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In January 1977 Glenn Anzalone began auditioning members for his new band, The Misfits.
Glenn 3rd grade photo wearing Cub Scout uniform
Glenn Senior Yearbook photo
Glenn had gotten his start in the music scene as a roadie for his brothers during local shows when he was just fourteen (1969), he also drum teched for an unnamed drummer; he has stated that he pissed on the guys drums when he left that gig. Glenn had also taken piano and clarinet lessons at a young age. He eventually joined the cover band Talus (1975) which was comprised of high school friends. After about a year Talus parted ways but Glenn and another member of the band formed the part cover/part original band Koo-Dot-N-Boo-Jang (1976); a name that Glenn chose. Once again this band didn't last that long and Glenn would find himself joining yet another cover band that wound up going by several names; Orex, P.O.N.Y. (Prostitutes of New York), Prostitutes.
Talus flyer from the collection of Maurice Nunez
Glenn has denied that he is in the two photos below but both Steve Lindner and Manny Martinez have identified him. The photos are of P.O.N.Y. performing at Bergen Community College in 1976.
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During his time in previous bands Glenn found mostly rejection when he would bring up his musical ideas, concepts that were considered too dark by his bandmates. He would also find that the members of the cover band Orex were resistant to perform songs by Black Sabbath or The Stooges which were two of his favorite bands at the time and Glenn eventually decided that it was time to form his own group.
Inspired by Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable's last film, The Misfits (1961) Glenn chose the title as the name of his new band. The only thing known for sure about the creation of The Misfits is that Glenn recruited friend and former bandmate Manny Martinez as drummer. It is said that Mr. Jim also performed drums for this project in late 1976 and both Jimi Battle (guitar) and Diane DiPiazza (bass) were early participants in the band. Neither Jimi nor Diane lasted and no one knows what their involvement was beyond Glenn saying they were involved and by March 1977 it was just Glenn and Manny working on Glenn's early Misfits songs.
As it happens Jerry Caiafa wandered into Manny's garage that March as well after having heard the duo (Glenn and Manny) working on songs for an unknown amount of time; according to Manny he noticed a bass guitar in the backseat of Jerry's car and told him to check out what he and Glenn had going. Jerry hung out at a park that was close to Manny's but didn't introduce himself until he had started dating a girl that lived next door to Manny. Jerry was a fledgling bassist that had just received a bass guitar in February 1977 as a belated Christmas gift; Glenn and Jerry clicked and Glenn let him join the band. The trio had about a month to work out songs and practice before playing their first show at an open audition night at CBGB on April 18th, 1977; just 3 days before Jerry's 18th birthday. This performance was nearly Jerry's last as he showed up in glam attire; a decision that almost had Glenn cancelling the performance.
from the collection of Maurice Nunez
The Misfits played their second show on June 28th, 1977, opening for The Shirts at CBGB. The trio also entered Rainbow Studio in New York that same month to record material for their debut single; Cough/Cool, She and an unknown third song were recorded during this session. The result would be the Cough/Cool 7" single, 500 copies were printed up and released in August 1977. The back of the single featured Glenn's "adopted" surname, Danzig, as well as an incorrect spelling of Jerry's last name, "Caifa"; resulting in Jerry requesting to be listed as, "Jerry, only." on future Misfits releases.
front and back of the Cough/Cool single
The Misfits last shows as a three piece act would come in October 1977, on the 9th and 30th they played Eddie's Rock Palace in Teaneck, NJ. The Halloween eve show would be performed as a trio for the first half and then new guitarist, Frank "Franché Coma" LiCata joined them for the rest of the show. Franché was a friend of Jerry's that was invited to audition for the band, apparently the same month he performed his first show with them. The band played half a set as a trio and then the last half as a foursome with Franché on guitar. With Franché providing guitar, that freed Glenn from his position at the electric piano/keyboard and gave him more freedom to express himself on stage.
photo by Michael Sedita/shared by https://www.instagram.com/wearethefiendclub138/
During the first year of The Misfits existence the band had gone from a two piece to a trio (with electric piano accompaniment) to a four piece, performed 8 shows, recorded/released a 7" single, they had gone thru a guitarist and a bassist and were set to replace their drummer for the new year.
Up next...THE STATIC AGE
This note was made possible by Misfits Central, James Greene Jr.'s book This Music Leaves Stains as well as various Misfits interviews. As always thanks to all the fiends (and photographers) that have provided all the photographic history.
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