I began singing and writing music after watching the Beatles on Ed’s show. I sang tenor for three years in the select choir at West High in Bremerton. One summer I ran into an amazingly gifted young man, Jeff Tassin. Jeff and I began writing tunes; good ones. I was hooked by that powerful, “I could be famous vibe.”
Jeff’s father, Pa-T (Harold Eugene Tassin) transformed his living room into a recording studio and literally absorbed our energy. Both of Jeff’s parents, Ma & Pa T were amazing human beings. Imagine having four or five fifteen-year-old boys honing their craft in your primary living area? They were always supportive and enthusiastic regarding our musical adolescence.
Through the sixties and early seventies, I wrote tunes with Jeff Tassn. We performed together in local bands from the Holidaze to the Page Five and the Pure Sunshine and the Songmakers Band representing our vinyl album of the same name.
In 1967, during my junior year of high school at the dangerous age of seventeen, my then current band, The Spindle (John and Bill Carter, Rick Belyea, Jeff Tassin and myself) began recording original tunes in Pa-T’s Front-Room Studio.
Those recordings landed us our first Artist Contract with Jerden Records in Seattle, alongside, ‘The Bards', Jeff Afton, the Sonics, Springfield Flute' and of course, George Washington and the Cherry Bombs. The Spindle enjoyed the success of two single releases, most notably with a song called, ‘Little Lies', written by John Carter and Jeff Tassin and myself. These “Jerden Records” original recordings have been recently released as part of the collection of the
History of Northwest Rock, Volume 3, available on amazon.com
I’m getting on now in years now but I have had a good time! I retired from my day job (money/pension making) in 2005. I love performing at local venues. The energy keeps me alive. Currently, I continue to play live gigs with my wife and vocal/percussionist, Aileen. We call ourselves, Poetry in Motion” playing Beatles, many originals, and a cadre of tunes from throughout our generation. I continue to write songs and have an extensive catalog of original material with 13 Albums to my credit.
I am very excited to be operating entirely within the realm of Organic Intelligence: I’ve seen the movies. I worry that we are a dying breed? The constant influx of young and gifted local songwriters shines a positive light on the possibilities; gives me hope. Peace…Joseph TOM Wilson.
