'Rhythm of the Rain' in Coeur d'Alene

The pitter-patter of rain this November recalls a 1960s gold record — and a drummer who fell for a Coeur d’Alene girl and later lived out his life here. 

In 1967, The Cascades, with drummer David Wilson, were among the popular bands that drew large crowds to the old Rathskeller Inn on East Sherman Avenue. 

Another favorite was Paul Revere and the Raiders. 

At that time, The Cascades were four years removed from a one-hit wonder that attracted worldwide attention: “Rhythm of the Rain.” 

The song, which later was covered by Dan Fogelberg, is about a foolish man who loses his girl and then talks to the falling rain. David Wilson, who doubled as a backup vocalist, can be heard in in places softly singing: “pitter-patter, pitter-patter, oh oh.”

In 1963, the song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although The Cascades never recorded another hit, it toured the world with the USO in the 1960s and 1970s. And it was popular in Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. 

But all that was a fading memory in 1993 when David moved to Coeur d’Alene with wife, Terrie. The two had met at the Rathskeller Inn. Lost touch. And, according to The Press, then reconnected 25 years later when David was tending bar in San Diego. 

In Coeur d’Alene, David worked in the “bag room” of The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, where he checked out clubs, drove vans and served guests. 

In 1994, he talked to The Press about his musical career. 

“We just got lucky, I guess,” he said, adding that “Rhythm” was on the flip side of a 45 record by the Cascades, all of whom preferred the A side tune: “Let Me Be.” The Cascades also recorded “Shy Girl,” “The Last Leaf” and “Angel on My Shoulder.” 

Originally, the band called itself Thunder Notes. But that changed before the release of “Rhythm” when producer Barry DeVorzon noticed the name of his dish soap: Cascade. 

David blamed bad management and timing for the lack of more hits. 

“Rhythm of the Rain” was released in November 1962, a year or so before the Beatles led the British invasion of America and changed the sound of rock ‘n roll. 

David didn’t live here long. 

In summer 1999, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died at his Coeur d’Alene home Nov. 14, 2000, a day before his 64th birthday. 

Towering Inferno 

You may know that in 1977, Dayne Hanna and Steve Wheeler formed a quality marketing and PR firm: Hanna-Wheeler & Associates. 

But do you know that the Coeur d’Alene partners and their wives narrowly escaped the horrific MGM Grand Hotel fire in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, 1980? 

During the previous day, the two couples attended a conference and a show before retiring to their rooms on the 14th and 15th floors of the massive 26-story hotel. 

They were awakened by a commotion from the National Guard and firefighters. 

“First thing I thought was someone was filming a disaster movie,” Wheeler said afterward. 

Hanna and his wife joined hundreds on an outdoor fire escape, where they were showered with shattering glass and furniture. Meanwhile, Steve Wheeler and his wife used wet towels to navigate the thick corridor smoke to an indoor fire escape. 

The Hannas, Wheelers and other survivors were taken to a disaster center for treatment. 

Later, investigators blamed the disaster that killed 87 and injured 700 on faulty wiring, lack of sprinklers and a disabled fire alarm. 

“When I check into a hotel room from now on,” Hanna told The Press, “the first thing I’ll check is where the fire escape is.” 

Pacesetter 

Post Falls has had a string of quality mayors dating back 50 years, including Frank Henderson, Kent Helmer, Jim Hammond, Clay Larkin and Ron Jacobson. 

And they all followed in the footsteps of transition Mayor Cecil Meyer (1968-72). 

The community mourned when Cecil died at age 81 on Nov. 13, 2000. 

In 1946, he and his wife, Harriet, moved from Glasgow, Mont., to Post Falls, population then 800. Cecil worked for Burlington Northern Railway for 34 years and operated Meyer’s Refrigeration. He often made repairs at no charge, according to The Press. 

Cecil liked to fix things, including old cars and boat motors. 

In 1968, after the town’s population reached 2,800, Cecil was elected mayor. And he helped fix a rift caused by business owners who balked at the proposed route of the new Interstate 90 section from Coeur d’Alene to the state line. 

Old Highway 10 ran through Post Falls. And merchants feared they’d lose drive-by business if traffic was diverted elsewhere. 

Cecil and wiser heads calmed matters. And the highway was built south of downtown. 

Opened on Oct. 22, 1970, Interstate 90 is now a vital connector for a thriving city of 48,303. 

Huckleberries 

• Poet’s Corner: Whether skies are/blue or murky/won’t much matter/to the turkey — The Bard of Sherman Avenue (“Thanksgiving Day Forecast”). 

• Ancient Submariner — Dan Quisenberry, a submarine pitcher for Kansas City (1979-88), spent the 1976 offseason with his new wife, Janie, in an apartment behind a Coeur d’Alene funeral home. By day, he worked at a sporting goods store, and by night, he picked up bodies. So says the Society for American Baseball Research. 

• Head Scratcher: On Nov. 20, 1980, The Press reported an outbreak of head lice in Post Falls. Seems Seltice Elementary was shut a month earlier after 40 cases were confirmed. Principal Jim Hammond blamed parents for not reporting the flare-up. Seems the adults didn’t want their infected kids stigmatized by the nasty insects. 

• Up in Smoke: Has it been 20 years since the iconic Cotton Club in Hayden burned? When the fire broke out, a new owner was remodeling the old watering hole into a sports bar at 9052 Government Way. Named after owner Cotton Gamble in the 1950s, the club was a popular night spot with live music and, for a time, boxing. 

• Going Like Hotcakes: By late November 1965, Kootenai County had sold a record number of license plates — 18,443 for cars and pickups and 1,460 for trucks. So, the Licensing Department expected long lines when it began selling the 1966 green-on-white plates Dec. 1. Today’s red-white-and-blue version looks better. 

Parting Shot 

Joe and Penny Miller were the exact type of people President George H.W. Bush had in mind when he launched his Thousand Points of Light program in 1989 — selfless community volunteers. 

The Millers moved to Spirit Lake in 1972 to open a grocery store, Millers Food City (now Millers Harvest Foods) — and to volunteer. 

On Nov. 21, 1990, Penny told The Press: “We were both raised in small, community-supported areas. It’s just natural for us to be involved.” 

Two days later, President Bush honored the Millers with his 308th Points of Light Award — and Idaho’s second. They were recognized, among many other things, for their volunteer work for ambulance, EMT, 911 and life-saving services. 

The Spirit Lake Ambulance crew led the campaign to recognize the couple nationally. And 65 local fans wrote letters of support. 

Afterward, Penny said, “Why us?” And their many admirers responded, “Why not?” 

• • •

D.F. (Dave) Oliveria can be contacted at [email protected].

    In 1980, partners Dayne Hanna, left, and Steve Wheeler discuss their narrow escape in Las Vegas.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives   

    In 1970, Post Falls Mayor Cecil Meyer, second from left, enjoys the grand opening of the Interstate 90 Coeur d’Alene-Post Falls freeway. Others are (from left): Gov. Don Samuelson, (Meyer), Bob Bogner of the Post Falls chamber, Archie McGregor of the Coeur d’Alene chamber and Coeur d’Alene Mayor John McHiugh.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives   

    In 1980, Kansas City pitcher Dan Quisenberry signs an autograph during a visit to Coeur d’Alene.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives   

    In 1980, Post Falls nurse Roye Ely displays a school “ABC’s of Lice” poster.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives   

    In 2005, firefighters sift through the ashes after the Cotton Club fire.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives   

    In late 1965, Imogene Shively of the Kootenai County Licensing Department reveals the new 1966 Idaho vehicle plate.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives   

    In 1990, Joe and Penny Miller of Spirit Lake receive President George H.W. Bush’s Points of Light Award for their volunteer work.
 Photo courtesy of the Coeur d'Alene Press archives