Monocled Alchemist

“Do You Wanna Dance” / “Without You” (Scepter Records SCE 12223) July 1968

From Bobby Freeman‘s 1958 original to the Ramones 20 years later, “Do You Wanna Dance” has made six appearances on the Billboard Hot 100. At number 108, the Love Society almost got there. The group’s initial Tee Pee release came almost exactly ten years after Freeman’s hit was picked up nationally by Scepter. The dreamy arrangement was probably lifted off the Mamas & Papas first album in 1966. The latter group then released it as a single in late 1968, three months after the Love Society.

Love Society | Do You Wanna Dance | (Scepter) 1968

“We were just bunch of farm boys from Plymouth,” says drummer Mike Dellger. “Suddenly you’re signed to a major label before you graduated from high school. In a way that was a little bit disconcerting because it goes to your head right away. You think, ‘Well, I’m not going to need anything. I’m gonna be rich!”

The recording came about when Target label owner Al Posniak went to hear the group after they won a battle of the bands in Sheboygan. The song went to number one on Green Bay’s WDUZ and the boys’ first big show was with the Brooklyn Bridge at Milwaukee’s Summetfest. Scepter’s follow-up, another re-make with “Tobacco Road,” got some action but not enough to keep the company interested, so Target released another single that had been recorded earlier.

Love Society | Do You Wanna Dance | (Scepter) 1968

When Keith Abler left and joined Phase III, Love Society added Abler’s younger brother, Duane. A contract with RCA led to still another remake, the Beach Boys “Don’t Worry Baby.” After a second RCA single and an unreleased album, Keith Abler rejoined and the band went to Mercury for their final release.

The demise of Love Society led to the formation of Sunblind Lion, a group that included members from both Love Society and Phase III. (Do You Hear That Beat)

Cash Box – Best Bets (27/07/68)
Love Society – “Do You Wanna Dance” (Scepter 12223)
A hit for Bobby Freeman and later for the Beach Boys, tune could make another run on the charts as a result of this quite subdued soft-rock reading by the Love Society. Intriguing performance. Flip: “Without You”

Cash Box – Best Bets (21/03/70)
Love Society – “Bang On Your Own Drum” (RCA 9821)
A different strokes for different folks message dressed up in bubble gum format gives this teen magnetism. Flip: “Candle Waxing”

Discography:

“Do You Wanna Dance” / “Without You” (Tee Pee 3878) 04/68
“Do You Wanna Dance” / “Without You” (Scepter 12223) 07/68 (#108)
“Tobacco Road” / “Drops Of Rain” (Scepter 12236) 12/68
“Let’s Pretend (We’re Making Love)” / “You Know How I Feel (And Why)” (Target 1006) 04/69
“Don’t Worry Baby” / “You Know How I Feel (And Why)” (RCA 0257) 11/69
“Bang On Your Own Drum” / “Candle Waxing” (RCA 9821) 03/70
“America” / “Wanda” (Mercury 73130) 11/70