Left to Right: Rick Hirsch, Jimmy Hall, Jack Hall, John Anthony, Lewis Ross

WET WILLIE...

began as a thrown together blues-rock band during the magical Summer of 1969 "way down in Alabama"...(Mobile, to be precise). The original nucleus of the group that eventually became known as Wet Willie was called Fox. The first "gig" was a booking in Panama City, Florida at a club called the Oddessy, a geodesic dome right on the beach. For those who must have a concept, or reason and meaning behind every occurring work in any medium of art, the only one I can think of was "fun". Raw, hormonal...fun. This page is dedicated to Wet Willie and all who were associated with the band, which continues to perform today around the Southeast.

Wet Willie was home to many musicians who entered the realm of Willidom, depending somewhat on what extra instruments were needed to follow up the latest album release. But from 1969 through 1976, the nucleus, the original five members were always in place. They were:

(A huge thanks to George Fascher who has generously contributed many of the pictures posted here...)

John Anthony,

keys

Multi-instrumentalist and classically trained. His primary function in WW was keyboardist, although he seemed to play everything.

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Jack Hall,

bass

bass and background vocals, and banjo. Jack is also the bassist for newly formed group of vintage southern-rock stalwarts, THE RENEGADES OF SOUTHERN ROCK. Visit their website for more info.

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Jimmy Hall,

vocals, harp, sax

Front man and lead vocalist extrordinaire. Also doubled on blues harp and saxophone.

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Ricky Hirsch,

guitars

acoustic, electric/slide guitars and mandolin.

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Lewis Ross,

drums, percussion

Drums and Percussion. It should be noted that it was Lewis Ross, the ultimate Wet Willie funkmeister drummer, who actually assembled the musicians and group called Fox in the Summer of '69, which a year later became known as Wet Willie.

WHO ELSE...

Frank Friedman

: Guitarist/songwriter who contributed some great songs on the band's first album effort. (Check out Faded Love and Fool On You.) Equally important, he was a key figure in getting Wet Willie (then Fox) our first recording deal with Capricorn Records. He performed with the band for a while prior to our first LP. Frank resides in Dallas and still plays guitar locally (in addition to being a practicing PhD.)

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Wick Larsen

: Joined as a second guitarist for a brief but creative stint. Wick was called out of this life a few years back. We will always remember him and his unforgettable, even legendary guitar playing.

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Mike Duke

Pianist and vocalist/songwriter extrordinaire, Mike joined the band permanently during the Wetter the Better album. He added greatly to the musical scope of Wet Willie, not to mention contributing many of his great songs to the repertoires of some great artists, eg. Huey Lewis. Mike is residing and performing music in Northern California continuing his great song skills.

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T.K. Lively

Also, a groove-meister his own bad self, held down the drum chair during Wet Willie's post Capricorn years on Epic. T.K. is the current drummer with Wet Willie and resides in Mobile, AL.

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Larry Berwald

A highly skilled and tasteful guitarist, added during the Epic period.

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Marshall Smith

Another great guitarist (and bg vocals), added during the Epic period.

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Ric Seymour

Wet Willie's current Guitarist and Lead Vocalist, the email we receive regarding Ric's performance is stellar.

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The Hurricane Horns

: Led by Kent Karcher (tenor), the lovely Michelle Karcher (baritone...And kids, believe me that thing gets heavy!), and Chip Herrington (trumpet) Adding another whole dimension to Wet Willie's sound, the Hurricane Horns have been doing all of the Willie dates.

and ESPECIALLY...

The Williette's

(Donna Hall and Elke Brooke)________________________(Ella Brown and Donna Hall)________________________(Donna Hall and Leslie Hawkins)

Donna Hall, Ella Brown, Elke Brooke, and Leslie Hawkins...Wet Willie's beautiful and talented background singers who, according to some of the email we receive, stole the hearts of many male species Wet Willie fans.

LISTEN TO WET WILLIE-RED HOT AND LIVE!!...click on a title.

(These are mp3 files. Two are versions that have not been released commercially. We hope you enjoy the listen...)

(MP3 downloads, click on a title)

-or check out-

Wet Willie's Gig Schedule and News Updates

Wet Willie's Discography

Wet Willie's Hall of Fame Reunion (Mar/2001)

Some of the WILLIE-MAIL We've Received From You