The Good Idea, Thundertree, and Billy Hallquist

Here’s a single released by The Good Idea, a garage rock band from St. Cloud that formed in 1967 and disbanded in 1968. I couldn’t find too much on these guys, and they only released one 45 in 1968. The Good Idea featured saxophonist and lead vocalist Bob Blank, guitarist Dave Linder, keyboardist John Miesen, drummer Rick LiaBraaten, and guitarist Billy Hallquist. I was unable to find the first track off of the 45, “Patterns in Life,” but did find “Inside, Outside,” which is a pretty solid garage/psychedelic tune. 

Inside, Outside (1968)

Billy Hallquist, Rick LiaBraaten, and John Miesen continued on in the psychedelic rock band Thundertree from 1968 to 1971. They released one album in 1970, produced by the organist/keyboardist John Miesen and with a cover illustration by Ely Besalel, who has had quite a prolific design career. Side two of the record (starting with “1225”) is perhaps a bit more exciting than side one. It ends on a good note with “The Sun is Shinin’ for Me.”

Thundertree

Thundertree (1970)

After The Good Idea and Thundertree, Billy Hallquist released two folk albums in 1972 and 1976. They’re pretty typical ‘70s acoustic folk records and not as exciting as his previous work. The final track off of Persephone titled “Persephone” is good, so if you just listen to one of his songs go with that one. It could be seen as a bit more of a psychedelic folk tune. It wraps up the album in a similar way “The Sun is Shinin’ For Me” wraps up that Thundertree album. The first track “Desert Rats” could be a good listen on a road trip, leisurely stroll, bus ride, or day in the park. 

I’m not as big of a fan of his second album Travelin’, so I’m deciding not to include it here. It’s available on Spotify and YouTube. “Ballad of a Poor Man” is decent, Hallquist is at his best making those longer tracks. You’ll especially notice the religious themes.

Bill Hallquist

Persephone (1972)