The Mates left to right: Tom Boesch, Kerry Hauptli, John Miller and Steve Van Zandt". relaxing at the Clearwater Pool in July 1965.
The Shadows left to right: Steve Van Zandt, John Miller, Buddy Norris, Chris Plunkett and Bob McEvilly - organist Bruce Gumbert is not present.
The Shadows left to right: John Miller (bass), Bruce Gumbert (organ), Steve Van Zandt (vocals, guitar, maracas), Bob McEvilly (drums), Bud Norris (lead guitar, vocals) and Chris Plunkett (guitar). May 1966
The Source Left to Right: Chris Plunkett, Bob McEvilly, Bruce Gumbert, John Miller and Steve Van Zandt, April 1967
On June 13th 1964 The Rolling Stones' make theit debut appearance on national U.S. television show Hollywood Palace. Van Zandt describes watching this Stones performance as the defining moment in his decision to get a guitar and learn how to play, which he does around August 1964.
Van Zandt formed his first band, The Whirlwinds in late summer of 1964. They performed mainly surf-style instrumentals and consisted of Van Zandt (guitar), Bruce Gumbert (accordion) and Neils Lybeck (drums). The group spent nearly all its brief, five-six month, existence practicing in the garage and did not have any paid gigs, although they did play ‘au gratis’ once at a private party. Lybeck would eventually form 'The Chlan' in 1965, while Van Zandt formed 'The Mates' in 1965.
During late June, July and August 1965 Van Zandt’s recently formed band, The Mates, landed a residency playing every Friday night from 7pm - 11:30pm at the Clearwater Pool Lounge on Rte 36 in Middletown. It is believed at some point during this summer residency that Bruce Springsteen came to listen to the band and first met and jammed with Van Zandt (who was a year younger and one grade behind Bruce in school)
Van Zandt and Bruce Gumbert re-united in spring 1966 when they both joined The Shadows.