Tom Violante, co-founder and rhythm guitarist for The Shags, appears in the CPTV original documentary "The 60s in Connecticut." His interview, conducted in late 2010, is now available online in its entirety. Mr. Violante is one of many subjects interviewed for the documentary airing on Connecticut Public Television.
Interview Synopsis.
Tom Violante, co-founder and rhythm guitarist for The Shags, tells the story of how four high school friends, inspired by the Beatles, formed a local garage band and became a Connecticut sensation.
Tom remembers how every kid in the 60s dreamed about forming a successful garage band and continues to feel lucky that his band experienced such success “There was a point in our career when we’d finish a performance get get mobbed” he recalls. “Within 5 minutes of beginning practice there’d be 300 kids on the front lawn” listening while his mom scrambled to make them all lemonade..
The Shags were managed by Doc Cavalier, a local dentist who became an integral part of the Connecticut music scene. He owned Trod Nossel recording studios, known for recording many famous bands of the time, including The Rolling Stones. Tom shares stories of how he and Doc knew each other well and attributes much of The Shags’ success to Doc’s management.
Tom Violante shares entertaining memories of the CT music scene of the times but also recalls a shift from idealism to realism when the youth in the 1960s experienced difficult events such as President Kennedy’s assassination and the Vietnam war. See Tom Violante and many others in the CPTV original documentary “The 60’s in Connecticut.”