This group started out simply as the Prophets with Larry as the motivating force behind the bands formation. As their stage show matured the band adopted the adjective that best descibed their stage presence. They got into “some crazy things” to quote Larry. It was not uncommon for the band members to play laying down with their feet in the air, play with their instruments behind their backs, do choreography or jump onto tables while playing. The idea for the original name came from an obsure singer whose last name was Prophet.    The original drummer for the band was a fellow named Bob Zimma who Jacque (pronounced ‘Jackie’) replaced early on. Ray originally started out on rhythm guitar before switching over to keyboards. Ralph came on board a bit after the band got started. Andy joined after Jacque left toward the end of the band.

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Date formed: 1967 Date disbanded: 1975

Jacque Furman: Drums Andy Gebelstein: Drums Larry Kelley: Bass, vocals Ralph Stevens: Vocals Ray West: Keyboard Ken Wood: Guitar

Jacque’s kit when she started out with the band was the standard kit of the day with kick, snare, one shell mount tom, floor tom and shell mount cymbal along with hi-hat. At some point when the band upgraded equipment she went to a new set with double bass adding more cymbals and an additional floor tom. It is recalled that the set had a white finish.    Larry was playing a Gibson EB 2C bass guitar which had a cherry finish and two pickups. The amp he had to start out with is not remembered, but when the band upgraded gear he purchased a Kustom bass amp with two speakers bottoms finished in silver sparkle tuck and roll naugahyde.    Ralph’s gear is not remembered. Ray was playing a Farfisa piano. Ken eventually ended up playing a Gibson ES 335, possibly with the same cherry finish as Larry’s bass and with the same pickup compliment. During the upgrade, he along with everyone else got a Kustom amp with the same silver sparkle finish.    The band also went in together and purchased a matching Kustom PA system with four speaker cabinets. All in all, the band had a few thousand dollars wrapped up in the amps and new drum set after all was said and done.

The Wild Prophets practiced at least a couple of times a week. Practice was usually divided between Ames and Boone since Ken, Ray, Larry and Ralph were in Ames and Jacque was in Boone. Practice was held at each of the member’s homes.    The Prophets did much of the popular songs of the day along with some older tunes from the ’50s. Amongst some of the artists they covered were Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Wilson Pickett, Creedance Clearwater Revival, the Kinks and the Association.    Larry did most of the job bookings for the group although they did get a few gigs from a fellow in Mason City. They played around the area quite a bit. The Cellar in Ames was a favorite with a good crowd in attendance every time.

It is not remembered exactly why the band broke up, but the end came in 1975–quite a long time for a local band to be together with relatively no personnel changes. Jacque went on to play in other groups including one of the first all women bands that did well in the country–even playing Canada. She lives in California and is not playing as far as is known.    Larry went on to play in several other local groups. He still lives in Boone and, besides doing satellite tv installs, helps out with his son’s singing career. Ralph went onto to play in a group called Rural based in Ames. Rural turned into one of the more popular bands in the central Iowa area. He also owned a music store for a short while in Ames. Ralph gives seminars on massage therapy nationwide. Ray eventually became a minister. Ken played in a few other bands and is still involved in music as far as is known. He lives and works in Ames.

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