 Kit and the Outlaws, 1967 l-r: Kit Massengill, Joe Jesmer on drums, Jerry Colwell at the mic and Alan Rafkin |
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| Kit and the Outlaws evolved from the Outlaws, the Dallas group led by Kit Massingill. As the Outlaws, they had a great early Texas garage 45 on the In label, produced by Tommy Allsup. Both sides, "Worlds Apart" / "Fun, Fame & Fortune" were written by Kit.
The Outlaws - Worlds Apart With a change of members, the group hit the big time with their second 45, a fuzzed-up version of "Midnight Hour". It was picked up by Philips for national distribution, mainly on the strength of the a-side. That's a fine cover version, but it's the b-side, Kit's original "Don't Tread on Me", that gets the attention nowadays. The first BlacKnight pressings list the band as "The Outlaws", later pressings read "Kit and the Outlaws." Kit and the Outlaws - Don't Tread on Me |
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I recently heard from keyboardist and occasional vocalist Jerry Colwell, and asked him about Kit and recording "Don't Tread on Me":
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   Recording Midnight Hour at Sellers' Studio, Dallas |
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After about a year of playing night clubs in Dallas we recorded the record Midnight Hour/ Don't Tread on Me. The Sellars Studio was close to downtown [2102 Jackson Street]. I sang on the song Don't Tread on Me, as background. |
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We played at a daily televised venue called "Something Else" [Sump'N Else] hosted by Ron Chapman, as well as opening for Sonny & Cher, The Hollies, Herman Hermitts, Noel Harrison, and The Byrds. We toured and had some great stories, like me and Kit putting a huge dead fish in the Galvez hotel swimming pool one night at three in the morning. Had pictures of Graham Nash and the Hollies drinking about 14 cases of beer before they went on at Will Rodgers in Fort Worth. |
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| Early days: | ||
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The Malibus, 1964 |
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 The Reverbs |
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Started playing bass guitar and got with some older guys called the Centurys in Mesquite. Later [1964] formed my first band "The Malibus" with Don Doss, Gary Stultz, & Glen Milsap. Started playing in old bars down on Grand and Haskel Ave. These places had dirt floors, we used to put a hat down and play Jimmy Reed stuff. Thats how I learned blues harp. |
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  Cavemen at the Surfers a Go Go |
  Opening for Johnny Green and the Greenmen |
  Backing Chuck Berry |
Later joined the #1 Dallas band "The Cavemen" and played battle of the bands against Jimmy Vaughn and his band, and the Royals and others. In 1965 the Cavemen was the home band for a Night club "Surfers A Go Go" in Dallas, where we played with Chuck Berry, Roy Head, The original Drifters, Jimmy Velvet and Johnny Green and the Greenmen. We played at clubs all over Texas, my favorites were the "Bamboo Hut" in Galveston, and "Panther Hall" in Fort Worth, a televised event every week. We were also played at Louanns many times. |
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 The Kavemen with Roland Allen and Jimmy Allen and Emmett Hickey, Dallas 1965 - can anyone ID who is who? |
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| In 1965 my favorite club was the Purple Orchard in downtown were my buddy Little Anthony was the host. I could go in just about any night club in Dallas and get a drink for free when I was just 16. Had a great time one night with Fats Domino. | ||
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  The Gobezerks at the Sugar Shack in Mesquite |
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In 1966 played with "The Gobezurks" a college and night club band, I dressed in drag for some of the songs and would fall off the stage as if I was drunk. |
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| Special thanks to Jerry Colwell for his history of the band and photos. | ||
Kit and the Outlaws Band Member
I know Jerry Colwell who was in Kit and the Outlaws.
He lives in Pflugerville Texas.
dave