In 1961 a group of high school friends from Louisville, Kentucky noticed that if you played in a band you could meet more girls. So, with no real musical background they began rehearsing in a basement and looking for teen clubs that would hire them to perform. They named the band “The Monarchs” and soon were playing at teen clubs and sox hops throughout the Louisville area. After getting local airplay for their self-financed recording of Over the Mountain, The Monarchs signed with a talent agency and went to Nashville to make a record. In 1962, their first release, written by legendary soul singer James Brown, found its way to the top of the charts throughout the region. Then, in 1963 the band returned to Nashville, under contract with Monument Records, to record what would become their first national hit. 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of their 1964 release of “Look Homeward Angel”. The song went to number one in major markets throughout the United States and Canada and was on the Billboard Charts for an astounding 13 weeks. The Monarchs toured with Dick Clark and his Caravan of Stars and worked with many of the icons of the early years of Rock & Roll as well as members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Appearances with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers and Chubby Checker, only to name a few, was the beginning of a long and successful performing and recording career. In 2021, The Monarchs celebrated 60 years of performing and they are in as much demand as ever. Today they continue to add to their resume’ and perform regularly with other national recording artists. Recent appearances at the Kentucky State Fair as the opening act for such artists as The Endless Summer Tour featuring Al Jardine of the Beach Boys, The Happy Together Tour featuring the Turtles, the Association, the Vogues, the Cowsills, Dean Torrance from Jan and Dean as well as Gary Puckett have solidified their title as Louisville’s Musical Ambassadors. Their style of good time rock & roll is always a crowd pleaser, presented in true “oldies” fashion. The Monarchs music spans generations of fans and is a real “get out of your seat” entertainment experience.