The Alters
AKA: Goldmen
Goldendale, Washington
1964 -1969
Members
Doug
Deeds ~ Saxophone
Greg
Fortner ~ Guitar
Bill
Hornibrook ~ Keyboards
Steve
Hornibrook ~ Drums
Dave
Wheelon ~ Bass
John
Wheelon ~ Vocals
Greg Fortner
Doug
Deeds ~ Saxophone
Greg
Fortner ~ Guitar
Bill
Hornibrook ~ Keyboards
Steve
Hornibrook ~ Drums
Dave
Wheelon ~ Bass
John
Wheelon ~ Vocals
Greg Fortner
My brother Bill Hornibrook and I formed The Alters in 1964 in Goldendale, Washington. Bill played keyboards, I played drums, and Doug Deeds was on sax. The group evolved into the Goldmen in 1965 with Dave Wheelon on bass, John Wheelon on vocals and a second set of drums, and Greg Fortner on lead guitar. We released one single through NW recording in 1965 titled "I'm In Love" and "Shy Sal". Both cuts were awful so there is no point in saying one was the A side and the other was the B. We were popular as a high school dance band but that was about it. Bill went on to a lengthy career in the Seattle area playing with The Feelies, Sluggo, and Shacker before retiring to the life of a gentleman farmer in 1986, I left the drums for the stage becoming an Equity actor in 1969. Greg Fortner passed away several years ago but the rest of us still stay in touch.Steve Hornibrook, June 2005
