Talismen back in Brookings

Marlys Roe and the Talismen includes, back from left: Wynn Kanten, Dennis Gerald and Pat O’Connell; front: Mike Cannon, John Murphy and Marlys Roe. Courtesy photo

BROOKINGS – A music group that got its start in Brookings is celebrating a milestone this month with an anniversary concert in the city.

Marlys Roe and The Talismen will perform live Saturday, July 21, in the Daktronics Banquet Room at the Swiftel Center. The event starts at 7 p.m.

The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary with members that include Roe, vocalist; Pat O’Connell, drums and vocal; John Murphy, guitar; Wynn Kanten, bass and vocal; Mike Cannon, keyboards; and Dennis Gerald; saxophone and vocal.

The Talismen established their roots in Brookings in 1960, when John Murphy and Jeff Ferrell paired up, and within a year were joined by Pat O’Connell and Tom Hoy. As the band developed, members began playing at school functions, auditoriums, fairs and street dances throughout South Dakota.

Entering their college days, the band added saxophonist Bob Tries, who was replaced soon after by Dennis Gerald. The group quickly earned its way into the dance hall circuit and club venues. Teaming up with booking agent Jimmy Thomas during the early 1960s, they toured with Jimmy Soul, “If you Wanna Be Happy for the Rest of Your Life,” and Dale & Grace, “Stop and Think it Over” and “I’m Leaving It up to You.”

By 1966, the core members of what would become known as Marlys Roe and the Talismen performed throughout a seven-state area and southern Canada. The band recorded 45s in both Milford, Iowa, and Minneapolis. Both records “Walking Proud” and “Remember September” received widespread air play in the Midwest.

The group played many times at Horatio’s (a hot spot for the SDSU crowd) in Brookings and traveled the Upper Midwest playing many ballrooms and dance halls, developing a large fan base.

In 1968, after several core members of the band graduated and scattered, Gerald took over ownership of The Talismen. Spanning the next two decades, he kept the name alive by performing in dance halls and eventually large venues. The band was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2010, and 50 years and more than 100 musicians later, the Talismen are still making music.

Tickets to the 50th anniversary reunion concert on July 21 are $10 and on sale now at the Swiftel Center box office, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at swiftelcenter.com.