Doug Fowlkes And The Airdales

The Airedales was an American rock and R&B band formed in the late 1950s by drummer Doug Fowlkes while serving in the U.S. Navy at Boca Chica Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida. The lineup included Don Borja (bass), Charles Barron (rhythm guitar), Jerry Armstrong (lead guitar), Fred Lawrence (tenor saxophone), Bob Geven (baritone saxophone), Jerry Hendrix (piano), and Rocky Roberts (vocals). The group began performing in 1958 and later served aboard the USS Independence (CVA-62), touring internationally during naval deployments. While in Europe, they entered and won a rock and roll competition in France, leading to a recording contract with Barclay Records. They later recorded for ATCO in New York and performed along the U.S. East Coast and in Europe, particularly in France, Greece, and Italy. In 1963, the band dissolved; Roberts continued performing in Europe under the name Rocky Roberts & The Airedales with new members, while the remaining musicians pursued separate careers.