ROYAL KNIGHTS 1960s Maine Pal Hop Surf Band and 50 similar items

VERY POSSIBLY THE RAREST 1960s ROCK / POP / SURF BAND TRADING CARDS IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC!!! A complete set constitutes twelve unique cards, of which only four sets are known to exist, and those are now entirely sold out. However, we are now able to offer this near complete set of eleven unique cards, and only two of these 11-card sets are known to exist. Each card measures 2" x 3", and is in mint condition.See below for a history of this incredible group that is so revered among surf band enthusiasts. Created in the 1960s, these collector cards were distributed individually over time by band members and their promoters at various live performances in New England. MORE ABOUT THE ROYAL KNIGHTS: The Royal Knights of Lewiston, Maine consisted of 4 members. They included Eddy Boucher (band leader, song writer and lead guitarist), Paul Boucher (drums and lead singer), Guy Matthews (rhythm guitar), and Bob Matthews (bass) who was replaced after the first record by Ronnie Morin. In each of their three 45 rpm releases, one side offered a classic surf instrumental, and the flip side featured a pop vocal. Except for the first record which covered two songs by the Fireballs (the band's favorite group and the inspiration for naming their label The Fireball Record Co.), the other two records released by the band feature all original material. A fourth acetate was cut but never released. One of the unissued songs was unveiled in a PBS news magazine program featuring the band. A certain amount of confusion still exists about the Royal Knights. The 2001 edition of the Osborne Price Guide to Records includes three seperate listings for bands by this name. The first listing includes one of the Fireball label records but also lists two additional titles that were recorded by a totally different band. The Lewiston group initially released "Chief Whoopin-Koff" and "Long Long Ponytail" as Fireball FL-101. It was issued with a red label. The second record included "Knight-Mare" (instrumental) and "Forever Little Girl" (vocal) which was Fireball FL-103/104, issued on a yellow label. The third record included "Sweet Revenge" (instrumental) and "Yes It's Me" (vocal) and was issued as Fireball 200660/661 with a yellow label. Copies have sold in Goldmine and at collector shows for as high as $300. Incidentally, the unreleased acetate featured "Seven Veils of Arabia" (instrumental) and "It's A Lie" (vocal). Although they never achieved major stardom, they made a big enough splash that today they are highly revered by surf band enthusiasts. They were the regular house band for a weekly televised Portland, Maine teen dance program. They were offered a recording contract by a Swedish label and turned it down, only to find out later that some of their music from the Ace Recording Studio tapes was issued in Sweden anyway. Meanwhile, the songs "Sweet Revenge" and "Yes It's Me" were released on a Pepsi-Cola flexi-disc. The band was also scheduled for an audition in Boston for a teenage "beach party" movie but their meeting with executives was cancelled when anti-war marches broke out that day in Boston and disrupted the entire city. The band's musical talent and achievements have been touted by garage/surf music writer and publisher Arem Heller and many others in the field who believe the Royal Knights remain one of the most tragically underrated bands of the 60s.