Fifty years ago, a band from northwest Iowa made the national music charts with a song recorded at the IGL Recording Studio in Milford. The hit, "Peter Rabbit" catapulted the group to national and international recognition. The year of 1966 took the band throughout the United States and Canada; including appearances on Dick Clark' show "Where the Action Is" which was taped on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal docked in Virginia.
They also appeared on "Upbeat" and other national shows. "Peter Rabbit" remained on the charts for 14 weeks in 1966.
The five original members included Denny (Dee) Storey of Dickens, John (Jay) Senn of Spirit Lake, Bob Godfredsen of Sibley, Gary Lind of Milford and Dennis Kintzi of Milford. Other musicians performed in the band with the Vietnam draft taking some players in and out.
The band shared the stage with such notable artists as BJ Thomas, Paul Revere & the Raiders, The Guess Who, Bobby Vee, The Platters, Mitch Ryder, Brian Hyland and many more.
Dee Jay & the Runaways have been inducted into the Iowa (1997), Minnesota (2003) and South Dakota (2012) Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.
The original Runaways will reunite to perform on the Roof Garden stage Saturday, July 16 at the 50th anniversary for the recording studio where it all began -- IGL Recording Company of Milford.
Other IGL recording artists to perform that night will include: The Epicureans, The Dentairs, Dale's Devonaires and the Upson Downs.
Showtime will be 6-10 p.m. Other activities are planned in the Roof Garden that day beginning at 3 p.m. The Runaways will be available at that time to sign autographs and visit with their many fans.
