The Symptoms

The Symptoms (aka The Original Symptoms) were from Springfield, Missouri and evolved into The Morells, The Skeletons and aside from their own career, have recorded and played with the likes of Dave Alvin, Syd Straw, Eric Ambel, Bo Diddley and Jonathan Richman. Members Ron Gremp (drums), Maralie Whitney (keyboards, vocals), Donnie Thompson (guitar, vocals), Jim Wunderle (lead vocals) and Lou Whitney (bass, vocals). 

 

Wunderle was known not only known as a dynamic singer and the “consummate front man” for a long series of bands, as his longtime friend Dale McCoy dubbed him, but also for the thick network of loyal friendships he sustained throughout his life. He began his career at Parkview High School (class of 1971) with Bubble, a band he started in 1969 with McCoy, Jimmy Frink, David Evans and David March. Around 1980, he formed The Dog People, perhaps Wunderle’s signature band, with Terry Wilson, Michael “Supe” Granda and Tom Whitlock. The band stopped playing regularly in 1983 when Wilson and Whitlock departed to pursue music careers in Los Angeles but had been reuniting faithfully at least once a year. Wunderle was instrumental in forming the annual Imagine Concert and serving as MC for the event commemorating John Lennon and raising money for Springfield nonprofits. In addition to performing, Wunderle did production work for studio owner Lou Whitney and for many years at Associated Video Producers. He also wrote film reviews for the Springfield Business Journal. 

 

Lou Whitney was also producer and owner of The Studio, Springfield. Died in October 07, 2014, kidney cancer, he was 72. After his death in 2014 Whitney's longtime assistant Eric Schuchmann purchased The Studio, Springfield and changed its location to the Southwest side of Springfield, Missouri. 

 

Maralie Whitney was born October 22, 1930 and died August 30, 2013. She started piano lessons at the age of 6 and classical trained for 12 years. After marrying she formed the band, Maralie and the Marathons. After moving to Ohio, she played for a dinner club and raised her 3 daughters. In the 1960's, She moved to Springfield and played at the Kentwood Arms and various sing along bars. In 1972, She was selling real estate and met Lou Whitney who she later married and they formed various bands playing current and oldies along with original works! They started as The Symptoms and later became The Morells which was formed in 1978.