Duane Robert Gusse, age 69, passed away peacefully in his home in Olympia, on Feb. 1, 2013. He was born to Byron and Florence Gusse on Jan. 1, 1944, in Tacoma. He attended school in Waitsburg, where he discovered his talent and love for music and sports. While still in high school, he began his musical career playing keyboards and singing in popular local bands. He attended various colleges over the years including Central Washington University and Portland State University.
The Gems in Nanaimo, BC at the Civic Arena - May 1963
Photo By and Courtesy of Larry Kulai
The Gems
Walla Walla, Washington
Portland, Oregon
1960 - 1965
And Back Together Again in 2008
Members
Duane Gusse ~ Keyboards, Vocals
Larry Loney ~ Drums, Vocals
Ron Overman ~ Bass
Jim Reid ~ Guitar
Paul Wheeler ~ Guitar, Vocals
Duane Gusse
Walla Walla, Wash., Union-Bulletin Duane Robert Gusse
1944 - 2013
While in Portland, he met and married Delores Paulsen. Together they had three children, Yvonne Gusse Walker, Jeffrey Gusse and Steven Gusse. They also adopted Kimberly Gusse. Duane’s day job was for Dun and Bradstreet, but he lived for the music — playing with The Gems, Le Sabres and countless piano bars in the Portland Metro area. The family moved to Dayton in 1975 and he worked quality control for Green Giant.
He continued playing music — both with local groups and in piano bars. When he left Green Giant, he began a long career as an appraiser. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s he worked for Columbia County — first as a field appraiser, then as the county assessor. During this time, he and Delores divorced; and he met and married Margaret MacKinnon, who was his soul mate and best friend for the next 31 years. They moved to Western Washington, eventually settling in Olympia. He continued his appraisal career culminating in opening up Gusse-Wilson Appraisal Services, Inc. with partners Scott and Jean-Marie Wilson.
In 2003 he began reconnecting with the members of several bands from the ‘60s and this led to a resurgence of his musical career. He played with the Dukes of Juke for several years before reuniting with The Gems. He retired in 2010 and was able to devote more time to music and entertaining the crowds. Some of his other joys included watching his son’s wrestling events, perfecting his backyard grilling skills, playing with his basset hounds and exploring grocery stores.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children; 10 grandchildren; and his dogs, Ranger and Maddie.
A celebration of his life is being planned for June in the Walla Walla area
http://union-bulletin.com/obituaries/2013/feb/22/duane-gusse/
We backed 'Jan and Dean' , and Bobby Bare in 1963, on their Northewest tours. Jan and Dean were kinda sad without their reverb and echo. Bobby Bare had '500 Miles' and 'Detroit City' around that time. Under the pseudonym Bill Parsons, he recorded "All-American Boy". The crowds really loved that song.
Larry, Duane, Ron, Paul, and Jim
We would play at the Division Street Corral one night, then the Cascade Club the next, or vice-versa.
Duane Gusse, 'The Gems', May 2007
The 'Gems' had a reunion in Walla Walla this past month. It was the first time that all five of us had been together since 1963. Ron Overman left us then to form Hawk and the Randelas, and later was with Don and the Goodtimes.
Nagel's Big Apple nightclub in Portland, OR
Larry, Duane, Ron, Paul and Jim - 2008
On the weekend of June 14th - 16th, The Gems had a reunion in Walla Walla, WA, our original hometown. It was the first time in 45 years that all five of us had been together. Ron, who now lives in Jasper, Arkansas, was giving three Christian Music concerts in Walla Walla that weekend, so Jim Reid, sent out E-Mails to the rest of us, and we put the whole thing together in three days. It was a blast. I'm the only one of the group still working a daily job, as the other four are retired. Jim Reid retired as a Store Manager for Rite-Aid in Boise, ID. Paul was a Food Broker, and lives in Wilsonville, OR. Larry spent 35 years with Sears. He lives in Arizona. Ron is a minister, as well as an entertainer. I have my Residential Real Estate Appraisal business in Olympia, WA, as well as playing with the Dukes of Juke on some weekends.
Duane Gusse, July 2008
