Columbus, 1961-
Phil Gary was one of Columbus's original rock-n-rollers. As a high school student, he scored a local hit on his first try with "Bobby Lane", accompanied by the Catalinas vocal group. Together with Ted Kurlas, they formed a label, Olimpic, to release Phil's recordings. When "Bobby Lane" became a local hit, Triodex records picked up the 45 and it got chart action all over the US. As a member of his school basketball team, Phil would be cheered with chants of "Bobby Lane" while shooting free throws! A follow-up 45 on Olimpic "Dancing Little Fool 'Clementine'" was not as successful. Phil and Ted split up and Ted took the Olimpic label with him to Cincinnati. Phil continued to record on several local labels including Counterpart and Ironbeat, and scoring a couple more local hits, including the early 70s 'rock revival' styled "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay".
Discography
Wet Bird / That's How Heartaches Are Made (Ironbeat 1164) 1967