The Guilloteens
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Memphis , United States |
| Products | Garage rock music, singles |
The Guilloteens emerged as a garage rock group from Memphis, Tennessee in 1964. Their sound fused Memphis musical traditions with a robust, edgy style, gaining recognition primarily for their regional hits "I Don't Believe" and "Hey You". Although they never achieved widespread national fame, they remain an important figure within the garage rock scene of their time.
History
Laddie Hutcherson, handling lead vocals and lead guitar, previously part of the LeSabres, founded the Guilloteens in 1964 alongside Joe "Joe Jett" Davis on drums and Louis Paul on bass guitar and backing vocals. The three had experience touring as members of the studio R&B session band the Mar-Keys, notable for the track "Last Night". When their horn players and backup vocalists failed to show up for a performance, the trio performed alone to enthusiastic local acclaim, which led to the official formation of the Guilloteens. Hutcherson mentioned that they adopted a British-inspired image and chose a European-sounding name to leverage the popularity of the Beatles. The group became the resident band at Memphis's Roaring Sixties teen dance venue, cultivating a strong regional fan base.
Under the guidance of manager Jerry Williams—who was known for managing Paul Revere and the Raiders—the band relocated to Los Angeles. Williams secured their appearances on prominent television shows such as Shindig!, American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, and Where the Action Is. These exposures broadened their audience, including notable fans like Elvis Presley, who facilitated their booking at the Red Velvet nightclub in early 1965. While opening for groups like the Byrds and the Turtles, they also worked with the Righteous Brothers, who contributed to refining early songs including Paul's "I Don't Believe".
Producer Phil Spector showed interest in recording their material, proposing sessions for "I Don't Believe" alongside Hutcherson's "Hey You". Music historian Richie Unterberger observed that these recordings demonstrated a range that extended beyond conventional garage rock by incorporating elements of blue-eyed soul, pop, folk-rock, British Invasion influences, and frat rock. Despite this opportunity with Spector’s label, manager Williams instead signed them to Hanna-Barbera Records. Their 1966 debut single "I Don't Believe" reached the Top 10 in Memphis despite minimal promotional efforts. The follow-up single "For My Own" maintained their blend of folk-rock and blue-eyed soul but similarly suffered from insufficient marketing support. Discontent with management led Paul to depart, with Buddy Delaney stepping in as his replacement.
The band's third single under Hanna-Barbera, "Crying All Over My Precious Time," was released in late 1966 after they returned to Memphis. Following a successful tour with Paul Revere and the Raiders, they secured a contract with Columbia Records. Their initial Columbia release "Wild Child" featured a raw sound reminiscent of the Raiders but did not achieve national recognition. After another underperforming single, the group disbanded in 1967. Subsequently, Delaney led the psychedelic pop outfit Buddy Delaney and the Candy Soupe for one single.
After their breakup, Guilloteens tracks have appeared on various compilations such as Mind Blowers, Volume 1 ("Wild Child"), Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 8 ("Crying All Over My Precious Time"), and Where the Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968 ("For My Own"). In 2003, Misty Lane Records released a comprehensive collection of their singles titled For My Own: The Complete Singles Collection, which also includes Delaney’s Candy Soupe recording.