GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP

Originally known as the Outcasts, a San Diego act renowned for cover versions, this popular group took the name Union Gap in January 1967. Although burdened by a passé image - they dressed in American Civil War uniforms - ‘General’ Gary Puckett (17 October 1942, Hibbing, Minnesota, USA; vocals), ‘Sergeant’ Dwight Benett (b. December 1945, San Diego, California, USA; tenor saxophone), ‘Corporal’ Kerry Chater (b. 7 August 1945, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; bass), ‘Private’ Gary ‘Mutha’ Withem (b. 22 August 1946, San Diego, California, USA; woodwind/piano) and ‘Private’ Paul Whitbread (b. 8 February 1946, San Diego, California, USA; drums) enjoyed considerable success through their relationship with songwriter/producer Jerry Fuller. ‘Woman Woman’ achieved gold status in 1967, and the following year the quintet scored three more million-sellers with ‘Young Girl’, a chart-topper in the US and UK, ‘Lady Willpower’ and ‘Over You’, each of which were marked by Puckett’s soaring vocal line. However, the formula appeal of their highly polished sound gradually waned and the group disbanded in 1971. Puckett continues as a solo artist endlessly recycling his past hits. As It Stands was issued in the mid-90s and featured some re-recordings of ‘Lady Willpower’, ‘Young Girl’ and others, together with new songs such as ‘As It Stands’ and ‘I Ain’t Got Noth’n But The Blues’.