Our readers have answers

If you want to know something about Storm Lake history, ask a Times Pilot reader. They have the answers!

We’ve been reminiscing in the last couple columns about the Storm Lake rock and roll band the Jags, which performed in several iterations during the 1960s. Readers Rick Davis of San Antonio and Bill Turner of Storm Lake have given us information about the Jags, jogging their memories from 60 years ago.

So we were happy to receive this letter from Storm Lake native Michael Pierce, who now calls Houston, Texas, home.

“By way of reintroduction, I grew up in Storm Lake and graduated from SLHS in 1972.  My grandfather (Howard) and father (Keith) were long-time optometrists in Storm Lake and my late brother, Tim, was in the insurance business with Steve Stille and Mike Pertzborn for many years.  

“I read with great interest the letter from Rick Davis that appeared in the Times Pilot on March 20 that referenced the Jags and asked about its members. I also saw your note on March 28 that mentioned your friend, Bill Turner, and his recollection of who was in the Jags.  

“Rick was correct that Ron Mitchell was one of the members and that he played lead guitar. Bill was correct that Jack Pilling was also in the group, although Jack played the bass guitar. However, the other two members were my older brothers, Jeff and Tim. Jeff played rhythm guitar and Tim was on the drums. My recollection is that Mike McCormick joined the Jags during the final year they played together.  

“Please feel free to pass this information on to Rick. I forwarded a copy of his letter to Jeff, who resides in West Des Moines, and he appreciated that someone still remembered the band after all these years.”

Thanks, Michael, Bill and Rick for your help recounting the history of the Jags.

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