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Nelson Crabb formed the Why 4 Band in 1965. Nelson had just returned to Merced, CA. from Las Vegas, NV. Crabb had been playing drums with the Pendletons. The Pendleton’s, a 60’s rock and roll band, had just ended a contract with Del Webb Corporation. The Pendletons was formed by Mel Soares and Frank Clark and was based out of Los Banos, CA. The Pendletons was the first band to play the “Big Room” of Del Webb’s Sierra Tahoe Casino & Resort, in Lake Tahoe, NV. They opened for Don Rickles in August of 1965. The Pendletons played The Whiskey A Go Go in Las Vegas and at many of the Del Webb owned casinos. The Pendletons also preformed at numerous Northern California venues including Cabrillo College and numerous clubs in the San Joaquin Valley. The Pendletons Band consisted of: Frank Clark, lead Guitar and vocals, Mel Soares, vocals and keyboards, Nelson Crabb, drums and vocals, Rich Hogan, Bass guitar and vocals, Buzz Buttles, guitar and vocals.
In 1963 Nelson Crabb, who lived in Merced, CA. formed a rock and surf band called the Merced Vicounts. The band consisted of: Bob Birdsel, lead guitar and vocals, Bob Cole, bass guitar and vocals, Nelson Crabb, drums and vocals, Tom Clarkson, guitar and vocals, Barry Taylor, guitar and vocals and Julio Guerra, guitar and vocals. The Vicounts first performed at Our Lady of Mercy High School. The band also played at Livingston High School, Oakdale High School and Mariposa High. They also played at various halls where they rented the hall and put on dances in the Central Valley of California.
The Why 4 members were: Bill Robinson, lead guitar, keyboard, vocals, Bob Cole, guitar and vocals, James Carmack, bass and vocals, Nelson Crabb, drums and vocals. The Why 4 was also based out of Merced, California. The Why 4 first played at Our Lady of Mercy High School in Merced, CA. The Why 4 also played regularly at Castle Air Force Base and Curry Camp at Yosemite National Park and was featured on local TV stations as an outstanding Valley Rock and Roll Band. The Why 4 also played for VJ Productions. They preformed in many Northern California venues and clubs. In November of 1967 Nelson Crabb departed the Why 4. He left Merced to become a Dispensing Optician with Jenkel Davidson Optical and relocated to Redding CA.
August 18, 2007, The Why 4 reunited to play a Class Reunion at Our Lady of Mercy School for the Class of 1965, 1966 and 1967. They had not preformed together since November of 1967. Nelson Crabb was able to get the group back together along with some members of the Merced Vicounts. They played music from their 1960’s play list. The Why 4 since reuniting has played the 25th Annual Poison Oak Leaf Event in Columbia, CA. at The St. Charles Saloon and the LaGrange Saloon and numerous Private Events. The Why 4 band can deliver an authentic 60’s Musical Experience like no other.
Members of the Why 4 Reunion Band are: Bill Robinson, guitar/keyboard/vocals, Nelson Christopher Crabb, drums, vocals, Video & Sound board operation, Jeff Todd, guitar/vocals, Chris Dodson, bass guitar/vocals, J. Nelson Crabb, drums/vocals and Brenda Johnson/vocals .
For Booking information please call Nelson Crabb at 209-761-1161.
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