Steve
Leinen, Mike Messer, Rand Wilcox, Don Larson, Rich Haines
Wilson
McKinley
AKA:
California
Poppy Pickers
Spokane,
Washington
1967
~ 1980
Members
Jimmy
Bartlett ~ Bass
Rich
Haines ~ Keyboards, Guitar
Dave
Johnston ~ Bass
Don
Larson ~ Bass
Steve
Leinen ~ Drums
Mike
Messer ~ Guitar
Dick
Pratt ~ Hammond Organ
Joe
Shikany ~ Guitar
Tom
Slipp ~ Drums
Lou
St. Cyr ~ Congas, Bongos
Bill
Superak ~ Drums
Randy
Wilcox ~ Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Read
More About
Wilson
McKinley
In
Memory of
Joe
Shikany
d:
18 August 2008
Seattle
Post Intelligencer
Dick Pratt
d: 18 May 2012
Bill
Superak
d 20 November 2013
In 1967 I had just been to
Buzz
Buchanan's Battle of the Bands in Nelson, B. C., and was totally
impressed
with the winning band, Wilson McKinley. So I got together with
one
of the DJs from CKEK in Cranbrook, formed Michelle Sound, and hired
Wilson
McKinley to play, in October, 1967. The dance was on the ice at
the
Cranbrook Arena (the hockey rink). Wilson McKinley totally blew
the
place apart. They were great musicians, and super talented.
I hired them many times over the next few years, until they went to LA
to record in the late 60s. They got into the Jesus Freaks
movement,
and started appealing to a different crowd. I believe Mike Messer
is still recording and promoting the group's music.
Of the hundreds of bands I booked or
promoted
in 10 years, they have to be in the 10 ten for talent and charisma.
Lorne Truscott, June 2010
