The New Breed: Ron Moody and the Centaurs - E. Mark Windle (April 21, 2020)
The Centaurs were established in 1964 by a group of neighborhood friends from Brookland Junior High in Richmond, Virginia. The original lineup included Ron Moody (lead vocals), Gerry Spicer (drums), Donald Wright (bass), Wayne Gary (guitar), and Steve Buckingham (guitar). As the band evolved, they added a horn section, which became a defining feature of their sound. In 1969, they were signed by Columbia Records, releasing the single "If I Haven’t Got a Dime" backed by their rendition of Jimmy Holiday’s lively track "New Breed," a favorite among northern soul and mod enthusiasts.
Ron Moody reflected on their musical inspirations, stating, "Our musical influences were all the soul greats... Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Impressions, Ray Charles, Temptations, Four Tops, Miracles, anything on Motown, Sam and Dave, anything on Stax/Volt, Billy Stewart, and soul on Atlantic – the Drifters, Solomon Burke and others." He noted that both songs were staples in their live performances, often delighting audiences. Although "New Breed" was their preferred choice for the A-side, "Dime" gained more traction in the United States.
Throughout their career, the Centaurs performed extensively in the southeastern United States. While still in high school and college, their travel was largely confined to Virginia and the Carolinas. Their first public performance occurred on January 15, 1965, as the opening act for Bill Deal and the Rhondels in Richmond, Virginia. They played a diverse array of venues, from outdoor festivals and large halls to private country club events, high school proms, and college fraternity parties. They shared the stage with many regional acts and opened for national stars like the Drifters, Jackie Wilson, the Impressions, Billy Stewart, and Percy Sledge. Their beach performances primarily took place at Virginia venues such as the Peppermint Beach Club, the Rogues Gallery, and Peabody's Warehouse. In addition to Columbia, they also signed with MGM/South Records (through Bill Lowery Music, Atlanta) and ABC/Dunhill, operating under the name Ron Moody and the New Dixie Line.
In an interview with Mike Dugo on 60sgaragebands.com, Ron shared details about the Centaurs' early days and the Columbia recording experience: "My cousin, who was a few years older than I, was a huge Elvis fan, and that's how I learned about him. I would save up my allowance money and buy the old EP 45s with two songs on each side. I have been a lifelong Elvis fan ever since." The band was formed amid the British Invasion in 1964, with their first gig at a private party where they earned $14, which they contributed toward band cards. They performed at numerous events, including parties, sock hops, school functions, and fashion shows, with the Chamberlayne Teen Club in Richmond being a notable venue.
Ron described the evolution of "If I Didn’t Have a Dime," originally recorded by Gene Pitney as a ballad: "There was a Carolina band called Bob Collins and The Fabulous Five who had reworked the song into more of a shuffle. We took that concept, changed it still more, and added horns." By this time, they had a full horn section, featuring saxophone, two trumpets, and trombone. They chose the lesser-known Jimmy Holiday tune "The New Breed" as the B-side. After borrowing $600, they recorded both tracks at a studio outside Baltimore, where they worked with young engineer George Massenberg, who would later gain international acclaim in the industry. Reflecting on the experience, Ron admitted feeling intimidated, as it was his first professional recording session. Despite their initial uncertainty about how the songs would be received, they were pleased with the outcome and focused primarily on cover material at that time.
Although there were no further vinyl releases under the name Ron Moody and The Centaurs, the band has several live recordings and demos, along with a single on ABC as Ron Moody and the New Dixie Line, released in 1973.
Ron noted, "There is always a faction that wants to move ahead and one that does not. By the ‘70s, several of us had realized that we needed to broaden our horizons." This realization coincided with the rise of bands like Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears, prompting a shift in their direction. They rebranded as Centaur and changed their image, with several members relocating to Atlanta to pursue their aspirations under the guidance of music publisher Bill Lowery. The original lineup of the band remained together from 1964 to 1971. Ron returned from Atlanta in the mid-1970s, and in 1980, a second version of Ron Moody and The Centaurs was formed, performing until September 2001. Following that, Ron dedicated several years to songwriting for others before deciding to reunite the band in 2004.
Throughout his career, Ron has spent 35 years in sales and marketing with ABC/Dunhill, Polygram, and Universal. He continues to write songs and has produced material for various beach and soul acts, including Paul Craver, the Holiday Band, and Archie Bell. Today, Ron Moody and the Centaurs are still active in touring. (Copyright E. Mark Windle 2013, 2020)
