Slice of Yakima: Gary Puckett & the Union Gap mayor

By Erin Snelgrove
Yakima Herald-Republic

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UNION GAP, Wash. -- Talking to a famous musician through a Canadian radio station wasn't in his job description, but Union Gap Mayor Jim Lemon was happy to comply on Monday.

"It was fun," Lemon said. "It was a very interesting conversation."

Radio NL 610 AM from Kamloops, British Columbia, put the two together for an interview. Although Puckett now resides in Canada, he is originally from Yakima.

He had formed the musical group Gary Puckett & the Union Gap and is best known for his hits, "Young Girl," "Woman Woman" and "Lady Willpower," which landed on the Billboard Top 100 chart in the late 1960s.

Because Puckett's group is named after Union Gap, the radio station thought connecting him with the city's mayor would be fun, Lemon said. During the live broadcast, Lemon discovered Puckett worked in Union Gap as a teenager and had to hitchhike to get there.

In honor of the occasion, Lemon declared Monday to be Gary Puckett Day in Union Gap and is mailing Puckett a key to the city, recognizing him for his "contribution to the city through his musical career."

Lemon is hoping Puckett will perform in Union Gap sometime next year.



Commentsicon2
Posted by Paul at 10/07/09 11:20AM        Post ID#: #14699

Just to make a correction on your article regarding Gary Puckett receiving the key to the City of Union Gap. Gary does not live in Canada, he and his family live in Florida. Also, it would have been nice to read a comment or two from Gary regarding this long over do honour.

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Posted by Just_Bob at 10/07/09 01:30PM        Post ID#: #14704

Always wondered. I knew a Gary Puckett in Terrace Heights in the later 50s. Right age. His dad worked at KIT Radio, I think. He used to take us to Bears games. Wondered if it is the same person.

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Posted by RonStevens at 10/07/09 01:49PM        Post ID#: #14705

The group wasn't named after the town of Union Gap;
my source on that is former KMWX dj Frank Taylor.

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Posted by Paul at 10/07/09 02:39PM        Post ID#: #14706

Sorry Ron. Your source on the naming of the Union Gap is wrong. I know Gary and he tells the story of him naming the group after the town. It had to do with the civil war costumes they used to wear and Gary thought it was a perfect fit for what they were doing at the time.

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Posted by RandyW at 10/07/09 07:15PM        Post ID#: #14716

Hey, check with a guy named Bill Maggard that works for Yakima County Public Services. Ask him what he knows of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap.. (It might surprise you.)

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