Years ago, Wayland L. Davis wrote a detailed story about his time with the Outer Limits, and the Las Cruces, New Mexico music scene he grew up in. He was going to expand on it for publication in Garage Hangover, but then we lost contact. I won’t publish it since I haven’t received his permission, but I will include a little info about the band from our email back in 2009:
I grew up in Las Cruces and was one of the original members of the Outer Limits. I left the group before they recorded with Golddust. But, I helped write “The Waves” and “Walking Away” long before that, and we recorded our first version of both songs with Steve Crosno.
Keith Hackney [of the Four Dimensions] lived a block away from me and taught me how to play a barre chord, which led to me playing rhythm guitar for the Outer Limits and Pete Hecker playing bass.
The original Outer Limits were Jim Westbrook, Wayland Davis, Pete Hecker and multiple drummers. First, Jerry Savage and later Jerry Bachman. We named ourselves after the TV show and not the Markettes “Out of Limits” song. John LeDuc [was] my replacement as I left the band before this picture and Goldust recordings.
Has anyone heard of a former Sydney club band, playing in clubs in kings cross around 1970 called the Sandmen, the only name of one of the members I recall was Julian Lipman who was the bass player at that time.
I came across The Outer Limits in a compilation and was blown away by the lead singer in this group. I put “Alone and Crying” up against anything from that era (I’m 67 and have listened to thousands of garage-band songs; it’s become a bit of a hobby), and I’d buy the single today. I’m dead serious. Can you tell my anything about who sang lead? The guy’s voice is phenomenal in my opinion, and I can’t understand why this band didn’t chart, especially with “Alone and Crying.” Thanks, in advance, for any information on this great voice.
I recorded Jim Westbrook and The Outer Limits in my Goldust Recording Studio in 1966-67. Mr. Robert Bacon called me on March 2, 2017 about the singer (Jim Westbrook), and we had a good hour long visit. It is always nice to hear from someone who has discovered something we did 40 plus years ago. I’m sorry the band or myself did not have the resources to properly promote the music “back in the day”. Thank you Robert, for your call.
Emmit Brooks
Any chance there are still vinyl copies around of the outer limits? My dad was a drummer for them and I would like to get a couple for him.
Jim is the reason they didn’t chart, sadly. I’m from Cruces and saw them in the beginning and at the end. Pete (bass) married one of my best friends then and now. It was a HUGE shock and disappointment when he pulled out on what we knew to be the path fame and fortune.
They were THERE!!
I do know why he did it and we remained friends after. He will always be my friend but I lost touch.
Discovered this site while trying to track him down. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
They were the real deal, for sure
Jim (the El Paso Kid) Westbrook really had a voice. Gives me goosebumps.
Jim Westbrook, the best rock ‘n’ roll voice I’ve ever heard. It’s an amazing voice. I wonder what happened to Jim’s whereabouts. Were you in other bands of Las Cruces after Outer Limits? Still alive?
Found this site on Google search tonight trying to track him down. We lost contact a while back. Lead singer was Jim Westbrook and wrote most (if not all) of their music. I’ll ask Pete if anyone else participated much. You are so correct about Jim’s vocal talent with the range I’ve rarely heard since. I knew then I was one lucky lady as many times he’d come over to try out new songs and work out the kinks. To this day, not totally sure why.
They all were truly exceptional musicians individually and true magic happened when they formed the band.
You may be interested to know that the other 3 still played together (garage get togethers) until recently.
If anyone has info on my friend, please share. Would dearly love to see his face!!
Dang! I had a long post for you and my phone died! Did you receive any information on Jim? I’m trying to find him as he and I eventually lost touch.
Please let me know either way. I’ll be able to fill in some blanks as we remained friends after the group broke up.
Wow! I’m 23 and just stumbled upon this today. It’s amazing there’s so much obscure history about the local arts out here, I almost wish it was cataloged better for younger people like me. Such a cool thing to learn about, thank you for that 🙂
Do you remember The band from Las Cruces, The Shandels? I dated some guy named Brad Eubanks at the time they played in Deming. I did go to Las Cruces one day to meet his Mom and then the band and I went to Mexico for a band instrument. Do you have a pic of that band? This was around 1965-66.
Thanks
Denise
I used to dance to their music!!!