Lawrence And The Arabians

1965, Lawrence (Larry) Kidwell (RIP), formed the band Lawrence and the Arabians, and its horn-driven soul music was the toast of the long-vanished "teen club" circuit. That year they recorded their first single, a cover of "Ooh Baby, Baby" backed by an original, "Coincidence," and everything was coming up roses for the group of teenagers from Prince George's County, USA. For the next three years Kidwell (singing and playing bass and keyboards), Mike Zack (on drums) and their pals balanced concerts and school, becoming one of the most celebrated bands in the area, playing mostly cover versions of soul tunes. But rock was changing. Soul was changing. The climate of the country was changing, and Lawrence and the Arabians found they couldn't change with it. By 1970, the band had burnt out.