But the rock band hasn’t performed together since 1973, save for a one-time reunion in 1991 for the Dickinson County Centennial celebration dance.

That’s why it’s welcome news the five surviving members of the band will be on a float in the Fourth of July parade Tuesday in Iron Mountain, more than a quarter-century after that final appearance at the Kingsford Armory.

“Our camaraderie and having all our personalities come together has been so enjoyable,” said John Richtig, the Ravelles’ rhythm guitar player. “Brings us right back to our early days of playing.”

Richtig and lead guitarist Tom Lucas formed the band in 1965, adding lead singer Carmella Altobelli, bassist Ray Broullire and brothers Rand and Brian Alquist on drums and keyboards, respectively.

The Ravelles as they looked in the late 1960s.

The band got their name Ravelles from Marcia Ready, who was a cousin of their classmate, Chris Spigarelli.

Practice sessions for the “garage band” took place at the Alquist home. “My mom and dad would always give us advice and loved it,” Rand Alquist said, adding all their parents were very supportive.

They played hundreds of gigs during their nine years together, starting with weddings, high school dances and teen clubs.

“I think everyone liked us because we played Top 40 music. If it became a No. 1 hit, we played it,” Richtig said.

He also believes much of the band’s success came from having a female lead vocalist.

“There was no other bands at that time that had a voice like Carmella’s,” Richtig said. “We were unique and different.”

Yet they also became known for their keen harmonies.

After graduation, they hit (Continued from 1-A)

the road on a circuit that included the “U.P. Swings Tour” with the nationally known Buckinghams. Performances would draw 1,000-plus fans a night.

That hard work began to pay off when, after an appearance in 1968 in Green Bay, Wis., an agent approached them representing Ken Adamany, an influential promoter out of Madison.

That led to the release of the 45 rpm single “Psychedelic Movement” in 1968, followed by “Smile at the Flowers” in 1969.

In 1970, during a show at the Kingsford Armory, the Ravelles announced they were disbanding for a few months to learn new music.

Over time Lucas, Broullire and Altobelli moved on, and the remaining members looked to other talented local musicians to fill their shoes. The group credits musicians who joined during that time — John and Micky Heric, Alison (Alquist) Rae and Bill Morrison. They also acknowledge their roadies and those responsible for the sound: Dave Richtig, Jerry Broullire, Bill and Greg Moss, Rob Cook and Brad Seidel.

But in August 1973, the band officially called it quits.

“We give a big applause to all our fans,” Rand Alquist said. “As powerful as music is, the journey would not have been nearly as fun without you.”

“It brought us tremendous joy to bring family entertainment to the area,” Richtig said.

The original six members did reunite for the Centennial celebration dance in 1991. Richtig said the crowd filled the bleachers at the Kingsford Armory.

“By the second set we had everyone out of their chairs and out on the dance floor,” he added.

It sparked visions of a “reunion tour” — until Brian Alquist died in a traffic accident in January 1992.

Talk of the band getting back together wouldn’t surface again until Rand Alquist had a conversation with a classmate about the conjoined 50th celebration of Iron Mountain High School classes of 1966 and 1967.

“She asked if I would be attending the festivities for Saturday night and I replied, ‘Only if the Ravelles are playing,'” said Alquist, who quickly added he was only kidding and had planned to attend.

The two went back and forth on how wonderful it would be if the Ravelles would play one more time for the public.

Alquist couldn’t let the thought of the band’s reunion go, so about three weeks ago he contacted the original members about the possibility of doing a performance.

“Although we won’t be ready to play for a dance, we came up with the idea of playing in the Iron Mountain parade,” Alquist said.

Their Sunday afternoon practices have brought back a lot of great memories for Richtig. They are all looking forward to the opportunity to play for their fans again, he said.

“We are excited for this opportunity to play again,” Rand Alquist said. “Brian would have loved it.”

They both hope the band could reunite for another reunion dance next year.

“If the Stones can keep playing,” Alquist said, “we can do it, too.”