Front row L to R: Bill Baggett--bass, Stacy Goss--trumpet, Walt Stewart--lead singer & guitarist & song writing; Back row L to R: Mike Stough--trumpet & vocals, George (Ed/Sunshine) Roberts--drums & vocals, Bill Stubblefield--keyboards & song writing, Marvin Taylor--lead guitar. (Note: The photographed instruments were convenient props)
While under contract with Hi Records, Harris wanted this "blue-eyed" soul group, to venture toward a more "psychedelic sound" with its recording work, which he described as an effort to capitalize on a new direction for the label. Although, technically capable--the group's heart was altogether too bluesy in the end to accommodate Harris, so a compromise was reached with the released cut for "Snake-Bite", circa 1967. The group also recorded several other originals by member, Walt Stewart; although there is question as to whether any of them were ever released. "Snake Bite" had its fifteen minutes of fame as a "pick-hit" in a handful of cities in the South, but never broke into the "top-40".
"The Life"/"the Hungry i" was based in Auburn, AL, where most of the group were students at the university. They played concerts/dances and club gigs across the South from Jacksonville, FL to Shreveport, LA, in the late 60's. The group was known for its well-rehearsed tight sound and its musical versatility. In addition to blues numbers, there were originals by Stewart, as well as the group's ever changing repertoire of top-40's covers of the day, from Little Anthony, to "the Beatles", to Otis Redding, to the "Vanilla-Fudge".
Although "The Life" was a good combination of talent and personalities, their downturn came in 1968 with everyone pulling up stakes and heading in different directions. Stewart headed to Atlanta. Taylor and Roberts also headed toward Atlanta to further their music careers, at first with the James Gang and later with other notable musical groups. Goss and Stough remained in Alabama as band directors while continually building on their moonlighting careers as studio musicians at Fame studios among other venues. Baggett gravitated toward the visual arts and became a college professor and artist in Mississippi. Hopefully, some info about Stubblefield will be added in the future. Sadly, writer and lead singer, Walt Stewart is deceased.
While the group remained at seven pieces, at one time or another it also included: Chuck Tremaine--lead guitar & vocals, John Snider--drums, "Rhino"--drums, Rick Teel--drums, Tommy Mann--vocals, and Pat Morrow--keyboards & trombone.
As with most groups "the Hungry i" evolved from several different bands. The demise of a four piece band called the "Judges", left Tremaine and Stuart available, and Baggett had been playing with several pick-up bands in the area. Goss, Stough, Morrow, Snider, pulled these three in and called themselves "the Hungry i". Stubblefield replaced Morrow on keyboards, and Roberts later joined, following "Rhino" who replaced Snider on drums. Taylor, who had played lead guitar for the "K-otics" prior to their break-up, replaced Tremaine who had relocated by that time. The other musicians listed, either played or substituted over the two year life of the group.
More info on the group will be added as it's posted.
