For me it started in 1964 when Mr.Volcano (T.L. Dudley), manager of the band and father of the drummer (Brad Dudley) called and asked me to join the group. Formerly known as “The Sundowners” they were called “The Volcanoes” by the time I joined. My name is Ron Neilson. Origianally I auditioned to be the bass player, having borrowed my big brother’s (Ken Neilson) bass and amp. I passed with flying colors but also showed them how I played guitar & sang. They were obviously impressed because only in the early pictures am I playing bass, quite quickly taking over lead guitar and sang lead vocals. The Volcanoes (Brad Dudley, Wayne Dennis, Al Thompson and Ron Neilson) became an extremely popular well-known band. We had such fun but took very seriously the process of developing professional &  successful group. In 1965 Al Thompson left the band and school chum Harry Olsen took over the position of playing bass guitar. Also added to the Volcanoes in 1967 was the U.S. import Tom (T.J.) Jefferson who played keyboards and made the band complete. I am dedicating this website to the memory of Thomas Lester Dudley (T.L.) He was such a great man and incredible manager. Both he and his wife Marge dedicated all their time effort and finances they could spare and deposited in us much more than just tangible things. With his thoughtfulness, encouragement and tough love he invested into our lives. T.L. gave us a work ethic and a drive that was unusual in young people at that time and one that became well-known and respected in Lambton County and elsewhere. This terrific man led us from a “garage band” in Sarnia to concert stages in Detroit and Chicago; groomed us for television appearances and concerts with groups like: The Lovin’ Spoonful, Johnny Rivers and many others. But meeting Diana Ross and the Supremes was a very very cool thing!!! We even recorded our own 45 rpm record in an American studio. Wow! We were together as the Volcanoes for four fabulous fun-filled years - I will always look back on those years with great satisfaction and Pride in what we accomplished together, all because T.L. Dudley had a dream, a wonderful, wonderful dream...