The Final Chapter: The Wegians Final Public Performance is Saturday

Article presented by Tomlinson Insurance Agency

Where did the name “The Wegians” come from?

“It’s probably the biggest, number one question we get, of course” replied Steve Hummel, one of the founding members of the band formed in the mid-1960s.

The band is playing its final show in Chillicothe this Saturday called “All-In” at Bishop Flaget School on Parsons Avenue in Chillicothe. The event will raise funds for Rock For Tots and Veterans in Transition.

Back to the origin of the name. During a Special Edition of Litter Media LIVE, Hummel recounted hearing “Why would you call yourselves a crazy name like that? We talked about a lot of different kind of names. We were looking for some name recognition” said Hummel “In those days, there was a real popular penny loafer made by the Bass Company called ‘The Weejuns’. We just changed the spelling to Wegians and it kinda stuck.”

The original band consisted of Hummel, Ken Newton, Roger Gray, Everett “Butch” Easterday, Rex Taylor and Terry Woods. Each were Chillicothe High School students, Class of 1969.

Garage bands blanketed the 1960s and became even more popular once The Beatles arrived in America in the middle of the decade. Hummel said one of the top bands in the area at the time was The Four Speeds, the house band for the teenage hangout, The Sugar Shack.

The Wegians performed for a few years until the guys began their adult lives.

Fast forward 40 years. In 2011, local performer, promoter and Rock For Tots founder, Paul Pollard thought it would be great to bring back a tribute to The Sugar Shack, including The Four Speeds and The Wegians. Hummel and the boys reunited for the show at Ohio Chillicothe’s Shoemaker Center.

At the time, Hummel said they had no idea it would lead to resurrecting the band to embark on playing gigs over the next 12 years.

“It was supposed to be a ‘one-and-done’ kinda thing” said Hummel. “The first thing we figured out was that none of us could really sing much anymore. So, we brought in Nikki Cutright to help sing. That was the first time we had a gal in the group with us.”

2,500 people attended the first Sugar Shack event and The Wegians would ride again in 2012 for a second tribute concert. There have been 21 members over the years in order to cover for concerts. The rest as they say, is history.

The Wegians have remained true to the music of their youth, Beatles hits “Money”, “Day Tripper”, “She Loves You” as well as Motown hits and 70s party tunes. In all, there have been about 20 members who have made The Wegians and most all will be back for this Saturday show at Bishop Flaget School. The doors will open at 6pm with music starting at 7pm and wrapping up around 10pm. General admission is $10 at the door.