Some of the Twilighters may have attended the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington, not far from Portland, Oregon. Their records are often found with braile lettering on the covers or labels. They released at least this 45 and two LPs on Vanco.
Members were Dave High on guitar, Pat Mulvey – tenor sax, Mike Mulvey, Darrel Deck on organ, Larry Huston on guitar and bass, and William Webber on drums. According to the liner notes of their LP Both Sides of the Twilighters, Dave High was the only sighted member of the group.
From the track list of the first LP Sides of the Twilighters (“Winchester Cathedral”, “Hello Dolly”, “Liechtensteiner Polka”, “Truck Driving Man”, “Fiesta in Acapulco”, “Kansas City”, “Elmer’s Tune”, “My Heart Is an Open Book” plus both sides of this single) and the title of the second (Country Our Way), it’s likely this 45 is as “garage” as they ever sounded.
Given their obvious songwriting talent – “Out of My Mind” was written by Pat Mulvey and David High; “I Need Your Lovin” by David High – I wonder why they didn’t make more records in this style. “Out of My Mind” is particularly strong, though it does sound like the singer renders the lyric “so painfully clear” as “so plainfully clear”!
Like the 45 by the Bystanders this was released on Vanco, the label owned by Bob Gibson. Another 45 on Vanco is #208: “Sorry For Tryin'” / “Happy Springtime”, by The Fire, two songs firmly on the pop side of psychedelic, from about 1968.
Why isnt my grandfathers name Joseph “Larry” Huston on the list of band members. He was the guitar player for this band for many years and if the stories ive been told are true he is playing bass in the recording of “Out of My Mind”
To set the record straight….The Twilighters were founded in 1960 as a get-together of friends from the Oregon School for the Blind. I joined them in 1962 and we began to be a popular teen dance group all over OR, WA, and ID. We had three great attributes: 1. Willie Webber, the drummer/lead singer and hilarious front man, 2. Pat Mulvey, one of the best tenor sax players ever, and 3. four out of five members with perfect pitch who could sing in flawless harmony! I had to leave the band to raise my family and finish school in early ’68, so long time friend of the band Dave High (yes it’s High, not Hugh) replaced me and they subsequently released the Vanco records. I did play the bass on the albums but I did not play on the single. Dave High left and was replaced by Don Turner, a white hot country guitar player. After Don left I rejoined them in the banquet years ’70-’76. I passed the baton to my son Dain Huston and they continued playing on into the ‘80’s. I’m sad to say that Willie passed away in 2007 so we will never have our reunion, but we still have all the records, basement recordings, and nearly 25 years of great memories. (PS: we never played in the garage – we were too loud!) Larry Huston
I would like to mention that. Had it not been the support and patient of Alice Deck the Twilighters would not have been possible. Also understated is contribution of Darrel Deck as a musician and vocals. I will always keep these friends close in mind and heart. I am saddened greatly to find out on this Web-site the passing of my friend Willie, as I have lost contact with them since moving to Switzerland. Ron Williams
Hello, My dad was Arnold Stadum, who was the manager of the Crystal Ballroom in the 1960’s. The Twilighters were a favorite band of his,and as a young girl I was fortunate to have seen them perform, listen to their beautiful harmonies, and admire their special talents. My sister and I went with some of the band members to the School for the Blind to teach a dance class for the students.
I also had the opportunity to travel with my family and them for a gig in Pacific City. I was just a young girl, but Willie has always held a fond spot in my memories and I was very saddened to read on your blog that he had passed away in 2007. He used to come up to the Crystal to listen to some of the R&B bands that my dad was featuring,ie, Little Richard, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, etc. and he would stay until closing and dad would drive him home. He always used to ask about me. Being a very young girl I was always flattered. Just this past weekend I was at the 97th birthday of the Crystal Ballroom and many fond memories were brought to mind.
The Twilighters were one of those memories, and I decided I would love to find Willie. Sadly,I read on this blog that Willie passed away in 2007 and now it is too late. My father died in 1970. I am comforted knowing that Willie is in Heaven amusing my dad…I know that he would be smiling with Willie nearby! I would love to hear more about what happened to the rest of the members of the Twilighters and more about Willie if anyone out there has any more info…please post here or contact me!
Hi. I’m not sure if anyone still alive and close enough to my dad Willie in mid 70s to remember me, my name is Yvonne and my mother was Linda Webber. She and my dad were married in Portland oregon appr1974-75 and separated around 1981. My dad didn’t talk about us much for reasons that make sense given the time period. At any rate, I recall an amazing childhood and was close to my dad and his band. I got to go on road trips and felt like I had many fathers caring for me! Back then the music and amazing group I felt like a princess able to participate in an entertaining evening life of artists passionate about their gifts for music. My dad took me everywhere and let me talk on his CB. He taught me the appreciation for music. He taught me the drums with my first song called “dizzy”. Sadly child protective services didn’t like my mom deaf my dad blind she white and he black….they took me often and caused my family to hide as a family……but at night as I listened and watched my dad played created an alternate world full of joy and hope. Anyways, foster homes separated us…I was able to locate my dad once in 1998 off park street SW portland apartments and he ran the .music selection for Virginia Cafe (I believe). I was able locate my dad and we spoke briefly …. at first he seemed shocked and asked daughter? What daughter? As we spoke through the intercom at his apt building. I reminded him my name and I was his daughter Yvonne.. he immediately perked up nervously. …and yelled “oh yes yes…come up I’ll buzz you in” That was the year 1998-1999. Unfortunately, I was a damaged young girl and not ready to reunite. Once I was, I started searching again. Finding this site offers me possible closure but sadness he passed away. If anyone can offer me Anything or Info about my dad…I would be so honored! I have nothing of my dad’s as we were poor and torn apart by DHS. I’d love to offer some info to my grown sons and their children. My dad was an amazing artist and courageous man….marrying my mom his love who was white and deaf. Takes a special man to face the obstacles he did ….while pursuing his music . I recall stories growing up abouts his group’s album the Twigighters and how proud he was of that achievement! I pray this is my dad, I can’t imagine how it isn’t. Too many similarities . I would like to know more about his life after I was no longer in it. Thank you for any info. My phone number is 5034223759 . milwaukie, near portland! Oh I bonded with the band of fathers as we drove to sets in a van and I got to play tactile games on the palm of one man….I see his face but the name eludes me……he let me draw circles in palm his hand….hed try and guess the drawing. He was a nice man. Again, thank you and God bless! Yvonne @ 5034223759 text or call
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT MIKE AND PAT FOR YEARS. I WAS ONE OF THEIR TEACHERS AT OREGON CITY HIGH IN 1960’S…DALE HERRON 360- 943- 0513 DALE
Dale, I wish I had found this last year. I am sorry to tell you that Pat died of a heart attack on Sunday January 29th. As a drummer in the Portland area I knew him and enjoyed working with him on many occassions. My condolences to you. Bob Lyon
We listened to Pat on weekends up til his death at Lydia’s in Gresham OR. He was a great sax player.
Larry,
I’m producing a documentary on Ed Dougherty (EJD) a northwest concert promoter and I wanted to talk to you about possibly using some songs by the Twilighters in the film.
Chuck Stenberg
cstenberg6@msn.com
I am sad to say I received an email telling me that Darrel Deck died in 2011 at the age of 69. So I find I have lost another friend who contributed so much to this group. Darrel is buried next to his mother Alice in the Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery, Portland, Oregon
Those were the days…And what fun…I was the band “boy”..At the time….Setting up the equipment and helping them at brake…Bringing them cokes…Ha..At the teenage fair at the memorial coliseum..Paul Revere and the Raiders at one end and the Twilighters at the other end playing Louie Louie…The Two lighters were a better..The battle of the band’s..The Turtles”happy together”..The fugitives…And the twilighter of coarse won…I remember Pat..Down stairs telling me about the song he wrote… Something about In My Mind or Out of my Mind…I told him Out of My Mind…In the 70s after the Navy…I started singing with them…At the Gresham Armory…I was singing Red Roses For a Blue Lady…They had a different ending…I figured it out..Thank goodness… At the end…Playing at Oral Hall Foundation for the Blind at Sandy Or…And being on the float at Sandy Daze..Darrel Deck..Bill Budnick..Dain Huston or John Alexy and sometimes William Webber..Ha…A after thought..I knockout one of his front teeth…Boy I felt awful..It just came out…And Larry Huston…I had William introduce Larry as Larry “Hudson”…Boy that was funny…And Larry was mad…And the time they were playing in Hood River Or. and Larry had one of his friends there..And they were playing Good Lovin by the Young Rascals…And of course Darrel flobbed the organ solo…Was a mess.. Larry’s a perfectionist..The time William couldn’t hit the note in band practice in the basement…Larry took me and saw James Brown in North Portland…Even brought me a date…Boy I was scared…I had a girl friend…Susie..She broke up with me and I wasn’t ready to meet someone. The girl that came to the concert was cute…I couldn’t handle it….The time Larry took me to Roses Restaurant…The cinnamon roll garunteed 5000 calories..And of course I ate one..The days when they had curfews..And I was worried about it. When Mrs. Alice Deck died…That was the ending of the Twilighters. I always called he Mrs Deck…Her maiden name was Ullmen..Since my last name was Eldridge..An Ullmen married an Eldridge ….So we were somewhat related…That’s what you call fate…Love you guys always…Until I see you again in Heaven