The Feebeez of Albuquerque, New Mexico were active in 1966 and into 1967. The group cut a single with two original songs by guitarist Sharon Westcott. “Walk Away” has a quick, unusual beat with vocals in unison. The flip is maybe even better, the moody “Season Comes”.

Sharon Westcott copyrighted both songs in October, 1966 with Scovel Music publishing.

The band released the single on Stange R-2216 There’s supposed to be a rare promotional insert with a photo of the group – if anyone has a copy please send me a scan of it!

The first photo I can find of the band comes from the Albuquerque Tribune on July 8, 1966, where the group is a quintet:

Sherry Hagler – organ
Sharon Westcott – guitar
Sherry Stange – drums
Chris Wehrle – bass guitar
Diane Herrera – guitar

“For the feminine touch …” the business card reads. The Feebeez are an all-girl local rock and roll band schedule to play before the Dodger ball game at Tingley Field Aug. 12

All were 17 or 18 years old. Diane Herrera does not feature in any other notices on the band.

On August 9, 1966, the Albuquerque Journal ran a great photo of the group that I’d love to see a better quality version of.

WAAAAAY OUT! Drummer Sherry Stange didn’t touch the base pedal in time and is signaled out by bass guitarist umpire Chris Wehre in this unprecedented combo-nation of baseball and music. Organist Sherry Hagler makes the putout at the keystone corner, while lead guitar Sharon Westcott bats out a merry tune. The four gals are members of the Feebeez, a musical quartet which will play at the Albuquerque Dodgers’ teen night, Friday at Tingley Field.

The Tribune announces their record on September 26, 1966:

Girls’ Combo Has Record

The “FEEBEEZ,” an all girl band, has recorded two songs which were composed by the lead guitarist, Sharon Westcott of 727 Morningside NE.

The record is under the “Stange” label and was produced by Edward W. Stange Jr., 2405 Gretta NE. The numbers are “Walk Away” and “Season Comes.”

A student at Highland High School, Miss Westcott has been a member of the band since May. Formerly a student of classical guitar, she switched to rock and roll in May. Her compositions embody both classic folk music and modern boop [sic] music.

Other members of the band are Sherry Hagler, Sherry Strange [sic], both Sandia High graduates, and Chris Wehrle, Highland High student.

The Tribune followed up on November 25, with a photo of Sharon Westcott:

All-Girl Band Has Two Hits

A phongraph [sic] record with two hit sides is an oddity in the music industry but it has happened in Albuquerque.

Figuring in the musical accomplishment is an all-girl band, Ed Stange Jr., local record producer, said.

Sharon Westcott, the lead guitarist of the group wrote two songs which were recorded by the Feebeez in August.

“Walk Away,” a rock and roll number, was accepted as a hit and played on nearly all the radio stations in new Mexico and surrounding states.

The public discovered the ‘flip’ side of the record was also excellent and began requesting that it be played on the air, so “Season Comes” became a hit, too, Stange said.

“Season Comes” is a ballad which features Miss Westcott as the vocalist. The record is now in its fourth month of popularity.

It was recorded locally at Count Music Studios and produced by Stange.

Other members of the “Feebeez” band are Sherry Hagler, Sherry Stange, Debi Kay, all of Albuquerque … Miss Kay is at Del Norte High.

I have seen another photo (I don’t know the source) that shows the group in matching blouses and skirts with belts, with Debi Caye [note different spelling] instead of Chris Wehrle, and mentions the band will play at the Mecca Club, that they had toured California, and had also played in Portales, Silver City and Socorro, New Mexico.

On January 14, 1967, the Journal ran a notice that the Feebeez “will entertain at Los Lunas State Hospital tonight for the fifth time.”

The Racine, Wisconsin Journal Times ran a tantalizing notice on May 12, 1967:

Two bands and dancing under the stars will be the featured highlights at the New Sound dance program Tuesday at the YMCA, 8:30 p.m. to midnight.

Dancing will be both inside the Y gymnasium and outside. Inside, music will be provided by Tommy James and the Shondells, and music for outside dancing will be by the all-girl
Feebeez” from Albuquerque, N.M.

Also playing will be the Marksmen.

Two days later, the Racine Journal Times reported:

Despite the fact both headline bands canceled out at “the last minute,” Donald Rowe, YMCA youth director, called Tuesday night’s first dance of the New Sound summer program a “complete success.”

… an estimated 2,300 Racine teenagers turned out for the program …

The Shondells canceled their appearance by telegram about 4 p.m. with the “Feebeez” canceling out at approximately 6 p.m.

Rowe said there were no incidents of trouble throughout the entire evening.

Two local groups, the “Marksmen,” … and the “Goodtimes,” recruited at the last moment, provided the entertainment.

Because of the changes, Rowe said, tickets at the door were reduced from $2 a person to 50 cents.

For the 1,200 advance sale ticket holders, Rowe said, the $1.50 tickets were honored Tuesday and will be honored for any one additional dance during the summer.

The last notice I can find comes from the Albuquerque Journal on July 20, 1967, which seems odd as the group seems to have formed in the spring of 1966:

HAPPY BRITHDAY: [sic] It’s the happy birthday time for the Feebeez, an Albuquerque rock and roll band that should add zest to any bandstand – a bevy of beauties is making the music.

In March, 2005, the Tribune ran a feature on King Richard and the Knights, with quotes from band guitarist Dick Stewart, and great photos of the Kreeg and the Feebeez, but very little info on the two latter bands.