Also known as: Blue Things, The
Origin: Hays, KS, USA
Originally known as the Blue Boys, this Kansas band was formed in 1964 by Fort Hays State University students Val Stöecklein (guitar, vocals), Mike Chapman (guitar), Richard Scott (bass) and Bobby Day (drums). In early 1965, they signed to the local Ruff label and changed their name to the Blue Things to avoid confusion and potential legal issues with Jim Reeves' backing group of the same moniker. They were initially a folk-rock group but were also influenced by the Merseybeat sound of the first wave of the British invasion. After releasing a couple of 45s on Ruff, they scored a national recor…