Died On This Date (April 15, 2011) Kent Morrill / Thee Fabulous Wailers
themusicsover Kent Morrill
April 2, 1941 – April 15, 2011
Kent Morrill was the lead singer and keyboardist for Seattle, Washington-area ’60s rock band, the Fabulous Wailers. Having been with the group since inception, Morrill was the only original member still playing with the group in recent years. Formed at the tail end of the ’50s, many consider the Fabulous Wailers THE first garage rock band due to their down-and-dirty mix of saxophone driven R&B and rave-up rock ‘n roll. The band released several albums and 45s throughout the years, but it was their late 50s/early 60s output that is generally included in any respectable first generation garage rock collection. Records like “Tall Cool One,” “Dirty Robber,” and “Out Of Our Tree” received significant airplay during their peak years, but it was their recording (with Rockin’ Robin Roberts) of Richard Berry’s “Louie Louie” that inspired Paul Revere & the Raiders to do the same, and lead to fellow Northwest band, the Kingsmen to ultimately record its definitive version. In more recent years, Morrill was also performing as a Roy Orbison impersonator in Las Vegas and other parts of the world. Kent Morrill was 70 when he passed away on April 15, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
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