Free Fare performing Yes - Love Will Find a Way from Big Generator

[Kevnomi2]

where can I see a pic of you now & Marty now?

[stanarthur]

@Kevnomi2 Brother, I am all over the interwebs. Just google my name. I think I have a recent pic of Marty on my facebook profile in the mobile uploads.

[Kevnomi2]

I saw you, Stan & Marty Resch & Dallas Barnes at my HS in 1977. I have a close up pic of you guys outside the school, North Allegheny. Where are Marty & Dallas now???

[stanarthur]

@Kevnomi2 Don't know about Dallas, who's real name is Mark. Marty still lives in his home town of Long Beach, CA. He is still playing. I spent two weeks with him last year in CA. We had a glorious time just hanging out.

[yesdad60]

OMG can't believe I found this band they came to my high school in 1978, I remember them playing Roundabout...

[metronomic1]

That drummers outfit just made me go blind.

[rebekahsue]

West Haven High School 1984 representin'

[doinit2init]

seen freefare in our school in idaho and dam near took off for florida to hook up with you guys!!

we formed Hi RISK and toured the US and Canada instead!

many memories though! thanks!

you rock!

[TwirlingGuy]

OMFG I just thought of these guys today randomly, and lo and behold! They came to my high school in the Buffalo area in 1984. I always remembered Wizard's keyboard performance. They did a sneak peek show in the afternoon then a full-on show the following evening. It was a blast!!

[stanarthur]

@TwirlingGuy ... Wwwwwelll.... that wasn't this particular band in 1984, but we all worked for the same company. I did visit that band in Buffalo while they were there. If I could recall any of their names, I'd see if I could give ya a where-are-they-now.

[TwirlingGuy]

@stanarthur interesting... you mean Free Fare is/was some sort of franchise, like Blue Man Group?

[stanarthur]

@stanarthur ... not a franchise in the sense that we all worked for the same company and leader, Lowell Lytle. Each year, we put together new bands comprised of some veterans and some rookies, as many as 8 bands per tour. Even with that many bands, it took three years to cover the entire US and Canada before starting over. It was a very popular program for schools as it was free to them. But in essence, more like The Monkees than The Beatles, if ya know what I mean.

[orion1a]

@stanarthur ... I remember seeing a band called Free Fare at my Jr. High School (Liberty Jr. High) in Orlando, Florida. I was a member of the Schools Jass band and we were allowed to help set up the stage. I was wondering if this could possibly be you guys. That would be wild. It would have been around 81-82.

[stanarthur]

@orion1a ... Not this band. This Free Fare lived from July till December of 1987. I do remember a band that played central Florida in 81-82, managed by Dave Wagner, but I don't recall any of the band members at the moment.

[akitamalamute]

I saw these guys in my h.s. in 1986

[aceofspades358]

Stan, Tanner took us to Molly Murphy's when we were out that way in '84!

A few years ago I found a website with some old Molly Murphy pictures on it, but it is since gone away.

[JRCrowley]

Damn this is a good cover.

[eternalrhythmflow]

I still have nightmares of when you marched out in a Hitler uniform at 1990 boot camp and barked at us. What the HELL!!!?

[stanarthur]

@eternalrhythmflow LOL! That was actually David Lytle's idea.

[lungfixer]

One if the first cover songs I've seen on youtube that DOESNT suck!!

[eternalrhythmflow]

Hey Stan! Scottie Clarke here (drummer/vocals Free Fare 1990-1991 tour and the '93 XL recordings).

Great cover! Ya'll seriously sound great even with the old school audio. You know, I never knew you played guitar. I always knew you were the druming machine we all looked up to but WOW... great job flipping the hair while changing chords. Much respect, brother. God bless you and yours.

[stanarthur]

@eternalrhythmflow Great to hear from you, Scott!

[poochiebudd]

i saw a version of Free Fare in 1979 at my high school in new brunswick canada...not sure if the guys in this video are the same ones...i do have pictures of them somewhere...i remember them singing *Babe* by styx and the lead singer pulled me up on stage, got down on one knee, sat me on his knee and sang the whole song to me.....it was embarrasing at the time but it is a great memory now.....thanks for sharing

[stanarthur]

@poochiebudd I was the drummer/frontman for that band you saw in NB. And yes, I was the guy who pulled you up on stage. In this video (8 years later!), I'm the lead singer with the black acoustic guitar.

[ktk015]

@stanarthur Hi. migth you load a tutorial video how to play de guitar of this song, please?? yóu'll save a soul from the life stress !!

[stanarthur]

@ktk015 That's funny :) Sorry, no help here. I'm just a hack on acoustic guitar. Drums is my ax.

[tariq19013]

@stanarthur My mother still has her "Free fare " fan button. They visited her school in Reading,Pa in the 80's.

[stanarthur]

@tariq19013 I played in Reading in 1978. It was a great show! The reason I remember it is because the student body president was a lovely young lady who stayed in contact with us afterward. I remember that she became a pilot and flew to another one of our shows several months later. Can't remember her name, though.

[lawlessind]

@stanarthur - "Free Fare" played at my Jr. High in 1979. I remember an awesome version of "Blue Morning, Blue Day". Was this you? If so, Thank You 32 years later. I got out of class to help set up, and the music ROCKED!!! Where can I buy a cassette?

[daggy174]

Wow--what a badass cover of a song that seems nearly forgotten these days! Always loved Yes and this song, especially. I only wish I could have heard it live instead of through a general purpose camcorder mic!

[joeglimmix]

wow very nice

[strataadvance]

The 1974 version of the band opened with Rick Derringer's "Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo" at my high school in Delaware.

[ace2k707]

Saw a version of Free Fare back in 1975 at school and they did a Yes song also... Roundabout. I remember they did "Pinball Wizard" too. As someone else said, they did pop culture stuff too. At that time it was a medley of popular TV jingles (KFC, McD's, Coke, etc...) I was 12 and had just started playing drums too and their drummer had this huge chrome drumset up on 30 inch risers. Coolest thing I had ever seen. Don't remember any "message" though. Must have been blinded by the drums. lol

[ProfessorEggflesh]

@ace2k707 - I saw a version of the band in 1985 at a High School in Phoenixville Pa. They were incredible and did have a subtle Christian thing going. The drummer, although not the same one as you saw, was amazing.

[CountryRoadTrip]

Did this band sing Corey Hart's "Never Surrender" at the end of their shows in the mid-80's?

[stanarthur]

@CountryRoadTrip - This particular band played Sammy Hagar's Give to Live at the end of out assembly program. There were many Free Fare bands produced by Young American Showcase between 1970 and 1990.

[CountryRoadTrip]

@stanarthur Interesting. When my friends and I talk about high school the "Free Fare" show always comes up. The band we saw did a skit using all kinds of Pop Culture references like "Ghostbusters" "Gremlins" and "Star Wars" and closed the show with "Never Surrender." Unfortunately, even though they had talent, I also remember that we mocked the holy hell out of them for weeks to come...

[aeffron]

i would say you guys obvously listened to the song before and as a huge fan of this song i can say you guys definetly rocked it

[lorazz1]

Free jam came to my high school, MT. VIEW in Throndike Maine twice, the second time, in '89 when the name was changed to Free Fare...:o)

[stanarthur]

@lorazz1 - The original Free Fare was 1970. The first Freedom Jam (not free jam), was produced in 1975 for the 1976 bicentennial. We continued to produce that show periodically until 1990.

[kevinocooldaddy]

wow

[kungpowkimi]

Oh my gosh.... is it possible this is the band that came to my high school. Ogden High School in Ogden Ia... I used to sing to their poster and cry out in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[stanarthur]

@kungpowkimi - This particular band only lasted from August 1987 to December 1987. The band that played your school was also called Free Fare and produced by Young American Showcase in St. Petersburg, Florida.

[davidbmclaughlin]

zack,

I remember FReedom Jam. I saw them in Moore, OK. About like this band.

[zackhobson1]

I remember seeing another band in North Carolina in either 1981 or 82 called Freedom Jam. Did you play in that band ? I remember a curly headed guy on bass a blonde headed guy on drums and a blonde headed guy singing.

[WilliamAlbert55]

I remember seeing Free Fare at Franklin High School, in Massachusetts in 1972, They did a mini concert then the next night I bought a ticket for another concert.

 I got a poster (Still have it somewhere I think)

and a 45 RPM one side of it was "Purple Heart"

I love that song,

[isandrich]

I saw them, Davis Jr High in San Jose, Ca. They were awesome. Bought a poster and they all autographed it. Wonder what happened to that poster...hmmm....LOL

[jjalwaysfriends]

I first got to see this "band" with totally different members in about 1969 or '70! They were great then...but OH was the lead singer "Byron" really good a picking up the girls in the aduiance! He picked me out in the hallway of the school before the concert, saved me a seat in the front row, sang to me the entire concert and then asked me out on several dates! He was soooo cool...I loved every minute of it! Wish I knew where he was now!!

[lmmoore40]

The first concert I had ever been to was to see these guys. They came to my R.G. Cole HS in San Antonio Texas back in 80-81. I paid $5 and would have to it was one of the best 5 I have ever spent. I even had a poster for many years. They closed the show with Freebird which was the first time I had heard it. It gave me chills it was so good. Thanks for sharing.

[woodrailking]

Great Pablo Cruise song.

[Liquidcadmus]

awesome, you guys had great sound :)

[BenRaybold]

Gary, You and the guys came to our school in Martinsburg, Pa. in 72 and it changed me. I've never once forgotten that concert or that night. Thanks!

[Echoplex1]

I saw FREE FARE in R.I. in "74"

Rosco Cooper was on lead guitar with both a Strat and a Les Paul Deluxe through a Marshall stack. He was AWSOME! Gary Copco was both the singer and drummer, and the bass player's name was Bobby something...

Where is Rosco today?

[WalstromT]

I saw you guys at Mo-Valley high school in Pennsylvania in about 1979. I was in 7th grade and my brother was in 12th and told my Mom, "you gotta take him to see these guys they are great." My brothers and I were already playing instruments at this point but you guys were probably a big influence. I remember the colorful tickets with Sunn sponsor on them! We bought alot of Sunn equipment later on!

[76Bearcat]

I am blown away that this video exists. Free Fare played Sherman and Denison, Texas in April of 1974. I remember the anti-drug message and the Posters drawn by the artist from Mad Magazine (I kept one for years and would love to find another copy). The spinning horn on the Leslie and Sunn Amps being your sponsors come to mind also.

I met my first girlfriend at the Denison concert and we went on our first date a week later. Haven't seen her since our 20th reunion. What a major flashback.

[shalabang]

And I remember them playing at Saegertown High School, in Pennsylvania in 1972. I recall being facinated by the illuminated whirling horn on the backside of that old leslie speaker. I cant say I recognize any of these artists to be original members ,but I know they left the crowd with a spoken spiritual message during or at the end of the concert.

[athathoth01]

Man I remember Free Fare coming to Sinton, Texas back in 1991 to my high school, I was already a musician playing death metal back then. I enjoyed it because the guys came to my school and played their guitars and did the whole rock show bit, very nice guys!

[synthartist69]

They came to my High School, Van Buren, Arkansas in 1987. Man, they completely blew me away, unbelievable musicians!

[coolsax64]

I remember these guys, or another free fare band came to my high school in 82 or 83. Sprague high schoo in Salem,Or. Great musicians. Very positive message.

[Solteratube]

Been wanting to thank Free Fare for coming to my high school in 1979 - was saved that day. Will discuss with you at length Up There...

[lunarXwarrior94]

I saw a version of Free Fare in Lafayette, Louisiana...I was about ten years old at the time. Until that day, I was going to be a biochemist when I grew up. I was corrupted that day, ha! Now, many years later, I have never had a "real job"...I've done nothing but music!

[stanarthur]

@lunarXwarrior94 - Now THAT is a great testimony. Thanks for sharing :)

[14072GINY]

I remember you at grand island high school in the 70's. They stopped playing for a prayer what was that all about?

[stanarthur]

We never "prayed" in our performances. What we did do is take 2-3 minutes out of our evening concerts to tell the audience that the reason we traveled the country doing a rock n' roll show with a positive message was because we're all Christians who live according to Christ's teachings. Particularly his statement that the most important thing is that we love God and love all people in His creation. Also to do good works in his name. In this case, touring the US, encouraging school kids.

[bertskoi]

Hello Stan, I don't remember if it was you but for some reason I am feeling that it was --, were you doing lead in '77 in any of the bands? Were you in E. Pa. at all that year and then again in '78? I volunteered to help set up, I was in 7th grade. I also ran the Sony cam and vtr back then. I wish I knew if it was still available, if they kept it but chances are they didn't. You guys were great, your message was great and we really loved your music. I remember Commodores'Easy like Sunday morning

[stanarthur]

That was me, but I was playing drums. the lead singer was Mark Lach (google him if you wanna see where he ended up). Mark and I have been called twin brothers from a different mother, so I can see where you would get us confused with each other.

[MarcPro]

I remember Free Fare....they turned me into a musician... Stan..i'm guessing you were in it? Which one was you? I went on to Berklee.. but i auditioned for Free Fare.

[stanarthur]

There were many different bands called Free Fare that were produced by Young American Showcase between 1970 and 1993. I was in a few of them. In this video, I'm the lead singer with the black Fender acoustic guitar.

[MarcPro]

dude..i remember this very same band. ; ) So how is your music career these day's? You guy's played my school on Long Island.

[wayynne]

I am giving my age away, but I remember free fare doing a mini concert at my HS in Lewisburg PA in 1973. They had a good anti -drug theme while doing a mock cheech and chong skit. Wow , its good to know they were still doin this !

[TuBaMoFo]

is that Washington Park High, or maybe Trinity High?

I'm from there and don't recognize the auditorium.

[stanarthur]

It was 20 years ago. I don't remember the name of the school, but it was definately in Washington, PA.

[karenj441]

My Experiences have been inspirations, my work with my music. Of course my biggest inspiratons being God & my family!! I'm unable to perform anymore based on my health. But I write songs. Free fare performing in okemah helped me to remember to hang in there for my luv towards music!

Karen Lorraine Johnson

My sites that displays my songs are listed under: karenlorraine

myspace

soundclick

[karenj441]

Wow! Looks like the band: Free fare played at everyones school. They played at mine as well in Okemah Oklahoma. I graduated back in 1985. But I went with a friend to see free fare in 1986 at the school. I still have the picture of Danny-Don-Ron-Lee & Craig (April-1986).

Are they still a group after all these yrs? Its been a very long time. I'm sure they get together & perform from time "Or"2.!!

[stanarthur]

We put new bands together each year. The guys you saw probably never played together again after the end of that tour. I personally toured in a Free Fare band in Oklahoma in 1979. I loved tulsa and Oklahoma City. Our favorite restaurant was Molly Murphy's.

[stanarthur]

It just occured to me that the band you saw had Ron Panganiban. He's the same guitar player in this video. Ron met his wife Holly that year when he toured with Free Fare in Norman, OK. Sadly, Holly died in 2004 from kidney disease.

[aceofspades358]

You guys look great Stan. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. You have given me the encouragement to convert my VHS to digital and upload. Stand by for Tanner FreeFare!!!....Randy Merritt

[poopoobooboo]

you had some mad long hair

[poopoobooboo]

dang stan, is that really you?

[stanarthur]

Yeah... that was 20 years ago :)

[F7iPP3R]

yo dats my uncle ron playin guitar in this back in the day lol

[smillas]

Wow. I rememer in 1973 this band called "Free Fare" played for my junior high. The thing was sponsored by Sunn. Before the show they showed a film about their products and the people who use them. Jimi Hendrix used Sunn amps and every body cheered when they showed hendrix ripping it up . They failed to mention that he had switched to Marhall because Sunn sounded like "surf music".

[stanarthur]

Young American Showcase produced Free Fare from 1970 to 1990. I was a part of YAS from 1977 till 1990. Last year, YAS was re-established with two new bands, Shade Tree and New Anthem. There's a"reunion" web site for all the former performers at youngamericanshowcase dot com. Lots of photos and memories.