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The Unusuals: Bellingham WA Garage Band
Приєднався 28 кві 2016
The premier Bellingham garage band of the 1960's was The Unusuals. In 1966, for four to five weeks, their single "Babe, It's Me" was #1 at Bellingham radio station KPUG (recollection of Kirk Wilde, former music director). The Unusuals formed after earlier local rock groups disbanded: Nite People, Ron Petersen and The Accents/Bellingham Accents. At one point, the Unusuals toured with Dewey Martin (Buffalo Springfield's drummer). Click on the videos to hear and see the content and to obtain information about the various recordings.
Band members in this photo, L to R: Bill Capp (guitar), Kathi McDonald (vocals), Laurie Vitt (guitar), Harvey Redmond (bass), Vic Bundy (keyboards), Pat Jerns (drums). (Pat Jerns left the band in early-1966. Gary Ramsey took over on drums. Ramsey is not present in this earlier photo of the Unusuals.
Laurie Vitt, a founding band member, is still creating music. A link to Laurie's youtube site is in the descriptions that accompany many of his videos.
Band members in this photo, L to R: Bill Capp (guitar), Kathi McDonald (vocals), Laurie Vitt (guitar), Harvey Redmond (bass), Vic Bundy (keyboards), Pat Jerns (drums). (Pat Jerns left the band in early-1966. Gary Ramsey took over on drums. Ramsey is not present in this earlier photo of the Unusuals.
Laurie Vitt, a founding band member, is still creating music. A link to Laurie's youtube site is in the descriptions that accompany many of his videos.
Summer Is Over - The Unusuals (1966) w/photos and improved audio
"Summer Is Over" was the A-side of a late summer 1966 release on Mainstream Records by the Unusuals, a band active from 1965 to 1967. The group evolved from the Nite People and the Accents/Bellingham Accents.. The song received considerable airplay, but it was not as commercially successful as the earlier single "Babe, It's Me." On Sept. 4, 1966, shortly after "Summer Is Over" was released, "Record World" magazine chose it as a four star pick. "Summer is Over" was written by Clive Westlake & Tom Springfield. The song had previously been recorded by Dusty Springfield. Dusty was an international star in her own right and she had been in the Springfields, a British folk-pop vocal trio that included her songwriter brother, Tom Springfield.
Lead vocalist, Kathi McDonald, was 18 years of age at the time of this recording. Kathi, who gained international fame as a singer, began performing with The Accents/Bellingham Accents when she was only 13 years old. Band member Laurie Vitt remembers that, even back then, she had a great voice and a gift for singing rock, blues and soul. Years later, in 1974, Capital Records promoted Kathi's solo album "Insane Asylum" by placing a full page advertisement in Billboard magazine. Learn more about Kathi McDonald at this link: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/
Band members at the time of this recording were:
Bill Capp (lead guitar)
Kathi McDonald (vocals)
Laurie Vitt (rhythm and 12 string guitar, sax & vocals)
Harvey Redmond (bass & vocals)
Vic Bundy (keyboards)
Gary Ramsey (drums). Ramsey had replaced Pat Jerns in early '66
Jan 2025
Lead vocalist, Kathi McDonald, was 18 years of age at the time of this recording. Kathi, who gained international fame as a singer, began performing with The Accents/Bellingham Accents when she was only 13 years old. Band member Laurie Vitt remembers that, even back then, she had a great voice and a gift for singing rock, blues and soul. Years later, in 1974, Capital Records promoted Kathi's solo album "Insane Asylum" by placing a full page advertisement in Billboard magazine. Learn more about Kathi McDonald at this link: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/
Band members at the time of this recording were:
Bill Capp (lead guitar)
Kathi McDonald (vocals)
Laurie Vitt (rhythm and 12 string guitar, sax & vocals)
Harvey Redmond (bass & vocals)
Vic Bundy (keyboards)
Gary Ramsey (drums). Ramsey had replaced Pat Jerns in early '66
Jan 2025
Переглядів: 32
Відео
I Could Go On - The Unusuals (1966) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 2619 годин тому
"I Could Go On" is the B-side of "Summer Is Over," a 1966 release on Mainstream Records. The songwriter was Bill Capp, lead guitar player for the Unusuals. The Unusuals, a band active from 1965 to 1967, evolved from The Nite People and The Accents/Bellingham Accents. In the mid-sixties, The Unusuals toured with Dewey Martin: pseudonym Sir Raleigh and previously Sir Raleigh and the Cupons. Marti...
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald (improved video & audio)
Переглядів 2873 місяці тому
This video salutes Kathi McDonald, who got her start as a vocalist in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1960s. Learn more about Kathi's roots, and her time with the band the Unusuals, in the links below: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/ qzvx.com/2024/09/15/the-unusuals-bellingham-wa-garage-band/ The late Kathi McDonald was a regionally popular performer in the Pacific N...
Summer Is Over: Kathi McDonald Australian Radio Interview
Переглядів 703 місяці тому
In 2005, Washington state blues and rock vocalist, Kathi McDonald, was interviewed by John Broughton of Radio Casey in Melbourne, Australia. We are featuring a part of that interview where Kathi described her early career in the Pacific Northwest. We have added, as a background to the soundtrack, photos and film clips representative of Kathi's life and career. The song featured in the video is ...
I'm Walking, Babe - The Unusuals (1966) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 663 місяці тому
"I'm Walking, Babe" was the flip side of "Babe, It's Me," a 1966 release on Panorama records. The songwriter was Jay Hamilton, with lead vocal by Harvey Redmond. Kathi McDonald was present at this recording session and she sang background harmony with other band members. The Unusuals, a band active from 1965 to 1967, evolved out of The Nite People and The Accents/Bellingham Accents. In the mid-...
Linda Lu - Ron Petersen & the Accents (1964) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 1153 місяці тому
"Linda Lu," the A-side of a 1964 release on Jerden Records, received considerable airplay in the Pacific Northwest including on Seattle's legendary radio station channel 95 KJR. The songwriter was Ray Sharpe. Ron Petersen took the lead vocal, harmony vocal by George Palmerton. Ron Petersen had been an original member of the popular Seattle band the Frantics. After the Frantics disbanded, coinci...
Sampan - Bellingham Accents (1964) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 203 місяці тому
"Sampan" is the B-side of "Bacon Fat," a 1964 recording on Jerden Records. Composers/arrangement credited to the Unusuals: Pat Jerns, Laurie Vitt, Doug Ling, Bill Capp, Vic Bundy. Prior to becoming the Bellingham Accents, many of the band members had been part of the Nite People, and then the Accents and after that Ron Petersen and the Accents. The Accents/Bellingham Accents were active from 19...
Bacon Fat - Bellingham Accents (1964) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 473 місяці тому
"Bacon Fat" is the A-side of this 1964 recording by the Bellingham Accents on Jerden Records. The biggest hit of “Bacon Fat” dated back to 1957 when Detroit soul singer Andre Williams, who wrote the song, took it top 10 on Billboard’s R&B chart. Laurie Vitt had the lead vocal on the Unusuals' 1964 cover. Prior to becoming the Bellingham Accents, many of the band members had been part of the Nit...
Sticky - Ron Petersen & the Accents (1964) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 523 місяці тому
"Sticky" is the B-side of "Linda Lu." The songwriters were Davis & Brown. This 1964 release was on Jerden Records. "Linda Lu" received considerable airplay in the Pacific Northwest including on Seattle's legendary radio station channel 95 KJR. The catchy sax-heavy mostly instrumental tune, which became a regional hit, was often covered by teen bands in the Pacific NW. Ron Petersen had been an o...
Babe It's Me - The Unusuals (1966) w/photos and improved audio
Переглядів 1244 місяці тому
The female lead vocalist, Kathi McDonald, was 17 years of age when "Babe It's Me" was recorded in October 1965. The male vocalist, and songwriter, was Laurie Vitt. The release date for the single was in the spring of 1966 and Kathi turned 18 years of age in September of that year. She gained international fame as a singer, began performing with The Accents/Bellingham Accents when she was only 1...
Call On Me - Big Brother & The Holding Company (Kathi McDonald vocal)
Переглядів 9374 роки тому
Learn more about Kathi McDonald at this link: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/ When Janis Joplin left Big Brother & The Holding Company, Kathi McDonald became the female lead vocalist. This reunion performance (October 1, 1978) was at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA. Back in the mid-sixties, as a teenager, Kathi began her music career as the vocalist for The Accents,...
Goin' Down - Big Brother & The Holding Company (Kathi McDonald vocal)
Переглядів 2,2 тис.4 роки тому
Learn more about Kathi McDonald at this link: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/ When Janis Joplin left Big Brother & The Holding Company, Kathi McDonald became the female lead vocalist. This reunion performance (October 1, 1978) was at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA. Back in the mid-sixties, as a teenager, Kathi began her music career as the vocalist for The Accents,...
In A Broken Dream - Big Brother & The Holding Company (Kathi McDonald vocal)
Переглядів 1,8 тис.4 роки тому
Learn more about Kathi McDonald at this link: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/ When Janis Joplin left Big Brother & The Holding Company, Kathi McDonald became the female lead vocalist. This reunion performance (October 1, 1978) was at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA. Back in the mid-sixties, as a teenager, Kathi began her music career as the vocalist for The Accents,...
KPUG's Kirk Wilde: First DJ to Play "Babe, It's Me"
Переглядів 1325 років тому
In the early days of rock&roll, top 40 radio stations provided free airplay to aspiring local musicians. Kirk Wilde, KPUG deejay and music director, was the first jock to play the band "The Unusuals." He liked their first single "Babe, It's Me, so he added it to the station's playlist in spring of 1966. Soon the recording went to the top of the KPUG chart. It remained at #1 for four or five wee...
Babe, It's Me -- The Unusuals w/Vitt & McDonald vocals (improved audio quality)
Переглядів 1,1 тис.5 років тому
Learn more about Kathi McDonald at this link: qzvx.com/2020/10/01/the-pacific-northwests-kathi-mcdonald/ Technical note regarding this addition to "The Unusuals" youtube page: Most online versions of "Babe, It's Me" are running slightly off speed too fast or too slow. This audio track, completed in cooperation with Laurie Vitt (founder of The Unusuals), has been set to the correct speed (synced...
KPUG's Kirk Wilde: First DJ to Play "Summer Is Over"
Переглядів 1255 років тому
KPUG's Kirk Wilde: First DJ to Play "Summer Is Over"
Flying - Long John Baldry & Kathi (alternate version)
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Flying - Long John Baldry & Kathi (alternate version)
Baldry's Out - Long John Baldry with Kathi McDonald 1985
Переглядів 8495 років тому
Baldry's Out - Long John Baldry with Kathi McDonald 1985
Nite People Radio Ad: Mike Forney, KPUG 1962
Переглядів 535 років тому
Nite People Radio Ad: Mike Forney, KPUG 1962
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
Переглядів 1,5 тис.5 років тому
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
Will the Circle Be Unbroken - Leon Russell with Kathi McDonald & Claudia Lennear
Переглядів 14 тис.5 років тому
Will the Circle Be Unbroken - Leon Russell with Kathi McDonald & Claudia Lennear
Honky Tonk Woman - Leon Russell with Kathi McDonald & Claudia Lennear
Переглядів 10 тис.5 років тому
Honky Tonk Woman - Leon Russell with Kathi McDonald & Claudia Lennear
Crystal Closet Queen & Of Thee I Sing - Leon Russell, Kathi McDonald, Claudia Lennear
Переглядів 22 тис.5 років тому
Crystal Closet Queen & Of Thee I Sing - Leon Russell, Kathi McDonald, Claudia Lennear
Caravan - Leon Russell with Kathi McDonald & Claudia Lennear
Переглядів 30 тис.5 років тому
Caravan - Leon Russell with Kathi McDonald & Claudia Lennear
Flying -- Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
Переглядів 8555 років тому
Flying Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
A Thrill's A Thrill -- Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
Переглядів 13 тис.5 років тому
A Thrill's A Thrill Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore -- Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
Переглядів 1,3 тис.5 років тому
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore Long John Baldry & Kathi McDonald
I'd Rather Go Blind -- Kathi McDonald
Переглядів 2,1 тис.5 років тому
I'd Rather Go Blind Kathi McDonald
My Mommas Beautiful voice. ❤
I miss Kathi, we didn't have a lot of time together but we got along well. She was a much better Singer than Janis Joplin that's a fact of Life. Where Joplin posed & postured (panting like she's all worn out until Peter Albin rightly referred to her 'Lassie' routine as she babbled like she'd given her all.. all of a sudden- she had the breath to say "Hey FUCK you, Man!" Nothing worse than a drunk w/a Microphone. Kathi McDonald was a real Singer- NOT a screamer screeching raspy noise; she actually had range as a Vocalist & was unfortunate as Joplin had been invited by BB HCo Mgr/Pal to come to town & front his friends' Band. Kathi showed up a Day or so later & hated having to Sing the Songs Janis had 'established'. Kathi Lived & kept making Good Music w/good people as reflected in the Dinosaurs' Song 'D I N O S A U R' as at a rare Dead NYE Stage sharing where she soared beautifully.
It is a winner. I like it better than Medley and Hatfield.
Just heard this version on radio, pulled car over to shazzam it😂
Anybody else find themselves going straight into Margaritaville @ the chorus? Jeebus, I miss Kathy. Peace - Deeve
Toller Song ....Instrumental vom Feinsten ...❤😂
When Tina Turner was in the spotlight, my eyes were fixed on Claudia. she's breathtaking
Großartiger Musiker , grosse Stimmgewalt 😂. Tolles Duo mit Kathi ....wundervoll ❤😂
Saw them at Lulu’s Kitchener,Ontario,Canada.
No one in rock but Anne Wilson can touch the vocal heights Kathi McDonald could achieve. She's def on GOAT mountain.
I saw them perform this in the early 80s. Thanks for putting together this list.
Cool. They were great together. Love that version.
. ... Fantastic. ...👍😀👍
"Woke up in a Pennsylvania mining town, got down to Boston in time for tea..." Of Thee I Sing
I will n/ever stop dreaming.This is such a super song but the flip I'm Walking Babe is probably one of the finest garage rock songs ever made. I will make it my mission to make sure that more people will take a few moments to enjoy such wonders
My favorite Baldry song.
Erin should see her mom in this clip.
I have the LP. Still great.
Nothing better than Claudia Lennear. ❤
I thought Leon was so handsome
It just doesn’t get hotter than Claudia Lennear. And Kathi McDonald is just a bonus here.
Wow, loving this, total Long John fan. She held her own, and sounds great.
I had the pleasure of working with Kathi from time to time in the Seattle area. Both a wonderful singer and human.
Great song, that is better with both of them. And it is the original lyrics. :)
Where was this performance?
This reunion performance (October 1, 1978) was at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA.
Incredible ❤
Fantastic!!!!!!
Tuti Fruiti - gotta be Little Richard, the Crystal Closet Queen
The great Jim Horn on Alto Sax
I never thought I'd get to see this sung live. I had her album of the same title and the cut always blew me away. THANK YOU for posting this.
What did Claudia Lennear's high school students think when they dicovered this video?
So zurückhaltend gesungen, kein overacting, schönes sax! Super!
This is insanely good!
An homage to Little Richard.
RIP to Both
She was a bit of a hard ass in the industry. But that is just a woman being a womanguy
and BTW I knew her, She was an arse to Long but I respect her as a musician. -
@@genamadigan2764 Would you care to elaborate?
Had to be that way among these egotistic privileged men.
@@anton1990I got to meet Kathy on tour with this LP in Lethbridge Alberta ...a long time ago ! She was super nice very lovely she used to sing with Janis Joplin ! How cool is that ?
ok well we know she is a bitch. What is the point?? Why is this coming out so many decades later??
A Lourinhã de veraneio morreu não sabia😢❤❤
Então está loirinha morreu a Keith não sabia cantava muito 😢❤❤
So much talent...in one amazing room!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤