Once rumored to be from Wichita, Kansas, Moby Dick and the Whalers were actually based in Midwest City, just outside of Oklahoma City. Members were Tom Rushlow on vocals, Bobby Harris rhythm guitar, Jim Parr on bass, Gary Stevens on organ and Blue Fox on drums. As a quintet they had been playing since August ’67, though Tom Rushlow, Bobby Harris and Jim Parr had been in earlier groups together.
They participated in a nationally-televised band competition, the Paul Revere & Mark Lindsay hosted show, Happening ’68. In the contest, two bands would lip sync one of their recordings (original or cover song) in front of a panel of three judges and studio audience, with the winner going on to the next round. The judges varied from show to show, but at the time of the Moby Dick and the Whalers broadcast, may have been Jackie DeShannon, Tommy Roe and Jay North (Dennis the Menace).
The song Moby Dick and the Whalers did for the show was “I Love Her So”, an excellent organ-driven rocker, written by Tom Rushlow and Bobby Harris. From the few episodes I’ve seen (and I haven’t seen theirs yet), I would say “I Love Her So” must have been one of the better original songs featured on Happening ’68.
The flip side is the mellower “Only the Good Times,” written by Curtis Hays, the former drummer of the group. According to the article, the 45 was released just after the appearance on Happening ’68.
The original lineup, 1966, l-r: Franklin Harris, George Feree, Tom Rushlow, Jim Parr and Bobby Harris.
Bassist Jim Parr sent in the photo and article from the Oklahoma Journal, and provided some history of the band:
The lead singer and manager was Tom Rushlow, who was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base near OK city when the band was first beginning to form. I met Tom through Bobby Harris, who invited me to a jam session. Tom Rushlow, Bobby Harris – and Bobby’s brothers – William Harris and Franklin Harris – were all extremely talented musicians. We all lived in or around the OK City area at the time.
After a few jam sessions and practices, I was very excited and proud to be invited to become the bass player for the group. If I remember correctly, Tom Rushlow came up with the name for the group.
Thus, the original ‘Moby Dick & The Whalers’ band was born and was composed of – Tom Rushlow, lead singer – Bobby Harris, rhythm guitar – Franklin Harris, lead guitar – George Feree, drummer – & Jim Parr, bass guitar. This was sometime around the year ’66, give or take a year.
After the original drummer, there was Curtis Hayes – who is credited with the song ‘Only The Good Times’ on the flip side of the 45. Next came Blue Fox, who played the drums with the group during the time the record was made and was with the group during the invitation to Hollywood. William Harris, drummer, was with the band from time to time, and eventually was with the band full time.
One very popular member of the group that deserves mention was Joe Sawyer, organist, who replaced Gary Stevens.
Notice from the Ardmore Daily Ardmoreite, March 6, 1969, describing an April release for their 45During the time frame of the recording and release of the record, in ’68 and ’69, the group was composed of Tom Rushlow, lead singer – Bobby Harris, guitarist – Gary Stevens, organist – Blue Fox, drummer – and Jim Parr, bass guitar. The master tape for the 45 was recorded by this group at a studio in Tyler, Texas.
The group performed numerous times on local OK City television shows, one of which was a popular show titled ‘The Scene’, hosted by a very popular DJ – Ronnie Kaye. The group was also invited to appear in Hollywood, on a television show titled ‘Happening ‘68’. This show was a Dick Clark production and was hosted by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay, of ‘Paul Revere & The Raiders’.
Tom Rushlow’s son Tim played with Little Texas and is now a solo country artist. Tim’s online biography mentions a later version of his father’s band:
After getting out of the military, Tom Rushlow moved his family to Arlington, Texas, where he joined his wife Patricia’s three brothers in a band called Moby Dick and the Whalers.
“The Whalers were one of those good regional acts that opened for stars like Mitch Ryder and James Brown,” remembers the proud son. “They put out their own records, and even came close to appearing on ‘American Bandstand.’ They got real close to making it.”
Update:
I’m very sorry to report that Jim Parr passed away on February 10, 2009. His son Robert wrote to me, “He was a very talented artist and a great father – I couldn’t ask for a better life. He loved music and played a lot at home for the family.”
It was an honor for me to correspond with Jim about his music, my deepest condolences to his family.
19 thoughts on “Moby Dick and the Whalers”
Interesting – a record collector pal in Oklahoma is compiling a book on the 60s scene in his state. He has spoken directly to Tom Rushlow (late last year as a matter of fact), who lived in Oklahoma City in ’64, where his 1st group recorded and released a 45: The Mustangs “Don’t Take Your Love” / “Please Stay With Me”.
The Moby Dick & The Whalers incarnation took place a little bit afterward. They were also based in OK city at the time, with just this 45 from early ’69.
The slow ballad is a remake of a song originally recorded by the Castlegate 5, from oklahoma City.
It’s instantly recognizable that The Lords of the New Church ripped off this guitar melody on their third single, Russian Roulette (released in 1982). I wasn’t too surprised, as Stiv Bators was a big fan of 60’s garage and pop. However, the song was penned by Terry Chimes and T.D. James, so who knows the origins of the likeness.
Moby Dick & The Whalers were based in the OK City area in ’68. During this time they were invited to Hollywood for an appearance on the ‘Happening ’68’ TV show – a show sponsored by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay of ‘Paul Revere & The Raiders’. The group performed the song ‘I Love Her So’, and shortly afterwards the 45 was released. A local newspaper – The Oklahoma Journal – announced the event and the plans for the record release in the Sunday, February 25, 1968 edition. The band also appeared numerous times on OK City area television shows, one of which was ‘The Scene’, a popular show hosted by DJ Ronnie Kaye. The song ‘I Love Her So’ received a lot of air time during this period.
I just read the article that was well written by Jim Parr. The core group of the band with myself, Tommy, Bobby, Jim, Franklin and Curtis started in the summer of 1966. Curtis and I went to high school at Midwest City together. I was brought in to the band by Jim Toathy who knew the guys. I was studying at the University of Oklahoma and we started playing on Fridays and Saturdays at the Dew Drop Inn in Midwest City. Blue Fox replaced Curtis and sometime in the late 60’s, Blue was replaced by William Harris another Harris Brother. We had someone who played drums somewhere in the middle of all this and we even tried out a female singer at one time. Tommy left somewhere in the middle also and I believe Bobby toured with another group. Bobby got some of us together and we played a few dates playing country and western on the road before Tommy came back and reformed the group. Also, when we played with Mitch Ryder it was the regrouped Mitch Ryder. We also played with the Strawberry Alarm Clock at the Scene. Ronnie Kaye had alot to do with our success and he did everything possible to expose us to big time gigs. He even had us a possible record deal and for some unknown reason? it fell through. I left the group in 70 and was replaced by a super organ player. I only saw the group once after that playing in a club in OKC just before they broke up.
I just commented on the bands status but would like to add that I am Bobby Harris daughter. If anyone has any questions or would like to set up an interview I have family pictures as well as the album they made with the hit song I Love Her So. Here is my email if anyone decides to contact me this is a recent up to date address for me: angeltommila.96@gmail.com
I met Bobby the summer of 1973 and was invited to join the group with the new name of “Al Woods & the High Country” as bass player and vocalist. We played more places that I can remember. Bobby and I were “best” friends for a long time and he is always in my Prayers. Thank you, Ron Meazell
I am Bobby’s daughter. I have to say I have some information that would b interesting for an newspaper article on my Daddy and even my Uncle Tom he later married my Daddys sister making him my Uncle and William is my Uncle whom I call Uncle Bill. If anyone is interested in interviewing the Harris side of the band give me an email at angeltommila.96@gmail.com
Hey, I am Jims grandson, my dad was his eldest son. It’s been 5 years since his my grandfathers death and still miss him deeply. He was a great man, family man. He was very intelligent and I learned a lot from him.
I remember them playing at the “TAKE FIVE” club in North OKC in and around the early 70’s. My first club I ever went in. I saw Franklin outside the club a few times and have never forgot him. Loved the band and Fat Albert was the bouncer there. Good memories…
My name is Matt Sawyer, i am the son of Joe Sawyer “mentioned “. I would like to know anything about these times with the band. My dad passed in 1998. I would love to hear from anyone with comments or info during this time. I remember the Rushlow’s. I remember the Harris’s and been trying to contact both.
Hello Matthew I just saw this today on 5 28 22 I hope you will See this. I knew your dad Back in the Late 60s. He was a friend of my older Brother. Joe was teaching My brother how to play some songs on the guitar. I was watching them and after a few days I said hey teach me how to play that song. So your Dad showed me how to play Day tripper and I learned it. I started Playing Guitar in a Band 6 months later. He was a a Great Guy. I still play in a Band today thanks to him Teaching me my 1st Song.
I knew Bobby and Willy A bit later. Musicwise, they played for a while at a friend’s studio out in Choctaw, I think. Lifewise, Bobby and I worked at G.M. Willy, know from tow service and his wife Vicky. Great guys. So glad I got to hear you brothers live.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
Once rumored to be from Wichita, Kansas, Moby Dick and the Whalers were actually based in Midwest City, just outside of Oklahoma City. Members were Tom Rushlow on vocals, Bobby Harris rhythm guitar, Jim Parr on bass, Gary Stevens on organ and Blue Fox on drums. As a quintet they had been playing since August ’67, though Tom Rushlow, Bobby Harris and Jim Parr had been in earlier groups together.
Interesting – a record collector pal in Oklahoma is compiling a book on the 60s scene in his state. He has spoken directly to Tom Rushlow (late last year as a matter of fact), who lived in Oklahoma City in ’64, where his 1st group recorded and released a 45: The Mustangs “Don’t Take Your Love” / “Please Stay With Me”.
The Moby Dick & The Whalers incarnation took place a little bit afterward. They were also based in OK city at the time, with just this 45 from early ’69.
The slow ballad is a remake of a song originally recorded by the Castlegate 5, from oklahoma City.
It’s instantly recognizable that The Lords of the New Church ripped off this guitar melody on their third single, Russian Roulette (released in 1982). I wasn’t too surprised, as Stiv Bators was a big fan of 60’s garage and pop. However, the song was penned by Terry Chimes and T.D. James, so who knows the origins of the likeness.
Moby Dick & The Whalers were based in the OK City area in ’68. During this time they were invited to Hollywood for an appearance on the ‘Happening ’68’ TV show – a show sponsored by Paul Revere and Mark Lindsay of ‘Paul Revere & The Raiders’. The group performed the song ‘I Love Her So’, and shortly afterwards the 45 was released. A local newspaper – The Oklahoma Journal – announced the event and the plans for the record release in the Sunday, February 25, 1968 edition. The band also appeared numerous times on OK City area television shows, one of which was ‘The Scene’, a popular show hosted by DJ Ronnie Kaye. The song ‘I Love Her So’ received a lot of air time during this period.
Do you have any pictures of the group Moby Dick when Stephen Holloway was the key boardist? Woudl love to see them on this page.
Thanks!
Cindy
Cindy
Do you know where Steve Holloway may be Playing If he’s still playing?
I worked in a Band with him in the late 60.
Hi Paul,
Which band did you play with Steve in? He isn’t playing anymore but I know how to contact him.
Cindy
It would be great to talk to him again
I worked in Lemon Fog, Zeke, and Grand Daddy. We had slot of Fun times
I just read the article that was well written by Jim Parr. The core group of the band with myself, Tommy, Bobby, Jim, Franklin and Curtis started in the summer of 1966. Curtis and I went to high school at Midwest City together. I was brought in to the band by Jim Toathy who knew the guys. I was studying at the University of Oklahoma and we started playing on Fridays and Saturdays at the Dew Drop Inn in Midwest City. Blue Fox replaced Curtis and sometime in the late 60’s, Blue was replaced by William Harris another Harris Brother. We had someone who played drums somewhere in the middle of all this and we even tried out a female singer at one time. Tommy left somewhere in the middle also and I believe Bobby toured with another group. Bobby got some of us together and we played a few dates playing country and western on the road before Tommy came back and reformed the group. Also, when we played with Mitch Ryder it was the regrouped Mitch Ryder. We also played with the Strawberry Alarm Clock at the Scene. Ronnie Kaye had alot to do with our success and he did everything possible to expose us to big time gigs. He even had us a possible record deal and for some unknown reason? it fell through. I left the group in 70 and was replaced by a super organ player. I only saw the group once after that playing in a club in OKC just before they broke up.
I just commented on the bands status but would like to add that I am Bobby Harris daughter. If anyone has any questions or would like to set up an interview I have family pictures as well as the album they made with the hit song I Love Her So. Here is my email if anyone decides to contact me this is a recent up to date address for me: angeltommila.96@gmail.com
I met Bobby the summer of 1973 and was invited to join the group with the new name of “Al Woods & the High Country” as bass player and vocalist. We played more places that I can remember. Bobby and I were “best” friends for a long time and he is always in my Prayers. Thank you, Ron Meazell
This this book on the 60’s scene in oklahoma ever get published? I have some info that might be interesting for it.
Jay Kruger
jaykrugerone@gmail.com
I am Bobby’s daughter. I have to say I have some information that would b interesting for an newspaper article on my Daddy and even my Uncle Tom he later married my Daddys sister making him my Uncle and William is my Uncle whom I call Uncle Bill. If anyone is interested in interviewing the Harris side of the band give me an email at angeltommila.96@gmail.com
My most favorite husband played in this band. We really had some good times!!!!!
Hey, I am Jims grandson, my dad was his eldest son. It’s been 5 years since his my grandfathers death and still miss him deeply. He was a great man, family man. He was very intelligent and I learned a lot from him.
I remember them playing at the “TAKE FIVE” club in North OKC in and around the early 70’s. My first club I ever went in. I saw Franklin outside the club a few times and have never forgot him. Loved the band and Fat Albert was the bouncer there. Good memories…
My name is Matt Sawyer, i am the son of Joe Sawyer “mentioned “. I would like to know anything about these times with the band. My dad passed in 1998. I would love to hear from anyone with comments or info during this time. I remember the Rushlow’s. I remember the Harris’s and been trying to contact both.
Hello Matthew
I just saw this today on
5 28 22 I hope you will
See this. I knew your dad
Back in the Late 60s. He
was a friend of my older
Brother. Joe was teaching
My brother how to play
some songs on the guitar.
I was watching them and
after a few days I said hey
teach me how to play that
song. So your Dad showed
me how to play Day tripper
and I learned it. I started
Playing Guitar in a Band
6 months later. He was a
a Great Guy. I still play in a
Band today thanks to him
Teaching me my 1st Song.
I knew Bobby and Willy A bit later.
Musicwise, they played for a while at a friend’s studio out in Choctaw, I think.
Lifewise, Bobby and I worked at G.M.
Willy, know from tow service and his wife Vicky.
Great guys.
So glad I got to hear you brothers live.
Such a great memory of my brother Tom and his band on the Happening’68.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/d5QBUi3nPmaBLrBy9