“When the Music’s Over, Turn Out the Lights”

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On a Saturday night in July, Stamper’s Grill Pub in Fairview Park, hosted the Reunion/Evolution of the local rock band, The Tree Stumps. If you were fortunate enough to get in the door, you were part of a “standing room only” crowd, soaking in the humidity and good vibes. Everyone rocked to three sets of vintage songs performed by combinations of many of the band’s former members, including Mike Hay, Ron and Russ Jankowski, Woody Leffel, Alan Howarth, Michael Stanley, Kendall Stauffer and Gary Harrington. Supporting musicians were friends and family: Norm Strelka, Dan Jankowski, Adam Christian, Bob Wick and Chuck Inglefield. Truly a reunion, many members, friends and fans had not seen each other in 40 years. Over $2,000 was collected for the local charity of St. Jude Church. 

Back in the late 1960s, this Westshore band became one of the kings of the Cleveland rock music scene. The band cut its teeth playing at high school sock hops, the Fairview American Legion Hall, and an emerging teen club circuit. The Tree Stumps was also the house band at The Note in Vermillion where many breaking national acts toured. Quickly gaining fame winning local battles of the bands, it landed the top slot at the 1966 Public Hall “Teen Fair”, opening for Paul Revere and the Raiders. The band later went on to be booked by Belkin Productions, opening for national acts like The Who. An album was recorded in 1970 before the band finally broke up.

The Short History of a Great Band

The origins of this popular band can be traced to founding members, guitarists Mike Hay and Ron Jankowski in 1964 under the name The Echos. Rounding out that act were brother Russ Jankowski on keyboards, drummer George Strezza, and Gary Harrington on bass. Early on, Courtney Johns substituted on drums for a gig, and it was quickly realized that this talented showman should be a permanent member of the band. And so it was. Courtney would remain as the only original member to carry on to the very end. Hay and Johns collaborated on a new name, The Tree Stumps, an idea that Courtney brought from his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

Many personnel changes occurred over the next several years for a myriad of reasons, with band alumni reading like a virtual Who’s Who of local talent. Former members would go on to start other hugely successful area bands. Harrington left to start the Kicks, Inc., thus making way for bassist Alan Howarth, who collaborated with Ron Jankowski in penning the local hit 45, “Jennie Lee”. Mike Hay departed for a stint in the Navy, and vocalist extraordinaire, Woody Leffel joined as lead singer in 1966-67 for a short time. Woody and Alan subsequently left to start the Renaissance Faire, which became a successful regional act mixing popular psychedelic and folk rock. Woody eventually recorded an album with his band, Granicus, in New York, and Alan departed for Los Angles, where he made his mark in the movie soundtrack business.

This opened the door for Chris Johns, Courtney’s brother, to join on bass and his schoolmate Terry Kellerman, on lead vocals. Terry developed into a talented front man. Soon after, the Jankowski brothers left to start their own band, the Kismet Maze, later reuniting with veteran Mike Hay in Spring Wheel. Replacing them was accomplished guitarist Ken Stauffer of the Muther’s Oats and Randy Sabo on keyboards. This version of the band lasted into 1968 when Ken left. Chris moved to lead guitar. A mutual school buddy and occasional band substitute player, Michael Stanley Gee joined on bass/vocals. Still at five pieces, the band was opening some big shows and really hitting its stride.

Terry Kellerman left the group, bringing it to a four-piece band once again, with Michael and Randy splitting lead vocal duties. During this time, Michael became the front man. A recording contract was made and under pressure from ABC Records, the band changed its name to Silk.  Producer Bill Szymczyk, who eventually produced Michael Stanley and The Eagles among others, produced the bands only album - Smooth As Raw Silk - in 1969. Unfortunately, when the album was not well promoted, the group decided to call it quits and the rest is history.

Thanks for the Memories

Although Courtney and Chris Johns were unable to attend the reunion, no discussion of the band's history is complete without remembering the Johns family. Having moved from Kentucky to Rocky River in the early 1960s, the family resided at 20013 Lake Road on the south side, between Linda Street and Bearden's restaurant. Now replaced by condominiums, this big three-story, white house was the epicenter of the band’s activities. Sharing their digs with the band was an exciting proposition for the other four Johns siblings. Most band members remember that rehearsing in the living room of the house meant Mrs. Florence Johns would be serving up snacks with good humor, southern hospitality, and always with a smile. Simply known as Flo, she welcomed everyone and was loved by all. Mr. Vance Johns eventually became the band manager. A former WWII pilot and sales manager for US Gypsum, Vance was a no-nonsense, old school kind of guy. He set strict business standards for the band and ran a tight ship, which contributed to the band's success through the years. Notwithstanding this, there were many laughs and much affection in that old white house.

For more details of the reunion, check out The Tree Stumps on Facebook. More pictures, background and history of these former members and their other bands can be found on www.buckeyebeat.com. This is the first in a series of stories and anecdotes about the exploits of the various band members.