Texas native Gaylan Latimer was a singer-songwriter who first recorded with a group called the Dawgs. The band consisted of four young gentlemen: Fred Arechiga on drums, Bobby Sharp on background vocals and acoustic guitar, Gaylan Latimer on lead vocals and 12 string acoustic, and a bass played by the name of Sammie, whose last name I was unable to unearth.
The Dawgs recorded one single on the Pic 1 label “Won’t You Cry for Me” written in early 1965. The B Side was “Shy,” a song Gaylan had written when he was in the 4th or 5th grade. This single was recorded at Gold Star Studio and produced by the famed Huey Meaux. Gaylan shortened his last name to Ladd, as a stage name, at Meaux’s request. After this record Meaux decided to refashion The Dawgs persona by billing them as Bob and Gaylon. Bob and Gaylon recorded for the Ventural label “Don’t Go in My Room Girl,” and “It Belongs To You.” The group had a very English, mop-top, beetle boot look. Using both compositions by Bobby Sharpe and Gaylan, Meaux promoted off a concept that Bob and Gaylon were a Texas/English band. Once executives at Epic records were convinced Bobby Sharpe was from Dover, England they signed the band.
Epic was falling in line to financially back Bob and Gaylon when Bobby Sharpe leaked to the Houston News he was not actually from England. This caused Epic to pull the plug on support for that band, who was hoping an authentic Texas/English group would compete with the British invasion. Meaux would later use this deceptive marketing strategy of creating a Texas/English persona when engineering and producing the Sir Douglas Quintet.
Now in Houston, Bob and Gaylon played all around town opening for many famed acts of the day like Jimmy Reed, Sir Douglas Quintet, Roy Head and B.J Thomas amongst many others. One night in the KILT (Houston radio station) waiting room, Gaylan, who was waiting for a ride home, became riddled with frustrations upon the thought of being forgotten. He wrote, “Think About Me”, a song that would turn out to be his biggest musical success. Freddie Fender covered the song and it soon became a hit on the MGM label.
The flip of the original version is a tough/garage song, which was written by Latimer as well. In this tune Gaylan screams out in dissatisfaction of a cheating female companion, “I can’t stand your loving ways.” In 1965 Latimer recorded a few songs in Meaux’s recording studio, Pasadena Sounds. At this session Latimer recorded “Smokey Places” and “The Painted Lady.” Meaux put both on his Ventural label. The single “Smokey Places,” turned some heads of MGM, which sparked “Her Loving Way” being released on a major label. Within that same year Meaux was arrested, leaving Gaylan in a tough spot.
Feeling disillusioned, and the fact that his engineer/producer/manager was in prison, he moved back to Waco. At this time he had no record deal and played with anyone he could. One group he played with was called The Silvertones, who recorded a few singles for the T.R.C. label in Chuck Harding’s recording studio. Gaylan, playing at various venues around town, summoned a few musicians in the Waco area and started playing as Gaylan and the Dawgs. Being that Gaylan had already played with other musicians prior to using the name; the band changed their name to Gaylan Ladd and the East Side Transfer.
Right around this time in late 1967 Meaux was released from prison. Meaux contacted Gaylan to lay down whatever he had. “Repulsive Situation” illustrated Gaylan’s frustration with his musical career. This tune contains a bit of Fuzz and slow repetitive melody, which summons a depressed sentiment that he was feeling at the time.
After this recording The East Side Transfer split and Gaylan joined members of The Silvertones to record under the name Heather Black. Heather Black recorded a few singles and a full length as well. After some personnel changes in Heather Black, the group took on a female vocalist who was Chuck Harding’s daughter, Glennis Harding. I was able to dig up a track, which Gaylan wrote and arranged called “You Better Find Your Way.” This single was recorded under Glennis Annette and the Confederates for the T.R.C. label. This single is chock full of reverb, laid over a layer of distant voices, conjoining to create an eerie pop number.
Gaylan later became a staff song writer for Meaux in the 70’s under the assumed name Emery Cambel, which he used to write tunes for Peggy Scott, Bobby Bland and Freddy Fender. He continued to record with Heather Black over the years.
I referenced Gaylan Latimer’s official website along with House of hits. I recommend any Texas enthusiast pick up this book. I now invite you to enjoy one of Waco’s finest, Gaylan Latimer.
LISTEN: Gaylan Ladd – Her Loving Way
LISTEN: Gaylan Ladd – Painted Lady
LISTEN: Gaylan Ladd and The East Side Transfer – Repulsive Situation
LISTEN: Glennis Anette and The Confederates – You Better Find Your Way
