The MOB is an American rock, rhythm and blues show band from Chicago, Illinois, United States. The band formed in January 1966 and went on to earn headline status in every major showroom in Nevada and across the country including Canada, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. The MOB disbanded in 1980, but reunited in 2011 to perform together on stage as they were inducted into the South Dakota Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
History
Growing up around Chicago in a teen rock band with horns, Gary Beisbier and Jim Holvay continued their musical experience charting the instrumental “Beatle Time” on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey as The Livers. After the Caravan Of Stars tours, The Chicagoans and The Executives, Holvay watched the 1951 movie "The Mob" and visioned a mob of musicians from a gangster town with pinstripe suits, black shirts, white ties and carnations. The MOB formed in 1966 with Mike Sistak, Gary Beisbier, Jim Holvay, Dave Heidelberg, Tony Nedza, James Franz and Dwight Kalb. By mid-1966, Big Al and Little Artie along with Bobby Ruffino joined The MOB. Their original manager was Joe DeFrancisco. They were the first group from Chicago to include a full horn section.
ventured into a new event within its jazz-folk series titled Mod Night. "Mod" is a term used in the 60s and 70s for young people subculture and liking of soul music. The first Mod Night was held on Wednesday, August 2, 1967 featuring The MOB the first hour followed by The Association the second hour. The Rolling Meadows series for teens "Happenings" bussed 43 senior high school students. The first Mod Night set an attendance record at Ravinia of 17,320 breaking the July 24, 1959 attendance record of 14,142 featuring the Kingston Trio and Gerry Mulligan.
The Inaugural Concerts 1973
The second Inaugural of President Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew expanded The Inaugural Concert into three separate concerts: American Music Concert, The Inaugural Youth Concert and The Symphonic Concert. Held on Friday, January 19, 1973, it was the first to be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the first to have more than one concert held at one time. The first Inaugural Youth Concert held at The Eisenhower Theatre of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featured pop, rock and soul groups including The MOB. On Saturday, January 20, 1973, also a first, The Inaugural Youth Ball was held the same time as the Inaugural Ball. Both The Inaugural Youth Concert and The Inaugural Youth Ball featured many MGM recording artists including The MOB.
October 2010, Don Fritz, President of the South Dakota Rock And Roll Music Association informed that The MOB was selected under the category "bands". Inducted April 16, 2011 at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls, SD more than 2,000 people in attendance saw and heard The MOB in person, their first reunion in 35 years.
