Centaurs (reunite) For Coronado High School 50th Reunion, Class Of 1964. The Centaurs, a well known local rock n’ roll band from the 60’s consisted of Coronado High School students and was led by Cliff Lenz. They are coming together for the 50th reunion of the Class of 64’. Reuniting are Cliff Lenz (Class of 64), Ken Brown (Class of 64), Drew Gallahar (Class of 63) Danny Orlino who attended Coronado High School and Bill Lamden from San Diego. Unfortunately Rick Thomas (Class of 65) is no longer with us but still joins us in spirit. The Centaurs appeared at Coronado High School along with many other high schools, colleges and concert venues throughout the San Diego area. They became the house band for the popular “Downwind Club” on North Island. On the road they appeared throughout California including the famed Sunset Strip. The Centaurs stayed together during their college years when most attended SDSU. After the band’s break up in 1968, members joined other groups and later pursued careers in a variety of fields. Cliff Lenz (64) became the co-host of the “Seattle Today” talk-show on King TV (NBC) in Washington. Some of his awards include the New York Film/TV Festival’s Silver Medal and the National Education Association Award for his children’s educational series Music Magic. He wrote and produced a Children’s Lullaby album which is still available at Nordstrom. Cliff also reveived an Emmy for composing the theme song for a Phil Donahue Special. His legacy lives on with the many piano students he has taught after retiring from television. Ken Brown (64) went on to produce rock concerts for such legendary artists as ‘The Doors’. Ike and Tina Turner, Canned Heat, and Kris Kristopherson. Ken’s interest expanded into real estate where he currently owns a shopping center in Thousand Oaks, CA. and manages other properties. Ken took over the family’s long time Coronado business which is alive and well at the corner of 10th and Orange Ave.- M.J. Brown’s, a woman’s fashion boutique. Drew Gallahar from the Class of 63. Joined in 63 and was with the Centuars during the height of their run for 5 years; Danny Orlino went into the Air Force and settled down in Guam. He has become well known on the island because of his long career as a singer and guitarist; Bill Lamden, one of San Diego’s outstanding sax players graduated SDSU and went on to dental school and became a dentist. He later changed careers and went into real estate. He still plays in groups all over the area. The Centaurs will be rockin ‘one more time with your favorites such as: Satisfaction (Rolling Stones), Twist and Shout (Beatles), Night Train (James Brown), Pipeline (Ventures), Louie-Louie (Kingsman) Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) and many others.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:50:35 +0000