The Syndicate's 4 Unreleased Songs and Member Updates - A True Garage Band 1964-66 Story

When I originally posted my hub on The Syndicate entitled "What It Was Like Being a Garage Band in 1964" I had only maintained contact with one other fellow member (Bill Patapoff) and knew nothing of the whereabouts of the other three members.

Well, thanks to that article and a lot of digging by Mike Staxx of "Ugly Things" magazine, I have since made contact Bill Rash and Bob Bourbon.

Also, I was able to obtain four other songs The Syndicate recorded at Fidelity studios in Hollywood 1966 thanks to Bill Patapoff who maintained those recordings.

In this article I want to provide updates for each of the members following our breakup in 1966 as well as let you listen to those four (never-before-heard) songs we recorded just before our breakup.

Rick was our lead guitarist and did some background vocals. He was an acquaintance of Bill Rash at Cal State Long Beach and became an original member of The Syndicate in 1964.

Unfortunately, the whereabouts of Rick is still not known. If you might have information about him please contact me. Cronin was his stage name (his real last name is not known). He originally resided in San Diego and did attend Long Beach State 1964-66.

Jim (author of this article) is the co-founder and oldest member of The Syndicate. He was designated band leader, played rhythm guitar and wrote four of the eight songs recorded by the band.

He graduated from Cal State Fullerton and continued playing guitar and song writing with close friends (nothing professional). He did marry and has three sons and four grandchildren. Jim currently owns a real estate investment software company. and lives in Salem, Oregon.

Bob was the youngest member of The Syndicate. He became an original member in 1964 after responding to a newspaper ad we placed for a drummer.

He subsequently joined the Marines and did see active duty in Vietnam. Afterward he did obtain both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degree. He is married with two daughters and six grandchildren. Bob works as a marketing consultant, continues to play drums for local bands, and currently lives in The Colony, Texas.

Bill is the co-founder of The Syndicate. He played bass and was our primary background vocalist.

He continued to play bass with another band for just a short time then concentrated on school. He obtained his Engineering Degree from Cal State Long Beach in 1970. Since then his music has mostly been amongst friends. He did marry and has two sons and one daughter (no grandchildren yet). Bill recently retired as a city engineer and currently resides in Huntington Beach, California.

Bill was an acquaintance of Bill Patapoff at Cal State Long Beach and became an original member of The Syndicate in 1964 as lead vocalist, arranger, instrumentalist, and contributor of two of our eight songs.

He joined the hippie lifestyle and spent several years surfing up and down the West Coast. He did marry and has one son and one daughter and four grandchildren. Bill owns his own landscaping business, continues to stay engaged performing and song writing, and currently lives in Kauai, Hawaii.

It's Simple - Words and music by Jim Kobzeff 1966. Copyright 2012 James Kobzeff.

Everyday (you've been getting closer) - Words and music by Jim Kobzeff 1966. Copyright 2012 James Kobzeff.

I'm in a Bad Way - Words and music by Jim Kobzeff 1966. Copyright 2012 James Kobzeff.

Hills of San Marie - Words and music by Bill Rash 1966. Copyright 2012 William L Rash.