The Boys From Tacoma Are Still Rockin’
If you are still trying to figure out what indie music means, all you need to do is attend a house party where The Fabulous Wailers perform and there is little doubt what kind of experience you’re in for. The Boys From Tacoma know how to rock, and for all intents and purposes they invented it with their first national hit in 1959. By 1960 they formed Etiquette Records, the first artist owned rock label, and released what would become the most-recorded rock song in history.
August 21, The Wailers (not the dudes from Jamaica by the way) put on one hell of a show at a standing room only outdoor house party with guests of all ages. A good many in the audience remember when The Boys From Tacoma hit the big time with “Tall Cool One.” Written by keyboard player, Kent Morrill, when he was still in high school 51 years ago, the tune is widely recognized as the first rock and roll instrumental. Take a listen here: http://bit.ly/2zqUfK. What you notice right away is how sophisticated the arrangement is and why it landed The Wailers an invitation on American Bandstand along with other invitations across the country including a radio interview with Alan Freed, the DJ who coined the term rock and roll.
The other song The Wailers must play at every gig needs little introduction as “Louie Louie” is the most-recorded rock song in history. From the first three notes as the sax opens the tune, people are on their feet dancing and singing right along with the band. Neil Rush on tenor sax is unforgettable.
Gail Harris, who first performed with The Wailers when she was just 13 years old, appeared on a few numbers the most notable, “I Idolize You.” Though she too is well past her teenage years her voice is everything you’d expect from a tune that was originally done by Ike and Tina Turner.
From their newest recording, “Rooster Rock” The Wailers played a few of their new tunes and the perennial, “Hand Jive.” It’s little wonder there is a hand jive routine that everyone participates in while The Wailers belt this tune out. The Rooster Rock sound is a mix of rock ‘n roll, blues, southern gospel, rockabilly and some country, all scratched into a rockin’ sound that is undeniably The Wailers. Dr. John Hanford appears on electric and acoustic slide guitars, Buck Ormsby on bass, and Ricky Johnson of The Sonics sat in on drums.
For a glimpse into the history of The Wailers let Alec Baldwin and Billy Bob Thornton along with some other rock legends take you through a tribute to The Wailers in celebration of their 50th Anniversary at http://twocargaragemusic.com.
To put it bluntly, rock and roll is not just for kids. And for anyone who believes differently, there are literally millions of people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who dig it and understand its roots more than most people in the music industry care to comprehend.
Photos © ML Sutton