Linton to tell story of Egyptian Combo at HAHS meeting

HERRIN - The March program of the Herrin Area Historical Society will feature Rick Linton recounting the long career of the Egyptian Combo, a band formed in the early 1960s and performing until 2014. He will speak at the Herrin City Library at 2 p.m. Friday, March 15.

The band was formed in Herrin and originally featured six members: Doug Linton, Butch Nevious, Rick Linton, Lonnie Dixon, Lloyd Rainey, and Nick Ridgeway.

In 1964, the Combo countered the invasion of British bands with "Gale Winds," an instrumental that charted nationally and brought international attention to the band. Playing rock, pop, and rhythm & blues, the band enthralled thousands in the region at teen towns, proms, sock hops, and nightclubs until the Vietnam War caused four of the band's members, including Rick Linton, to be inducted into military service.

Ranging in size from four-to-seven members, the group continued to perform as the Egyptian Combo, always under the direction of one of the original members. Over the band's 50-plus years of existence, a total of 25 musicians - many from Herrin - have performed as the band.

Upon returning from the Army in 1970, Rick Linton completed his education at SIU and founded an advertising agency. He retired in 2010, but he still serves as Executive Director of the Franklin County Regional Economic Development Corporation and as Executive Director of Rend Lake Area Tourism Council. Rick and his wife, Barbara, live in Benton.