It’s been a solemn year for Tacoma’s Fabulous Wailers, as lead singer and keyboard player Kent Morrill has battled cancer. The band last played in December, but has since been out of commission as Morrill has undergone major surgery and chemotherapy.
“It’s still a fight. It will be a fight,” Morrill said Monday. “Cancer’s no fun for anybody. But what’re you gonna do? You get what you’re handed, and that’s the way it goes.”
But after months of struggle, there’s cause for celebration. The iconic garage-rock outfit – which ushered in the Original Northwest Sound with the 1959 hit “Tall Cool One” – will ease back into action with a pair of benefit concerts this weekend.
The first is for Seattle Children’s Hospital, with the Wailers scheduled to go on at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at BMC Select Building Materials, 5210 East Lake Sammamish in Issaquah.
That show will feature a rare appearance by singer Gail Harris, a Wailers regular in the ’60s.
Then, on Sunday, the Wailers will top the bill at a Gulf Coast relief show that will also feature the likes of the Jerry Miller Band, Malcolm Clark and Rich Wetzel’s Groovin’ Higher Orchestra from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Swiss Tavern, 1904 Jefferson Ave. in Tacoma.
“We’re happy to have Kent back up and doin’ it,” Wailers bassist Buck Ormsby said. “He’s lookin’ real good. For some reason in the past couple weeks, he’s been real up, you know. I hope everything he’s doing is helping out.”
Morrill said he was feeling pretty solid when he did a recent test run, sitting in with the Neil Rush Band for a few songs in Seattle.
“It took a lot out of me, but I really enjoyed doing it, and I’ve improved since then,” Morrill said Monday. “We’re pacing the show so that I will be introduced and won’t have to be up there all night. But most of the night. I’ll still be the principal lead singer, but if you stagger it properly, I can keep my strength up, you know.”
Music has helped keep his spirits up. “It gives me something to look forward to every day,” he said. “And I’ve been writing songs while I’m here, and we’re gonna do an album.”
Morrill said he will team up with Harris for the new album, which will be called “We Belong Together” after a set staple from the Wailers’ heyday. The disc will include covers of the likes of Etta James and Tina Turner with a couple of original songs.
“It took me 40 years to talk Gail into doing some singin’ again,” Morrill said. “We’ve picked out probably 20 songs already, and they’re all killer songs. It’s just a matter of getting ’em down.”
Morrill said his band also has started developing a new live show, DVD and possible book that will underscore the band’s musical legacy.
“Since Buck got back from Europe with the Sonics (who he manages), he’s gotten a lot of feedback,” Morrill said. “People are interested in the Wailers there as well. And we’re gonna develop a show that depicts Northwest rock n’ roll and the Wailers’ role in it. And that’s what we’ll be working on in the next three months.”
BENEFIT PLANNED
Sadly, another veteran Tacoma garage-rock outfit hasn’t been so fortunate. The Galaxies will play a benefit for the family of late band mate Bob Koch from 4-10 p.m. Sunday at Imperial Dragon Restaurant, 6806 Sixth Ave., in Tacoma. Koch had been ailing in recent years and died last month of complications related to cancer, according to band mate Chuck Naubert.
Along with Naubert, Rob Lowery (vocals), Mark Eubanks (sax, keyboard) and Ron Rustad (sax) will play from the band’s original lineup starting at 7 p.m.
See www.pnwbands.com for more details.
Ernest Jasmin: 253-274-7389, ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com, blog.thenewstribune.com/tacomarockcity
The Fabulous Wailers
What: Children’s Ride benefit concert
When: Music starts at 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: BMC Select Building Materials, 5210 East Lake Sammamish, Issaquah
Tickets: $30 for concert only, $60 for pre-show motorcycle rally
Information: www.childrens-ride.com
Gulf Restoration Network benefit
What: Fundraiser featuring the Fabulous Wailers, the Jerry Miller Band and more
When: 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Swiss Tavern, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma
Admission: $10 suggested donation
Information: 253-381-8374 or www.theswisspub.com
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