The man behind a big retail business used to rock out in front of audiences. You may not know Lewis President and CEO Mark Griffin has a musical side. Nobody would blame you. Griffin has a well-established reputation as a leading businessman and philanthropist in the area.
"I was Chamber Chair, Forward Sioux Falls Chair, Development Foundation Chair," Griffin said.
In fact, business takes up a lot of Griffin's wall space. Plaques, awards, and various career recognitions line his office at Lewis Corporate. There is a corner of his office dedicated to a time he never wants to tune out.
"The Trippers in the trees. We wanted to have some promotional shots," Griffin said.
Black and white photos of five young men, who resemble The Beatles or The Byrds, show a more colorful time in Griffin's life. He was part of a band called The Trippers.
"Five of us got together and played rock and roll at that talent show in the 9th grade and we actually turned it into a career," Griffin said.
Boy, did they. An old radio clip from the late '60s sums up the height of their fame.
The song 'Have You Ever' spent a week at number 99 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts.
"It was very special. We took a great deal of pride in that," Griffin said.
The band, with Griffin on saxophone and organ, toured South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa in the late '60s. This weekend, the Iowa Rock 'N' Roll Music Association is inducting The Trippers into its Hall of Fame. You could say a few groupies will be there.
"I've been a fan since childhood," Nikki Griffin, Mark's daughter, said.
Nikki could not be more proud of her rock and roll dad.
"I had the 45 of an LP they did, which included a cover of The Who song, 'Pictures of Lily,' and I would play the little 45 on my Fisher Price record player. So, we go way back," Nikki said.
An induction ceremony will take place on September 4th in Okoboji, IA. Other members of the band include Mike Ward (vocals, keyboard, trumpet), Mark Henjum (vocals, lead guitar), Terry Park (drums), Gordy Haugan (bass) and Chris Harper (lead vocals). The band is also a member of the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The induction is a huge achievement, but just by talking with him, you can tell it is not Mark Griffin's most-treasured trophy. After all, Walls and halls are great, but enjoying how you got there and sharing it with the people you love tend to fill up the most space in a person's heart.
"We turned out to be pretty successful for kids. The original boy band, perhaps," Griffin said. "Great memories."
"I was Chamber Chair, Forward Sioux Falls Chair, Development Foundation Chair," Griffin said.
In fact, business takes up a lot of Griffin's wall space. Plaques, awards, and various career recognitions line his office at Lewis Corporate. There is a corner of his office dedicated to a time he never wants to tune out.
"The Trippers in the trees. We wanted to have some promotional shots," Griffin said.
Black and white photos of five young men, who resemble The Beatles or The Byrds, show a more colorful time in Griffin's life. He was part of a band called The Trippers.
"Five of us got together and played rock and roll at that talent show in the 9th grade and we actually turned it into a career," Griffin said.
Boy, did they. An old radio clip from the late '60s sums up the height of their fame.
The song 'Have You Ever' spent a week at number 99 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts.
"It was very special. We took a great deal of pride in that," Griffin said.
The band, with Griffin on saxophone and organ, toured South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa in the late '60s. This weekend, the Iowa Rock 'N' Roll Music Association is inducting The Trippers into its Hall of Fame. You could say a few groupies will be there.
"I've been a fan since childhood," Nikki Griffin, Mark's daughter, said.
Nikki could not be more proud of her rock and roll dad.
"I had the 45 of an LP they did, which included a cover of The Who song, 'Pictures of Lily,' and I would play the little 45 on my Fisher Price record player. So, we go way back," Nikki said.
An induction ceremony will take place on September 4th in Okoboji, IA. Other members of the band include Mike Ward (vocals, keyboard, trumpet), Mark Henjum (vocals, lead guitar), Terry Park (drums), Gordy Haugan (bass) and Chris Harper (lead vocals). The band is also a member of the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The induction is a huge achievement, but just by talking with him, you can tell it is not Mark Griffin's most-treasured trophy. After all, Walls and halls are great, but enjoying how you got there and sharing it with the people you love tend to fill up the most space in a person's heart.
"We turned out to be pretty successful for kids. The original boy band, perhaps," Griffin said. "Great memories."