The Del Counts opened shows for Ike and Tina Turner, the Beach Boys, Sunny and Cher, The Olympics, The Coasters, The Righteous Brothers. We were the backup band of choice in 1963-1964 in Sacramento, California. In Sacramento Tower Records chose us to open the party for the "Stones" on their first USA tour at the El Mirador Hotel. There is a band in Minnesota with the same name, The Del Counts. That means nothing now. We had our day, it was great, and will always be a fond memory.

The band broke up late in 1964. Donnie Wilkins went to Lake Tahoe to work then to Berklee School of Music. Dave Haynes continued working with Tower Records in Sacramento. Ned Eldredge went on the road working with a show band up and down the West Coast and Las Vegas. Mike Clark went to Oakland getting his awesome funk thing together with Paul Jackson, eventually working for years with Herbie Hancock.

Early photo of Del Counts before drummer Mike Clark joined up. The band downsized to a four piece when pianist Donnie Wilkins joined the band. Dave Haynes stayed on with his Bass (see top photo)