THE MALIBU'S
Ft. Valley, Georgia
The inside story of a true Southern Garage Band from formation to breakup to reunion.
Written by band member David Luckie
REVIEW by Andy (southerngaragebands.com)
If you have ever been in a garage band, you will empathize with the Malibu's story: been there, done that, got the T-shirt. If you were never in a band, David Luckie will make you feel almost like you were a member of the Malibu's. Having been a band in the same time period I could identify with everything David wrote: coming up with a name, finding a place to practice, buying equipment, finding the "gigs" to play, choosing outfits to wear, appreciation of their loyal fan base, pleasing the adults, choosing the songs to perform, etc. And most importantly, striving for perfection: practice, practice, practice; how can we perform this song better?; upgrading equipment, adding a light show, etc. What ever it takes to make the band the best it can be. That's the mark of all true professional bands. The Malibu's wanted to sound good, but most importantly they wanted their fans to enjoy the experience of dancing to good tunes and get their money's worth (a whopping $1.50-$2.00). Today's generation missed this experience and usually dance to canned music by a DJ. The 60s were indeed the good old days, epitomized by the Malibu's.
Amazingly these guys were in high school in their early years of performing. This speaks well for their generation and the trust their parents had in them. Alcohol and drugs were not a factor: these guys were "straight". Fans and parents loved them. They were respectful of authority, another trait of that generation. The Malibu's understood that image was important.
I recall so many of the shows that the Malibu's played and especially remember being at their performance with B. J. Thomas at the old Waycross, Ga city Auditorium. As Luckie writes of their association with the great local bands of the area (Bushmen, Roemans, Candymen, etc.) I could identify. When these bands came to my home town of Waycross, we were there. When Luckie writes of individual band members he was associated with over the years, like me, you might recoginize some of those names. Luckie's college roomate was in my first band in Waycross (we flunked out of different colleges at the same time). Luckie mentions a pastor at Ft. Valley who was also involved with youth at my church in Waycross.
The Malibu's is an excellent trip down memory lane for some of us who have been in garage bands. For those who haven't been a band, Luckie makes you feel what it was like. When Luckie wrote of the band's break up due to moving on to professional careers, I was saddened since I experienced the same thing with my band.
"The Malibu's" can be purchased directly from David Luckie by contacting him at:
Mention SouthernGarageBands.com and get the book for $15.00, including shipping.