Album Notes

Mike Condello

Mike Condello was born in Brooklyn, New York May 6th 1946 and moved to Phoenix, when he was 7. At 14, Mike taught himself to play the guitar by sending away for lessons in the mail and started his first band --the KING’S FOUR. Two years later, he quit North High school and became a professional, full time musician.

"The Mike Condello Combo” was the house band for the teen club "Stage 7". It was there Mike met BILL Thompson, aka Wallace. In l962, Thompson hired 16 year old Condello, to be the music director for Teen Beat-- a local music showcase, which aired ON KPHO TV. Soon After, Mike became the music director for the Wallace and Ladmo show. This was a dream come true because Mike was a huge fan.

While working on Wallace & Ladmo, Mike wrote their theme song and backed up many of the national acts that appeared on the show. He was also a member of Hub Kapp and the Wheels, The Buggs, The Ladmo Trio and countless one off groups on the show.

Mike loved The Beatles so he created Commodore Condello’s Salt River Navy band to cover and parody many of their songs. Like Mike…Condello’s songs were hip and very funny.

In addition to all the music he made for Wallace and Ladmo, Mike released two solo albums, 3 singles with his group, Last Friday’s Fire, and an unreleased album as Elton Duck.

Mike moved to LA in l974 and produced or played on records by Jackson Browne, The Tubes, Juice Newton, The Jetzons and Keith Moon. Mike Condello was a multi-talented musician and producer who shared with us his love of music and his love of Laughter.