The WILL-O-BEES – ’If You’re Ready’ / ‘Shades Of Gray’ (Date 2-1543) December 1966
The Will-O-Bees | If You’re Ready | (Date) 1966 | Good two sided 45 from a three piece band that I think came from New York. Fuzz, Acid & Flowers give a Chicago base but perhaps that’s because The Will-O-Bees cover ’If You’re Ready’ which was originally done by a band from Chicago called The Pride And Joy. They were formally called The Del-Vetts of course.
The Will-O-Bees version is a solid effort, quite punky with some great bass lines high in the mix and a garage guitar break that is just not long enough.
The other side is also a cover version. This time They tackle The Monkees ’Shades Of Gray’ from their Headquarters LP. It’s a pleasant flower power style attack but still a bit rough around the edges.
Believe it or not, they were actually from Richmond, Indiana. Their management team was based in NYC, so people assumed that was where they originated.
The Will-O-Bees | If You’re Ready | (Date) 1966
The Will-O-Bees are comprised of Stephen Porter, 19; Robert Merchant-House, 21; and Janet Blossom, 20. Stephen sings bass and plays 6 and 12 string acoustical guitar. Robert sings tenor. He is the lead singer and also plays 6 and 12 string acoustical guitar. Janet is a contra tenor vocalist.
All from Richmond, Indiana, the trio started singing in January 1964 as a teenage folk group. Janet and Bob, at the time, were members of the Richmond High School concert choir.
Originally known as the New Ports, the Will-O-Bees first performed at the Masonic Glee Club Minstrel Show in April 1964. The group had many local engagements and appeared on programs on Dayton, Ohio, TV outlets.
After their first release, “Why Can’t They Accept Us,” the Will-O-Bees toured the record hop and college circuit in the midwest. The threesome appeared first in New York on Joe Franklin’s Memory Lane on WOR-TV.
The Will-O-Bees’ current Date single. “It’s Not Easy,” is number 90 on the charts this week. (Cash Box—February 10, 1968)
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