John
Simpson did some studio work in LA between his stints with Calliope
and Bitteroot, and he played on an LP with
a Texas group called "United Gas" in 1969. That LP came out in 1970 (label
Metromedia) but with the name "Christopher", as the label thought that
United Gas sounded too much like Pacific Natural Gas (or similar, I can't
remember exactly, but they were an important west coast group.
GearFab
Records recently released a newly mastered version of the LP and evidently
being bought by collectors as an overlooked gem of the period. I've
got a copy and although I'm biased, I must say that it's exactly what they
say, an overlooked gem.
Peter
Simpson, November 2003
The late
John Simpson of Mercer Island was the original, and long-serving, drummer
for "The Bandits". They won the KJR "Battle of the Bands" at the old Orpheum
Theater (where the Westin now stands) in 1965, thereby earning a recording
contract with Jerden Records. They released, a Carney Barton production
as I recall, "Little Sally Walker" with "Tell Me" as the "B" side during
the Fall of 1965.
Rob
Simpson, January 2004
I was
in The Bandits starting in '62 with Gregg Bigsby, Bob Perry, Steve Heard,
and John Simpson. We won the KJR first Battle of the Bands in Seattle,
summer of '63. We played the roller rink circuit until '67.
It was great fun for us. We were 15 at the beginning, and playing
with established groups like The Dynamics, The Sonics, Paul Revere and
The Raiders, The Kingsmen, The Viceroys, and The Wailers. It was
a real thrill for us kids.
Tom
Dietz replaced Greg on bass, later Paul Burleson. John Simpson, who
later drummed with Danny O'Keife died in the 60's in an Alaskan plane crash.
David
Hendricks, December 2003
I remember
playing many times at Normanna Hall. We'd be upstairs in the caverous wooden
room that would boom bass in such a cool way. Downstairs was a veteran's
hall with a swing band. They had a bass sax there--the only one I'd
ever seen. A basketball would fit in the bell of that beauty!
We played throughout high school, '64-'67. The place was always packed
with well behaved kids dancing their shoes off!!!
David
Hendricks, June 2006
In
Memory of
John
Simpson
