The Velvet Illusions
The Velvet Illusions
Executive Summary
From 1965 to 1967, a remarkable seven-piece band called The Velvet Illusions emerged from Yakima, Washington, to become one of the most collected and celebrated garage rock bands in music history. Though their active recording career lasted less than two years, their five singles have become legendary among psychedelic and garage rock collectors worldwide, with original 45 RPM records selling for hundreds of dollars and their music featured on numerous international compilations.
🌟 Why They Matter
The Velvet Illusions represent the perfect intersection of small-town American ambition and 1960s musical innovation. Their unique story combines teenage rock and roll dreams with traditional craftsmanship, family business dynamics, and the eternal quest for artistic recognition. Today, they're recognized as pioneers of the Pacific Northwest garage and psychedelic scene, proving that groundbreaking music can emerge from anywhere—even a furniture upholstery shop in Yakima, Washington.
Complete Band Timeline
Formation as "The Illusions" - Randy "Jimmie James" Bowles (16) meets Chuck Funk (15) in Yakima's Fruitvale district. Chuck suggests jamming with neighbor George Radford Jr. at the Radford family upholstery shop. The three form the core of what would become The Velvet Illusions.
Name Change & Expansion - After discovering another band called "The Illusions," they change their name to "The Velvet Illusions" at George Radford Sr.'s suggestion. The band expands to seven members, adding Steve Weed (formerly of The Shy Guys), Larry "Lurch" Linse, and Danny Wagner.
First Recordings - The band enters Audio Recording Studios in Seattle to record their debut single "Acid Head" / "She Was The Only Girl" on Tell International Records. Despite being banned from radio due to its provocative title, "Acid Head" becomes their most famous song.
Regional Success - The band achieves significant regional popularity, renting Nob Hill Grange for battles of the bands against rivals The Fluorescents. They perform covers of The Rolling Stones, Beatles, Monkees, and R&B standards.
Lineup Changes - Chuck Funk leaves due to family obligations, replaced by Danny Wohl. Dewayne Russell joins as lead guitarist, bringing his signature double-neck Mosrite guitar. The band records additional singles including "Town of Fools" and their theme song "Velvet Illusions."
The Hollywood Move - After concluding a Northwest tour, the band relocates to Los Angeles seeking national success. Larry Linse leaves to fulfill Army Reserve commitments and is replaced by Dale Larrison.
LA Period - The band welcomes Two-Ton Tessie O'Shea at LAX, appears on local television, and records additional material. Internal tensions with management begin to surface as promised success fails to materialize.
Final Recordings - The band records their last two singles, "Lazy" and "Hippy Town," at Sunset Recorders. These are released under the name "Georgy and the Velvet Illusions" without the band's consent.
Breakup - Disillusionment with management and internal conflicts lead to the band's dissolution. Several members return to Yakima and briefly reform as "The Peppermint Tea."
Complete Band Member Profiles
🎸 The Seven-Piece Ensemble
At its peak, The Velvet Illusions featured seven talented musicians aged 14-19, each bringing unique skills and personalities to create their distinctive sound.
Randy "Jimmie James" Bowles
Co-founder and primary songwriter. Led vocals on three singles including "Town of Fools." Currently lives in Seattle and continues performing. Has become the band's historian and primary advocate for preserving their legacy.
George "Georgy" Radford Jr.
Son of manager George Radford Sr. Skilled upholsterer and artist who designed drum head graphics. Named "Georgy" after the hit song "Hey There, Georgy Girl." Went on to have a successful upholstery career in Yakima.
Steve Weed
Former member of The Shy Guys. Co-lead vocalist with Randy Bowles. Officially credited as co-writer of "Acid Head" (though actually written by Mike Hayes). Brother Gene Weed later became co-manager.
Danny Wagner
Original drummer with beautiful Gretsch gold satin flame drum set featuring custom artwork by Georgy Radford. Stayed with the band through most of its career before returning to Yakima.
Dewayne Russell
Virtuoso guitarist known for his skill on the double-neck Mosrite guitar. Left due to disagreements about musical direction before the LA move. Randy Bowles last encountered him in the late 1970s.
Danny Wohl
Talented Yakima guitarist who replaced Chuck Funk. Stayed with the band through the Hollywood period and appeared in their most famous photo lineup.
Additional Members & Associates
Larry "Lurch" Linse
Original bassist who left before the LA move due to Army Reserve commitments.
Dale Larrison
Former Shy Guy who replaced Linse. Appears in the classic band photo.
Chuck Funk
Co-founder who suggested the original jam session. Left due to family obligations.
Bruce Kitt
Added during the Los Angeles period for additional guitar support.
Jon Juette
Replaced Danny Wagner during the final phase in Los Angeles.
Roland Bautista
Future Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist who joined the final LA lineup.
Management Team
George Radford Sr.
Master upholsterer and primary manager. Provided Vox equipment, arranged recordings, and formed "Velvet Illusions Incorporated." His controlling management style ultimately contributed to the band's dissolution.
Gene Weed
Steve Weed's brother who joined as assistant manager during the Los Angeles period.
Complete Discography & Recordings
Unreleased Recordings
Lost Tracks & Rarities
- 🎵"Grow Up Young Man" - Unreleased studio recording from 1966-1967 sessions
- 🎵"Lonely Girl" - Another lost studio track from the same period
- 🎵"Bigfoot" - Most unusual unreleased song, written in 1966 responding to Northwest Bigfoot craze
- 🎵"Stereo Song" - Experimental track featured on later compilations
- 🎵Additional covers and live recordings - Lost to time but mentioned in interviews
Modern Compilations & Reissues
Major Compilations
2009: "Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets: 1965–1968" - Grammy-nominated 4-CD Rhino set featuring "Acid Head"
2011: "The Velvet Illusions - Acid Head" - Complete retrospective CD on Cherry Red Records/Tune In Records
2015: "Velvet Illusions" - Limited edition LP on Moi J'Connais Records, distributed by Light In The Attic Records
Other Notable Appearances
1979: First reissue on "Acid Dreams" compilation (unbeknownst to band members)
Various: Pebbles Series, Garagelands, Sixties Archive, Psychedelic Unknowns compilations
2014: "Acid Dreams Testament" - 3-LP limited edition set
Equipment & Technical Setup
🎛️ The Vox Connection
The Velvet Illusions were known as a "Vox Band," equipped with professional-grade equipment that set them apart from other regional acts. Their setup rivaled any major touring band of the era.
Vox Super Beatle Amplifiers
Three units providing massive power and the distinctive Vox sound that defined their recordings
Vox Continental Organ
Steve Weed's signature instrument, creating the haunting organ sound on "Acid Head"
Mosrite Guitars
Including Dewayne Russell's famous double-neck model that became part of their visual signature
Gretsch Gold Satin Flame Drums
Danny Wagner's beautiful drum set featuring custom artwork by Georgy Radford
Vox Public Address System
Professional PA setup that allowed them to play larger venues effectively
Custom "Slinky Strings"
Handmade guitar strings taught by Jerry Merritt before commercial versions were available in Yakima
"As you can glean from the photo, we had as much Vox equipment as any band could ever need, including three Super Beatle amps, a Continental organ, Vox P.A. We also used Mosrite guitars, including a beautiful double-neck model that our great lead guitarist, the late DeWayne Russell played."
The Upholstery Shop Chronicles
🛋️ Where Music Met Craftsmanship
The Radford family upholstery shop wasn't just a rehearsal space—it was the heart of The Velvet Illusions' unique story, where teenage rock stars learned traditional furniture restoration while pursuing their musical dreams.
The Daily Routine
The seven band members would practice virtually seven days a week in the shop, but their duties extended far beyond music. Under George and Velma Radford's guidance, they became skilled furniture restorers, learning to:
- Strip old furniture completely, removing hundreds of brass tacks
- Tear off old coverings and padding in clouds of dust
- Clean and prepare frames for restoration
- Assist with measuring, cutting, and installing new materials
The Business Model
George Radford Sr. convinced the boys that furniture restoration proceeds would help finance their musical career through "Velvet Illusions Incorporated." In reality, the Radford family retained most of the profits while the band provided free labor.
The shop specialized in restoring 1930s-1950s furniture: couches, love seats, armchairs, dining room chairs, and even boat cushions.
The Victorian Fainting Couch Story
One of the most remarkable projects involved a Victorian-era fainting couch commissioned for complete restoration. When one ornate foot was broken beyond repair, George Radford Sr. gave his son Georgy a block of wood and challenged him to carve an exact replica. Georgy's craftsmanship was so exceptional that once finished, no one could tell which foot had been replaced. Before the beautiful piece went to its owner, all seven band members took turns lying on it, pretending to faint in Victorian fashion.
The Downtown Display Windows
Mr. Radford rented display windows in a vacant downtown Yakima store to showcase their restored furniture. The band members would haul completed pieces and arrange them with hand-made price signs (likely created by the artistic Georgy). Despite quality craftsmanship, pieces often languished because Radford used drab, bland upholstery material to save costs.
🔍 The Great Yakima Furniture Hunt Continues!
Randy Bowles specifically remembers "one really ugly dark brown sofa" they worked incredibly hard to restore. Somewhere in Yakima, pieces restored by The Velvet Illusions may still exist with "Radford Upholstery" labels!
"If you're relaxing on a very, very vintage, drab old brown couch, take a look-see at its underside. If you see the label, 'Radford Upholstery' — you're welcome! Now, put on one of our songs and sit back." - Randy Bowles
YouTube Videos & Digital Media
🎬 YouTube Legacy: 30,000+ Views & Growing
According to Randy Bowles, "A visit to YouTube land will reward you with page after page of Velvet Illusions videos: young, talented people have taken our songs and coupled them with their inventive videos. You could spend hours viewing these." The band's music has found new life through creative fan videos spanning multiple generations.
Direct Video Links from Randy Bowles
🎬 Specific Videos Referenced by Randy Bowles
Original Velvet Illusions Content
"Town Of Fools" (1966) - Ally Smith VideoContemporary video made by Ally Smith, uploaded by Gray Newell (producer of their "Acid Head" retrospective CD). Features the original 1966 recording with Randy's lead vocals.
Randy's Current YouTube Channels
Search Terms: "Randy 'Jimmie James' Bowles channel"
Randy maintains three YouTube channels featuring his current content, including performances and storytelling.
Historical Collaborations
Search: "Remi 'Lemi' Aso, Randy 'Jimmie James' Bowles, Chuck Gregory, Tim MKelheer: Turtle Blues (live 1971)"
Features Randy performing with members of the Japanese band The Flowers in 1971, showing his post-Velvet Illusions musical journey.
Modern Collaborations
The Vandoperians - French group featuring Pascal and daughter Mailys
Recent covers of Velvet Illusions songs including "Acid Head" and "Town Of Fools" with contributions from original band members.
📺 Randy's Video Documentation Project
Since 2012, Randy Bowles has been actively creating and curating video content to preserve the band's legacy. His collaborations include videos by Bill White (2013), Ally Smith (contemporary), and Gray Newell, ensuring both historical accuracy and modern accessibility of their music.
📚 Primary Sources & References
🙏 Acknowledgments & Credits
This comprehensive tribute is based on extensive research from multiple sources, with special recognition to:
Randy "Jimmie James" Bowles - For preserving these memories and sharing them through his blog, interviews, and continued advocacy for the band's legacy
Primary Sources: Randy Bowles Stories, Wikipedia, Pacific Northwest Bands, Psychedelic Baby Magazine, and Yakima Herald
Research Contributors: Kevin Rathert, Gray Newell, Vernon Joynson, Michael Hicks, and the many journalists and music historians who have documented this remarkable story
Compiled with appreciation by Yakima Finds - Celebrating Our Community's Hidden Stories
A True Yakima Find!