A History of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Girl Power in Dayton

Dayton’s first all-girls band, Vicki and the Rest, was formed in November 1964. The members included Vicki Van Winkle (lead singer), Frances Davis (lead guitar), Merri Hill (rhythm guitar), and sisters Penny Cash (bass guitar) and Leslie Cash (drummer). All the girls except for Merri, attended Fairmont East High School. An article from the Dayton Daily News states that the girls “simply met in the school cafeteria and decided to form an all-girl rock band.” Its members were inspired by popular artists of the decade which included Sonny and Cher, The Beatles, and The Byrd’s. Their biggest hurdle in creating a band was learning how to play guitar. During their early years, Penny and Fran would collect battered guitars to practice chords. At the time, Vicki was the only member who had training and experience in voice and instrumentals.

In 1964, The girls made their debut as Vicki and the Rest at the GBU Hall Battle of the Bands. During their performance they played popular songs of decade, such as “Wooly Bully” by Sam The Sham the Pharos. Winning the contest, their band reached local fame. Vicki and the Rest made guest appearances at local events and venues, which included the Kettering Holiday at Home parade, the Gem City Democratic Club, the Tropics, Rainbow Rink, and the Sugar Shack. They would make $75 to $100 per performance. This depended on travel distance and expected performance time. As young teenage musicians much of their earnings were used to pay for their instruments and performance necessities.

As an important part of Dayton’s local history, Frances M. (Davis) Razor, lead guitarist for Vicki and Rest, donated band memorabilia to Wright State University’s Special Collections and Archives in 2016. Within this collection you’ll find a groovy jacket, three vinyl albums, and a memoir written by Leslie (Cash) Sickler.  Collectively, these items help to preserve the band's history and contributions to 1960s popular culture.  

Sources Used

Hopkins, Tom. “Vicki Has a Girl Band—Almost.” Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH), Oct. 10, 1967. https://www.newspapers.com/image/404897055/

Gray, June, “Guitars Plus Haircuts Equals Girls’ Band.” Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH), Feb. 6, 1966. https://www.newspapers.com/image/404486668

[ Memoir by Leslie (Cash) Sickler, undated], MS-562, Frances M. Razor Vicki and the Rest Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio

[ Photograph from memoir by Leslie (Cash) Sickler, undated], MS-562, Frances M. Razor Vicki and the Rest Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

[ Band jacket, 1964], MS-562, Frances M. Razor Vicki and the Rest Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.