{"id":843,"date":"2021-08-23T03:26:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T03:26:43","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-08-23T03:26:43","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T03:26:43","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/?page_id=843","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"

“A Long, Long, Time Ago…”<\/h2>\n

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\n\t\tEmerging from bands such as “The Blitzkrieg Sound Attack”,\u00a0“In the Beginning”, “Montage”, “Crew 22”, “SOMF City Band”, and “The Deraylers”,\u00a0the members all have had wide-ranging musical experiences. From 1979 to 1983 as “Maiden\u00a0Voyage”, the band played a bit of everything: Rock, Blues, Country, and even,Standards. Their Variety Band repertoire was perfect for weddings, VFWs, country\u00a0clubs, and small local clubs.\t\t<\/p>\n

“One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock
\n\t\t\trock…”<\/h2>\n

\t\tThe legacy band, “Maiden\u00a0Voyage”, played a little bit of everything: Rock, Blues, Country, and even\u00a0Standards. Their Variety Band repertoire was perfect for weddings, VFWs, and some country\u00a0clubs. \u00a0But the demand for the format had fallen off to near nothing. This was likely due to the increasing popularity\u00a0of ’50s\/’60s Rock-N-Roll, brought about by the movie, “Grease”. \u00a050’s\/60’s dance clubs were popping up all over. With this in mind the band was looking to make a change. The original drummer, Ken McCoy incurred unsuccessful carpal tunnel surgery; effectively ending his drumming career. \u00a0Don Johnson had been performing with Cactus and members of the SOMF City Band and other Southern Rock bands for quite a while, but was a free agent. In order to take 50’s\/60’s rock and kick it up a notch, the band needed an “energy” drummer.
On October 26, 1983, Don Johnson (Drums) performed his first gig with the band. Don fueled raw energy into the band. \u00a0While working through the arrangements for the new format, the band played out their remaining “Maiden Voyage” gigs culminating on New Year’s Eve. \u00a0Performing at Annunciation Catholic Church NYE party, the band began the evening with the old format. \u00a0While on break, the band\u00a0changed\u00a0costumes. \u00a0When they took the stage, they brought out the new format; bringing in the year; officially announcing the birth of “Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs”.A few months later, “Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs” became the house band at\u00a0the 50’s\/60’s “Grease”\/”Oldies”-styled nightclub at the Sheraton Orlando called “Rickie\u00a0Lee’s”. With house characters like DJ “Doctor Detroit”\u00a0, “The Tub-Tenders”,\u00a0and “Chris… on sliders”, it was the partying place for a quite a\u00a0while. \u00a0This club launched several top Orlando Florida bands; including “Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs”
The five original members of the band were: Jim “Cactus Jack”\u00a0Stanley (Guitar), Tom “The Bopper” Oliver (Guitar), \u00a0Mike “Colonel”Parker (Keyboards), Randy “Cool Daddy” Hill (Bass), and Don “Vice”Johnson (Drums).\t\t<\/p>\n

“Here they come, walkin’ down the
\n\t\t\tstreet…<\/h2>\n
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Church Street Station Orlando (Street View)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Orchid Garden Room at Church Street Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Typically Street Party Setup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Orchid Garden Stage was on the Upper Level<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\t\tA few months later, after a hugely successful performance during “Light-Up” Orlando, while sponsored by Rickie Lee’s, “Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs” caught the attention of the entertainment director for the booming “Church Street Station” entertainment district in downtown Orlando. This adventure began as the Friday, Saturday, Sunday night house band in the Orchid Garden Ballroom; transforming the location from a dinner club to a Rock-N-Roll Venue.\u00a0As “Weekend Warriors” with full time professions, this was the\u00a0perfect gig for the guys. As The Orchid Garden became increasingly\u00a0successful, they required a full-time house band. So…, “Cactus Jack\u00a0and the Cadillacs” became the “Street Party Specialists”, playing several street parties a year from 1985 to 1995. \u00a0Events included: \u00a0“Oldies\u00a0Weekends”,”New Year’s Eve Extravaganzas”, “Boola Bowls”, “Light up Orlando”, and headlined the street party for the 1994 World Cup.\t\t<\/p>\n

Alter-egos and Themed Events<\/h2>\n

During the late ’80s, through the mid-to-late ’90s, Orlando was becoming convention crazy. \u00a0Themed events were becoming very popular; especially for musical groups with production capabilities. \u00a0Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs, in association with FL Technical Services then developed two themed shows for conventions: \u00a0“Hair, Peace, and Love” for “Hippie Parties” or “Woodstock” themes and “Banzia Bob and the Beach Patrol” for those desiring California Beach style mixed with a bit of “Parrot Head”<\/p>\n

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“Hair, Peace, and Love” (Woodstock Specialty Show)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\t\t“Gimme a head of hair…”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0“Hair, Peace\u00a0(Piece?), and Love” was the band’s salute to the psychedelic ’60s and early ’70s. Featuring\u00a0headbands and the music of bands like Steppenwolf and Iron Butterfly. \u00a0Some\u00a0conventioneers\u00a0held authentic “Hippie Parties”. They even resorted to\u00a0building\u00a0“bra burning piles”, full dress up (gogo boots, mini-skirts, tie-dyed shirts, peace symbols and more) While this theme was somewhat\u00a0short-lived, it was quite lucrative\t\t<\/p>\n

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“Banzai Bob and the Beach Patrol” (California Beach Style)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\t\t“Catch a wave and you’re sittin’ on top of the\u00a0world…”<\/strong><\/em>Other convention planners used Beach-themed parties toappeal to corporate buyers. The band’s “Banzai Bob and the Beach Patrol”\u00a0was just what they wanted: \u00a0Hula Hoops, Limbo Poles and the California\u00a0beach sounds of the ’60s produced some crazy parties. People still talk\u00a0about the group of fully-clothed partiers who followed The \u00a0Bopper, as he\u00a0led the entire conga line into the country club pool.\u00a0\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n

“Time keeps on tickin’, tickin’ , ticking’ … into the
\n\t\t\tfuture…”<\/h2>\n

\t\tPerforming these three themed shows at conventions\u00a0from Key West to Asheville kept the band (and the audiences!) hoppin’\u00a0all through the ’90s. Midway through the decade, however … “WHAM!”\u00a0<\/strong>Cactus incurs a major heart attack, requiring quadruple bypass heart surgery. \u00a0While his prognosis was for full recovery, he would be unable to perform for at least three months. \u00a0Fortunately, Bopper had been hanging out with an old friend, saxophonist, Randy “Wolfman” Lobeck. \u00a0Randy had been performing for years with Dave Webber (Trumpet) and Terry Baber (Trombone). \u00a0Fortunately, Cactus’ heart attack didn’t come during peak convention season. \u00a0So Bopper and Wolfman came up with the crazy idea to use three horn players to fill in while Cactus was laid up. \u00a0Thus,“The Cadillac Horns”<\/strong>\t\t<\/p>\n

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The Cadillac Horns<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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8 Piece Band at Universal Studios Citywalk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\t\t“The Cadillac Horns” helped fill in as Cactus\u00a0recovered. It wasn’t long before Cactus returned, stronger and crazier,\u00a0and more energetic than ever!\u00a0From time-to-time, the band would perform\u00a0eight-piece, and, on a signature night at Universal’s CityWalk, the\u00a0Cadillac Horns helped the band take First Place in the Cool \u00a0105.9 Radio\u00a0Station’s “Battle of the Bands.” Wolfman continued to play with the band\u00a0from time to time. His first-class musicianship and beautiful sax work,honed through years playing with Bob Seger in Detroit and local legend\u00a0J.J.Johnson in Orlando really enhanced the sound of the band. So in\u00a02001, he became a permanent member of the Cadillacs\t\t<\/p>\n

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Randy “Wolfman” Lobeck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“And then along comes…Joey”<\/h2>\n

\t\tAfter two decades of\u00a0rockin’ hard, Don “Vice” Johnson the band’s high-energy drummer\u00a0developed tendonitis and arthritis in his thumbs. Occasionally, the\u00a0intense pain prevented Don from performing. Fortunately, “Wolfman” had\u00a0been plugged into the local music scene for decades. Once when the guys\u00a0needed a substitute for Don, Wolfman introduced them to a true\u00a0“presence”, Drummer, Joe Adcock. This was one big guy with an amazing\u00a0touch, and a personality that seemed to jell with the band right away.\u00a0So, in 2008, after more than 20 years, \u00a0founding member Don Johnson\u00a0retired. Joe agreed to become a full member of the band
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\n\t\t“I don’t want to work, I want to bang on the drum\u00a0all day.”<\/strong>\u00a0It didn’t take long for Joe to acquire a nickname\u00a0himself. At 6’3” and 260 pounds, he dwarfed all of the Cadillacs, (evenThe Bopper!). Joe also carried with him a set of drumsticks which must\u00a0have been lathed out of tree trunks. Given his physical stature andbaseball bat-sized drumsticks, naturally, he became “Mighty Joe” Adcock.With his deep Barry White-esque voice, wide grin, extreme endurance, and\u00a0a flair for the extraordinary, Joe became an instant hit with longtime\u00a0fans. In 2012, Joe joined the other Cadillacs’ in the production of\u00a0their first studio CD\t\t<\/p>\n

Moving On … A new place to call home base <\/h2>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter County, Florida, United States. It shares its name with a broader master-planned age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake and Marion counties. The Villages is comprised of special purpose Community Development Districts (CDD) “Villages”, which are controlled by a board of supervisors (BoS), five individuals elected by the landowners of the district.<\/p>\n

In 2001 “Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs” performed at the original sales center to promote the opening of a new “Village”. \u00a0This began a two-decade plus adventure performing regularly at all of the town square locations as well as a very long stint at “Katie Belle’s Music Hall”<\/p>\n

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Katie Belle’s Music Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Spanish Springs Town Square<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lake Sumter Landing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Brownwood Paddock Square<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I know I’ll often stop and think about… him…”
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\n\t\t Randy “Wolfman” Lobeck
(5\/29\/1947 – 9\/3\/2013)<\/strong>\u00a0After the band’s first and only studio CD was completed, the following September, tragedy struck. Randy\u00a0“Wolfman” Lobeck suffered a fatal stroke. This was an extremely tough\u00a0time for the band. They had lost a friend and a “brother” who had\u00a0performed with them for over twelve years. This time it wasn’t just\u00a0that someone retired or separated and could show up from time to time;\u00a0this time it was permanent. Randy was a unique personality, a gifted\u00a0musician with a generous spirit. Although receiving countless offers and\u00a0inquiries from local sax players to replace or fill-in for Randy, the\u00a0Cadillacs decided he was\u00a0irreplaceable. They would return\u00a0to the original “lean and mean” five-piece\u00a0instrumentation.\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n

“I’ve got to admit it’s getting better… a little
\n\t\t\tbetter all the time”<\/h2>\n

\t\tFollowing the “lean and mean” theme, the\u00a0band has focused on getting healthier and stronger. The guys are all\u00a0working on individual programs that will prepare them for the Cadillacs’\u00a0next thirty years together. They continue to love making music and\u00a0performing for audiences all over the Southeast. Who knows, maybe they\u00a0WILL make it another thirty two years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n

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Mike and Tom Complete the Savage Race<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NOT AGAIN!<\/h2>\n

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Randy “Cool Daddy” Hill (1\/2\/1955 – 3\/18\/2016)<\/strong><\/p>\n

March 2016: Another tragedy struck. Randy “Cool Daddy” Hill succumbed to a more than two year battle against cancer. This loss hit especially hard. Randywas not simply a founding member of the band. To the remaining members, he was a brother. He was family. Randy was always there, in the pocket, a solid foundation\u00a0for more than 30 years. We will remember him always. Randy fought courageously against this terrible disease; playing the Villages cruise within a few short weeks of enduring chemotherapy. For almost an additional year,\u00a0he continued to perform as often as possible. The band never gave up hope that he would win the battle and return. But, it just wasn’t to be. We’ll miss our brotheruntil the day we are again jamming with him and the Wolfman in Rock-N-Roll Heaven.We would like to give special thanks the substitute players who helped us get through these difficult times; especially Marc Rewis (Uncle Bob’s Rock Shop), Gary Martin (Paul Stott Group), and Jay Burns for doing such a great job in standing in for Randy.\t\t<\/p>\n

Kicking it up a notch: Introducing “Elron” Scott Lucas<\/h2>\n

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\n\t\tIntroducing Scott Lucas: a master of the 6-string and fretless basses, and a ukulele bass. He is an accomplished vocalist, with a strong and energetic stage presence. \u00a0Basically, he’s a “wild and crazy guy”. Scott is definitely an excellent fitfor this band. With his funky bass lines, a robust bluesy vocal style, strong harmonies, and infectious energy, he brings a fresh new dimension to the band. He also brings with him a fourth lead vocal option to the group.\u00a0Side Note: The band is now getting younger. \u00a0Scott takes over for Joe as the youngest member of the band\t\t<\/p>\n

MORE TO COME…<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“A Long, Long, Time Ago…” Emerging from bands such as “The Blitzkrieg Sound Attack”,\u00a0“In the Beginning”, “Montage”, “Crew 22”, “SOMF<\/p>\n

Continue readingHistory<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-843","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/843","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=843"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/843\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bopper.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}