The nucleus of The Luv’d Ones centered around vocalist/guitarist Char Vinnedge. For her history, we have to look at the pre- and post-The Luv’d Ones brief 1966-68 career.
Vinnedge originally formed the all-girl band The Tremelons in Niles, Michigan in 1963 with her sister Chris on bass, Mary Gallagher on rhythm guitar and Faith Orem on drums. They recorded two singles for the Benton, Michigan-based Wildwood Records.
Chicago-based Dunwich Records was looking for an all-girl group and signed the girls, changing their name to The Luv’d Ones. Reasons ranged from avoiding conflict with the British band The Tremeloes to giving the perception of a British flavor as was common in the day. Their first Dunwich single in 1966 was a unique take on the Rufus Thomas hit “Walkin’ the Dog”. Dunwich offered up three singles by the girls in 1966. Although none caught the consumer ear or achieved any airplay, as noted in the Dunwich Classic Rock Library history, “they are often praised for being ahead of their time, and cited as being both proto-punk and proto-feminist. Their sound is characterized by fuzzed-out guitars, strong rhythm section and Vinnedge’ s icy vocals. The lyrics are decidedly dark and bitter; many of the songs deal with jealousy.”
As The Luv’d Ones, they hung on for a couple more years, sadly categorized more as a gimmick being an all-girl group than being recognized for the creative talent within. Booking agent Stan Billue recalled, “I started booking the Luv’d Ones into some weekly club gigs. It was evident that Char wasn’t really into the whole ‘girl band’ image, so I encourage her to explore her amazing playing, writing and singing talent.”
In 1969, Vinnedge formed Syrup. During one of their shows, a manager from Silver Fox Records called the club where they were playing, and asked Vinnedge to come to Memphis to cut a demo. Vinnedge almost turned down the offer, but the other band members prodded her to go, which she did. The demo caught the ear of Billy Cox, who had been the bass player for Jimi Hendrix and his Band Of Gypsys. The two joined forces and Nitro Function was formed issuing a lone album on the UK-based Pye label in 1971.
A European tour was in the planning stages when Vinnedge decided to shift musical gears. She remained in the Michigan/Ohio market area and continued recording, but nothing more was released before her untimely death in 1997, suffering a heart attack at age 54.
Posthumously, the Sundazed label released Truth Gotta Stand, a 20-track project including the Dunwich singles and various other Vinnedge studio outtakes. And Rhino Records included their song “Up Down Sue” on a four-CD various artist compilation One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost and Found.
Since that time, her family and friends have continued to pay homage to the music Char created. In 2011, the Star Webmaster label released the album Better Look Out, billing her as the “Electric Lady” (a reference to her Hendrix-like sound), and followed that with a number of online-only MP3 singles. Then in 2013, The Luv’d Ones’ remaining band members (Char’s sister Chris had also passed away in 2004), remastered material from Char’s 1970’s studio material and issued the posthumous album Friends Forever.
Discography
THE TREMELONS
Please Let Me Know b/w Theme for a DJ (Wildwood 818W-0015) 1963
Whole Lot of Shaking Going On b/w Heartbreak Hotel (Wildwood WRM-005) 1965
THE LUV’D ONES
Yeah I’m Feeling Fine b/w Up Down Sue (White Oak 759101) 1966
Listen to “Yeah I’m Feeling Fine” – https://youtu.be/ZtdEgWktauI
Listen to “Up Down Sue” – https://youtu.be/VbGHSc21NV0
Walkin’ the Dog b/w I’m Leavin’ You (Dunwich 121) 1966
Listen to “Walkin’ the Dog” – https://youtu.be/NU7Emly40fY
Listen to “I’m Leaving You” – https://youtu.be/pG9YPs12Zhk
Stand Tall b/w Come Back (Dunwich 130) 1966
Listen to “Stand Tall” – https://youtu.be/UC3I5G77FCA
Listen to “Come Back” – https://youtu.be/3pbiYI5o11k
Dance Kid Dance b/w I’m Leavin’ You (Dunwich 136) 1966
CHAR VINNEDGE
Nitro Function – Nitro Function (Pye NSLP 28158) 1971
The Tremelons – The Tremelons (Sundazed SEP 121) 1996
The Luv’d Ones – Truth Gotta Stand (Sundazed SC 11050 / LP 5033) 1999
Char Vinnedge – Better Look Out (Star Webmaster SW 01) 2011
Char Vinnedge – Friends Forever (Two Blue Bird’s Recordings PC 001) 2013