Mike Rabon
Guitarist / Vocalist
Mike Rabon joins PMP to discuss his musical journey. He shares insights into his band's early sound, influenced by British groups, and their transition to more melodic music. Rabon also reflects on his childhood in Oklahoma and the music that first captivated him.
Mike Rabon
of
The Five Americans (“Western Union”)
www.fiveamericans.com
www.lustigtalent.com
About Mike Rabon
Mike Rabon was lead guitarist and vocalist for the 1960s rock group The Five Americans. He co-wrote the band's biggest hit, "Western Union," which sold over a million copies and reached the Top Ten on Billboard charts. The group appeared on American Bandstand, Where the Action Is, and The Steve Allen Show. After his music career, Rabon worked in education as a teacher, principal, and band director in Hugo, Oklahoma, and authored five books following his retirement.
In this interview
- Recalls the band's early garage punk sound influenced by the Yardbirds and British groups.
- Describes evolving toward more melodic music with hits like "Sound of Love" and "Zip Code."
- Remembers receiving a turntable and Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" for his first Christmas.
- Discusses searching for a heavier sound before transitioning to more melodic compositions.
“My first Christmas that I can remember getting gifts my mom gave me a little turntable and Hound Dog.”— Mike Rabon, in this interview
Since this interview
Mike Rabon passed away on February 11, 2022, at the age of 78 in Hugo, Oklahoma.
