Concept of Max Bugsby

by Mike Naylor

July 30, 2004
The concept of Max Bugsby started in 1969 at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey between Chuck Bursch and Mike Naylor. Chuck had at one time played in a combo that featured the guy that played organ for the Minnesota Twins games at the old stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. They had played various country clubs etc. (dinner music and general dancing). Mike had a rock background as he had played with Bobby Vee and also the Gene Pitney Cavalcade of Stars show as part of the Pawnbrokers a band based out of Fargo, North Dakota.

Both Chuck and Mike had the same MOS (34d20tg37h) as the "slug", Dave Kreuger from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Chuck was originally from Lindstrom, Minnesota. Slug and Mike were big Bob Dylan fans. Chuck and Mike were also big Mothers of Invention fans. They would buy beer and go to Chucks place because Chuck and his wife Audrey lived off post and they could listen to music there. Later they were both transferred Tdy to Vint Hill Farms station. Mike had suggested that the next time he and Chuck got together Chuck should have his drums with him.

Chuck ended up in Sinop, Turkey, and Mike ended up in Shemya along with Slug. In Shemya Mike met John Feehily who was a roommate of the bass player in the band they had up there. The band was called "Bering Pacific." John didn't sing with them but they jammed together in Mike's room along with Fred "Dirty Jay" Dalrymple who came along about half way through Mike's tour in Shemya. Later John received orders for Kagnew and left before Mike did. Mike later received orders for Kagnew as did Chuck and Jay. Mike had to extend 3 months in order to get the Kagnew assignment.

They wanted to put together a band but had a concern as the bass player Mike had played with in Shemya, Lou Gibbons from Baltimore, only had a couple of months before he ETS'ed. The issue was where would they find a new bass player. Mike had brought a Gibson SG bass with him when he went to Kagnew because he didn't think the possibilities of finding a bass player at Kagnew would be that good. Jay went out and bought a keyboard as well. Equipment in Asmara would be a problem. The band actually made their own speakers cabinets while ordering the speakers from the States. Mark Kowal's stereo amplifier powered the PA system.

So there they were at Kagnew, Mike Naylor, Chuck Bursch, Jay Dalrymple and John Feehily. At luck had it they met up with Mark Kowal. Mark had a number of years of experience playing in various bands but as a guitarist. Fortunately he offered to play bass. He also introduced the group to the final member, Ben Lucero. Ben would be their rhythm guitarist and occasional vocalist.

Feehily had some "Doo Wap" experience but had never really played with any groups, neither had Ben. The only experience lay with Mike, Jay, Chuck and Mark. Nevertheless "Max Bugsby" was born.

John came up with the name, something from a Beatles album. Nonetheless it took and a new sense of music was alive at Kagnew. Max Bugsby at times seemed to be the heart and soul of the average GI. The music they played ranged through a wide gamete, all the way from soul to swing. They mixed Motown with Creedance and even threw in some county to boot. They played every club on Kagnew from the Oasis to the Officer's Mess. They even played a number of gigs in downtown Asmara for the locals.

Mark was the first to leave in December of 1971 and Rick came in to replace him on bass. He was the only other person ever to join Max Bugsby. Mike ETS'd several months later and the band slowly disintegrated. Naylor had been the heart and soul of Max Bugsby and without him there was nothing to push the band on further.

Max Bugsby's legacy lasted less then 18 months but during that time their music positively affected a multitude of listeners. These included not only American GI's but a number of locals as well. They provided a conduit to the "real world" for many a serviceman while at the same time giving the local Ethiopian a real sense of "Americana". What they stood for and what they had to say through their music will be remembered positively by many at a time when the world was questioning it's own sense of morals. Max Bugsby was a link to sanity if only enjoyed for a few hours at a time. Six guys had created a special sound along with a camaraderie that would endure not only for themselves but for many other as well.