Gayle McCormick Album Covers

Gayle McCormick Album Covers

Best remembered as the singer on the scorching 1969 hit Baby It's You, Gayle attended Pattonville High School near St Louis when my father was the principal there. I've always been a fan of hers because of that. What a voice . . .

Comments

[Rick Wright]

Gayle McCormick could definitely sing. Noticed your entry on your father....I think I sat few a detention class or two as his guest when I was a freshman at Pattonville...Class of 71.

[Tom McMahon]

My dad was principal there at Pattonville from 1962 to 1967. I think maybe Ken Buhlig was principal in 1971.

[Rick Wright]

Yes, Buhlig was the principal in 71. I was referring to my Freshman year 67-68. Having been at in the Pattonville system K-12 I might have met your dad during my days in the Holman building.

[Brad]

Used to see Gayle perform with a group called Bill Medley & the Klassmen at the Starlight Ballroom in St. Louis 67-69 What a Voice.

[Brad]

Used to see Gayle perform with a group called Bill Medley & the Klassmen at the Starlight Ballroom in St. Louis 67-69 What a Voice.

[Brad Statler]

Used to see Gayle perform with a group called Bill Medley & the Klassmen at the Starlight Ballroom in St. Louis 67-69 What a Voice.

[bobmar]

How do I catch up with Gayle McCormick? Does she have a web site or an email posted somewhere? She is an absolute titan, a siren of sound from the great psychedelic top 40 period of 1969-70.

Every now and again, I get fixated on a song from this period and have to hear it over and over again. The one I am on now is her version of "Baby, It's You." I am hopelessly infected with her affect on this song. Just can't rid myself of her belting it out:

Many, many, many nights go by...

How did such a wispy, slight thing just knock Grace Slick and Tina Turner into next week, ripping that song right out of the speakers on your Motorola car radio.

Gayle, Gayle, Gayle!

[Roger Sellman]

Hi, I was just ripping my cd's to my new computer and came across the old Smith album. I did a google search on Gail and came up with your site. Where is Gail now? I remember back in 69 when this album came out, I heard a rumor that she was sick with throat cancer or something like that, and that this would likly be her last album. Evidently not true. Anyway, I was just wondering what she is doing these days. I always had a kind of crush on her. I thought she was hot, back in the day.
Thanks for the site.
Roger

[jack]

last i heard she was living with her mother in maryland heights. Her house in carrollton was part of the airport buyout. last time we spoke was 1994-5. she was working at sears at northwest plaza. later i heard she went to circuit city .
it's been awhile, though.
gayle was always a pleasant, fun wonderfull gal.

[mike]

please, would love any help to find a cd or cassette from the 1st album of a group called smith,with gayle mccormick.it was the 1st music i ever bought,still hear "baby it's you" on the radio.would love to listen tothose songs again.please e-mail with cost or info. thank you,mike

[Steve G.]

Gayle McCormick's "It's A Cryin' Shame" popped into my head today and I searched Itunes and they didn't have it or anything by her. It was one of the first 45's that I bought as a kid and would love to hear it again. I still have the 45, but no record player. Anyway, if anybody knows where I could download that song, I would appreciate the tip. I didn't know until coming here that she was in a group prior or made more music later, nice to know.

[Wes-Tex-Rex]

Check out the Japanese website: http://jahking2.hp.infoseek.co.jp/smith.htm to see a great album cover from Flesh & Blood, one of the last Gayle McCormick albums.

[Alberto Torres]

Anyone know more about Gayle?, Please.
¿Where is she now?.

[A Torres]

Birthday's Gayle: 09/22.
¡¡¡ Happy birthday, Gayle !!!

[izzy]

From Paris France, some info on Gayle Mc.I was the wife of one of her musicians. they toured all over the US in early 70's. Fantastic voice, great potential, but sad to hear,Gayle could not keep up with tour pressure and had health problems. Tour had to stop, Gayle left and another singer replaces her to finish tour-fans were furious-Manager during that time split with tour money (and was shot in head some years later in Chicago),left Smith with bills and in debt; that was sad end of Smith.

[Lauren]

I still remember seeing Smith sing on some music show when I was about 10 years old. Smith's first Album was re-relaeased as a CD in 1995 Smith - A Group Called Smith - 1995 - CD Varese Sabarande 5489. I was able to find ONE copy on e-bay. Otherwise, the only way I was able to purchase the song "Baby, It's You" was through a 1969-1970 Hits compilation on Amazon. If anyone has any other info, please let me know.

[Ken]

I bought my tattered copy of A group Called Smith from an unwanted 2nd hand bin circa 1980 for $1.99. To this day it remains one of my all time favourite records. Gayle McCormick? One of the most powerful renditions of the female voice ever recorded. The whole album should have become a cult classic -- what about the fantastic versions of Mojeleski Ridge, Baby its You, and my favourite, the absolutely awesome: I Just Wanna Make Love to You.
Whoa!

[George M]

I don't know where the Hell I am (online) right now, but you all are talking about my favorite group ... I was in the Navy in 1968-1971 and "A Group Called Smith" was, and still is, my favorite LP! The power of Gayle's voice is overwhelming ... I heard "Baby It's You" on XM radio over the weekend ... I had to stop my car ... it was just to much. I still have my original "Smith" LP, but am looking for a CD ... my turntable crapped out so I can't burn my own CD ... I never thought I would ever hear about "Mojeleski Ridge" ever again ... unreal !!!

[Michael Anton Parker]

I was googling for info on Smith and I found this charming site with all these comments on Gayle McCormick. I don't think I can endorse the political views here :-) but this is a classy blog and it's so cool to see random people discussing some random, forgotten singer.

I'm listening to A Group Called Smith right now for the first time going through a stack of vinyl I've bought at thrift stores (I never pay more than $1).

The cover didn't look promising; looked cheesy; I guessed MOR country rock; but for the price I usually take a shot at albums if they're on smallish labels, and this definitely had that "small-time" vibe; those are the ones that have the most potential.

Much to my surprise, this is an excellent album! Reading about it online I see that it has a bit of a cult following. I'm not much of a fan of mainstream rock a la the Stones; in fact, it's one of my least favorite styles of music, but, yeah, this McCormick is a damn good singer! And the guy singers are good too. And the band has a nice sound. And, yeah, damn, she's hot! I didn't think "Baby It's You" was the standout track on the album, though, but rather roughly on par with a few others, like the first cut. The first cut on side two is a winner too. There's no weak or annoying tracks on here. I usually play albums once to satisfy curiosity and then I'm done with 'em, but I'll definitely play this one again!

I love the randomness of the internet...

I'm 29 years old, digging into the 60s thing in recent years...

[Steve Rogers]

I was shopping with my wife the other day at Chico's.... Ok I was holding her purse while she tried on stuff and I heard this male duo over their sound system performing "Baby it's you". It was ok, but it really got me thinking about Smith & Gail's great voice. I used to have the album back in HS (68-71) and it was always on my turntable. To this day there are still two songs that stop me in my tracks when I hear them Merry Clayton's soulful vocals in the Stone's Gimmie Shelter and of course Gail on Baby it's you. Both are just so incredible. I was on the internet looking for a Smith CD and I came across this site. Nice to know that there are still a bunch of Smith lovers out there and thanks for reminding me about Mojeleski Ridge!! Now I HAVE to find the CD. Plus I would really like their version of "The Weight". Gail put a little bit of herself on record years ago for us to enjoy and there are some of us that still carry her around in our hearts. All the best Gail wherever you are and thank you.

[Dale Berrong]

My favorite 8-track was A Group Called Smith. I wore it out and life went on. Now over 35 years later I can still hear Gayle in my mind. I've been looking for a CD, especially the 1995 release. If anyone knows where I can find one or a copy, please let me know.

[Brad Statler]

Hey, since everyone on this site loves Gayle and her songs, how abut putting together a small reunion/convention honoring Gayle and her music? I'd be happy to get the ball rolling by lining up a venue and possibly fronting some of the costs.

Any interest out there?

Brad Statler

[conner]

Spoke with her on the phone in 94 or so, she was living with her mother. She sings at karaoke in St. Louis occasionally. Then I heard she got married. Her mom spoke with me a couple of times and she was fab. I wish Rhino of someone would release her solo album "Flesh & Blood" on Decca. It's killer. Great songs by Leon Ware, Boz Skaggs and others.

[conner]

She recorded "Flesh" at Ike Turner's studio Bolic Sound with the late Joe Schermie of 3 Dog Night. Her story would make a good documentary or feature film. Her last album "One More Hour" has some good 70's soul, rock. And her Shady Brook single "Simon Says" could be hit today, as well as the excellently arranged and sung flip side "Comin' In Out of the Rain". Much better than the more well known song with the same title by Peter Allen/Melissa Manchester.

[conner]

She recorded "Flesh" at Ike Turner's studio Bolic Sound with the late Joe Schermie of 3 Dog Night. Her story would make a good documentary or feature film. Her last album "One More Hour" has some good 70's soul, rock. And her Shady Brook single "Simon Says" could be hit today, as well as the excellently arranged and sung flip side "Comin' In Out of the Rain". Much better than the more well known song with the same title by Peter Allen/Melissa Manchester.