In the late 1960s, the band Captain Billy’s Whizbang was an extremely popular East Coast band. While competing groups were mostly “cover” bands, Captain Billy’s Whizbang garnered the appreciation of their following by inserting many original songs into their playlist. The band eventually went into the RCA Recording Studio in New York City and began working on their first album. In 1969, their first single, “Paradise of Your Mind” (written by Pat Portfolio, the keyboard player) was released with Kaleidoscope (written by Gary Broker and Keith Reid of the Procol Harum) on the flip side.
You can find more info on this gem in the comments on YouTube, some from Whizbang Hammond wrangler Pat Portflio himself…Pat also contributed to a grreat rundown over at Peach Fuzz Forest:
Captain Billy’s Wizbang are something of an obscurity, even in the world of obscure 60s psychedelia. My 45 was kindly comped by Ed on the U-Spaces CD “Lost Sixties Delights” and since then this fabulous piece of psychedelia has become slightly better known. However, despite many years I’ve been unable to find out anymore about the band that put out one of my favourite records. Until now that is…
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The Sunrise Ocean Bender sets sail every Monday morning, 1 – 3 a.m. on WRIR lp 97.3 FM, to find something for your ears, and something for your head … From psych to prog to pop and whatever tributary we can find on the way … and right back around again. There might be a map, but the destination is up for grabs. If it all goes right, we may just get lost. Meet me at the muster station … it might be a long week.
