Finding Aid for Gregory Heath Papers, 1971-2015 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Service Location	Boxes
Archives Research Center, 1707 S. Orchard Street	Box 1-3
Archives Research Center, 1707 S. Orchard Street	Box 4

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Collection Overview

Title: Gregory Heath Papers, 1971-2015

ID: 12/9/135

Primary Creator: Heath, Gregory "Flea" (1947-)

Other Creators: York, Alan R.

Extent: 2.5 cubic feet

Arrangement:

Materials are arranged into three series: 1) Gregory Heath Business Records, 2) Gregory Heath Personal Papers, and 3) Alan York Personal Papers.

Series 1 is arranged in 3 Sub-Series: 1) Client Files, 2) Videos, and 3) Business Contact Information. Sub-series 1 is further arranged into 4 sub-sub-series: 1.1) Subject Files, 1.2) Colors Unlimited Files, 1.3) Celebrations Files, and 1.4) Fundraisers.

Series 2 is arranged in 3 Sub-Series: 1) Personal Memorabilia, 2) Sound Recordings, 3) Posters.

Series 3 is arranged in 2 Sub-Series: 1) Personal Memorabilia and 2) Sound Recordings.

All material follows original order, except where noted at the Series or Sub-Series level.

Date Acquired: 02/28/2014. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Blues-rock music, Carbondale, Illinois, Danville, Illinois, Farm Aid, Music - United States, Music business, Olympics, Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign, REO Speedwagon, Rock Music

Formats/Genres: Business Records, Papers, Photographs, Posters, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of photographs, news clippings, contracts, audio and video recordings, address books, and posters documenting Gregory "Flea" Heath's work as a concert promoter in Carbondale, IL in the 1970s, and as owner of Celebrations, a Central Illinois music booking agency during the 1980s and 1990s. Includes materials related to music ensembles active in central and southern Illinois such as Head East, REO Speedwagon, the Finchley Boys, One-Eyed Jacks, and Pork and the Havana Ducks. Also consists of photographs, news clippings, flyers, and audio recordings documenting Alan York's involvement in the music scene during the same era.

Biographical Note

Gregory "Flea" Heath (1947- ) is a longtime resident of Danville, Illinois and an avid music lover. After attending Woodstock (1969) and the Kickapoo Creek Music Festivals (1968, 1969, and 1970), Heath ventured into the music industry. In 1971 Heath became a concert promoter in Carbondale, IL. He founded Colors Unlimited to promote local musicians in the early 1970s. Through this work he made connections with many Illinois-area rock bands including The Buckinghams, Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets, Coal Kitchen, the New Colony Six, Appaloosa, and the Hard Core Blues Band. He also booked several international touring acts including Ravi Shankar, Chuck Berry, Rufus and Chaka Khan, and Maynard Fergusson. In the 1980s, he founded Celebrations, a music booking agency, in Danville, Illinois. This led to his arranging enterainment for the 1986 Illinois Special Olympics. Celebrations operated until the early 2000s. Between 2014 and 2015, he contributed objects within his collection to the Bob Zimmerman documentary Out of Nowhere, about the Champaign-Urbana rock scene.

Subject/Index Terms

Blues-rock music
Carbondale, Illinois
Danville, Illinois
Farm Aid
Music - United States
Music business
Olympics
Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
REO Speedwagon
Rock Music

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals:

Initial gift made by Gregory Heath on February, 28, 2014.

A second gift was made by Gregory Heath on October 13, 2015. This included materials from Alan York, which were integrated into the Gregory Heath Collection as Series 3, the Alan York Papers.

Additional photographs, posters, and news clippings were donated on March 18, 2024.

Acquisition Source: Gregory Heath

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Gregory Heath Business Records, 1971-2007],
[Series 2: Gregory Heath Personal Papers, 1971-2006],
[Series 3: Alan York Papers, 1970-2015],
[All]

Series 1: Gregory Heath Business Records, 1971-2007

Sub-Series 1: Client Files

Sub-Series 1.1: Subject Files

Box 1

Folder 1: Antics - Taylorville, 1988-91
Folder 2: American Grand, 1991-92
Folder 3: Automatics, The, 1988-89
Folder 4: Avenger Rocks, 1987-88
Folder 5: Bar Hoppers, The, 1988-89
Folder 6: Beep'rs, The, 1991
Folder 7: Street Talk, 1987-88
Folder 8: BLTs, 1986-88
Folder 9: Trademarks, The, 1988
Folder 10: Celebration!, 1988-90
Folder 11: Centerfield, 1986
Folder 12: Chrade, 1987-91
Folder 13: Class Reunion, 1989
Folder 14: Clockwork Orange/Tight Squeeze, 1987: Oversize material removed to Box 3, Folder 2.
Folder 15: Crazy Johnny, 1989
Folder 16: Curb Service, 1987-89
Folder 17: Double Barrel, 1987
Folder 18: Faded Blue, 1989
Folder 19: Finchley Boys, 1970s: photograph
Folder 20: Flatland, 1987
Folder 21: Flashback, 1988-91
Folder 22: Freddy and the Freeloaders, 1988-90
Folder 23: Full House, 1990
Folder 24: Ground Zero, 1991
Folder 25: Greely Wit, 1991
Folder 26: Hathaways, The, 1990
Folder 27: High Sierra, 1987-92
Folder 28: Hot Set Up, 1990-91
Folder 29: Head Band, undated
Folder 30: Illinois Band - Don Markem's Band, Champaign, 1987
Folder 31: Incogneatos, The, 1986-88
Folder 32: Jenkins, 1987-91: Jenkins Bros. also known as: Bad to the Bone, The Blue Pharoahs, Boneshakers, The Boulevards, The Cheating Hearts, Jinks, Jinx, Silver Shadow
Folder 33: Jungle Dogs, 1991
Folder 34: Late Show, The, 1989-92
Folder 35: Love Rhino, 1987-88: With Big Larry Williams. Also known as "Big Rhino."
Folder 36: Lu George Band, The, 1988-92
Folder 37: Louis Michael, 1994
Folder 38: Mad John Fever, undated
Folder 39: Mighty Pranksters, 1988-91: Also known as Jambanna.
Folder 40: Mistress, 1989-91
Folder 41: Mogan, 1970s
Folder 42: Mickey & the Memories, 1985
Folder 43: Nightriders, 1988-90: Later known as Crossroads.
Folder 44: Nix 86, 1987-88
Folder 45: Pagan, undated
Folder 46: Pat Thomas, 1987-88
Folder 47: Pork, 1989-91
Folder 48: Q-Publik, 1987-92
Folder 49: Ransom, 1990
Folder 50: Red Hot & Blue, 1987-88
Folder 51: Red Shoes, 1986
Folder 52: Reebs, The, 1987
Folder 53: Rough Mix, 1986-87
Folder 54: 180 Band, The, 1987-88
Folder 55: Rhythm Kings, The, 1991
Folder 56: Runner, 1990-91
Folder 57: Route #1, 1991-92
Folder 58: Showcase, 1987-90
Folder 59: Silver Nickel, 1986
Folder 60: Silvertones, 1989-92
Folder 61: Stoney Mountain, 1990
Folder 62: Straightshooter, 1986
Folder 63: Skutlebut, 1990
Folder 64: Skeeter-Z, 1990-91: Formerly known as Eclipse.
Folder 65: Southbound, 1986-88
Folder 66: Southern Transfer, 1989-90
Folder 67: Sundowners, 1986-89
Folder 68: Taxi-Vazion, 1986
Folder 69: Throbbers, The, 1986
Folder 70: Vagabonds, 1986-1989: Also known as Larry Warren & Country Cookin' Band.
Folder 71: Vicious Rumour, 1986
Folder 72: White Lies, 1987
Folder 73: Woodrose, 1972
Folder 74: WQBC, 1988
Folder 75: Yesteryear, 1987: Also known as Yesterday.
Folder 76: Wildchild, 1991-92
Folder 77: Zello, 1989-91: Formerly known as Thin Ice.
Folder 78: 12 Gauge, 1987-91
Folder 79: 1959ers, 1986: Also called 1959 Old Time Rock & Roll Band.
Folder 80: Disc Jockeys, 1987-92: Contracts with various D.J.s.
Folder 81: Fox, undated
Folder 82: Video Release Contracts, 1986-88: Various artists.
Folder 83: Birth, 1973: Song list.
Folder 84: Odd Bands, 1987-92: Various contracts, correspondence, and song lists.

Box 3

Folder 2: Clockwork Orange: Oversized material from Box 1, Folder 14

Sub-Series 1.2: Colors Unlimited Files, 1970s

Box 1

Folder 85: Business Records and Promo Photos, 1970s

Promotional photographs for All Star Frogs, Apaloosa, Beowolf, Bloody Williamson, Cain, Catfish & Crystal, Fletcher, Gadzooks, Gilbraltor, Haymaker's Riot, HeadBand, Maathias, Mother Goose, Mule, New Life, Pontiac Jones, Shakey Jake, Shastain Cole, Blytham Limited, T.S. Truck, Thunderpussy, 303.

Contracts for Catfish & Crystal, Fletcher, Maathias, Mother Goose, T.S. Truck, Thunderpussy, Bittersweet, Boneyard, K.C. Jones, Jammy & James Trio, Outlaw, Rolls Hardly, Uno.

Contemporary Talent articles on Luther Allison.

Greg Heath Agency (Colors Unlimited) band list: Mother Goose, Pontac Jones, Smoke Signal, Boneyard, Thunderpussy, Outlaws, Cain, Sterling, Catfish & Crystal, Chariot, T.S. Truck, Truth, Slaughterhouse, Effic, Fletcher, Jehova, Maathias, Uno, Head East, Volcano, Spice, Dynoflo, Turtle, K.C. Jones, Marz, Stonewood, Arrow Smith, Gilbralter, Rolls Hardly, Black & White, Molasses, Head Band, Morning Morning, Argus, Birth, Apaloosa Band.

Folder 86: Promotional Materials - Various Bands, 1970s

Promotional materials (mostly photographs but also including band biographies and song lists) for Arem Bay, Argus, Attila, The Aeolian Mode, Aura, Bacon Fat, Birth, Catfish & Crystal, Coyy, D.N.A., Dodge Street Band, Eastern Standard Time, Eden Stone, Epitaph, Exchange, Fetish Farm, Fox, Genesys, Happy, The Hound Dog Band, Infinite Blue, Ivory, Jay Barry Group, [Lil Bo Peep], Mogan, Morning Morning, Mudcat, Odyssey, The Other Side, The Ox, Palmer House, Pezband, Rastus, Riot Squad, Rockin' Robin and the American Teens, Short Stuff, St. James, Stronghold, Storm, tongue, Truck, Virgil Hill, The White Raven, Wildflower, Wonder, Earthquake.

Sub-Series 1.3: Celebrations Files, 1990s

Box 1

Folder 87: Contracts and Promo Photos - Various Bands, 1989-92
Folder 88: Promotional Materials and Photos, 1980s-90s
Folder 89: Platinum Entertainment & River North Studios Promo Kit, 1990s
Folder 93: Promotional Materials and Photos, ca. 1980s-1990s

Sub-Series 1.4: Fundraisers, 1986-2007

Box 1

Folder 90: Rich Roberts Fundraiser - Photos and Press Clippings, 2005, 2007
Folder 91: Rich Roberts Fundraiser - VHS tapes, 2005
Folder 92: Special Olympics Concert - Photos & Press Clippings, 1986

Sub-Series 2: Videos, 1980-1999

Box 2

Item 1: Farm Aid VHS, Part 1, undated
Item 2: Farm Aid VHS, Part 2, undated
Item 3: Farm Aid VHS, Part 3, undated
Item 4: Special Olympics Concert VHS - 2 Mystery Bands, 1986
Item 5: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Nightslayer, Taxi-Vazion, 1986
Item 6: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Red Shoes, Nightslayer, Taxi-Vazion, 1986
Item 7: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Tearz, Danny Odum, 1986
Item 8: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Taxi-Vazion; fireworks show; C02; band with singer Cathy Rudd, undated
Item 9: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Southbound, Rough Mix, WQBC Copy, Crowd Video, 1986
Item 10: Special Olympics Concert VHS - CO2, Tearz, Mystery Band, undated
Item 11: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Danny Odum, Head East Jam, undated
Item 12: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Crowd Video, Southbound, Rough Mix, 1986
Item 13: Special Olympics Concert VHS - Mystery Band, Various Artists, 1986
Item 14: Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows VHS, 1986
Item 15: The 59 Band VHS, undated
Item 16: High Sierra Band VHS - Right Stuff Video Promotion, 1986
Item 17: Chrade/Big Richie VHS, undated
Item 18: Celebrations Band Videos VHS #1 - Variety and Top 40, late 1980s-early 1990s: Centerfield, Straightshooter, Southbound, Curb Service, BLTs, 12 Gauge, Red Hot & Blue, Pat Thomas Band, Bad to the Bone, Illinois Band, Showcase, Hot Set Up
Item 19: Celebrations Band Videos VHS #2, late 1980s - early 1990s: 12 Gauge, BLTs, Curb Service, Hot Set Up, Red Hot & Blue, Straightshooter, Curb Service (different band).
Item 20: Celebrations Band Videos VHS #3, late 1980s: Chrades, 12 Gauge, Showcase, Flashback, Pat Thomas, Red Hot & Blue, Class Reunion, Faded Blue, Nightriders. Also includes 2 minutes of Die Hard 2.
Item 21: Big Twist, Shy Rock DVD, 1987
Item 22: Special Olympics Concert DVD - Southbound, WQBC, 1986: Disc does not play in all DVD players. Access copy in same box, created by Library Preservation, November 2014.
Item 23: Special Olympics Concert DVD - Red Shoes, Nightslayer, Taxi-Vazion, 1986: Disc does not play in all DVD players. Access copy in same box, created by Library Preservation, November 2014.
Item 24: Special Olympics Concert DVD - Mystery Band #1, 1986: Disc does not play in all DVD players. Access copy in same box, created by Library Preservation, November 2014.
Item 25: 59ers DVD, undated
Item 26: Videocassette - BLT, 12 Gauge, Signs, Curb Service, undated
Item 27: Videocassette - Rough Mix, Vicious Rumour, Street Talk, Signs, Curb Service, Crazy Johnny, Red Hot & Blue, Hot Set Up, undated
Item 28: Videocassette - Jenkins, Incogneatos, Pat Thomas, Illinois, Straightshooter, undated
Item 29: Videocassette - Class Reunion, Faded Blue, Nightriders, Curb Service, undated
Item 30: Videocassette - 12 Gauge, undated
Item 31: Videocassette - Showcase, Last Chance, Sundowners, Eclipse, undated
Item 32: Videocassette - Q-Public, Street Talk, 180 Band, White Lies, Yesteryear, undated
Item 33: Videocassette - Jenkins Bros, Double Barrel, Illinois, Chrade, undated
Item 34: Videocassette - Showcase, Celebration, Flashback, Chrade, Signs, Incogneatos, Blanche Talley, undated
Item 35: Videocassette - unlabeled, undated
Folder 1: Documentation for Celebrations Videos, 1980s-90s: Handwritten notes by Gregory Heath.
Item 38: Scobby Doo VHS - Nix 86, Mabels, 1986

Sub-Series 3: Business Contact Information, 1971-2005

Box 2

Item 36: Business cards, undated
Item 37: Address book, 1970s-2000s
Folder 2: Address book - loose items, undated
Folder 3: Addresses and phone numbers - legal pad, undated

Series 2: Gregory Heath Personal Papers, 1971-2006

Sub-Series 1: Personal Memorabilia, 1971-2015

Box 1

Folder 94: Peppermint Rainbow Band Photo, ca. 1960s
Folder 95: Articles By or About Greg Heath, ca. 2007
Folder 96: Buddy Guy Blues Photo, 1998
Folder 97: Press Clippings - Danville Music Scene, ca. 1960-2000
Folder 98: Alexander Wayne Jenkins Obituary, 2020
Folder 99: Chief Illiniwek vol. 1, iss. 1, Fall 1998

Box 2

Folder 4: Press Clippings - Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, 1970s-2000s
Folder 5: Press Clippings - Daily Egyptian (SIU Carbondale newspaper), 1971-73
Folder 6: Press Clippings - Celebrations Agency, 1980s-90s: Includes photos and personal notes.
Folder 7: Press Clippings - REO Speedwagon, 1972-73
Folder 8: Press Clippings - Tons 'O' Fun Band, 2006
Folder 9: Stage Crew Specifications, 1988: Charlie Daniels Band, Danville Civic Center, Special Olympics Benefit
Folder 16: Concert and Festival Flyers, 2003-2015: Flyers from 2003 Sweetcorn Festival; 2014 Gifford Tornado Relief Concert; 2014 Champaign County Fair; 33rd Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion, Kokomo, Indiana; K Rockfest (undated).
Folder 17: Photographs of Bands, 1970s-1980: Photographs of "1959" The Old Time Rock n Roll Band; The Varieteers; The Stone Country Band; Dynaflo, and Another Lick.
Folder 18: Photographs and Notes, 1971-2013: Including copy of Greg Heath email (2005); List of Greg "Flea" Heaths Bands (some) Colors unlimited, Carbondale, IL (1971); Photograph of Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows (1970s); and miscellaneous personal photographs and copies of photographs, with notes (1971-2013).
Folder 19: Luchenbach, Texas - photographs and information, 2015
Folder 20: Willie Nelson photograph and flyer, 1989: From Sept. 1, 1989 Willie Nelson and Family show at Danville Civic Center.

Box 3

Folder 4: Press Clippings, 1984-2014: Copies of miscellaneous press clippings regarding Greg Heath, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mike Massa, Concert in the ParkING Lot, Music at the Landing, Blues at the Crossroads, and Phases of the Moon Music and Arts Festival.
Folder 5: Photographs (copies), 1949-2014: Copies of photographs and notes regarding musicians, bands, and concerts, including Ruby Jones, "Ruckus" Band (1979-1983), Griz Fest 2014, Special Olympics Concert, and Willy Nelson Concert (1989).
Folder 7: Concert Posters and Photographs, ca. 2013-2015

Sub-Series 2: Sound Recordings, 1957-1980s

Box 2

Folder 10: The Buckinghams - Kind of a Drag/You Make Me Feel So Good, 1966
Folder 11: The Cobras - Try/Goodbye, 1966
Folder 12: Jim Foley - My Isle of Golden Dreams/He'll Only Hurt You, undated
Folder 13: One-Eyed Jacks - Sun So High/Love, 1970
Folder 14: The Shades of Blue - Not the Way Love Should Be/You Must Believe Me, 1967
Folder 15: Larry Williams - You Bug Me, Baby/Bony Moronie, 1957
Reel 1: Scott Davis, Undated: Acetate Tape Reel; R D Studio, Champaign IL
Reel 2: Keith Harden - Latin Satin, Stand Up (Unedited), Undated: Acetate Tape Reel; Kieth Harden - Lead and background vocals, all guitars; Rick Cummings - Drums and humor; Bobby Durham - Bass; Rob Berry - Clarinet, Fender Rhodes, Marimba, Conga; John Van Halla -Trombone; Frank Slavato - Trumpet; Mike Sutherland - Sax; Horns arranged by Rob Berry.

Box 4

Item 1: 1959 (The Old Time Rock N Roll Band) - Vol. 1, ca. 1985: 12 inch LP
Item 2: Dan Fogelberg - Souvenirs, 1974: 12 inch LP
Item 3: Finchley Boys - Everlasting Tributes, 1972: 12 inch LP
Item 4: Head East - A Different Kind of Crazy, 1979: 12 inch LP
Item 5: Pork Live!, 1980s: 12 inch LP
Item 6: REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity, 1980: 12 inch LP
Item 7: REO Speedwagon - You Can Tune a Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish, 1978: 12 inch LP
Item 8: Starcastle, 1976: 12 inch LP
Item 11: John Philip Sousa Marches in Dixieland Style by Bob Crosby, 1950: 33 1/3 RPM 10 inch Disc
Item 12: Flathead 6 - Bad Spell, 2006: Compact disc.
Item 13: Punky Ice - Ice on the Keys, undated: Compact disc.

Sub-Series 3: Posters, 1972-2006

Box 3

Folder 1: Posters and Flyers, 1972-2006: Posters, flyers and photos relating to Vermilion County Handicapped Association, Red Lion Inn Reunion, Special Olympics Concert at the David S. Palmer Civic Center, Iliana Bluegrass Association, 12th Annual Skin & Scoot and Hot Rods, Balloon Classic Illinois (June 9-11, 1989), Septemberfest 1991, Finchley Boys - Everlasting Tributes, REO Speedwagon & Mark Almond concert (Apr. 22, 1972), Down Home, and Willard Cratchlow Band with handwritten note by Gregory Heath.
Folder 2: Red Lion Reunion Memorabilia, 2006: Includes Red Lion 40th Anniversary matchbook and coaster.
Folder 3: Concert posters and photographs, ca. 2010-2015: Posters and flyers related to Taste of Danville (2012); WOP Heart for Life Memorial Ride (2010-2012); Blues at the Crossroads (2014); Champaign County Fair (2014); Thunder Ride; and Hambone and the Rhythm Monsters.

Series 3: Alan York Papers, 1970-2015

Sub-Series 1: Personal Memorabilia, 1970-2015

Box 1

Folder 100: Correspondence, Texas Festival Programs and Flyers, and CU ROR Festival Program, ca. 1970s-2023

Box 2

Folder 21: Alan York Biography, Photographs, and Correspondence, 1970s-2015: Includes 5-page biography (1992); two photographs (1970s and 2015); and correspondence (2015).
Folder 22: Photographs from Ruby Gulch Bar, circa 1971
Folder 23: Alan York Legal Declaration, 1995: Legal declaration regardng the name "Captain Rat."
Folder 24: Jay Anthony "Tony" Stough Obituary, 2004
Folder 25: The Fabs, 2007-2008: Band flyers and photograph.
Folder 26: The Fabulous Chevelles, 2015: Band flyers and photographs.
Folder 27: "Just Us" Press Clipping, circa 1970s
Folder 28: Albert King Photograph, 1971
Folder 29: The Subterraneans, circa 1992: Band photograph, flyers, press clippings, and song list.
Folder 30: Sunsinger Band, 1974: Band photograph.
Folder 31: The Tyrones, 1990-2015: Photographs (copies), flyers, and narrative about the band.
Folder 32: Uranium Savages, 1990: Press releases and photographs (copies).

Box 3

Folder 6: Poster - Gonzales Main Street Summer Concert Series, 2015: Poster featuring The Fabs, Redneck Jedi, Kyle Wane Kutscher Band, and The Sieker Band. Summer Concert Series in Gonzales, TX.

Sub-Series 2: Sound Recordings, 1972-1985

Box 4

Item 9: Dan Fogelberg - Home Free, 1972: 12 inch LP
Item 10: Dan Fogelberg - High Country Snows, 1985: 12 inch LP
Item 14: Voices of a Grateful Nation, Vol. 1 Texas Rock, Blues, and Folk, 2008: CD.
Item 15: Voices of a Grateful Nation, Vol. 2 Texas Country and Americana, 2008: CD.

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Gregory Heath Business Records, 1971-2007],
[Series 2: Gregory Heath Personal Papers, 1971-2006],
[Series 3: Alan York Papers, 1970-2015],
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