The Going Thing - 1969
1969
Produced By Ford Division
Produced By Ford Division
From the back cover: How do you launch a line of exciting, fresh and contemporary cars like the 1969 Fords? With an exciting, fresh and contemporary idea... a brand-new singing group, THE GOING THING.
First, the cars were tagged "The Going Thing," which summed up how they looked, and how they moved. Then a song was written that captured the spirit of the cars. And to top it all off, a search began for a group of young people who would symbolize "The Going Thing" concept. They are talented, young professionals who have already packed a passel of musical know-how into their tender years.
The entire premise for THE GOING THING GROUP actually began with a massive search for this elusive and fragile ingredient known as "the sound," after which the elements of a group were sought out, tested and polished into the finished product. Fortunately, there is no shortage of professional singers on the Hollywood scene. They turned out in platoons to be interviewed and auditioned.
Anchor men for "the sound" were the Bahler brothers, John and Tom. John was born in New York, grew up in California and joined the Navy in 1960. In the service he was an arranger/performer in the Navy Chorus both here and overseas. Back on the civilian scene, he wrote music and performed on TV in Washington, D. C. He has appeared on almost every major TV variety show, arranged or sang with groups headed by Johnny Mann, Allan Copeland, Henry Mancini, Hugo Montenegro, and many others.
Tom Bahler was born in California and followed his brother's steps in the field of music. Starting out as president of the high school band, he became a trumpet soloist and leader of his own dance band. After his graduation from U.S.C. in 1966, Tom sang on "The Smothers Brothers Show," worked as a studio singer and provided background for Vikki Carr, Pete King, Tony Scotti and Sue Raney.
The third member to be selected for THE GOING THING was singer-drummer-trumpeter Mitch Gordon. Mitch's path crisscrossed with the Bahler's in the Navy, on the "Swinging Country" TV show and as a member of singing groups assembled for the Pat Boone, Steve Allen, Red Skelton and Dick Van Dyke shows.
Janis Hansen, a titian-haired songstress from Montana, was a natural choice as one of the girls in the group. An attractive young lady who lives music 24 hours a day, Janis decided to make singing her life while attending the University of Colorado where she shucked zoology
for the bandstand. She auditioned for "Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66" and was immediately signed. Janis left Mendez to form her own group, but changed her plans at once when she auditioned and earned a spot with THE GOING THING.
Susan Teague, a pint-sized package of energy, has been in the show business world since the age of 12. Singer, dancer, actress, Susan was a bouncy, bright addition to the group where she blended in as though she had been
working with the guys and girls all her life. California-born, Susan made her bow in the movie "Gypsy" at age 12. In 1964 she briefly decided to give up show business and attended night school. She was offered a role in CBS-TV's "Many Happy Returns," however, and could not resist the opportunity. Despite her 3.5 average, she decided that the theater was where she really belonged.
Steve Flanagan was born and raised in the slums of Watts, California. A mixture of Irish, Indian and Negro, he was immediately accepted for the glee club in high school. Steve's first professional break occurred when he was selected to appear with The Young Americans. As a member of the group, he traveled for three years with such headliners as Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Nancy Wilson in addition to appearances on the Andy Williams, Ed Sullivan and Red Skelton TV shows.
Tall, handsome Wes Oldaker is another native Californian who was tapped for THE GOING THING. A marketing major at U.S.C., Wes has always been active in high school and college musical activities. When the opportunity presented itself, he joined the group called "Youngfolk" and toured the nation singing with such stars as Judy Garland, Trini Lopez, Roger Williams, Roger Miller, and many others.
Honey-haired Jacquie Wiseman hails from Oregon and moved to Newport Beach, California, at the age of nine. Always interested in anything musical since the age of three, she was granted a scholarship to U.S.C. where her studies were highlighted by drama, opera and musical comedy presentations. Jacquie also plays piano and is one of those rare individuals with perfect pitch. She was an immediate hit with everyone and an obvious choice in rounding out the organization.
Fortified with these fresh and exciting talents and the concept of their own new "sound," THE GOING THING GROUP promises to be a welcome addition to the field of today's contemporary music. There can be little or no doubt as to their versatility, nor the potential of such a group as musical commentators for Ford cars.
First, the cars were tagged "The Going Thing," which summed up how they looked, and how they moved. Then a song was written that captured the spirit of the cars. And to top it all off, a search began for a group of young people who would symbolize "The Going Thing" concept. They are talented, young professionals who have already packed a passel of musical know-how into their tender years.
The entire premise for THE GOING THING GROUP actually began with a massive search for this elusive and fragile ingredient known as "the sound," after which the elements of a group were sought out, tested and polished into the finished product. Fortunately, there is no shortage of professional singers on the Hollywood scene. They turned out in platoons to be interviewed and auditioned.
Anchor men for "the sound" were the Bahler brothers, John and Tom. John was born in New York, grew up in California and joined the Navy in 1960. In the service he was an arranger/performer in the Navy Chorus both here and overseas. Back on the civilian scene, he wrote music and performed on TV in Washington, D. C. He has appeared on almost every major TV variety show, arranged or sang with groups headed by Johnny Mann, Allan Copeland, Henry Mancini, Hugo Montenegro, and many others.
Tom Bahler was born in California and followed his brother's steps in the field of music. Starting out as president of the high school band, he became a trumpet soloist and leader of his own dance band. After his graduation from U.S.C. in 1966, Tom sang on "The Smothers Brothers Show," worked as a studio singer and provided background for Vikki Carr, Pete King, Tony Scotti and Sue Raney.
The third member to be selected for THE GOING THING was singer-drummer-trumpeter Mitch Gordon. Mitch's path crisscrossed with the Bahler's in the Navy, on the "Swinging Country" TV show and as a member of singing groups assembled for the Pat Boone, Steve Allen, Red Skelton and Dick Van Dyke shows.
Janis Hansen, a titian-haired songstress from Montana, was a natural choice as one of the girls in the group. An attractive young lady who lives music 24 hours a day, Janis decided to make singing her life while attending the University of Colorado where she shucked zoology
for the bandstand. She auditioned for "Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66" and was immediately signed. Janis left Mendez to form her own group, but changed her plans at once when she auditioned and earned a spot with THE GOING THING.
Susan Teague, a pint-sized package of energy, has been in the show business world since the age of 12. Singer, dancer, actress, Susan was a bouncy, bright addition to the group where she blended in as though she had been
working with the guys and girls all her life. California-born, Susan made her bow in the movie "Gypsy" at age 12. In 1964 she briefly decided to give up show business and attended night school. She was offered a role in CBS-TV's "Many Happy Returns," however, and could not resist the opportunity. Despite her 3.5 average, she decided that the theater was where she really belonged.
Steve Flanagan was born and raised in the slums of Watts, California. A mixture of Irish, Indian and Negro, he was immediately accepted for the glee club in high school. Steve's first professional break occurred when he was selected to appear with The Young Americans. As a member of the group, he traveled for three years with such headliners as Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Nancy Wilson in addition to appearances on the Andy Williams, Ed Sullivan and Red Skelton TV shows.
Tall, handsome Wes Oldaker is another native Californian who was tapped for THE GOING THING. A marketing major at U.S.C., Wes has always been active in high school and college musical activities. When the opportunity presented itself, he joined the group called "Youngfolk" and toured the nation singing with such stars as Judy Garland, Trini Lopez, Roger Williams, Roger Miller, and many others.
Honey-haired Jacquie Wiseman hails from Oregon and moved to Newport Beach, California, at the age of nine. Always interested in anything musical since the age of three, she was granted a scholarship to U.S.C. where her studies were highlighted by drama, opera and musical comedy presentations. Jacquie also plays piano and is one of those rare individuals with perfect pitch. She was an immediate hit with everyone and an obvious choice in rounding out the organization.
Fortified with these fresh and exciting talents and the concept of their own new "sound," THE GOING THING GROUP promises to be a welcome addition to the field of today's contemporary music. There can be little or no doubt as to their versatility, nor the potential of such a group as musical commentators for Ford cars.
This is really remarkable. What a find. Reading your commentary was fascinating and the music, well, what can I say! HA! "Ford gives you better ideas" ??
ReplyDeleteMark, The music is very good and really stands up. Probably stands up better than your average '69 Ford.
ReplyDeleteJanis Hansen who recorded multiple albums with Sergio Mendes sings with the group also.
ReplyDelete