Epysode 07: "The Fabulous Wailers", by The Wailers
Manage episode 416811492 series 3562879
Guest: Wailers guitarist Neil Andersson.
In this epysode we go WAY back...all the way to the start of what we now call "Garage Rock". Many music scholars point to The Wailers as being the first true Garage Rock band. My guest Neil Andersson has a very unique perspective on the band. Before he joined, he was a fan! He would play along to Wailers albums having no idea that one day he would have the good fortune to join them. He tells the story about being nervous for his first gig with the band opening for the Everly Brothers in front of 2000 fans...with no rehearsal!
The Wailers version of 'Louie Louie' became the template for all others to follow, including the most well known version by the Kingsmen (they even copied the yelp before the solo).
These guys even started their own label (as teenagers!) and released the first albums by The Sonics.
It's a fascinating story about a fantastic band that was pivotal in influencing so many acts to follow. You like Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic"? Thank The Wailers for that too...
Note: I used a few seconds of another podcast called "History of Rock Music in 500 Songs", specifically Episode 106 which discusses the history of the song 'Louie Louie'. This episode goes into great detail of this song, providing much more information and insight than I had time to discuss here. I highly recommend this podcast to any music fans, it's excellent. Here is the link to the episode I referenced:
https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-106-louie-louie-by-the-kingsmen/
My thanks to guest Neil Andersson for taking time to walk down memory lane and talk about his time with this great band. He has lots of music and fantastic art available - check it all out at his website:
https://www.neilandersson.com/
Lastly if you have not already done so, check out my Patreon page for bonus content and if you like this show please consider supporting us for as little as $1/month here:
patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic
Thanks for tuning into Psychedelic Relics, I hope you dig The Fabulous Wailers as much as I do.
-FJ
Here's a Spotify playlist featuring all the tracks used in this epysode:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6rWCvNsANERVZUK80cY3C8?si=91fc155b359f4123
14 episodes