Despite the auspicious beginnings of ’62-’63, both at Cornell and later at the Blossom in the summer of ’63, the band didn’t initially hit its stride that college year of ’63-’64. Mongo Booth busted out of Cornell (for the first time) so the group needed to scuffle for a lead singer. An apparent solution appeared in the form of a (name forgotten) big man on campus who inveigled his way into the band as the vocalist. He had enough influence to garner jobs-certainly meaningful and a main reason for his hiring-but was not a strong or professional vocalist. This weakness was exacerbated by the need to hire pickup bass players because only Bruce Bergman and drummer John Hubbard remained from the Bravados of the second semester of ’62-’63. When after a few months the new singer’s shortcomings dissipated the special qualities the group might otherwise have possessed-they just weren’t distinctive- the status quo became untenable and a change was required.

Townie Jerry Spriggs was a noted local African American vocalist who was both an outstanding singer and a compelling performer, well experienced with a number of Ithaca bands. Why he was available was pure happenstance, but that was just good fortune for the Bravados. Spriggs came aboard with spirit. They were now better and much more exciting so that college year concluded on a high note after all, presaging the accomplishments that were shortly to follow.