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In one week, it will be the beginning of the end for a group of musicians. They all started local -- with some staying within the area -- while others moved away but remain dedicated to getting together in their later years.
With that, The Wretched Group has announced two dates for its Farewell Tour. According to an item sent in by the band, members will play the songs of the '60s for the last times on Thursday, July 27 and Saturday July 29. Both shows will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Beach House Bar and Grill in Wright Park in Dunkirk.
"It is with mixed feelings that we announce our Farewell Tour and our final two shows," the band said in a statement. "We are incredibly grateful to all our friends and fans who have supported us for the past 58 years. Whether you were there at the beginning, dancing along with us at The Hub in the '60s -- or you became a fan in our 'more mature' years -- we love you all and we are so grateful for you and your support."
For this year, the Wretched Group lineup consists of musicians who live all across the United States. Current Wretched Group members, or "Wretchies," include Mike McEntarfer of Fredonia on keyboards; Tom Benton of Woodstock on lead guitar and vocals; Jim Modisher of Longmont, Colo., on bass guitar and vocals; David Greenleaf of Boston on percussion; Vince Gaeta of New York City on drums; Rob Nichols of Fredonia on guitar and vocals; Bill Smith of Silver Creek on guitar and vocals, and the legendary Mickey Mamp of Fredonia on percussion and vocals.
The band performed regularly between 1965 and 1968 at local teen dances at venues such as Fredonia's Teen Center "The Hub," St. Anthony's CYO Youth Center, and the Fredonia Grange Hall. They were the very first band to play at The Hub on its opening night in 1967.
Next week, they'll go out on a high note as they should -- performing right here at home.