The North Atlantic Invasion Force (sometimes referred to as "NAIF") was an American garage rock band from New Haven, Connecticut who were active in the 1960s. They were led by vocalist and principal songwriter George Morgio, many of whose song lyrics were concerned with interpersonal relationships or were otherwise topical in nature, focusing issues such as free speech and the ongoing war in Vietnam.
The band was formed by George Morgio in New Haven, Connecticut 1964.[1][2][3][4] Their lineup consisted of Morgio on lead vocals (and sometimes guitar), Nick Tirozzi on lead and rhythm guitar (often an eclectic twelve string guitar), Neil Mitchill on bass, Ed Dombrowski on keyboards, and Jim Gaffney on drums.[2] North Atlantic Invasion Force achieved success in the southern Connecticut area, releasing several songs such which became hits on the local charts.[3]
The band's first recordings were made in late 1966 and would result in the 7-inch single, "Blue and Green Gown" b/w "Fire, Wind, and Rain," which appeared on the Congressional label in February 1967.[1][2] Their next single came out on the Majestic label in September and featured the intensely delivered "Sweet Bird of Love" on the A-side backed with the folk rock novelty "Elephant in My Tambourine."[1] In February 1968 they released the topical song "Black on White," which generated controversy.[1] The song's subject matter dealt with the issue of free speech, but its title led many to falsely assume it was about race. Several radio stations refused to air it.[2][3] The band's producer suggested that the band to re-record the vocal tracks with different lyrics to appease reluctant broadcasters, so the Morgio wrote a new set of lyrics under a new title and the band re-recorded the vocal tracks.[2][3] The re-done and re-released version was titled "In the U.S.A."[1] The original version of "Black and White" nonetheless became hit in the southern Connecticut markets, reaching #1 in some towns and received radio exposure in other areas, even being played on American Bandstand.[2][3] In addition to playing clubs, colleges, and concerts, the NAIF opened for acts such as the Rascals, the Rolling Stones, the McCoys, the Searchers, the Zombies, Vanilla Fudge, and George Carlin.[3] In the intervening spell, the band issued single featuring "Rainmaker."[1] By 1968, the various members of the band graduated from high school and were beginning to move in different directions.[2] Their last release was "Loves No Game," which appeared on Staff Records in 1969.[1] The band broke up shortly thereafter.[2][3]
Following the breakup, Morgio pursued a solo career, playing original songs in clubs, colleges, and concerts in the early 1970s.[2][3] In 1973 he took a hiatus from music, which ended up lasting for thirty years.[2][3] He started a successful antiques business. In 2004, Morgio returned to writing and performing original material.[2][3] His song lyrics continue to deal with emotional concerns and interpersonal relationships, as well as topical themes reflecting his interest in issues such as world peace and homelessness.[2][3]
In the intervening years since the band's demise, their work has come to the attention of garage rock collectors and enthusiasts. In 1995 their complete recordings, which include fourteen original works, were compiled on The History of Garage Bands in the 60's: Volume I, put out by Cicadelic Records. Two of their songs appear on Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults, assembled by Collectables Records.[5][6][7][8]
MembershipEdit
George Morgio (lead vocals, guitar)
Nick Tirozzi (lead and rhythm guitar)
Neil Mitchill (bass)
Ed Dombrowski (keyboard)
Jim Gaffney (drums)
DiscographyEdit
"Blue and Green Gown" b/w "Fire, Wind, and Rain" (Congressional 999, February 1967)
"Sweet Bird of Love" b/w "Elephant In My Tambourine" (Majestic 998, September 1967)
"Black on White" b/w "The Orange Patch" (Mr. G. 808, February 1968)
"Rainmaker" b/w "Elephant in My Tambourine" (Mr. G 819, August 1968)
"In the U.S.A." b/w "My Tambourine" (Majestic 1001, 1968)
"Loves No Game" b/w "Loves No Game" (Staff 10006, 1969)
ReferencesEdit
^ abcdefgMarkesich, Mike (2012). Teen Beat Mayhem (First ed.). Branford, Connecticut: Priceless Info Press. p. 177. ISBN978-0-9856482-5-1.
^ abcdefghijklDugo, Mike. . 60s Garage Bands.com. 60s Garage Bands.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
^ abcdefghijkSilverstien, Dave. "Oldies/Band called N.A.I.F." AllExperts. About.com. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
^"Biography". George Morgio: Singer Songwriter. George Morgio. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
^Eder, Bruce. "Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults". AllMusic. AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
^Kaplan, Steve; Wendelken, Matt (1998). Green Crystal Ties, Volume 5: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults. Narberth, PA: Collectables Records.
^Paterson, Beverly (October 26, 2013). "Various Artists – Green Crystal Ties Volumes One To Ten (1998) review". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine. from the original on November 9, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
^"Various – Green Crystal Ties, Volume Five: Gems from the Garage Band Vaults". Discogs. Discogs®. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
August 26, 2023
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The North Atlantic Invasion Force sometimes referred to as NAIF was an American garage rock band from New Haven Connecticut who were active in the 1960s They were led by vocalist and principal songwriter George Morgio many of whose song lyrics were concerned with interpersonal relationships or were otherwise topical in nature focusing issues such as free speech and the ongoing war in Vietnam The North Atlantic Invasion ForceBackground informationOriginNew Haven Connecticut United StatesGenresGarage rock folk rockYears active1964 1964 1969 1969 LabelsCongressional Majestic Mr G StaffPast membersGeorge Morgio Nick Tirozzi Neil Mitchill Ed Dombrowski Jim GaffneyThe band was formed by George Morgio in New Haven Connecticut 1964 1 2 3 4 Their lineup consisted of Morgio on lead vocals and sometimes guitar Nick Tirozzi on lead and rhythm guitar often an eclectic twelve string guitar Neil Mitchill on bass Ed Dombrowski on keyboards and Jim Gaffney on drums 2 North Atlantic Invasion Force achieved success in the southern Connecticut area releasing several songs such which became hits on the local charts 3 The band s first recordings were made in late 1966 and would result in the 7 inch single Blue and Green Gown b w Fire Wind and Rain which appeared on the Congressional label in February 1967 1 2 Their next single came out on the Majestic label in September and featured the intensely delivered Sweet Bird of Love on the A side backed with the folk rock novelty Elephant in My Tambourine 1 In February 1968 they released the topical song Black on White which generated controversy 1 The song s subject matter dealt with the issue of free speech but its title led many to falsely assume it was about race Several radio stations refused to air it 2 3 The band s producer suggested that the band to re record the vocal tracks with different lyrics to appease reluctant broadcasters so the Morgio wrote a new set of lyrics under a new title and the band re recorded the vocal tracks 2 3 The re done and re released version was titled In the U S A 1 The original version of Black and White nonetheless became hit in the southern Connecticut markets reaching 1 in some towns and received radio exposure in other areas even being played on American Bandstand 2 3 In addition to playing clubs colleges and concerts the NAIF opened for acts such as the Rascals the Rolling Stones the McCoys the Searchers the Zombies Vanilla Fudge and George Carlin 3 In the intervening spell the band issued single featuring Rainmaker 1 By 1968 the various members of the band graduated from high school and were beginning to move in different directions 2 Their last release was Loves No Game which appeared on Staff Records in 1969 1 The band broke up shortly thereafter 2 3 Following the breakup Morgio pursued a solo career playing original songs in clubs colleges and concerts in the early 1970s 2 3 In 1973 he took a hiatus from music which ended up lasting for thirty years 2 3 He started a successful antiques business In 2004 Morgio returned to writing and performing original material 2 3 His song lyrics continue to deal with emotional concerns and interpersonal relationships as well as topical themes reflecting his interest in issues such as world peace and homelessness 2 3 In the intervening years since the band s demise their work has come to the attention of garage rock collectors and enthusiasts In 1995 their complete recordings which include fourteen original works were compiled on The History of Garage Bands in the 60 s Volume I put out by Cicadelic Records Two of their songs appear on Green Crystal Ties Volume 5 Gems from the Garage Band Vaults assembled by Collectables Records 5 6 7 8 Membership EditGeorge Morgio lead vocals guitar Nick Tirozzi lead and rhythm guitar Neil Mitchill bass Ed Dombrowski keyboard Jim Gaffney drums Discography Edit Blue and Green Gown b w Fire Wind and Rain Congressional 999 February 1967 Sweet Bird of Love b w Elephant In My Tambourine Majestic 998 September 1967 Black on White b w The Orange Patch Mr G 808 February 1968 Rainmaker b w Elephant in My Tambourine Mr G 819 August 1968 In the U S A b w My Tambourine Majestic 1001 1968 Loves No Game b w Loves No Game Staff 10006 1969 References Edit a b c d e f g Markesich Mike 2012 Teen Beat Mayhem First ed Branford Connecticut Priceless Info Press p 177 ISBN 978 0 9856482 5 1 a b c d e f g h i j k l Dugo Mike North Atlantic Invasion Force 60s Garage Bands com 60s Garage Bands com Archived from the original on March 5 2016 Retrieved December 8 2015 a b c d e f g h i j k Silverstien Dave Oldies Band called N A I F AllExperts About com Retrieved December 8 2015 Biography George Morgio Singer Songwriter George Morgio Retrieved December 8 2015 Eder Bruce Green Crystal Ties Volume 5 Gems from the Garage Band Vaults AllMusic AllMusic a division of All Media Network LLC Retrieved November 16 2015 Kaplan Steve Wendelken Matt 1998 Green Crystal Ties Volume 5 Gems from the Garage Band Vaults Narberth PA Collectables Records Paterson Beverly October 26 2013 Various Artists Green Crystal Ties Volumes One To Ten 1998 review It s Psychedelic Baby Magazine Archived from the original on November 9 2016 Retrieved December 8 2015 Various Green Crystal Ties Volume Five Gems from the Garage Band Vaults Discogs Discogs Retrieved December 8 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The North Atlantic Invasion Force band amp oldid 1166517338, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
