The Berkshire Seven

1960s blue-eyed soul band from Lexington, Kentucky.

Bio:
The Berkshire 7 was an iconic happening for Lexington, Ky, and for seven very talented kids with a dream. It all began in December of 1966. Originally called the Warlocks, and realizing if success was to ever be viable by a group of clean-cut kids, a new name had to come about. Music at that time was all about England, thus, the name Berkshire was seen as different and catchy. Being there was seven playing members in the cast, the name BERKSHIRE SEVEN became, basically, an overnight success story.

Before the first gig was ever played, the B7, led by Manager, Henry G. Foushee, a successful Lexington florist, recorded BRING YOUR LOVE TO ME and I'VE TRIED in Louisville, Kentucky. Henry Foushee knew everyone in central Kentucky, even the radio station management of WVLK and WLAP radio stations. Within two weeks, BRING YOUR LOVE TO ME was climbing the charts at WVLK, while I'VE TRIED was climbing the charts on WLAP. They became #1 at the same time....same week.

Three weeks later, the Berkshire Seven were invited to perform at the Landsdown Aquatic Center, as part of a battle of the bands. Because of the success of the two recordings, and no one in the city familiar with any member of the group, the Berkshire Seven became superstars that hot August night in 1967, at least in the eyes of many central Kentucky kids in attendance. It was the beginning of six very creative, and enjoyable years of incredible rock & roll.

As 1968 came in, the Berkshire Seven had a "monster" success with STOP AND START OVER which climbed the charts in four short weeks, passing the Beatle's YELLOW SUBMARINE for the #1 spot on nearly every radio station top 40 in Kentucky. The Berkshire Seven were produced by world famous "steel guitar" genius, Pete Drake in Nashville, Tennessee.

The original members of the Berkshire Seven were: Denolee, Betty Fried, Patrick Schneider, Bill Behymer, John Calkins, Larry Sallee and John Joseph. Other cast members were, Billy Amstrong, Sonny Bayes, Michael Howard, Phillip Littrell, Ray Mitchell, Ricky Gonzalez, Harry Merlin, Kenny Rue, Hoyt Spence and Bob Ballard.

The Berkshire Seven contract ended in 1972.