Psychedelic Jukebox: [1966] Linda Pierre King & The Outcasts - Hard Lovin' Babe

In the sprawling, fuzz-drenched world of 1960s American garage rock, few recordings are as enigmatic and compelling as "Hard Lovin’ Babe" by Linda Pierre King & the Outcasts. Originally recorded in 1966 in San Angelo, Texas, the song remained buried in obscurity for decades—until it resurfaced on niche compilations and rare garage rock forums, sparking intrigue among collectors and psych enthusiasts.

Linda Pierre King was a little-known folk and pop vocalist from Texas who entered Accurate Sound Studio in 1966 to record an astonishing 18 tracks. Among these was "Hard Lovin’ Babe", a gritty, garage-psych hybrid full of swaggering vocals, primitive drums, and distorted guitar riffs. King was backed by a shadowy group known only as The Outcasts—not to be confused with the more widely known garage band of the same name from San Antonio.

What makes the track so memorable is its raw, almost confrontational energy. King’s vocal delivery is fierce and emotive, underpinned by a band that leans heavily into proto-punk territory—somewhere between garage, and early psychedelic rock. It's a sound that feels both timeless and uniquely rooted in the Texan underground of the mid-60s.

Despite its power, "Hard Lovin’ Babe" went unreleased for decades, surviving only in the memories of those present at the sessions. It finally received a proper release on the Bear Family Records compilation It’s A Happening! Texas Girls of the 60s, a CD showcasing overlooked female-fronted Texan rock and pop tracks from the era.

Though little else is known about Linda Pierre King or the specific identities of the Outcasts who played with her, this song stands as a potent testament to the fierce talent simmering beneath the mainstream of American rock in the 1960s.

Sources:

1. tokyvideo.com – Linda Pierre King & The Outcasts – Hard Lovin’ Babe
2. underappreciatedrockbands.com – The Outcasts (Chronicles)
3. bear-family.de – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s
4. towerrecords.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s details
5. bompstore.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s (CD info)
6. bear-family.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s
7. bear-family.fr – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s (FR)
8. rarewaves.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s
9. fye.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s
10. bompstore.com blog – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s mention
11. allmusic.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s (release)
12. allmusic.com – It’s A Happening! Texas Girls Of The 60s (album page)
13. Wikipedia – The Outcasts (Texas band)
14. Apple Music – The Outcasts Artist Page
15. Wikipedia – Pebbles, Volume 1 (compilation)
16. Wikipedia – Green Crystal Ties, Volume 8