Gentleman Jim and the Horsemen
Portland, Oregon
1961  ~ 1964

Members
 

*Ross Alamang ~ Bass
Bob Bailey ~ Drums
Jim Dunlap ~ Vocals
*Bob Edwards ~ Drums
*Herb Hamilton ~ Saxophone
*Chuck Jamison ~ Guitar, Vocals
*Doug Morrison ~ Keyboards
Larry Roberts ~ Bass
Steve West ~ Guitar, Vocals

*  Early Members

In Memory of

Jim Dunlap

I found your website by Typing in "Gentlemen Jim and the Horsemen" - A group that has stuck in my mind for over 30 years for reasons listed below.

When I was an undergraduate student at Bowling Green State University, a rather famous professor of popular music (Ron Serge Denisoff - he had written for Rolling Stone, Billboard, and died after completing a bio on Waylon Jennings) and the members of the Popular Culture Library credited the song to Jim Morrison (on vocals. . .  his first recorded effort) and Ray Manzarek on keyboards (the album is in the pop culture library). Dr. Denisoff actually played this tune in class almost 30 years ago (Popular Music and Society - A sociology class), crediting the future members of the Doors with this song, and as of 1997 it is still listed as such at the BGSU/Pop Culture music catalogue. After hearing the snippet of the song today, this is certainly the song I remember hearing . .

So the mystery is solved who "Gentlemen Jim and the Horsemen " were, but even today, one could hear and think that the vocals and keyboard reflected Morrison and Manzarek. .... surviving band members may be interested to know this.
Dave Neal, Ph.D.
Professor
Jacksonville State University

I have a few more details about the band and its personnel. The original band had the following members:

Bob Edwards - drums
Doug Morrison - keyboards
Herb Hamilton Jr. - saxophone
Ross Alamang - bass
Chuck Jamison -  guitar, vocals
Jim Dunlap - lead singer

The original band cut an album at Northwest Recording Studios in 1963.

The album demonstrated some serious versatility on the part of Jamison and Hamilton on a cut of "Stranger on the Shore".  Dunlap and Jamison combined for some great vocal harmony work on a rendition of "Over the Mountain".

The album was never promoted, and so never reach stores, but those who heard it were impressed with the caliber of musicianship and vocals. The tune "Sharon" was included on the album and was later released by Jerden Records in Seattle.

Later the band personnel changed to

Bob Bailey - drums
Doug Morrison - keyboards
Herb Hamilton - saxophone
Larry Roberts - bass
Steve West - guitar, vocals
Chuck Jamison - guitar, vocals
Jim Dunlap - lead singer

This version of the band was regularly featured at the Headless Horseman teen night club in Portland as one of the regular house bands.  Other notable guest bands that played the "Horseman" on occasion were Paul Revere and the Raiders and Mr. Lucky and the Gamblers.  Mark Lindsay would well remember those nights on the crowded stage at the Horseman.

Larry Roberts, November 2006

If you have corrections, a neat photo or more information, please send it to:

Last Update:  8 June 2008
Credits: Don Rogers, Dr. Dave Neal, Brian Enfield, Rojer Blaine, Larry Roberts, Terry Davis