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The Outsiders (American band)

From Alfawiki
The Outsiders
Company typeRock band
IndustryMusic
Founded1965 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
FounderTom King
Headquarters
Cleveland
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums and singles

The Outsiders were a rock and roll group originating from Cleveland, Ohio, established and fronted by guitarist Tom King. Their 1966 single "Time Won't Let Me" reached number 5 on the US charts. That same year, the band scored three additional top 40 hits on the Hot 100 and produced four albums throughout the mid-1960s.

According to Allmusic, their success was largely due to combining horn and string arrangements with a strong three- or four-piece instrumental foundation, preserving a powerful band sound despite complex orchestration.

Debut single

The Outsiders emerged from the earlier Cleveland-based group the Starfires, which included Tom King, Sonny Geraci, Mert Madsen, Richard Kriss, Al Austin, and Ronnie Harkai—who replaced Howard Blank prior to recording "Time Won't Let Me". Five former Starfires members eventually joined The Outsiders.

After recording "Time Won't Let Me" in late 1965—a song composed by King and his brother-in-law Chet Kelley—the band signed with Capitol Records and adopted the name The Outsiders in early 1966, likely at the label’s request. One theory suggests that King and Kelley became “outsiders” within their family due to leaving Pama Records, a local label operated by King’s uncle. The single sold over one million copies and received a gold disc award.

The Outsiders benefited from their background as the Starfires, a Cleveland rhythm and blues ensemble active since 1958 with extensive live performance experience. Most original material was penned by King and Kelley, with Bob Turek joining as a songwriter by 1967. King also led the horn section, arranged music, and occasionally took on production duties.

Touring

To support their hit single, The Outsiders embarked on approximately a year of nationwide touring while "Time Won't Let Me" remained on the charts for 15 weeks. Despite international releases of their music, the band never toured abroad. Their initial tours included performances alongside Paul Revere and the Raiders and Chad and Jeremy, followed by participation in a six-week tour headlined by Gene Pitney featuring multiple acts. Subsequently, they joined a four-week tour with garage and psychedelic rock groups such as the McCoys, ? and the Mysterians, the Shadows of Knight, and the Seeds. During this period, English bassist Pete Shelton joined briefly and also acted as tour manager.

Subsequent recordings

Throughout their career, The Outsiders’ lineup shifted, but Tom King (rhythm guitar), Mert Madsen (bass and harmonica), and Sonny Geraci (vocals) remained central figures. After drummer Ronnie Harkai left to join the Air Force, Denny Benson temporarily assumed drumming responsibilities. Before recording their debut album Time Won't Let Me, King recruited Ricky Biagiola (known as Ricky Baker) to replace Harkai. Former Starfires drummer Jimmy Fox contributed to album sessions as well, playing on the top 40 ballad "Girl in Love" before founding the James Gang in 1966. Harkai returned to record parts of their second album Album Number 2, alongside Biagiola who toured with the group for nearly three years across four LPs and numerous singles before departing to pursue further education.

Their rendition of the Isley Brothers' song "Respectable" from Album No. 2 peaked at number 15 in September 1966; this track had been part of their earlier Starfires setlist. The single "Help Me Girl" from In charted at number 37 despite competition from a concurrent release by the Animals. Another composition by the same writers, "Bend Me, Shape Me", was not issued as a single by The Outsiders but later became a significant hit for the American Breed in the US and for Amen Corner in the UK.

Following Mert Madsen's departure to marry, former Starfires Walter Nims and Richard D'Amato joined alongside drummer Richie D'Angelo. Recordings featured contributions from session musicians associated with the Wrecking Crew, including drummer Hal Blaine and bassist Carol Kaye, with some tracks produced by Richard Delvy. Joe Kelley of the Shadows of Knight made a guest appearance on their 1967 single "Gotta Leave Us Alone".

Although Capitol Records approved a fourth album titled Leave Us Alone, production was halted mid-way in favor of releasing a pseudo-live album called Happening Live!. This record combined studio tracks with overdubbed audience sounds and introductions along with recordings featuring the new lineup. The band dissolved shortly after this release.

The Outsiders were among the pioneering white American groups influenced by soul music. Their song "Lonely Man" was bootlegged in the UK under an alternate name by a British label. Their blend of Merseybeat style and Motown elements influenced later bands such as the Buckinghams and Chicago. Notably, Jim Guercio—who managed both groups—had previously toured with The Outsiders as part of the Gene Pitney Caravan.

Post-breakup

In 1970, Sonny Geraci established a new ensemble in Los Angeles alongside Walter Nims and Nick D'Amico, issuing a single under the name "The Outsiders featuring Sonny Geraci" on the Bell label; notably, commercial copies displayed the "O" in OUTSIDERS as a peace symbol. Concurrently, Tom King maintained leadership of a Cleveland-based Outsiders group, releasing a single credited to "The Outsiders (featuring Jon Simonell)," who had replaced Geraci. King prevailed in a 1970 legal battle concerning the rights to the band's name. Subsequently, Geraci's band adopted the name Climax and secured a No. 3 hit in 1972 with Nims' composition "Precious and Few."

Geraci exited the music industry in 1980, spending approximately five years working in his family's home improvement sales enterprise. Around 1985, he resumed performing alongside other mid-1960s artists in "oldies" concerts and released several solo albums. Despite prior legal conflicts, Geraci toured beginning in 2007 under the banner "Sonny Geraci and the Outsiders." In April 2012, he experienced a brain aneurysm that necessitated intensive medical care.

The Outsiders' most recent album, 30 Years Live, initially came out in 1996 and was re-released in 2006, featuring only original members King and Nims. These recordings originated from live performances held in 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tom King passed away at age 68 on April 23, 2011, at a nursing facility in Wickliffe, Ohio, following various health complications after a fall. His son Kevin King confirmed his death.

Sonny Geraci died on February 5, 2017, aged 70.

Legacy

The song "Time Won't Let Me" continues to be a mainstay on oldies radio stations, although it has contributed to the Outsiders being labeled as a "one hit wonder." This track was included in the box set inspired by the seminal garage rock collection Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968. Additionally, "I'm Not Trying to Hurt You" appeared on volume 9 of the Pebbles series. Bill Scheft's novel titled Time Won't Let Me revolves around a garage rock band rediscovered by enthusiasts who attempt a comeback near their fiftieth year.

Reissues

The original Outsiders albums have not been individually re-released on CD. Nevertheless, Rhino Records issued Best of the Outsiders in 1985, and Collectables Records put out a Capitol Collectors Series compilation on CD.

The Starfires/The Outsiders 1965 ("Time Won't Let Me" single)

  • Sonny Geraci – lead vocals
  • John Madrid – trumpet
  • Al Austin – lead guitar
  • Gayle Guhde – keyboards
  • Tom King – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, tenor saxophone
  • Mert Madsen – bass guitar, harmonica
  • Ronnie Harkai – drums

The Outsiders

  • Tom King – rhythm guitar, tenor saxophone, vocals
  • Sonny Geraci – lead vocals
  • Mert Madsen – bass guitar, harmonica
  • Bill Bruno – lead guitar
  • Rick Biagiola – drums

The Outsiders (1967 Live album)

  • Tom King – rhythm guitar, tenor saxophone, vocals
  • Sonny Geraci – lead vocals
  • Richard D'Amato – bass guitar
  • Walter Nims – lead guitar
  • Ricky Biagiola – drums
  • Craig Gephart – briefly lead vocals following Geraci's departure

The Outsiders (1991 30 Years Live album)

  • Tom King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Walter Nims – guitar, backing vocals
  • Rob Mitchell – lead vocals, bass guitar
  • Eddie Soto – lead vocals
  • Ted Sikora – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Hershy – horns
  • Joe Potnicky – keyboards
  • Dan King – drums
  • Rusty Schmidt – lead vocals
  • Nick Farcas – keyboards

Singles

Release date Titles
Both sides originate from same album unless noted 		Record label Chart rankings Album
US
Billboard 		US
Cashbox
February 1966 "Time Won't Let Me"
b/w "Was It Really Real" 		Capitol 5573 5 6 Time Won't Let Me
May 1966 "Girl In Love"
b/w "What Makes You So Bad, You Weren't Brought Up That Way" 		Capitol 5646 21 24
August 1966 "Respectable"
b/w "Lost In My World" 		Capitol 5701 15 13 Album #2
October 1966 "Help Me Girl"
b/w "You Gotta Look" 		Capitol 5759 37 40 In
March 1967 "I'll Give You Time (To Think It Over)"
b/w "I'm Not Trying To Hurt You" 		Capitol 5843 118 110
May 1967 "Gotta Leave Us Alone"
b/w "I Just Can't See You Anymore" 		Capitol 5892 121 131 Leave Us Alone (cancelled)
July 1967 "I'll See You In The Summertime"
b/w "And Now You Want My Sympathy"
Both tracks likely intended for cancelled Leave Us Alone album 		Capitol 5955 - 117 Non-album singles
December 1967 "Little Bit Of Lovin'"
b/w "I Will Love You" (from Album #2) 		Capitol 2055 117 -
June 1968 "We Ain't Gonna Make It"
b/w "Oh How It Hurts" (from Album #2) 		Capitol 2216 - -
January 1969 "Loving You"
b/w "Think I'm Falling"
Sonny Geraci solo release 		Capitol 2375 - -
August 1970 "Tinker Tailor"
b/w "You're Not So Pretty"
The Outsiders featuring Jon Simonell 		Kapp 2104 - -
September 1970 "Changes"
b/w "Lost in My World"
The Outsiders with Sonny Geraci ...later renamed Climax 		Bell 904 107 -


Reissues and International Releases

  • "Time Won't Let Me" paired with "Was It Really Real" – Capitol 5573 (second pressing featuring red/orange target label)
  • "Time Won't Let Me" coupled with "Girl In Love" – Capitol Starline 6165 (available in red/white, tan, and purple label versions)

Overseas Releases

  • "Time Won't Let Me" backed with "Was It Really Real" – Capitol #K 23187; issued in West Germany, 1966, with a violet label
  • "Respectable" backed with "Lost In My World" – Jolly #J-20387; released in Italy, 1966

Extended Plays (EPs)

  • "Time Won't Let Me" and "Listen People" backed by "Girl In Love" and "Rockin' Robin" – Capitol #EAP4-2501; 1966, Mexico, 7-inch format
  • "Listen People" and "Keep On Running" with "Time Won't Let Me" and "Maybe Baby" on the flip side – Capitol #EAP-4-2501; 1967, Brazil, 7-inch
  • "Gotta Leave Us Alone" and "I Just Can't See You Anymore" backed by "I'll See You In The Summertime" and "And Now You Want My Sympathy" – Capitol #EAP1-20984; 1967, Mexico, 7-inch
  • "Keep on Running" and "My Girl" paired with "Time Won't Let Me" and "Was it Really Real" – American #TK-45, black and yellow label, 7-inch

Studio Albums

  • Time Won't Let Me – Capitol #T-2501/#ST-2501; May 1966 release (peaked at #37)
  • Album No. 2 – Capitol #T-2568/#ST-2568; September 1966 release (reached #90)
  • In – Capitol #T-2636/#ST-2636; January 1967 release (did not chart)
  • Leave Us Alone – Capitol (pre-release cancelled; provisional cover art exists)

Live Albums

  • Happening Live! – Capitol #T-2745/#ST-2745; August 1967 release (charted at #103)
  • 30 Years Live – Collectables label; released in 1996

International Reissues and Editions

Retrospective Collections

Compilation Appearances

  • Time Won't Let Me appears on:
  1. Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968 (box set)
  2. Nuggets from Nuggets (CD format)
  3. Nuggets, Volume 3 (vinyl LP)
  4. Pride from Cleveland Past (vinyl LP)

Additionally featured on more than forty mainstream compilation albums according to Allmusic

  • I'm Not Trying to Hurt You included on:
  1. Pebbles, Volume 9 (vinyl LP)
  • Lost in My World featured on:
  1. Nuggets, Volume 4 (vinyl LP)
  • And Now You Want My Sympathy appears on:
  1. Psychedelic Archives – USA Garage, Volume 1 (cassette format)

External links

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