| The year was 1976, four young men were inspired by such bands as the Beatles, The Eagles, Foreigner & the Monkees. Mark Daniel and Steve Casteel decided to start a band. Steve played lead and rhythm guitar and Mark played rhythm and bass. They recruited Steve's brother Ron to play drums and sought out a full-time bass player. A school friend named Robert Shivley rose to the top of the list as the best choice for bassist. They practiced every chance they could and in the oddest places such as the back of a truck. Steve and Robert were very interested in drag racing and snagged a gig playing at the Las Vegas Speedway and history was made March 12th 1976. They were a huge hit and rocked the crowd in the stands as they yelled for more. Just like in the movies, a record producer was in the stands that day and promptly signed the Wolf Gang to a three record contract. The boys new they had hit on something and put 12 of their best songs on their first album "On The Rocks". |
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Three songs from that album made it to the top 10 in 1976, I Hate To See You Cry, Passing Through Searchlight & Desert Band. The WG's rocking tune "Passing Through Searchlight" was used in the movie "Corvette Summer" starring Mark Hamill. Being from Las Vegas, the Wolf Gang played most of the big casinos as they got more tight and developed a style of their own. |
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In 1977 the band released the album "Special Delivery". The boys came up with this title because they felt that they were being asked to deliver, and they did in a big way with two top ten hits in 1977, "Cruisin Sin City" showcasing the groups Las Vegas roots and the haunting ballad "All Alone" sung by Mark Daniel. The Wolf Gang members were feeling the strain in the studio and were yearning to go on the road again and do what they loved best, performing live. | |
| They answered that call in 1978 by going on tour and recording all the cities they played in across the country and around the world. The album "Hit The Road" was born featuring all new songs live and on the road. This album produced one top ten hit "Nobody But You". Though the WG had consistently had hits, 1978 proved to be a tough year for the band and they decided to take a break for a while. Even though it wasn't a "break up", "it felt like one" Steve was quoted as saying. |
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The years rolled by with no concerts or albums. They made a couple of TV appearances on Merv Griffin and the Mike Douglas shows. In 1984 the WG made a surprise walk on appearance on the show "Mel's Rock Pile" and brought the house down. The Wolf Gang announced their retirement to pursue other interests. |
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| In 1985 the WG made news when they refused to participate in the "We Are The World" song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, Billed as "USA For Africa Famine Relief". They didn't accept the invitation to sing along with the other "stars" because they felt the majority of the funds would not actually reach the poor in Africa. Instead they personally raised funds and gave them to the Salvation Army and Red Cross. Also, Steve was quoted as saying "I just can't stand in the same room as Michael Jackson, he just creeps me out. Has anybody asked him about his face? Really has anybody?" The Wolf Gang has only made a couple of appearances together in public since their retirement. | ||
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