For three decades, Freddy Fox and the Hotrods was a band that played ’50s, ’60s and (later) ’70s rock and roll at area dances, pleasing crowds with solid covers and fun costume changes. Band leader Fred Prosser said the Hotrods have been nominated for induction in the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.
Prosser has posted a message on the band’s Facebook page asking fans to join the KMHOF (www.KMHOF.org/join) and vote for the band to join the ranks of beloved Kansas musicians. Tim Pfeifer with Anthony and the Anamals (sic) wrote the letter of recommendation and the rest is up to the fans.
The band got its start with a gig at the Bivouac in Kinsley on Aug. 24 and 25, 1983. Costumes over the years included Prosser as Elvis and and “Freida” Turner (Tina’s ugly sister).
The Hotrods stopped playing for a time but then Prosser was inspired by his favorite singer, Frankie Valli, to regroup. “I saw him in concert and thought, ‘I’ve got to do this again,’” he said.
The band featured more than 20 different musicians over the years but the final lineup was Prosser on keyboards and sax (and in charge of costumes); Neil Depew, keyboard and bass; Brian Steckline, drums and keyboard; and Troy Kirby on guitar. All of the band members took turns on lead vocals. Eric “Butch” Muehleisen was in charge of sound.
“God gave me all of the musicians and entertainers to make it a success,” he said. “I’m nothing without the Hotrods.”
Their last concert was at the Hoisington Labor Day celebration in 2017. It was one of the last concerts in the city park before Hoisington Labor Day organizers switched to a street dance, he said. “Over 4,000 people were there.”
After Kirby died in 2023 following a two-year battle with brain cancer, Prosser knew the band would not get together again. “Regrettably, when he died, a lot of me died,” he said.
“In 34 years, we worked hard to put smiles on your face and now I am asking for your help,” Prosser posted on the band’s Facebook page, asking fans to join the Kansas Music Hall of Fame and vote.
The 2024 KMHOF inductees were Angela Hagenbach, (Great Bend native) Karrin Allyson, Ric Averil, Rick Faris, The Scamps and Son Venezuela. The first inductees, in 2005, were The Blue Things, Brewer & Shipley, Chesmann/Chesmann Square, Mike Finnigan, The Fabulous Flippers, Kansas, The Red Dogs, Rodney & the Blazers, and Big Joe Turner.
