The NIGHT RIDERS

Eli Whitney Community, Southern Alamance High School
Burlington, North Carolina
Biography by Bruce Eder Additions by Ray Atwater

 Based on the surviving evidence, the Night Riders were likely among one of the most talented of all the overlooked southern garage bands of the middle-late 1960's.
They were also one of the more unusual, a sextet with two lead instruments (guitar, organ) and a pair of good rhythm guitarists that gave their sound a thick, melodious texture. Monte Allison (organ, vocals), Jon (Two Gun) Johnson (drums, vocals), Steve Rogers (bass, drums), Mac Lewis (rhythm guitar, vocals), Ray Atwater (rhythm guitar, vocals), and David Marlette (lead guitar, lead vocals) were in their mid-teens when they began playing together in the mid-1960's.
Their repertory consisted of the usual rock 'n roll and r&b standards ("Louie Louie, " "Good Lovin', " "Twist And Shout, " "Money") spiced with some fair originals ( “Midnight Ride.” Composed by all the members“) (“Come See About Me.“ Composed by David and Ray”) (“ I Love You.‘ Composed by Ray.) that were written in a similar vein that still rocks today.
Monte Allison's keyboards were often the lead instrument and dominated the group's sound, sometimes even giving forth with Joe Meek-like arpeggios-sharing the spotlight on the breaks was David Marlette's lead guitar, and at least one of the other two guitarists, Ray could also solo when the need arose ("Night Train"). Steve Rogers’s bass licks were great along with Two Gun’s strong beat and vocals and Mac Lewis contribution with the horn will not be forgotten.
Their playing was unusually precise and articulate for a garage band, indicating that they'd either taken some music lessons somewhere along the line or spent a LOT of time practicing, but whatever the reason, it greatly helped the Night Riders when it was time to record.