Lewallens made name
plumbin'& strummin'

Opinion by Bonnie Henry Arizona Daily Star  Tucson, Arizona | Published:  2/8/2006

They may know their way around a pipe wrench. But it's their way with a guitar chord that Tucsonans of a certain age remember. Heck, you may have danced to their tunes at the old Sunset Rollerama or Hi-Ho Club.  Their name was, and is, Lewallen. As in the Lewallen Brothers — one of the hottest bands rockin' in the Old Pueblo back in the '60s. Three of their songs got considerable airplay on Tucson radio. They also won a TV gig on the Dick Clark show, "Happening '68," featuring such luminaries as James Brown and Glen Campbell.  "It was really amazing to be on a show like that," says Cal Lewallen, 66, oldest of the clan.  If that name rings a bell in a different way, perhaps someone from Cal's Plumbing has unstopped your drains a time or two.  Unstopping drains and strummin' guitars — both are a family tradition going back to Cal's father, Cal Sr. In 1936, Cal Sr. came to town with a wife and a promised gig with a band whose guitar player had taken sick.  "The guy stayed sick, Dad kept the job," says Cal Jr. And then one fateful day, the business agent from the local plumbers union talked Cal Sr. into an apprenticeship.  By 1948, he had his own company, Cal's Plumbing. Even so, the man kept his guitar pick in the music game. He also encouraged his sons to play, buying them guitars and a few lessons. First to take their dad up on the offer were Keith and Tim. Before long, Cal Jr. was joining in on bass guitar. Meanwhile, sister Gayle was singing with a band, the Marsades.  "Their guitar player got drafted, so Tim and I started playing with them," says Keith, 57. So, before long, did Cal Jr. Cal Jr., Keith and Tim started a band in 1963 called the Cokats, with Dennis Gamble joining them on drums.  Besides the usual teen hangouts, they also hit the bar scene. "I was playing in bars when I was 15," says Keith. In 1963, they recorded their first record, "Tough He Was," written by Cal Jr. They sent the song to record producer Bob Keane. A promoter with Keane told the band to change their name to the Lewallen Brothers. By that time, brother Bobby had joined them on keyboard and vocals.  Two more records followed: "It Must Be Love," and "Only a Dream," both recorded in 1967.  In 1968, the Lewallen Brothers won a battle of the bands contest at Old Tucson. First prize: an audition on "Happening '68." They made it through two shows, losing on their third appearance.  So they hit the road — everywhere from Oregon to Wisconsin. Drummer Dennis Gamble dropped out, replaced by Mike Ramsey, who still plays with the brothers today.  Less than a year later, they were back in Tucson, where they became the house band for the Cedars and backed up everyone from the Turtles to Gary Lewis and the Playboys.  "We also played with Chuck Berry," says Cal Jr. "He always wanted the local band to play with him."  Years before, Cal Jr. had taken up the pipe wrench — plumbing by day, strumming by night. Keith and Tim followed that route around 1970.  In 1981, Bobby died of cancer. The band quit for a decade. But by the early '90s, they were back on stage at various spots around town. Somewhere along the way, Tim dropped out to become a full-time plumber. Their latest gig: a high school reunion last spring. "If someone wants us now, it's $500 a night," says Keith, who plays with Cal Jr. and Ramsey. (Call Cal's Plumbing at 748-1105 for more information.) A CD of the band's '64-'68 songs is also available at Judy's Music Stop (881-2681). Asked if he still gets recognized when he makes house calls, Keith says, "All the time. I go there as a plumber and we wind up talking about the Lewallen Brothers.