Formed in New Orleans, Louisiana in the early 1970s, the Gaturs was a funk and soul band led by keyboardist Wilson Turbinton, better known by his stage name Willie Tee. Born in New Orleans on February 6, 1944, Willie Tee was influenced by the music of Professor Longhair and John Coltrane. His recording career began in the early 1960s while he was still in his teens. By the end of the decade, he had played venues all across the U.S. with his backing band the Souls and had recorded with Cannonball Adderley. Yearning to take his music in a funkier direction. He formed the Gaturs with drummer Larry Penia, bassist Irvin Charles, and guitarist June Ray. Willie Tee’s brother, saxophonist Earl Turbinton, also played with the group as well. The group released their debut single, “Cold Bear”, in 1971, which was quickly followed by “Wasted”. The Gaturs released two more singles – “Swivel Your Hips” and “A Hunk of Funk” – before the band split in 1973 and Willie Tee formed the far more popular and influential band the Wild Magnolias. While the Gaturs never released an album during their short career, their existing recordings were compiled on the 1997 collection Wasted. Willie Tee died on September 11, 2007, at the age of 63.
