The Galaxies emerged from the same Tacoma rock ‘n roll scene that spawned the Fabulous Wailers and the Sonics. The band was formed in the early 1960s by Stadium High School students.

Bob Koch was a founding member and guitarist. He died of cancer several weeks ago. Some of his friends will pay tribute to him while raising money to assist his family during the third annual Musicians Fund Music Festival.

Local blues guitarist Tim Hall is a bit younger than the Galaxies. When he was in high school he remembers seeing them play at Memorial Fieldhouse at the University of Puget Sound. After they disbanded Koch got married, had children and was away from the music scene for some time. About 15 years ago he started playing blues and was a member of the bands Coin Operated and Teaser.

Hall first met Koch about 10 years ago at a jam session. Hall hosts his own jam every Sunday night at Dawson’s in Tacoma. Koch’s wife passed away about nine months ago and he soon began showing up at Hall’s jam on a regular basis.

“He was a phenomenal player,” Hall said. “He had a few licks I wanted to learn. I am sad I did not get to pick his brain for his musical knowledge.”

The Galaxies were among 15 bands that played the local circuit back in the 1960s. “The guys in that era set the bar for everyone else,” Hall said. “Rock ‘n roll was on the cutting edge. Bob was right in there with them. He was a pioneer when rock ‘n roll was fresh. Experiencing that as a kid is what drew me into playing music.”

Local promoter Mike Mitchell graduated from Stadium High in 1966. He caught many Galaxies’ shows in his youth. “There were three bands that were huge back then - the Wailers, the Sonics and the Galaxies,” he recalled.

The Wailers and Sonics did some cover tunes but focused on original material. The Galaxies never reached the same level of popularity because they were primarily a cover band. “They covered everything from Motown to the Beatles,” Mitchell remarked. Bass player Chuck Naubert would sometimes bring an electric cello onstage. “That brought a whole different dimension to the sound. They put a different spin on covers.”

The Galaxies differed from the garage bands due to their level of musical knowledge, according to Mitchell. “They were all educated musicians. They could read music, read charts. They were at the top of their game when they performed.”

Mitchell put together a concert to celebrate the re-opening of Stadium High a few years ago, after a major renovation. He lined up Blood, Sweat and Tears as the headliner. The Galaxies reunited to be the opening act. Since then they have played Temple Theater and last year were at the annual Chowdown event on the Tideflats.

Health problems prevented Koch from being fully involved in the reunion. Playing three or four sets was too much for him. Two other people handle guitar duties. Koch made a guest appearance at Temple Theater, playing five or six songs.

“He truly was Stadium High School’s Fonzie,” Mitchell recalled. “He had the leather jacket with the collar turned up, the slicked back hair. All the girls liked him. He was absolutely one of the funniest guys who walked the face of the earth.”

The benefit show takes place June 27 at Imperial Dragon in Tacoma. The show begins at 4 p.m. Admission cost is a $10 donation to the Musician’s Fund. The lineup is Blues Oasis, Shelly Ely Band, Tim Hall Band, the Galaxies and Teaser. It will close with an all-star jam session. Raffle items will be sold to raise funds. Anyone wishing to donate a raffle item can call Mitchell at (253) 549-6294 or Hall at (253) 857-8652.