All posts by Chris Bishop

The Penetrators & the Beau-Mondes: Ronnie Leatherman’s bands before the 13th Floor Elevators

April 27, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

Ronnie Leatherman is best known for playing bass on The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators. Before that time, he had at least two other bands, the Penetrators and the Beau-Mondes, formed while he was at Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, a town about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.

Counts, Kerrville Mountain Sun, September 18, 1963 — Kerrville Mountain Sun, September 18, 1963

The Penetrators started as “The Counts”. On September 18, 1963, the Kerrville Mountain Sun reported:

“The Counts,” a small band group at Tivy, performed on the radio September 10. The group is composed of Pat Morrison, guitar; Ronnie Leatherman, bass; Danny Klein, guitar; and Bobby Morrison, drums. They played “Bulldog” and one of their own songs, “The Swing.”

Penetrations, Kerrville Mountain Sun, March 25, 1964 — Listed as the Penetrations, March 25, 1964

The earliest notice I can find for the Penetrators is from March 25, 1964, where the Kerrvile Mountain Sun lists the group name as the “Penetrations”. Members were the same as the Counts:

Danny Klein – lead guitar
Pat Morrison – rhythm guitar
Ronnie Leatherman – bass
Bobby Morrison – drums

This quartet would be the heart of the band through several changes in lineup.

Penetrators, Kerrville Daily Times, July 14, 1964

On July 12, 1964 the same lineup played a show at the Jaycee Center with the Reverbs, which included Bobby Schmidtke, Frank Lola and Pat Young.

Penetrators, Kerrville Daily Times, October 2, 1964

Penetrators, Kerrville Daily Times, November 6, 1964

A notice in the Kerrville Daily Times from August 23, 1964 is the first time Max Range is connected to the band: “Range is band leader of The Traditions but will be appearing with The Penetrators, local combo.”

On September 20, 1964, the Daily Times column Hill Top Village Views includes Max Range as a member, and also includes Bobby Solomon whose name I do not see in any other listing. The October 2 Daily Times includes a photo of the band with Max Range.

A notice from November 6 in the Daily Times for a Jaycee Youth Center dance the next day lists yet another short-lived member, Carlton White on rhythm guitar. Carlton’s name would also appear in notices from January 14 and 28, 1965. Carlton White had been in a folk group with Stacy Sutherland, the Travelers Four.

Penetrators, Kerrville Daily Times, February 25, 1965 — The Penetrators from left: Bob Morrison, Ron Leatherman, Max Range, Danny Klein, and Pat Morrison

On February 25, 1965, the Daily Times reused the photo from October, but noted:

Kerrville’s Penetrators made their first TV appearance Saturday afternoon on the Ricci Ware show … on Channel 5 … The boys have written several songs and played one composed by Max Range, “I’ll Keep Praying Til Then” on the TV show. Left to right are Bob Morrison, drummer, and student at Tivy High School; Ron Leatherman, bass player and Tivy student; Max Range, vocalist and harmonica player who is employed at the Daily Times; Danny Klein, Tivy senior and lead guitarist; and Pat Morrison, rhythm guitar and student at Schreiner Institute.

Penetrators Kerrville Daily Times, June 6, 1965 — Penetrators, Kerrville Daily Times, June 6, 1965

A Daily Times article from June 6, 1965 writes:

The Penetrators … have released their first record which is available to the public. The record, “Praying Till Then” and “Kurl” is on the Trater Record label. “Praying Till Then”, a slow ballad, was composed by Max Range, vocalist for the group. The flip side “Kurl”, was composed by all members of the ensemble, who are, Danny Klein, Bob Morrison, Ron Leatherman, Pat Morrison and Max Range.

This is the last mention of the Penetrators I can find. The single was released as by Max and the Penetraters on Trater Records 650528.

By the summer of 1965, Max Range left to Port Aransas with the Lingsmen, a group featuring two other Kerrville musicians, Stacy Sutherland and John Ike Walton.

Beau-Mondes Kerrville Mountain Sun, November 24, 1965 — The Beau-Mondes, Kerrville Mountain Sun, November 24, 1965

An article in the Kerrville Mountain Sun from November 24, 1965 on the Beau-Mondes shows the original Penetrators quartet has been expanded into a septet and renamed, featuring:

Mark Atterbury – vocals
Danny Klein – lead guitar
Pat Morrison – rhythm guitar and manager
Bill Stacy – rhythm guitar
Bob Schmerbeck – piano
Ronnie Leatherman – bass guitar
Bobby Morrison – drums

The Beaumondes, Kerrville Daily Times, December 29, 1965

The last mention I can find of the Beau-Mondes was from December 29, 1965, and mentions a single that I do not believe was ever released:

The Beaumondes … have recently cut a record. The name of the record is “Won’t You Cry for Me?” It will be released January 11. The lead singer, Mark Atterbury, wrote the song and sings it with the other boys providing the background The members are Mark, Pat Morrison, Bobby Morrison, and Ronnie Leatherman.

From an interview on It’s Psychedelic Baby by Justin Jackley, Ronnie Leatherman mentioned a trio with two friends who passed away the same year. He also said the Lingsmen asked him to come to Port Aransas for a few weeks to play with them and help Bennie Thurman learn how to play the bass, and that Stacy wanted Ronnie in the 13th Floor Elevators.

Thank you to Matthew B. for his continued help to access news sites.

Categories: Austin, Casino, Kansas, Sonobeat, Texas, Topeka

The Thingies on Casino and Sonobeat

April 22, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Thingies were a peripatetic band, settling and playing shows in a number of locations, and occasionally recording. A full story of the band is on the Cicadelic site. I wanted to include a brief post on the Thingies because of their single on Casino Records.

In late 1962, Larry Miller formed the TR4 while he was stationed with the Air Force in Topeka, Kansas.

The TR4 were:

Don Ferguson – lead guitar
Dave Daws – organ
Larry Miller – bass and vocals
Joe Rodriguez – drums

The TR4 released a single in 1963, “Peter Rabbit” backed with a stomping instrumental, “Surfin’ TR” on Exclusive Records.

In 1964 the band added Phil Weaver as lead vocalist and changed their name to the Coachmen. Gordon Marcellus replaced Joe Rodriguez on drums.

By 1965 the lineup changed again along with the band name to the Thingies:

Fabulous Thingies Emporia Civic Auditorium Emporia Gazette Nov 11, 1966 — Fabulous Thingies at the Emporia Civic Auditorium, Nov 11, 1966

Phil Weaver – lead vocals
John Dalton – lead guitar
Ernie Swisher – organ
Larry Miller – bass
Gordon Marcellus – drums

They released “It’s a Long Way Down” / “Merry Go Round Of Life” on Casino in early 1966. The group played often in Omaha, Nebraska, where the band first learned about psychedelics. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band played at The Tiki Club in Topeka, and they helped the Thingies get a light show together according to Larry Miller.

In December, 1966, the Thingies recorded two original at Fairyland Studios in Columbia, MO, “English Eyes” / “No Matter What The World May Say” that were not released at the time, but “English Eyes” appeared on the CD “The Thingies Have Arrived” on Collectables. That CD also features one vocal and two instrumental takes of another original, “I’m Going Ahead”.

The Thingies spent the summer of 1967 in Miami, playing regularly at a huge teen club called The World.

Thingies Love-In Georgetown Megaphone Sept. 29, 1967 — Georgetown Megaphone Sept. 29, 1967

They went to Waco, where Phil Weaver had family, then moved to Austin, Texas in September. One of their earliest shows in Austin was at a Love-In at Zilker Hillside Theater on September 24.

In an article headlined Capital Cops Tops With Hippie Love-In, reporter Mary Callaway gets a little carried away, but still presents a great window onto the Thingies stage show:

Freak-out music dramas presented by the Thingies, a national psychedelic band.
Dressed in a collage of costumes from full monk garbe to Daniel Boone, the Thingies presented a trip experience in which an amber light caught on the jags and peaks of a lump of raspberry jello one into a dream of all worldly objects and abstract concepts merging into one single sound which becomes dust, spirals, and creates a new being. Then the drums and guitars pick up the poet’s rhythm and “Gloria” crashes in in full orchestra.
In “Suzi Creamcheez, What’s Got Into You” the female member of the band expresses a trip experience in which for twenty minutes, with wailing guitars, computer sounds, and aggressive band members, throw her absurd world into supersonic gear, and pathetically enough she screams frantically throughout the drama.

The Austin Daily Texan writer Merry Clark had a more sober account, and named the other bands on the bill:

The Jackels from Dallas began the afternoon playing a new sound for the group formerly known as the Chessmen. They were followed by the Austin Conqueroo …. then a newer Austin band composed mostly of University architecture students, Shiva’s Head Band … A group of men from Bergstrom Air Force Base called the Afro-Caravan [with] Robert King, the leader of the group.
The evening program began and ended with a light show, “Mothers of Invention” sound, and freak out of the Thingies band from Miami.

Jackals, Conqueroo, Shiva's Headband, Afro-Caravan, Thingies Austin Daily Texan Sept. 26, 1967 — Austin Love-In with the Jackals, the Conqueroo, Shiva’s Headband, Afro-Caravan, and the Thingies, Austin Daily Texan, Sept. 26, 1967

Over the next six months, the Thingies would play many live shows at the Matchbox, the Vulcan Gas Company, the Pleasure Dome and other venues. Their manager (Night Productions) owned the 11th Street Folk Club, and the group recorded some live shows but the tapes have apparently been lost.

The band signed with Sonobeat, who recorded them at the Swinger’s Club during the club’s off hours, and did overdubs at KAZZ-FM studios. The single featured Gordon Marcellus and Larry Miller’s original “Mass Confusion” backed with Phil Weaver and Bob Cole’s “Rainy Sunday Morning”. Recorded in December, 1967, Sonobeat didn’t release it until the spring of 1968, by which time the Thingies had split up.

Unreleased songs from the Sonobeat sessions include “I Died”, “Mrs. Baker”, “Richard’s Song”, all without finished vocal tracks. You can hear “Mrs. Baker” on the Sonobeat page for the Thingies.

Gordon Marcellus passed away in 2004, Phil Weaver passed in 2014, and Larry Miller passed away at 74 in 2017.

Thingies at the Match Box Austin Daily Texan, Nov 29, 1967 — Thingies at the Match Box, Austin Daily Texan, Nov 29, 1967

An additional source was Mojo Mills’ interview with Larry Miller in Shindig.

Thingies Night Productions Austin Daily Texan Sept. 24, 1967 — Night Productions: the Thingies management in Austin

The Thingies, partial gig list:

September 3, 1966 – at the Skyline Club, Manhattan, Kansas

November 12, 1966 – The Fabulous Thingies at the Emporia Civic Auditorium

June 30, 1967 – Atchison, KS Memorial Auditorium

September 24, 1967 – Zilker Hillside Theater, Austin, TX, Love-In with the Jackals, the Conqueroo, Shiva’s Headband and the Afro-Caravan.

September 29 and September 30, 1967 – the IL Club, Austin, TX

October 3, 1967 – New Orleans Club, Austin
October 20 and October 21, 1967 – The IL Club, Austin (“After Hours 1 a.m. – 4 a.m.”)
October 31, 1967 – New Orleans Club, Austin (“Halloween Ball … wear mask”)

November 29, 1967 – The Match Box, Austin

December 15 and December 16, 1967 – The Pleasure Dome, Austin

December 29 and December 30, 1967 – Hilltop Club, Atchison, KS “The Thingies out of Austin … Just back from the Bahama Islands” ?!

Thingies Fort Stockton Pioneer Nov. 30, 1967 — Notorious even in distant Fort Stockton, TX, reported in the Pioneer, Nov. 30, 1967

Categories: Royal Family, San Antonio, Texas

The Bourbons “Of Old Approximately” from San Antonio

April 16, 2020 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

The Bourbons are something of a mystery group. I have never seen a photo of the band and don’t know most of the names of the group.

Lee Poundstone is the Lee credited with writing the songs on their only single.

Ricky Jones left a comment below saying he played keyboards with the group.

I’ve found two notices for one of the Bourbons rare live shows, at Teen Town on 3524 S. New Braunfels in San Antonio on October 21, 1966. Their single on Royal Family 45-267 dates to March, 1967 according to Teen Beat Mayhem. I suppose the 267 release number must fit into Bob Tanner’s TNT pressing plant list, as TNT Music published the songs.

Bourbons The Casket Kerrville Daily Times July 13, 1967 — At The Casket in Kerrville – same band?

Both sides are classic Texas garage, “A Dark Corner” having a guitar line something like the Elevators’ “Roller Coaster” but with more menace to it.

“Of Old Approximately (A Time for a Change)” has a great sound, from the wailing harp to the buzzsaw guitar.

I found another notice for the Bourbons playing at The Casket in Kerrville, an hour’s drive north west of San Antonio in July, 1967. It’s possible this is not the same group.

If anyone has a photo of the group or knows something about the Bourbons, or the other groups on these listings: the Gothics, the Aggressors, the Catalinas, the Spidels, Mods and the Sound, please contact me.

Ricky Jones told me “the Aggressors morphed into Band Ayd after Terrell O’Neill (of the former Cave Dwellers) joined the band as lead singer.” I am hoping Ricky will provide more info and some photos of the band.

Lee Poundstone has a credit for playing bass on Rosalie Sorrels ‎LP on Sire, Travelin’ Lady, though I don’t know if this is the same person.

Some info from Don Julio on the G45Central.

Categories: New York, Unknown, Yorkshire

The Odyssey “Just to Be” on Yorkshire Records

April 14, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

Here is a truly unknown single by the Odyssey, “Just to Be” b/w “Sunday Time” on Yorkshire Records YO 154. I’m not sure of the pressing date, but Leonard Novarro registered “Sunday Time” with the Library of Congress in July, 1968.

I couldn’t find a Library of Congress registration for “Just to Be”, but BMI lists the song as “Just to Be the Way I Want to Be” with Warner-Tamerlane.

Leonard Novarro, Vincent Leary and Richard Nusser co-composed the song.

Richard Nusser may have been the columnist for the Village Voice.

Vincent Leary may be the same Vinny Leary who played guitar with the Fugs on their earliest albums, and again in the mid-80s. Vinny Leary was also an engineer at Variety Recording Studio. This was one of only two song-writing credits he has on BMI, the other being co-composer of “Virgin Forest” with Ted Berrigan and Lee Soren Crabtree; there is also a “Benson Leary” credited on the Fugs’ “Doin’ All Right”.

David Gornston’s name appears as publisher. Ten years prior Gornston published a number of Big Bob Dougherty’s songs on Golden Crest: including “Honky”, “Squeezer”, “Lover’s Love” and “Lorelei”.

Golden Crest was based in Huntington, NY. I’m not sure where Yorkshire Records was located, but the label produced other good singles by the Dolphins, from Larchmont, and the Saxons, from West Palm Beach.

Leonard A. Novarro registered many other copyrights. Although the Odyssey labels spell his name as L. Navarro, it seems Novarro is correct. So far I haven’t discovered if any of the following were recorded:

In August 1967, Novarro registered “Don’t Disturb the Artist” and “Gypsy Man”.

In January 1969, using the pseudonym Gideon, Novarro registered “Candy Buttons”, “Dusty Shoes”, The Homecoming”, “Lady Liar”, “Sweet-Talkin’ Child”.

In May of 1970, he registered “Baby’s Sleeping”, “Sunny Day Woman” and “Time Again”, and in August “Hear My Warning” and “Legend of a Love Child, Linda” (echoes of Donovan on this title).

Thank you to J.W. Honeycutt for alerting me to the Odyssey single. Some info on Vinny Leary came from Mr. Smith, the Sybarite Who Also Was a Teacher by Warren Allen Smith.

Categories: California, Edsel, Los Angeles, Mustang

The Pottery Outfit and Randy Fuller – “Now She’s Gone”

April 11, 2020 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

Here’s an odd single by The Pottery Outfit, which seems to be Randy Fuller collaborating with Howard Steele on one side and Johnny Daniel on the other.

“Captain Zig-Zag” is an unabashed tribute to rolling papers: “the happy paper maker, makes the paper to make you merry, accompany you to the land of mari…” and “this paper will help you ease your mind”.

The R. Fuller – H. Steele credit suggests Randy Fuller and bassist Howard Steele. Publishing through Brave New World, but I can’t find any record of copyright registration.

The music backing is excellent, possibly featuring Mike Ciccarelli on lead guitar and DeWayne Quirico on drums.

Between the suggestive lyrics and trademark issues, it’s no surprise this was not released beyond a few white label 45s with a blank label B-side.

In 1966, Randy released his first single under his own name, “It’s Love Come What May” / “Wolfman” on Mustang Records 3020. He recorded two songs for a follow-up single on Mustang 3023, which never saw release. One of these, “Things You Do” showed up as the B-side of the 1967 UK release of “It’s Love Come What May” on President Records PT 111.

Randy Fuller Edsel 45 Now She's Gone — Blank label plays Randy Fuller’s “Now She’s Gone”

The other song from that unreleased Mustang single, “Now She’s Gone”, appears on the blank-label B-side of the Pottery Outfit. Randy Fuller and John Daniel co-wrote both “Things You Do” and “Now She’s Gone”. John Daniel’s full name appears in BMI as John Calvin Daniel.

Released on Edsel 777, the Pottery Outfit has Δ69864 in the run-out of both sides, dating it to January or February 1968 (possibly December 1967).

I’ve read that “Now She’s Gone” is on the B-side of his second single on Showtown, “1,000 Miles into Space”, but I haven’t actually seen a label with that song. I’ve only seen promo versions that have “1,000 Miles into Space” on both sides – can anyone confirm this?

Categories: Brunswick, New York, New York City, Queens

The Four of Us “I Don’t Need No One” from Queens, NY

April 7, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Four of Us came from Queens, NY, though I’m not sure which neighborhood.

“I Don’t Need No One” is good tough garage with sax, written by Joseph Guido, Stephen Guido, and Jose Maldonado, all probably members of the group.

“I Don’t Need No One” was reviewed as the top side in Cash Box in January, 1966: “Raunchy funky shouting tune based on an everpresent solid beat. Strong guitar and hard vocal work could start this one off toward being a biggie.”

The flip is the more pop “Iga Diga Doo”, technically the A-side, written by Harold Onderdonk, George Bonetti, Tom Cox, and Jim Carrick. Merrimac Music Corp. published both sides. This team also wrote “Stomp ‘Em Out” for the Exterminators on Chancellor CHC 1148, the flip to “The Beetle Bomb”, but were not credited on the label. Ding Dong Music Corp published “Stomp ‘Em Out”, registering copyright in April, 1964 (March, 1964 for “The Beetle Bomb”).

The Four of Us was released on Brunswick 55288. Producer Harry Goodman was Benny Goodman’s brother.

I would appreciate more info or photos of the group.

Joey Guido and Jose Maldonado (as Jose Mala) formed the Koala with Anthony Wesley, Joe Alexander and Louis Caine, releasing an album & single on Capitol in 1969 featuring all original songs by Guido and Maldonado. In 1974, Jose Mala replaced Eric Emerson in the Magic Tramps.

Categories: Atlanta, Georgia, Grudge

The Venetian Blinds on Grudge

April 6, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Venetian Blinds released a great double-sided record in August, 1967, “Just Knowin’ You Love Me” and “Quit Your Belly Achin’ Baby”.

The band came from Atlanta, Georgia.

Members were Ric Jansen, Steve Abstance, Lance Adams, Mike Nolen, and Bill Allen.

On November 11, 1967, the Atlanta Constitution ran a short profile of the band headlined “‘Venetian Blinds’ Are Rolled Out”, written by Charlie Burks.

DJ Don Rose came up with the band’s name on his WQXI show when he said “The Doors, The Electric Prunes, The Strawberry Alarm Clock … Next it’ll be The Chairs or The Tables or The Venetian Blinds.”

The article mentions a second recording, “Bad News Girl” / “What’s His Face” and says “it has psychedelic overtones and should hit the charts.” I wonder if these songs exist on acetate or tape.

The Grudge Records label has an address of 470 Springwood in San Antonio, Texas. I don’t know why the group had their single released with an obscure Texas label. The article has no mention of Texas. That San Antonio address led to some confusion. Doug Hanners and Dave Shutt listed the band in the 2nd edition of Journey to Tyme, and the Eva label included “Quit Your Belly Achin’ Baby” on Texas Punk From The Sixties (vol. 2), released in 1985.

Ric Jansen wrote both songs, with arrangement help by Mike Nolen on “Just Knowin’ You Love Me”. Neither name shows up on other records in either Atlanta or San Antonio, to my knowledge, nor have I found another release with “A Ric Jansen Production” credit.

The publisher, Margie Music was associated with Atlanta Sound Recording Studios and the Gaye label, like the Mondels, Red Beard & the Pirates, etc. Furthermore, though this may have been a Rite account, the deadwax includes NRC for the National Recording Corporation, an Atlanta pressing plant.

The article mentions the Venetian Blinds appeared on a local TV show, and that Merv Griffin showed interest in featuring the band on his show.

Anyone have a photo of the group?

Categories: Cathay, Ohio, Sparta

The Lorey’s of Sparta, Ohio

April 6, 2020 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

The Lorey’s (or Lorries) came from Sparta, Ohio, a small town northeast of Columbus.

Original members included:

Ted Fuller – vocals
John Boston – lead guitar
Murv Mast – rhythm guitar
Ernie Duncan – keyboards
Larry Roades – bass (replaced by Bob Steinbrink)
John Hinkle – drums

The group competed at the Northland Shopping Center 3rd Annual Battle of the Bands in 1967, and though they did not place in the competition, their song “Don’t You Dare” appears on the album.

The lineup changed often, eventually replacing every member but the rhythm section of Steinbrink and Hinkle:

Steve Baker – vocals
Aaron Kerns – lead guitar
Herb Sample – rhythm guitar
Ed Hartman – keyboards
Bob Steinbrink – bass
John Hinkle – drums

Steve Baker wrote two original songs, “Goin’ Downtown” / “Ready to Go” which found release on Cathay Records. Both songs were registered for copyright in February, 1969.

Cathay was named after Kathay Whitney, who was president and manager of Monte Verde Publishing. Billboard listed Monte Verde with a South Charleston, West Virginia address in 1969, then a Watsonville, CA address in 1970 and ’71.

The Loreys release on Cathay has an address of Rimrock Records in Concord, Arkansas, but most others on the label list Nashville and at least one notes Flint, Michigan. It was primarily a country label.

Anyone have a photo of the group?

Info on the Lorey’s from Buckeyebeat.com

Categories: Cambridge City, Flip, Indiana

The Fabulous Chevelles “I Want a Girl for My Birthday”

April 5, 2020 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

The Fabulous Chevelles cut this one record in the spring of 1965. The singer on “I Want a Girl for My Birthday” asks for a girl who “is on the ball” and “on the square”; he’s even willing to let his mother choose the girl for him.

On the flip, “She Loves Me”, he pleads that his girl is faithful, despite reports to the contrary.

I can find both Jim Brumfiel and Ed Breeden listed in the National Road Traveler newspaper of Cambridge City, Indiana, but no mention of the Fabulous Chevelles. Cambridge City is 15 miles west of Richmond, Indiana, and an hour’s drive east of Indianapolis.

It looks like the band released the single on their own Flip Records 45-100 with a terrific cartoon logo.

Edwood Music published the songs, and Edwood Publishing still exists in Cincinnati. BMI’s database lists “I Want a Girl for My Birthday” as by Deacon Brumfield, but I believe that is a mistake, as Deacon was a bluegrass Dobro guitar player and certainly older than the teens who made this record.

I’m not familiar with Parker Records, Dist. of Richmond, Indiana.

Categories: 20th Century Fox, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Verve

Jim Weatherly “I’m Gonna Make It”

April 3, 2020 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

Jim Weatherly Cash Box March 5, 1965 — Cash Box March 5, 1965

I have to thank Lee Bryant for tipping me on to Jim Weatherly’s stomping single, “I’m Gonna Make It” on 20th Century Fox 565.

J.D. Lobue and Leland Russell wrote “I’m Gonna Make It”. Jim Weatherly wrote the B-side, the Elvis-sounding “Wise Men Never Speak”, which he copyrighted in April, 1964.

Lobue and Russell had a band with Jim since their days at the University of Mississippi, where Jim Weatherly was a star quarterback. After college they moved to Los Angeles to try to succeed in the music business.

On March 5, 1965, Cash Box announced “The grid star kicks off his disk career with a driving rocker”. It would be three years before any further releases, or any press would mention Jim Weatherly or his group, who would eventually be named the Gordion Knot.

In February, 1968, Cash Box reported the Gordian Knot had signed to Verve for four singles and an album. A short article in Record World in April listed the Gordian Knot’s members as: Pat Kincade, guitar; J.D. Lobue, organ; Leland Russell, bass; Dulin Lancaster, drums; and Jim Weatherly, piano. I am not sure if Pat Kincade and Dulin Lancaster also played on the 20th Century Fox single, but the article notes notes the band “have been working together for five years” and that John Babcock was their manager.

There were a number of songs copyrighted that do not seem to have been recorded and/or released:

Weatherly and Pat Kincade published “Just Another Day” in March, 1964.

In June of 1966, Jim Weatherly registered eight songs with a solo writing credit, none of which were on the Gordion Knot album, Tones: “I Can’t Be Hurt Any More”, “Mama, Your Daddy’s Come Home”, “The Morning After Rain”, “She Belongs to Yesterday”, “Sorrow’s Child”, “Turn Him Away”, “Waiting For the Day”, and “You Were Never Mine”, all published by Vivace Music.

The only song registered in June of 1966 that would show up on the Gordian Knot LP was “It’s Gonna Take a Lot” by Weatherly and Pat Kincade.

The Gordian Knot pursued a lighter pop direction on their two singles and album; “The Year of the Sun” (written by Leon Russell) is a good example of their sound. The flip, Jim Weatherly’s “If Only I Could Fly” is one of their more rocking songs.

In retrospect, “I’m Gonna Make It” is a very good single, and it’s surprising how little known it is. The single also seems to be rare now. I wonder if there are other recordings from the early days of the band that would show their development or directions they didn’t pursue.

Jim Weatherly of course would go on to have a long career as a hit songwriter and performer, but that is covered in depth elsewhere.

This is not the same Jim Weatherly who recorded with the Mozark Music Makers on the Mozark label of Springfield, Missouri.

Anyone have a photo of the group before they became the Gordion Knot?

Garage Hangover