Brats Bands

I was hooked on live rock 'n roll music by a band called The Teen Tops, all of whom attended Narimasu High School with me in Tokyo, Japan. From 1958-60, they played at all the school dances, but the coolest thing of all was that they played on Far East Network Radio, on a live Saturday morning show called "Teenagers On Parade." It was our "American Bandstand," since we had no American TV or rock radio.

We would go to the airing of "Teenagers on Parade" every Saturday at Grant Heights to see the band. Another reason was that they had dance contests with cash prizes, and that in itself was worth the bus trip from Wash Heights.. The lead singer, guitarist and band leader, Ray Clauson, was the nearest thing we had to a celebrity. He was too hip for words, and could sing and play better than anyone on the island. The Japanese bands tried to imitate American rock stars, but it was a surface imitation. There was no soul behind the words.

The band was as tight as they come. The great lead guitarist, Charley Brown, later went to New York for session work, and played the guitar solo in "Dueling Banjos." Charley used to ride the school bus with us from "the rice paddies," far out in the sticks, and we were hypnotized by his rehearsing on the bus for an hour in and an hour back home every day. Singers Joanie Seitz, Grant Williams, Sue Clauson (Ray's sister), bassist Tom Robinson, drummer Terry Shane and Charley Brown were long-time members. Singer Anita D'Elosua and guitarist Jim McConville stayed only a short time. After Shane left, Travis Beckham was drummer until he moved Stateside, and there were other drummers, but none stayed long. An album was cut, "Teen Tops On Parade," for Universal Record Co. in Tokyo. Every American kid listening to F.E.N. Radio had (and later lost) the 45 rpm single, a cover version of "Little Star." That was the first song I ever heard on a radio station that was performed by people I knew .. my friends .. but it wouldn't be the last. Because of them, I eventually went into show business .. the business side.

Several friends and I tried playing guitar after hearing Ray, but try as I might, I just didn't have the talent. We tried to organize our own band, but it was never to be. Musical talent is something you're born with, and desire can't compensate for that. It's a gift you can't buy.

Here's a hot tip: Never listen to unverified rumors! Someone told me twenty years ago that Ray Clauson had died in a car crash. Not true! He's lived for the last 35 years in the Seattle area, and has ten children, eight by his first wife who passed away in 2001, and two by his current wife. I'll pass on more information as I get it.


The Teen Tops: (l to r) Grant Williams, Sue Clauson, Tom Robinson, Ray Clauson, Charley Brown, Jim McConville, drummer Travis Beckham (hidden)	Charley Brown and Ray Clauson	The Teen Tops - Original Members: (seated l to r) Anita D'Elosua, Sue Clauson, Joanie Seitz (standing) Grant Williams, Terry Shane, Ray Clauson

Girls Climbing the Stage	Live on F.E.N.'s "Teenagers On Parade" (l to r) Tom, Grant, Joanie, Sue, Ray	Back cover of their only album, *"Teen Tops On Parade"* Grant, Sue, Joanie, Ray, Jim