Next, he formed "Gary and the Remarkables, a band which while good, had nothing that was truly remarkable. Gary realized that he needed a gimmick, something that would attract attention and make his group really distinctive. After considering a number of ideas, he decided on a military motif, costuming each member in a blue and gold civil war uniform. As lead singer, lead guitarist and "General", Gary would command "Sargeant" Dwight Bement on bass, "Corporal" Kerry Chater on rhythm guitar , "Private" Gary Withem on keyboards and "Private" Paul Wheatbread on drums. Adapting the name from historic Union Gap, Washington, his new ensemble became, "The Union Gap, featuring Gary Puckett".

In January 1967, the band quickly began to draw some attention in the San Diego area. "We were very business like" says Gary. "We made up a brochure with pictures, clippings, song lyrics and a demo record which was actually my voice with another group because we couldn't afford to make a Union Gap demo". Gary took this promotional kit around to various record companies in L.A. and was turned down by all of them. Finally, just before leaving town, he visited Columbia Records and was directed to producer Jerry Fuller. Jerry chuckled at the photos but listened to the demo and agreed to come out and see the Gap on the second night of their regular weekend gig.

That booking happened to be in the lounge of a San Diego bowling ally, where the boys had to compete with the sounds of rolling balls and crashing pins. The group coasted through three rather routine sets, before Jerry stepped forward and said "Let's make some records".

The Union Gap signed contracts on June 21, 1967 and on August 17, cut what was to be their first single, "Woman Woman". Released one month later, it broke in Cleveland in November, rising to number four on the national charts.

Jerry Fuller would later recall,"Naturally, since it was such a big hit, we were sent a lot of songs to use as a follow-up, but I just didn't hear the kind of song I wanted. "Finally, I dug out a thing I'd given up on six months before that. I re-wrote the song and played it for the group. They didn't care much for it, but I talked them into recording it". That song was "Young Girl".

"As far as what inspired "Young Girl", that's another story" says Jerry."I was on the road a lot as an artist, fronting various groups for many years. I guess every entertainer goes through a time when fourteen-year-olds look like twenty-year-olds. That's somewhat of an inspiration...not from my own experience, but just knowing that it happens".

"Young Girl" took off in early March 1968 and by the next month was one of America's best selling singles." Even today," says Gary Puckett," people come up to me and say 'We fell in love while listening to that song.'"

All of the Union Gaps records had a warm romantic feel, and the hit streak continued with "Lady Willpower", "Over You", "Don't Give In To Him", and "This Girl Is A Woman Now".

"When you listen to those records today", says Jerry, "they sound fairly simple. We didn't try to get contrived, because we didn't know how. We always tried to make the music say what the lyrics did. We let the songs dictate our arrangements."

That philosophy must have worked, because in 1968, the Union Gap managed to outsell rock's number one group, the Beatles.

Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's Biggest Selling Records according to Cash Box magazine:

1 (#3) Woman, Woman - 1967
2 (#1) Young Girl - 1968
3 (#1) Lady Willpower - 1968
4 (#5) Over You - 1969
5 (#12) Don't Give In To Him - 1969
6 (#5) This Girl Is A Woman Now - 1969
7 (#38) Let's Give Adam and Eve Another Chance - 1970
8 (#44) I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - 1970
9 (#50) Keep The Customer Satisfied - 1971

As the face of pop music evolved, the hits stopped coming and eventually the members of the group began to develop other interests and eventually disbanded in 1971.

Rhythm guitarist, Kerry Chater wrote songs for other popular acts, including Bobby Darin and Cass Elliot. Gary Puckett tried acting for a while. He also recorded as a solo act and with his brother David, but has never been able to match his earlier success.

Gary continued as a solo artist and enjoyed continued success playing festivals, theaters, and arenas throughout the world. He was part of the highly successful 1984 version of the Happy Together Tour, which also featured The Turtles, The Mamas & Papas, and Spanky & Our Gang. His casual, mild-mannered demeanour on and off the stage, gives no indication of the powerful singing voice he possesses that has not diminished over the years, and if anything, has gotten stronger.

For more, be sure to read Gary James' interview with Gary Puckett