Larry & the Blue Notes

One of the many, many energetic but undistinguished American garage bands of the mid-'60s, Larry & the Blue Notes cut a few obscure singles whose distribution was limited to their Forth Worth, TX, base. Although much of their repertoire consisted of covers and ballads, their greatest enthusiasm was for British R&B/rock, and they wrote some derivative originals in the Yardbirds/Stones vein. Working with Major Bill Smith (who had a hand in huge early-'60s hits by Bruce Channel and Paul & Paula), they made a few singles that were eventually sought by completist garage collectors a couple of decades later. Their "Night of the Sadist" and "The Phantom" are a couple of the better-known garage novelties. Aside from that, their greatest claim to fame was impersonating the Sir Douglas Quintet for a few shows in the mid-'60s, a task which seems about appropriate for the band's limited significance and abilities. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi