Rocky & the Revellettes was started by Gary Nusz, Frank Lopez, Leila Stone, Carol Dunton, Sheri Morris, Chip Pipkin and Jay Pierstorff in 1980.

 Really, Gary and Frank came up with the idea. Both had been former members of another local band Little Hud and the Thirty Weights. Little Hud specialized in Rock & Roll tunes of the 50’s & 60’s.  Gary and Frank loved the music of the 50’s and 60’s, but found a real problem in Little Hud. Four guys, no matter how talented, could only play half the music of the era! The girl groups were missing! To pay homage to the 50’s and 60’s, you needed The Shirelles, The Supremes, Bobbi Sox & the Blue Jeans, The Ronettes, Rosie & the Originals, Darlene Love, Leslie Gore, and the list goes on and on. They needed some great female singers to make this work, so they searched and found Carol, Leila and Sheri. Then they added rhythm guitarist and singer Jay, and Chip on drums.

 They practiced in the basement at Gary’s mothers home. They practiced three and four times a week. They started to get pretty good.

 They needed a name. Lots of suggestions were tossed about. After much discussion, it was narrowed down to two. Either Slick & the Starelles or Rocky & the Revellettes. Rocky won. But who would be Rocky? After all it could be either a girls or guys name…

It was decided, that no one person should be Rocky. It was just too great a responsibility, for a band that was a total team effort. However, if you ask any of the band members, who is Rocky, (even today) they will claim that title for themselves!

 They played a few private events, and people noticed. One of those that noticed was Tom Dote, a local photographer. He offered to manage the band and provide a convenient practice location. They accepted.

 With Tom Dote’s leadership the band flourished. They wore authentic 50’s and 60’s costumes. They changed outfits every hour after each break. They played more and more often. They were regulars at the Corkwood Lounge, developing a strong following. They played The Twist, The Stroll, and the crowds loved it. They played The Limbo Rock and the lines formed to see who could limbo the lowest. They could be seen most any weekend in Woodland or Sacramento.

 Rocky & the Revellettes have performed hundreds of times since their beginnings in 1980. They became KHYL FM’s official band and played dozens of “Super Hops”. They recorded a 45 RPM record, and sold 1000’s of Official T-Shirts at their performances. They performed every Sunday night at the Sacramento Inn for 6 months.

They have performed at the California State Fair and at every county fair in Northern California. Their shows took them to Reno NV for the Hot August Nights celebration and in Las Vegas, NV for the Super Hop promotion. They have performed for dozens of companies, organizations and clubs. They have opened shows for other groups and performers such as Jan & Dean, Ricky Nelson, The Righteous Brothers, Wolfman Jack, Little Anthony, Hermins Hermits, Tower of Power, Del Shannon, The Shirelles, The Diamonds, and many more.

 The band has stayed together all these years. Members come and go, but Tom Dote manages with skill and perseverance. After 25 years, you learn quite a bit about the entertainment industry. There have been dozens of different performers over the years. The average stay is about 5 years, though many have stayed much longer. Some leave for a while and then return. The music stays in your heart and never really lets you go, no matter how long it has been.

 It’s been 25 years, here’s to 25 more!

  - Jay Pierstorff -
(Original Band 1980-1989)

Manager: Tom Dote, 1116 Elm Street, Woodland, CA 95695, (530) 662-9333, Email tomdote@gmail.com