Feb 26, 1943 - Norman Paul Cotton is born Fort Rucker, Alabama 1949 to 1956- Paul attends Warren Palm grade school in Hazel Crest, IL 1957- Paul commences at Thornton Township High School, Harvey, IL . Introduced to guitar by School friends Joe Schwantner & Buddy Riley February 1958- Paul forms “The Capitols” with Walter (Buddy) Riley (guitar), Keith Anderson (bass, accordion), Gerald (Jerry) Urban (sax) and Guy Franchot (Frenchy) Germany (drums) 1958- Jim Jaroscz occasionally handles lead vocals for the Capitols April 18, 1959- Paul performs in school ensemble “Los Embajadores” with Joe Schwantner 1960- Jerry Urban and Frenchy Germany graduate high school 1960- Paul plays French horn in the high school band 1960- Chuck Edelhofer added as a vocalist with the Capitols 1960- The Capitols record a demo album at radio station WIND studios in Chicago March 26, 1960- Sometime after this date the “Capitols” change their name to the
“Mus-twangs” 1961- Paul graduates high school March 13, 1961- First single by the Mus-twangs, “Marie”, was listed as an up' n' coming song on the Top tunes of Greater Chicago November 23, 1961- Sometime after this date Chuck Edelhofer departs and is replaced by Bobby Simms on lead vocals 1962- Frenchy Germany departs in mid year. He sells his drums and never plays again. Johnny Jordan takes his place in the band 1962- Late in the year Keith Anderson and Bobby Simms form the Bobby Simms Trio. Johnny Jordan did a few gigs on drums, later replaced full time by Verne Johnson. They start this trio as well as continuing to play with the Mus-twangs for some period of time before making the split final Feb 1963- Jerry Urban resurrects the band that was the Mus-twangs after Keith & Bobby have made the final split. The new band is called the “Starfires” and still features Paul, Jerry Urban, Buddy Riley & Johnny Jordan. School friend and roadie, Johnny Moore becomes the bass player Feb to July 1963- Paul initially handles some vocals. Meets Carol Vega who is often on the same bill August 10, 1963- Jerry Urban marries. He leaves the band in July 1963, sells his saxophone and never plays again 1963- Carol Vega & Trio is formed, with Paul, Carol Vega, Johnny Moore, Johnny Jordan, and occasionally Buddy Riley 1963- Encouraged by Johnny Moore’s father, a barber, both Paul & Johnny attend barber’s school with a view to a career in that trade. Paul completed Barber’s school in October 1964 and was cutting hair through to at least the Spring of 1965 1964- Paul does some session work with Bobby Simms which continues occasionally until 1966 1964- Paul plays guitar on at least one of Carol Vega’s recordings Early 1965- Paul parts company with “Carol Vega & Trio”.
A trio is formed with Norm “King” Cotton, Frank Bartell (bass, vocals) and Freddy Page (drums). They call themselves the “Gentrys”. Paul steps up to the mike more regularly Summer 1965- Mike Anthony (keyboards, vocals) joins the Gentrys End of Summer 1965- Kal David (guitar, vocals) joins the Gentrys 1965- The Gentrys cut “Doo doo pah”, at MBS studios September 17, 1965- Sometime after this date the band changes its name to the “Rovin’ Kind” December 1965- The Rovin’ Kind release their first single “Everybody” b/w “Bound to Roam” 1966- Paul’s first song writing credit becomes another Rovin’ Kind single – “Right on Time” August 6, 1966- Air date of the Rovin’ Kind’s appearance on American Bandstand, performing “Right on Time” & “Night People” Summer 1967- Frank Bartell departs, replaced by Keith Anderson May 1967- Rovin’ Kind plays a Catholic Mass February 1968- The band changes its name to the “Illinois Speed Press” after James William Guercio is signed as manager March 1968- Move to LA April 1968- Record & release “Get in the Wind” single August 1968- At Guercio’s insistence Keith Anderson is fired prior to release of the first Speed Press album, replaced by Rob Lewine Winter 1969- Begin production of first Speed Press album February 1969- Begin recording at Columbia studios March 1969- Also at Guercio’s insistance Freddy and Mike are fired shortly before the release of the first album. Verne Johnson (drums) joins the band Summer 1969- First Illinois Speed Press album is released. Paul writes “Bad Weather October 1969 - Guercio wanted studio musicians to perform on the forthcoming second album which caused Verne Johnson & Rob Lewine to leave February 1970- Jimmy Rogers (bass) & Rick Allen (drums) join the band to tour pre release of the “Duet” album Spring 1970- “Duet” album is released June 25, 1970- Sometime after this date Kal David leaves to form the Fabulous Rhinestones. John Uribe takes his place for a month or so. September 1970- Paul leaves to join Poco.
