Sparklers / Sparklers Four

Columbus, 1958-1968

1968 promo picture

The Sparklers started as a teen rock-n-roll band and made their way to the Las Vegas club circuit. The band was founded, and led, by Jim Passell, who played sax and sang lead (in the early years). He was the only constant member in the band's history 

April 1959 ad

The original band included Passell, George Thomas, Van Lee, Iris Elder, and Carl Billioni. They played at the 7-11 club in downtown Columbus, named for the address 711 High Street. This lineup must have been short lived, as by July 1959 they were billed as the New Sparklers. 

July 1959 ad

In May 1960, the band became the house band at the Club Ru-Bu on Broad Street. The Club Ru-Bu was run by Rudy Hoffman, who had ran the 7-11 Club. The band was Passell, Jay Riness (guitar), George Nauman (drums), and John Christmas (bass). The band played the Ru-Bu and some other local gigs through 1961-2. Sometime during that run they recorded their lone 45. The A side was a vocal ballad sung by Passell, and the flip side was a party blasting instrumental, "Storyville Stomp". The band used their home base club for the label name. The record was probably recorded in New York and they used the name Sparklers Four. The band is usually billed as the Sparklers, and rarely as the Sparklers Four, sometimes the Four Sparklers. They may have added the 'Four' to avoid conflict with other groups using the Sparklers name

The band added lead singer/trombonist Pat Taylor to the group in 1962. Taylor and Passell were married, although when that happened is not clear. Jim Speakmon replaced Riness as the band's guitarist. This group started to polish their stage show and add some comedy bits. Eventually they found their way to Las Vegas.

The band moved between Columbus. Las Vegas, and other spots (including Cleveland) for the nexy several years. Pat and Jim were definitely in the band through 1968, but it's not known who the other members were. The 1968 picture shown has six members. The band seems to have split in 1968 as there is no more coverage of them in Columbus or Vegas.

December 1965 ad

1968 ad for the Versailles in Cleveland. By the 1970s the Versailles was booking soul and jazz

March 1964, from Las Vegas

By 1971 Passell had moved to South Dakota and was leading the Glass Menagerie, another club band that played regionally. The band released an LP around 1973 that included the usual fare for these bands, a mix of rock and pop hits. The band lasted for several years.

Jim Passell passed away in 2003.

Discography
My Heart Still Remembers / Storyville Stomp - Rubu no #, 1961/2