Attila And The Huns was formed in Wisconsin back in 1964 and gained local success within the club circuit which led to a self-financed 45, ‘Cheryl’ / ‘The Lonely Huns’ on the Sara label. In 1967 the band placed second in a local battle-of-the-bands contest and caught the attention of businessman/manager/producer Lennie LaCour.

The band was formed by drummer Rich Legault, bassist Denny Lewan, singer/guitarist Mike Peace and rhythm guitarist Ben Wiesneiwski. After their encounter with LaCour he helped them to release ‘The Vinyards Of My Time’ / ‘Here’s Where I Get Off’ on his Magic Touch Records label in 1969. He eventually managed to get Chess Records interested in the band, financed some recording sessions at Chess Studios, and even prepared cover art for a projected album, but sadly the project got dropped. Since Chess Records did not want to release the album at the time, LaCour bought the license rights from them. The cost of a color cover was above LaCour’s budget, so he convinced the band to change their name to Filet Of Soul. The cover was made black and white, and the new name was tacked on top of the old picture. LaCour financed the album ‘Freedom’ on his small Chicago-based Moniquid Records in 1969. The group released one single on LaCour’s Dynamic Sound label in 1969, the blue-eyed soul ‘Do Your Own Thing’ / ‘Sweet Lovin’,’ which was a local Wisconsin hit. Another release followed on his Magic Touch Records label, ‘Proud Mary’ / ‘(Get Out, Get Out) We Want Peace’.

Where and when did you grow up?

Michael Peace: Sometimes I hear my mom and dad make loud voices when we are supposed to be sleeping. This time my mom threw her patent pumps at my dad, my dad says, “that really hurts, Teddy.” I don’t know what happened, but my mom took us away from my dad. I was five and half years old. I remember my mom, Bobby and me on a train from California going to Wisconsin. I saw my dad was running, trying to get closer to the train. I saw him through the window, giving him a kiss and goodbye. My mom didn’t even look at him. I didn’t see him anymore, I missed him.

When did you begin playing music?

I heard and loved The Ventures that I heard on the radio. My aunt Jeanne Herman said, “That is The Ventures, that’s guitars doing that thing!” Where can I find a guitar at Thorp? The first guitar I bought was an acoustic that I bought at the WCCN radio for $15.00. I thought it was beautiful. I was only 12 years old and I bought it with my own money. I saw how to tune it. Okay, I see a couple pages with one note. No, I’m going to look at the chords in the back of the book. There are the chords. Now I am teaching kids for one hour for $2.00 at Thorp.

What bands were you a member of prior to the formation of Attila And The Huns?

I was thinking about forming a band named Instrumentals in the style of The Ventures. I began playing with Doug Deuel, Wally Staniec, and Barry Berdal. The band soon became Attila And The Huns.

Can you elaborate the formation of Attila And The Huns?

I found out that Barry Berdal is really good at voice singing, so we bought a microphone and a stand. I started to sing in harmony with Barry.

When and where did Attila And The Huns play their first gig? Do you remember the first song the band played? How was the band accepted by the audience?

We got together at Wally Staniec place, outside at the grass farm with the guitars and drums doing ‘Walk, Don’t Run,’ by The Ventures, ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T. & the M.G.’s and ‘Pipeline’ by The Ventures. First song was at school doing three songs and people really liked it. Everybody clapped, whistled and howled at school.

What sort of venues did Attila And The Huns play early on?

Was fairly successful playing for the other schools and local bars.

How did you decide to use the name “Attila And The Huns”?

We were thinking about the name “Shadow Band,” but a guy from another band came up with Attila And The Huns, and thought that was funny.

Would you like to tell us about the self-released 45 ‘Cheryl / The Lonely Huns’ on the Sara label.

There’s a girl that was in the car accident and she went to heaven. I wrote about ‘Cheryl’. I talked to the principal from school, and I said that he and the band are doing a song at Studio Cuca, Sauk City, Wisconsin on Friday. His principal is kinda mad, but we did anyway. We pressed 300 records. When we went to other schools they are dancing or just listening and they liked our music. We showed them the new record. Two months I had to buy some more 600 records and then 1,000. Wow!

In 1967 the band placed second in a local battle-of-the-bands contest and caught the attention of businessman/manager/producer Lennie LaCour. LaCour released one single ‘The Vinyards Of My Time / Here’s Where I Get Off’ on his Magic Touch Records label in 1969. Please tell us more about it.

Back then at Thorp I was taping songs that we did outside. It was about 12 songs. I went to Milwaukee with Ben Wisniewski, Denny Lewan, Richard LeGault. Rich’s sister had a place in Milwaukee. Ben and I found a studio and I gave them the tapes. Two week later Lennie LaCour sends a letter from Thorp. Lenny signed his record contract for 4, 45s and an LP recorded at Chicago’s Chess Studios. I didn’t believe it but I guess I did it anyway.

So the album got released under the name of Filet Of Soul?

Lenny convinced us to change out name to to Filet Of Soul because of Chess Records

What influenced the band’s sound?

Harvey Scales and The Seven Sounds.

What kind of equipment did you use?

We used our own guitars, amps and drums. I guess me and Lennie at Chicago’s Chess Studios.

Were you inspired by psychoactive substances like LSD at the time of writing the album?

No, nothing like that. Not even beer.

Did the band tour to support the LP?

Touring under the name Filet Of Soul. Two years and two months every day.

Was there a certain concept behind the album?

Not really.

What are some of the bands you shared stages with?

The Cryan’ Shames and The First Edition with Kenny Rogers.

I remember being in Nightingale Club at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin when The Turtles walked in while we were doing one of their songs, ’Happy Together’. My first thought was these guys are joking as to who they were. But after the song, The Turtles clapped and the audience started clapping and yelling too!

What would be the craziest gig?

Playing at Playboy club Chicago for 10 months. I met so many people, including, Sammy Davis Jr., Mick Jagger, Sonny and Cher, Jimmy Durante, Shelly Berman, Jimmy Rodgers, Kenny Rogers, Buddy Ebsen, Gabe Kaplan, Myron Cohen, Jerry Van Dyke, The Shadows of Knight, Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers and the list goes on and on.

What was like to play at Playboy club in Chicago?

We were on the 6th floor where we got ready for the show, brushing your hair and shirts, pants and guitars and about five minutes before show time. We got on the elevator going down, but it stopped. We pushed the doors open, but all that we saw were bricks from the bottom to the top. There was a phone on the elevator that we tried, but nobody could be contacted. So about two hours later we heard from the speaker above, “is this the band.” We said “Yes, we are and we are very late”… The speaker’s voice says, “Hey you guys, I am sending you three bunnies to keep you company.” The voice is laughing. We are laughing too. About half an hour later we were rescued.

Filet Of Soul at Playboy club in Chicago

Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band? Which songs are you most proud of? Where and when was your most memorable gig?

Chicago Park Water, Sky Show, Half of Million. During this time we also travelled to the continent of Greenland for a U.S.O. show, where we met and performed for the U.S. and Danish Air forces and Prince Phillip of Wales.

Filet Of Soul at Chicago Park Water & Sky Show (1974) | Denny Lewan, Mike Groh, Mike Peace

How did you met Sammy Davis Jr.?

I was working at the Playboy Club Chicago, with the Filet Of Soul at the Living Room. We were doing a bunch of songs for dancing or just listening. We took a break for about 15 minutes. We were going to go for a Coke and then Sammy Davis Jr. came up to me and then shook my hand and looked at me and I looked at him. It was amazing that he was talking to me. He said, “You and the other two cats are amazing.” He was so sweet. I will never forget him.

You also met Shelley Berman?

I remember Shelley Berman at the Playboy with me and the Filet Of Soul. We were the first lounge band at the New Playboy Club in Chicago. We were there for 10 months playing 5 nights a week, Sunday and Monday we were off, but the days that we played were amazing. We were playing in the room that was called “Living Orange Room.” People could dine there or just sit at the bar. We took requests for songs so that people could dance or just listen to the music. Up the stairs was the V.I.P. Blue Room for just relaxing and the Show Red Room where the big name artist performed. We would get to see the upcoming calendar and see who would be coming next to the Show Red Room. They always had two weeks for each comedian and/or singer. First up was Love ‘N’ Sound Band, three singing sisters and brothers. Bass, drums and guitar. After that came a comedian Shelley Berman. He was amazing. We would be playing and when we got a break we would go up stairs and see the show. And when he was done he came downstairs to see us, he danced in front of us by himself and he was pretty good too. Then he would sit down at a table and have a drink to watch us, when we were finished playing a song, he would always clap. Then a couple nights the girls from the band upstairs would come down to dance with him. Finally when we were finished playing, Shelley asked us to come up to the room where he was staying. So we did, the three girls from the other group and our band joined him. He was amazing, we were always laughing with jokes and magic. He had a jew’s harp and said that he was good at it because he was Jew. Probably about 3:45 AM we had to go home but it’s so nice for him to do that. Shelley later went back to California and the girls of Love ‘N’ Sound Band back to Vermont. A month later, we were playing and watching the people dancing, and right in the middle of the crowd was Shelley. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was really him, he was dancing by himself. He was dancing, not looking at us. I thought it couldn’t be him, but then he started dancing closer and closer and then he did a wink. He is so funny, I said “what happened?” He said, “I was in an accident with a woman in a car, and he can’t talk about it.” Later that night he asked us to join him and get a bit to eat at his favorite place. I didn’t know that he lived here in Chicago.

You’re full of amazing stories.

Next Millie’s Bluffside Restaurant and Tavern La Crosse. This one was for two weeks, Tuesday through Saturday, every night 8:00 through 1:45, they always had everybody out at 2:00 am or the police would be there right on time.

There was a guy that just sat down on a chair right at the front table by the stage. He wore gold pants, a nice white shirt, and he had a trumpet with him. He was there every night right at the same time 12:45 am. He was playing with his own band and would come when they finished, The Church Band. I said, “Is that in a church around here every night?” “No, I am Jim Church and I could play with you in your last hour.” He says just one thing: he had to know the key for the song, well, what he did was amazing and brilliant. I could hire him, but he says he has his own band and he lives right here in La Crosse. But he did play with us every night for the whole two weeks. Right on time 12:45 am

Le Pub Club, 1936 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL. We had been playing there from Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30pm through 2:00am. The boss said we should play slower songs until 9:30 then we can play more upbeat songs for dancing and we did. A bunch of people came up to sit at tables near the stage. They were dancing, laughing and kept getting louder. I thought they were drunks. I said to Denny, “These guys are really weird… Something different about these guys, I think I’ve seen them somewhere?” Then Denny said “I think you’re right, maybe on the TV.” So we played a few more. When we finished playing one guy threw confetti, I knew then, it was Dave Madden. Dave always would throw confetti. Arte Johnson, Alan Sues, Henry Gibson, Goldie Hawn and Ruth Buzzi. They are them, I said, “We have some people right here from the “Laugh In Show”. Alan Sues came up and said, “Right here in Chicago, but we have to go now. Catch you later.” When I said that, they got up, bowed to the audience, and they ran out fast. I wish I didn’t do that, maybe an autograph from any one of them would be so cool.

Filet Of Soul was booked for Expo ’67 the World’s Fair, part of the Montreal Canada Tour and was supposed to be for three months. During the tour that ended up lasting for 2 1/4 years, we traveled to the continent of Greenland for a U.S.O. show, where we met and performed for the U.S. and Danish Air forces and Prince Phillip of Wales. It was very nice, we all shook his hand and found out he was the pilot that flew that plane and flew there almost every month. He stayed at Arctic Hotel Sondrestrom where we were staying. We played our songs for the U.S. and Danish Air forces Regular men for five nights and then we went for two nights for the Commissioned Officers. This night we were sitting at the table with the Prince Phillip of Wales, Captain, Lieutenant, Colonel and us.

This night we were sitting at the table with Prince Phillip, always telling stories, laughing and telling jokes. When he was talking with a British accent, it made me think about my uncle Bob Herman except he had no accent from Thorp. My Uncle Bob had a million stories to tell. Every plate had filet mignon or ribeye steak and a bottle of wine. The first time I was drunk and the last.

That’s funny, the band and I were playing in a place called “Taste of Honey” Rosemont, IL. We played from 9:00 to 2:00 every night except Sunday and Monday, anyway three guys from another band sat down at a table and asked for a couple drinks and they were listening to my band. We didn’t know them, but they were clapping after each song. After a while they came over and asked me if they could sing along with some of the songs. I said “It’s okay,” so two of the guys left and said “I’ll be right back.” I said to our band, “That’s kind of weird but the guy’s came back with a trumpet and trombone and a sax. They joined us on the stage and I thought these guys were really good. I asked one of the guy’s what the name of their band was and he said “CTA” that band later changed their name to Chicago.

We were playing at the “Mist” in Chicago, we were called the “Blue Eyes Soul Type” band back then. This guy came up and asked us if he could sing along with us and I said, “OK can you sing?” He said, “I’m just a little bit hoarse, but I think I’m okay, I can sing along with you and sing harmony.” I said “What is your name” he said, “Joe South.” We just started a song called, “Where There’s a Will There’s a Way” and he just took off with it. He took over for 45 minutes. The audience was clapping, laughing and wowing him and us. We wanted to keep him forever but he said that he had another job. I didn’t know who he was back then.

Rodney Dangerfield, I remember him, we were playing at Chicago’s Knickerbocker Hotel. He just walks in, bringing a drink and just sits down at the table. He was clapping and whistling at the end of the songs, “I don’t get no respect!” In the bar I can hear a low voice and it sounds like John Carradine. We finished playing at 2:00 am, “Last call for alcohol”. John Carradine was still drinking and yelling at the bartender. I was scared because his son David Carradine knows martial arts, I will bet he learned that from his dad. So we were whispering through the bar with our guitars as we left.

How did you meet Bobby Hatfield from The Righteous Brothers?

I remember performing with Bobby Hatfield, one night at Fox’s on the south side of Chicago. I remember performing one night at Fox’s on the south side of Chicago, about 1997. I had just finished this The Righteous Brothers’ song, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,’ and a guy asked me if I could sing it again? He asked me if he could sing along with me. I was very sceptical thinking, is he good, or is he bad? I asked him if he knew the words. He said that he did. I asked if he wanted to do the Bill Medley part or Bobby Hatfield part of the song. He said that he would do the high end part of the song. What I try to do is make the audience happy and I agreed. I started to sing the low part of the song and he was just standing there waiting for his part to come. When his part came and he started to sing I looked at him and OMG it was Bobby Hatfield doing his part. What a thrill for me to be part of this. It seems that he lived around there and had stopped in to have dinner and heard me doing his song and decided to give me a heart attack and join me. This had to be one of the best moments of my life… It was a night to remember. Priceless.