The Tempests (band)

The Tempests are an American garage rock band that formed in 1962 in Tampa Bay, Florida, and have continued to remain active over the years, still playing to present audiences.[1]

The Tempests
Background information
Origin	Tampa Bay, Florida
Genres	Garage rock, pop, blues, soul
Years active	1962 - present
Website	thetempests.com
Members	Tommy Angarano, Darren Shaw, Robert Foster
Past members	Charlie Bailey, Doug Palmer, Bill Hickman, Bobby Allen, Buddy Peterson, Mike Hammer, Brad Myers, Roy Delise, Bill Cole, John Bretherton, Wayne Murray, Mark Guidici, Chris Winter, Brian Collett.

The Tempests performed throughout Florida,[2] starting in the 60s, at many venues [3] such as The Eldorado Showcase, National Guard Armory, Bayfront Center in St Petersburg, The Surfer's Club Madeira Beach,[4] Curtis Hixon Hall Tampa, Sarasota Auditorium, Lakeland Civic Center, Bradenton Civic Auditorium, Melbourne Civic Center, Tiger's Den Cocoa Beach, University of Florida Gainesville, Clearwater Star Spectacular,[5] etc.

In 1966, after winning the Florida Battle of the Bands, and got their first recording contract,[6][7] they recorded their first single at Fuller Recording Studios, in Tampa Florida. Side "A" I Want you Only[8] and Side "B" I Want You To Know.[9] Both songs received significant radio airplay.

Shortly after, Bobby Allen left the band and was replaced by Brad Meyers on drums. Also, Charley Bailey left to play with the Rosington Collins band and was replaced by the addition of a Keyboard player, Roy Delise. This change gave them a further advantage to play the evolving styles of music, that had become popular in the late 60s.

The Tempests were chosen as the Florida House Band for the Nationally acclaimed Hullabaloo TV Show and Clubs in the 1960s.[10] and appeared on their TV show.

Booked by Gulf Artist Productions, they shared the same stage with many 60’s National Recording Artists, Dave Clark Five, the Shangrilas,[11] Blues Magoos, The Gap, Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, Tommy James and the Shondells, The Mindbenders, The McCoys, The Doors, Allman Brothers, 3 Dog Night, Left Bank and more.

After one of the members was drafted during the Vietnam era, Tommy Angarano pursued additional music interests playing in The Emotions, Pink Anacin, Raven and the Outlaws, before regrouping as "The Tempests". Angarano began his musical career, at an early age, and at the age of 10 appeared on “Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour” playing the accordion.

The Tempest Band, with Angarano, continued playing locally over the years,[12] joined by other musicians. Following the last of their reunions in 1998, former members Mike Hammer and Buddy Peterson returned for a few years.

Today, they still share the stage with many national acts as well as performing at their own venues.[13]