The New Colony Six formed at St. Patrick’s High School in Chicago, Illinois, in 1964 and pioneered that city’s rock revolution, becoming the first band from the local scene to successfully bridge the gap between regional popularity and the national charts.
Their debut single, I Confess (1965), became an explosive local hit in Chicago and entered the national Cash Box charts in early 1966. Their success was solidified by their 1966 debut album, Breakthrough.
To counter the era’s dominant British Invasion, they leaned heavily into an early American identity, even wearing colonial uniforms on stage (similar to Paul Revere & the Raiders).
In the late 1960s, the band underwent significant lineup changes – most notably adding singer and multi-instrumentalist Ronnie Rice in late 1967 and signing with Mercury Records.
With Rice on board, the band shed their colonial outfits and underwent a complete musical evolution, moving away from gritty garage rock toward a highly sophisticated, melodic soft rock and pop sound with brass arrangements, sweeping strings, and intricate vocal harmonies.
Over their decades-long history, the band placed 14 songs on the national charts, including Love You So Much (1966), I Will Always Think About You (1968), Things I’d Like to Say (1969), and I Could Never Lie to You (1969).
Continuous personnel shifts throughout the early 1970s slowed their momentum, and the group officially disbanded in late 1974.
Bassist Les Kummel (who replaced Wally Kemp in 1967) died in a car accident in 1978. He was 33.
Ray Graffia Jr. re-formed The New Colony Six in 1988 for a reunion show at Chicago’s Park West.
The performance sparked a permanent revival, and the band continued touring and performing live ever since.
Ray Graffia Jr.
Vocals Pat McBride
Vocals, harmonica Gerry van Kollenburg
Guitar Wally Kemp
Bass Craig Kemp
Organ Chick James
Drums Ronnie Rice
Vocals, keyboards, guitar Les Kummel
Bass Billy Herman
Drums, vocals
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To counter the era’s dominant British Invasion, they leaned heavily into an early American identity, even wearing colonial uniforms on stage (similar to Paul Revere & the Raiders).
Continuous personnel shifts throughout the early 1970s slowed their momentum, and the group officially disbanded in late 1974.
