Wild Blue Yonder - Instant Gratification LP 1978
Channel: Dale Stewart
Date: 2012-05-24

Judy Bixler-Vocals, Electric Piano, Bill Bixler-Vocals, Saxophone and keyboard, Jim Bixler-Vocals, Guitar and Saxophone, Phil Wimer-Guitar, vocals and piano, Tad Wadhams-Bass and vocals, Jeff Bowman-Vibes and Percussion, Alan Carlson-Drums.
Recorded at Kenjo Studios Fresno. Totallyoutofcontrol Records.

The Wild Blue Yonder, in my opinion are the Spiritual Godparents of the Fresno RocknRoll scene. They were so kind to me and many other struggling Fresno musicians over the years, giving us a place to play and the support to hone our craft in their groovy nightclub. 

Going all the way back to the 60s, some of these great players are still gigging to this day. They just played at the Fulton 55 a few weeks ago and were just as good as I remembered them from back in the day.  
"Instant Gratification" is my fave off this album and it's a song that Judy Bixler sang lead vocals on. She hits those blue notes in such a masterful way. I remember seeing her singing Standards at the grand piano in the club in the 80s. 

The bass lines stand up and walk around the f'ing world in this song and the vibes gives it this very cool Steely Dan, jazzy R&B with a dash of Grateful Dead. Pretty unique considering all the hard rock bands that were gigging in those years.

There is a lot of very cool info on 60s Fresno rock bands and some background about pre-Wild Blue Yonder activity here at the Brymers website: 
http://thebrymers.sharepoint.com/Pages/1960sSanJoaquinValleyBands.aspx. 

The Cindermen was a happening band with Bill Bixler on Bass in the mid-60s and Judy Bixler was in The Lavender Hill Mob. Both bands, very hip mid-60s rock bands with that '65-'68 vibe.  

I have to say, the beautiful water colors by Jim Bixler and the nice, terse layout on a glossy gatefold with all the lyrics inside makes for a very effective presentation.

The Wild Blue Yonder has a great website over here with lots of interesting stories on this most important Fresno musical family: http://www.thewildblueyonderband.com/