The Del Counts
Inducted 2023
Minneapolis rock and roll band The Fabulous Del Counts performed all over Minnesota from 1961-2023, making them the longest-running rock and roll band in the state, and perhaps the entire USA. The group began with a car accident when bandleader Charles Schoen was hit by a car at nine years old. Laid up for a year with his leg broken, Charles snuck out of bed and taught himself guitar after his homework was complete. One day when Charles was playing guitar, his friend Del Leon LaFave stopped by and started tapping to the music on Charles’ soon-to-be-removed cast. Del Leon became the first Del Counts drummer and inspiration for the band’s name when someone proclaimed “DEL Counts the songs!” Like most local garage rock bands in the 1960s, The Del Counts played lots of local gigs, including at Hopkins High School, Richfield High School, and at a place called “The Barn” out in the suburbs. The band had their breakout in 1964 when song “Let The Good Times Roll” became a Midwest hit that took them from sock hops to sensations. In 1967 they celebrated regional success with the song “What is the Reason”, originally spun by DJ Jimmy Reed at WDGY 1130AM, and eventually charting at #4 on KDWB 630AM in the Twin Cities. The group made many significant memories for fans opening for national acts like Wilson Pickett, The Moody Blues, The Hollies, The Young Rascals, Sonny and Cher, Tiny Tim, and Three Dog Night. Into the 1970s the band performed at The Cascade 9 Club, Diamond Jim’s in Mendota, Reggie’s Danceland Ballroom in Excelsior, Grandma B’s in St. Paul, The Leaning Post, The President’s Bar, and at Apple Place, to name a few. Whether it was at a packed Met Center Arena in the 60’s, The Depot nightclub in the 70’s, Excelsior Park Tavern in the 80’s, Gregory’s in the 90’s, or at The Medina Entertainment Center every decade, The Del Counts came to play! The group learned a long time ago to “blend well and have no egos of who is better”- all were friends and worked well together. The band knew that only the best music is produced by being in harmony with each other, and everyone in the band was “in tune, beat, and energy” with each other. They joked with each other onstage, and indeed were a “family or brothers in music”. Who said “Dream big and your dream can come true”? The Del Counts were THAT band, and members became professional musicians when they were very young. How many people can say they lived their dreams for many decades? The Del Counts were one of the few bands that not only had a large following, but at the start of the first song to the very last, the dance floor was full! The Del Counts never lost that “Star” quality of music energy to their fans. “Play for The People” was their winning formula. In 2006, Charles Schoen received a Lifetime Achievement Award and The Del Counts were inducted to The Minnesota Rock & Country Hall of Fame. Charles has since received The Bill Diehl Lifetime Achievement Award at Mancini’s in St. Paul, and on April 18, 2018 it was proclaimed Del Counts Day by The Governor of The State of Minnesota.
