The Sapians
The Sapians
By Ken Masten
The Sapians were one of the best rock and roll bands in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York. Though they went through a few different
line-ups, the original members were the ones who made a 45rpm for Mercury Records in 1965. The recording was Love Ain't Makin' It No
More b/w Ask Yourself Why Babe (Mercury 72505).
The original members were:
Ronald Black - bass / vocals (deceased)
Patrick Hearns - lead guitar / vocals
Steve Peters - drums / vocals
Guy White - Rhythm guitar / vocals (deceased)
They became local teen heroes when in September 1965 the Newburgh Board of Education refused to allow The Sapians to return to
classes due to the length of their hair. Letters from Mercury Records executives fell on deaf ears as the band was kept out of
school for one year.
The last incarnation of The Sapians came to an end around 1969. This included original members Ronnie Black and Pat Hearns along
with drummer Willie Parent and a keyboard player John (last name lost at this time).
Pat Hearns went off to college in Florida where he recorded three LPs under the name Patrick Hopney (Cosmic Rockout is available on CD).
Ronnie Black went to live in Canada. He died on 21 December 2000 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Pat Hearns is again living in the Newburgh, New York area and working on recording some new material. He is also working on a possible
CD release of The Sapians' Mercury 45 and some recorded but unreleased tunes from 1965.
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