinnamon Cinder teen nightclub where, on some Saturday nights, KFQD's DJ Scotty Ferguson would broadcast a live radio show.

One Saturday night, Scotty Ferguson interviewing my dad, Lt. Col. Elmer F. Edwards, who was the manager of our band and the Information Officer at Fort Richardson. Scotty had fun referring to our manger as “The Colonel” drawing a reference to the Colonel who was Elvis Presley's manager.

I remember playing in the Battle of the Bands contest at the National Guard Armory. The final contest was between The Chandels and The Pulsating Heart Beats. To the best of my memory, the Chandels won that contest, and became known as the best band in Anchorage, Alaska.

My Father was from Nashville, Tennessee and went to school with Dinah Shore and was a personal friend. He was able to set up a recording session with RCA in Nashville, but unfortunately the Chandels broke up before going to Nashville.

Later, I joined the Prophets, another local Anchorage band, where I switched to playing Bass Guitar. The Prophets played more of a rhythm and jazz for the night club scene in Anchorage.

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