Combine Bob Dylan with the Beatles, the Byrds and some blues, and the result is The Mourning Glory, Wittenberg’s rockin’ alumni band.

Formed in 1967 by Bob Blankenburg ’70, Bruce Bowlus ’69, Bud Kidder ’70, John Schneider ’70, Steve Hallock ’69, Terry Merriman ’71, Rick Leaman ’70 and David Chakeres ’70, The Mourning Glory regularly played at Greek parties, at the old Student Union and around the Springfield bar scene during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Occasionally, the band also hit the road, performing at Ohio State, Capital and Miami universities.

“When we were faced with either studying for a calculus test or cutting loose at a bar in Columbus filled with OSU coeds, the choice was clear,” Blankenburg jokes.

Although The Mourning Glory performed mostly classic rock covers, the band still considers its style to be eclectic as a result of its members’ diverse musical backgrounds.

Prior to forming The Mourning Glory, Bowlus and Kidder were in the band Sons of Bach, a hard rock/blues-style band, while other members came from The Music Box, which was known more for its harmonious sound similar to the Beatles and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Schneider also brought a folk-rock influence to the group following his time with the Augmented Seven. When the band members joined together, they decided to call themselves The Mourning Glory.

“We all seemed to think the name was an interesting play on words, and it was very ’60s,” Bowlus recalled.

After graduation, however, the group disbanded, and members went their separate ways. Blankenburg went on to become a dentist, while Bowlus entered academia. Chakeres pursued the law, Kidder went into business, and Schneider tackled high school teaching just to name a few members’ career paths. Most remained in the Buckeye State, though, so the potential for a comeback always existed.

Still, despite the proximity, more than 20 years would pass before Blank-enburg, Kidder and Bowlus reunited in Cleveland to reminisce about their Wittenberg days. During that reunion, in classic Blues Brothers’ fashion, the trio decided to get the band back together, and that summer five of the original members — Blankenburg, Kidder, Bowlus, Chakeres and Schneider — traveled to Pennsylvania for a weekend of “making music.” They even cut a demo tape, and after listening to it decided “they still had it.”

Two years later, in June 1995, Wittenberg hired The Mourning Glory to play for the Class of 1970 during its 25-year reunion. The band has since played at Homecomings and Alumni Weekends, most recently for the Classes of 1987, 1992 and 1997 during their 2002 reunion celebrations. The band has also played some non-Wittenberg gigs inside and outside of Ohio.

“The 25th reunion at Wittenberg was terrifying, gratifying, exhilarating and memorable,” Bowlus said.

“We all experienced considerable anxiety before we went out on stage that night. Luckily we had the support of a huge number of friends, family and alumni who showed up. By the middle of the second set, I think we loosened up and really began to enjoy ourselves. It was terribly exciting to see friends from our undergrad years dancing and carrying on like they had 25 years earlier. We really fed off the energy of the crowd and had a great time.”

As for band members’ favorite song, they all agree that it has to be Bob Dylan’s “My Back Pages,” originally performed by the Byrds. “We do the Byrds’ version, which introduces vocal harmonies — one of the real strengths of our band,” Bowlus explained. “The lyrics also create some vivid and truly memorable mental images.”

Although finding time to practice has proved a challenge (the band usually only practices two or three weekends a year and an hour or two before each performance), the five find the opportunity to get together and play some good old rock ‘n’ roll to be extremely rewarding.

“These are the relationships that have kept us going throughout the years,” Schneider said. “There is a tremendous camaraderie.”

“The great thing about this band is the friendship,” Bowlus added. “The music is certainly a common bond, but we truly enjoy each others’ company. We also enjoy the rewards of having played together a long time. We can usually anticipate what the other guy is going to do, which has gotten us out of more than a couple awkward situations on stage.

“It’s fun to hear the old songs again, too, even if we are the ones playing them,” Bowlus continued.

“Who could have anticipated those many years ago that we would still be hauling equipment around, learning new songs, or continuing to ‘rock the hall’ in 2003?”