Seated left to right in the 1967 photo: Steve Griebel, Jon Finchum, Kevin Evans, Al Crowe and Chuck Weick

By Steve Griebel 

     The Chessmen were from Fort Wayne Indiana and were originally formed in 1964 under the name "The Telecasters". The original members were the founder and leader of the group, Jon Finchum, drums , Chuck Weick, bass guitar, Phil Motley, rhythm guitar, and Steve Griebel, lead guitar. The name change to the Chessmen took place in 1965 with the addition of a fifth band member, Kevin Evans playing the organ. The group, collectively, wrote "You Can't Catch Me" in early 1966 and recorded it on the Phalanx label that same summer. Phil left for college in the fall of '66 for 2 years and was replaced by Al Crowe. Phil returned in 1968 and rejoined the group. Near that same time, Chuck left the group and was replaced by Mike Geise on bass guitar. One of the most memorable moments for the Chessmen, aside from hearing their song being played on the local area radio stations, was a guest appearance on the WPTA Television teen program called "21 A-Go-Go" where they played 3 songs. The end came for the Chessmen in 1969 when 3 of the 5 members, Phil, Kevin and Steve were called to duty in Vietnam. All returned safely, but their days as members of a band were now behind them. Jon Finchum and Mike Geise, however, went on to perform with a very popular group known by 2 names: Peace & Love and their alter-ego stage name "Snake and the Armpits".