In the course of compiling arresting ads from four of the major music industry trade publications — Billboard, Cash Box, Record World, and Beat Instrumental — I came across a number of artists from the mid-to-late 1960s who had announced themselves with great fanfare and youthful optimism, only to vanish from the music scene in relatively short order, leaving behind scant recorded evidence of their individual sound and repertoire.
These full-page ads in the major trade publications (below) reflect a burgeoning industry in the wake of the British Invasion grappling with how to capitalize on a profound shift in musical sensibilities. In contrast to today’s austere standards with little to no budget for artist development, it is remarkable to witness this period of time – brief as it may have been – when the music labels displayed a willingness to invest in up-and-coming talent through prominent advertisements in leading music magazines.
Billboard
Sept. 10, 1966
The Sparrow
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Tomorrow’s Ship“
Note: A later lineup of The Sparrow, with John Kay on vocals, would become Steppenwolf.
Billboard
Oct. 15, 1966
The Pop Art
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Rumpelstiltskin“
Note: Musical personnel — Al Lax, Mark Klingman, Mike Gayle, and multi-instrumentalist Hank Aberle, who, according to Discogs, was an integral part of two groups that rank among the best rock bands that New York City had to offer in the mid-to-late ’60s, The Pop Art and The Glitterhouse. Born in New York City, Aberle grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and later dropped out of the High School for Music and Art (where his classmates included Michael Brown and Steve Martin, both later of The Left Banke, as well as Renee Fladen, the girl who inspired the song “Walk Away, Renee”). At 18, Aberle was already a highly proficient guitarist, as well as being skilled on the violin, among other instruments, and had become part of a locally successful Long Island-spawned outfit, originally called The Justice League and later rechristened The Pop Art, who got a phenomenal single called “Rumpelstiltskin” out on Epic Records. The latter failed to sell, and after another few months of work, and the addition of keyboard player Moogy Klingman, The Pop Art fell apart. Out of that dissolution, however, evolved The Glitterhouse, a more ambitious band whose sound was more in the realm of psychedelic soul. Despite a promising reception from the audiences who heard them, and the interest of producer Bob Crewe, who signed them to his own label, the band failed to find an audience, and broke up in 1969.
Billboard
Oct. 22, 1966
The Checkerlads
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Shake Yourself Down“
Note: Canadian band from Regina, Saskatchewan who was active in the late 1960s, says Discogs. Formed in 1963 by Arnie Sanns (lead vocals, bass), Bob Stevens (rhythm guitar), Larry Reich (lead guitar, harmony vocals), and Harvey Frasz (drummer), the group later added organist Bob Edwards.
Billboard
Nov. 5, 1966
The Free Spirits
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Tattoo Man“
Note: Guitarist Larry Coryell, co-composer of the band’s debut 45, is joined by Jim Pepper (of “Witchy Tai To” fame), along with Bob Moses, Chris Hills, and Columbus Baker. The group recorded one full-length album for ABC in 1967, while a performance recorded live at Steve Paul’s NYC Scene club on February 22nd 1967 by Ted Gehrke on a Wollensak tape machine finally saw light of day with 2011’s CD release.
Billboard
Nov. 5, 1966
The Gurus
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Blue Snow Night“
Note: The Gurus, according to Discogs, were a 1960s psychedelic rock band who were among the first to incorporate Middle Eastern influences, maybe more than any other band of that era. The band broke up without making a large impact on the music scene of the time, although they did release two singles on United Artists Records in 1966 and 1967. Their debut album, The Gurus Are Hear, failed to be released in 1967, which was noted as the reason for the band splitting up. The reason United Artists canceled the album’s release mere weeks from its release date still remains a mystery. Thankfully, the album was saved from the vaults and finally released on CD in 2003 (though not yet on vinyl).
Billboard
Nov. 5, 1966
The Pilgramage
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Bad Apple“
Note: Two single releases on Mercury in 1966 — and then nothing more.
Billboard
Nov. 5, 1966
45 picture sleeve
The Spike Drivers
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “High Time“
Note: Detroit folk-rockers, according to Discogs, whose roster included Larry Cruse, Marycarol Brown, Muruga Booker, Richard Keelan, Sid Brown, and Ted Lucas, a mainstay in the Detroit music scene throughout the ’60s and ’70s. Lucas, says Discogs, founded groups like The Spike-Drivers, The Misty Wizards, The Horny Toads, and The Boogie Disease. He also played guitar, sitar and harmonica on a number of Motown sessions, most notably Norman Whitfield and R. Dean Taylor productions. In 1975, he self-released a solo album, Ted Lucas, that received little attention in his lifetime.
Record World
Dec. 3, 1966
45 picture sleeve
Dana Rollin
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio unavailable for “Best Friend”
Note: Sadly little has been written about Dana Rollin.
Billboard
Jan. 28, 1967
Blackburn And Snow
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Stranger In A Strange Land“
Note: San Francisco folk duo, guitarist-singer Jeff Blackburn and vocalist Sherry Snow, would record only a pair of singles for Verve/MGM in 1967. A 20-song anthology, Something Good For Your Head, however, was released in 1999 on Big Beat, an imprint of Ace UK.
Record World
Feb. 11, 1967
The Daily Flash
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “The French Girl“
Note: Despite a limited output of only two singles during their commercial prime, The Daily Flash — Doug Hastings, Steve Lalor, Don MacAllister, and John Kelihor — were actually one of the more promising ’60s bands to hail from Seattle, according to rock historian Bruno Ceriotti, whose authoritative history of the band recounts this heady time period when the group (managed by Greene & Stone of Buffalo Springfield fame) flirted with major label success:
The Daily Flash’s second and last single, “The French Girl” / “Green Rocky Road” (Uni 55001), was released in the US. The disc was just the second record released by Universal City Records (UNI), MCA’s new West Coast division label located at 8255 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. “We had no direct contract to UNI Records, only to Greene and Stone,” points out Jon Keliehor. “It is probable that this contract is now dead as well, and all control has reverted back to the artists.” “The French Girl is a one-off song that garnered significant airplay and took the group to the threshold of wide-scale recognition,” also reflects Keliehor. “The song showcased the voice of Steve Lalor and offered a unique and distinctive direction for the group.” “[We had that] vocal precision and counterpoint coloring that took ‘The French Girl’ from a Leonard Cohen-like lost love dirge into a baroque bittersweet epic love story,” also recalled Steve Lalor in an interview with Richie Unterberger. “It would have been nice if ‘French Girl’ could have been a hit, because as Paul McCartney once said nothing inspires like success, and if that had been a hit we would have risen to the occasion,” added Lalor in another interview with Neal Skok. “At the time I think all four of us felt a lot of resentment that we had the perfect product, we’d made all the right moves and yet nothing had happened. We were kind of frustrated about that – how could we make it sound better when we already thought it was perfect?”
Billboard
Feb. 25, 1967
Lynn Castle
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “The Lady Barber“
Note: With a recording career that contains but a single 45 release, Castle would eventually be anthologized in 2017 by A Light in the Attic with Rose Colored Corner, a collection that features ten additional recordings (produced by Jack Nitzsche), along with the original 7-inch (produced by Lee Hazlewood), the fourth single released by Hazlewood’s fledgling label, LHI. On these two songs, Castle enjoys backing from Last Friday’s Fire, a musical assemblage that includes Mike Condello on guitar.
Billboard
Mar. 11, 1967
The id
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Short Circuit“
Note: The Id music group was a studio project by Paul Arnold and Jerry Cole, according to Discogs, that comprised members of Jerry Cole’s core rock and roll group going back to the late 1950s.
Cash Box
Mar. 11, 1967
The Lamp of Childhood
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “First Time, Last Time“
Note: This trio of musicians — James Hendricks, Mike Tani, and Fred Olson — was “discovered” by Warner Brothers music executive, Andy Wickham, who penned the A-side of their second Dunhill release “First Time, Last Time.” Joining Wickham as producer on all three single releases was Gabriel Mekler, an Israeli-born classical pianist who, according to Garage Hangover, had told Dunhill Records that he could produce a hit record, despite never having produced a single recording session.
Cash Box
Apr. 8, 1967
Leather Boy
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “I’m A Leather Boy“
Note: Songwriter, producer, and recording artist originally born Milan Radenkovich in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (also known professionally as Rick Rodell), Leather Boy’s earlier work had been recorded under the name, Milan. As Greg Shaw would relate in his liner notes for Pebbles Volume 10 —
[A] cryptic artist who made a series of high image records offering himself as some leather-clad, bike-riding rebel, but so stylized he might’ve been imagined by Andy Warhol . . . . The only name to be found on these records is Milan, a name that also shows up as writer/producer on a big pile of records, from the early 60s right thru the end of the decade . . . . But who was he? No further clue has ever emerged. This is one guy whose story really cries out to be told.
Billboard
Apr. 15, 1967
The Garden Club
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Little Girl Lost-And-Found”
Note: Ruthann Friedman and Tom Shipley, per Discogs.
Cash Box
Apr. 22, 1967
The Mystery Trend
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Johnny Was A Good Boy“
Note: Despite only one 45 release for Verve/MGM (plus a mysterious acetate of a live performance at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art from December 1965), Ace UK would release a 21-track anthology of the group – whose roster included Ron Nagle – So Glad I Found You on their Big Beat subsidiary label in 1999.
Cash Box
Apr. 29, 1967
The Young Canada Singers
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Canada (A Centennial Song)”
Note: The kick-off track for an album produced to celebrate Canada’s Centennial 1867 | 1967, “Canada” was written by Bobby Gumby, a Canadian trumpet player alternately known as The Pied Piper of Canada.
Billboard
May 13, 1967
The Nova Local
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “If You Only Had The Time“
Note: Psychedelic pop band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina whose membership comprised singer Randy Winburn, guitarists Joe Mendyk and Phil Lambeth, bassist Jim Opton, keyboardist Cam Schinhan and drummer Bill Levasseur. The group would record a full-length album for Decca (produced by Elliot Mazer) before disbanding.
Billboard
May 27, 1967
Living Daylights
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Let’s Live For Today“
Note: Newcastle, England ensemble whose personnel comprised Curt Cresswell, guitar, Roy Heather, drums, Garth Watt-Roy, guitar and vocals, and his brother, Norman Watt-Roy, bass and vocals, per Discogs.
Cash Box
June 3, 1967
Warm Sounds
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Birds And Bees“
Note: British duo, Barry Younghusband and Denver Gerrard, who formed in 1967 and disbanded the following year, per Discogs. The duo’s first 45 for Deram, “Birds And Bees,” would hew much more closely to sunshine pop, while their third and final single would be one of the lesser-known psych-rock classics, “Nite Is A Comin’” along with its flipped-out flip side, “Smeta Mugarty”
Cash Box
June 3, 1967
The Changin’ Times
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Free Spirit“
Note: The songwriting duo of Steve Duboff and Artie Kornfeld (who wrote “We Can Fly” and “The Rain, The Park And Other Things” for The Cowsills) would produce a handful of singles as The Changin’ Times between 1965 and 1968.
Cash Box
June 3, 1967
1967 EP
St. George & Tana
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “So Tenderly“
Note: NYC-born pop duo – John Campolongo (a.k.a. St. George) & Tana Sacks – who formed in 1966, says Discogs, and recorded one full-length album for Kapp.
Record World
June 3, 1967
Peter Anders
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Sunrise Highway“
Note: Providence, Rhode Island-born Peter Andreoli would record a handful of singles in the 1960s, plus one full-length album for Artie Ripp’s Family Productions in 1972 (with backing from Billy Joel, Emil Richards, Eric Gale, Danny Kootch, Jimmy Miller, Lee Sklar, and Clydie King, et al.) before taking a break from the music business. In 2010, Anders would release a new collection of songs, So Far.
Cash Box
Aug. 19, 1967
45 picture sleeve
The Cake
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Baby That’s Me“
Note: New York City “girl group” — Jeanette Jacobs, Barbara Morillo, and Eleanor Barooshian (managed and produced by Charlie Greene and Brian Stone) — who recorded two albums for Decca in 1967 and 1968. The Cake enjoyed backing from many of the top session players on their debut Decca album, including John Boudreaux, Bob West, Carol Kaye, Mac Rebennack, Mike Post, Plas Johnson, Harold Battiste, and Mike Melvoin, et al.
Cash Box
Aug. 26, 1967
US 45
front sleeve
rear sleeve
The Silver Eagle
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “The Astor Disaster“
Note: Very little seems to be known about The Silver Eagle other than its two main songwriters being Jeffrey Myers and John Farrell. Amusing to note that “The Astor Disaster (The Tragic Ordeal of Theodore Nobbs)” was retitled simply “Theodore” for the UK market.
Cash Box
Sep. 2, 1967
Common Market
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “I Love My Dog“
Note: Discogs lists two other bands as “aliases” – The Liverpool Five and The Boasters. Both groups share the same personnel: Dave Burgess, Jimmy May, Ken Cox, Ron Henley, and Steve Laine.
Billboard
Sep. 30, 1967
45 picture sleeve
Baltimore And Ohio Marching Band
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Lapland“
Note: “Lapland” is the title track and kick-off song of B&O’s 1967 debut album. The band would record one more full-length album, The Baltimore & Ohio Marching Band Plays Music From The Comics (retitled Musica De Historietas when released in Argentina), before hanging up their uniforms for the last time.
Billboard
Oct. 7, 1967
The Hung Jury
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Buses“
Note: According to Discogs, this ensemble from Glen Cove, Long Island, New York were originally named The Trav’lers and first signed to Atlantic Records, who released one single. The band would then sign with Colgems, who changed their name to The Hung Jury and released a second single in the US and Canada.
Billboard
Oct. 14, 1967
The Ilford Subway
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “The 3rd Prophecy“
Note: Glendale, California band – Bob Siebenberg, Don Wilson, Jeff Avery, Mickey Wells, and Scott Gorham – who recorded a single 45 for Equinox, Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnstone’s label. Drummer Bob Siebenberg would later join Supertramp, while bassist Scott Gorham would join Thin Lizzy on guitar.
Billboard
Oct. 28, 1967
The Unrelated Segments
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Where You Gonna Go“
Note: Per Discogs, these garage rockers from Taylor, Michigan – Andy Angellotti, Barry Van Engelen, John Torok, Ron Stults, and Rory Mack – recorded a total of three singles (two on Liberty, one on Hanna-Barbera) and served as a local support act for The MC5, The Who, Spencer Davis, et al.
Cash Box
Oct. 28, 1967
45 picture sleeve
The Hassles
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “You’ve Got Me Hummin’“
Note: Per Discogs, the original lineup of this Long Island, NY-based group (founded in 1964) consisted of vocalist John Dizek, guitarist Richard McKenna, drummer Jon Small, and organist Harry Weber. In 1966, Weber was replaced by Howard Blauvelt (bass) and Billy Joel (keyboards), both previously with The Lost Souls. With this lineup the band released two albums, The Hassles (1967) and Hour Of The Wolf (1968), as well as one non-LP single “Great Balls Of Fire” before disbanding in 1969. Small and Joel went on to form Attila.
Billboard
Nov. 11, 1967
Epic Spendor
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “A Little Rain Must Fall“
Note: Discogs tells us that this New York-based studio group — whose members comprised Paul Masarti (vocals & guitar), Eddie Garguilo (drums), Vic Canone (lead guitar), Larry Jack (bass), and Charlie Bilello (organ) — was assembled to launch The Hot Biscuit Disc Company, a subsidiary of Capitol.
Billboard
Nov. 11, 1967
The Shame
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Too Old To Go ‘Way Little Girl“
Note: According to Discogs, The Shame is one of Greg Lake‘s early bands based in Bournemouth England, with Malcolm Braiser (bass), Billy Nims (drums), and John Dickenson (keyboards).
Billboard
Nov. 11, 1967
Primrose Circus
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “P.S. Call Me Lulu“
Note: Primrose Circus‘s lone 45 (on Mira) would also be released, strangely enough, three years later (i.e., an eternity in pop music time) in the UK in 1970.
Cash Box
Nov. 25, 1967
The Rose Garden
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Next Plane to London“
Note: Los Angeles-based band — Diana De Rose (lead vocals & guitar), John Noreen (12-string & vocal, James Groshong (lead vocals & guitar), William Fleming (bass), and Bruce Bowdin on drums — who were produced by Charlie Greene and Brian Stone and musically active 1967-1968.
Billboard
Nov. 25, 1967
Cash Box review
Dec. 9, 1967
Billboard
Dec. 30, 1967
Nora Guthrie with John Sebastian & Jack Lewis
Nora Guthrie
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Emily’s Illness“
Note: Produced by Monte Kay and Jack Lewis — arranged and conducted by Artie Schroeck.
Billboard
Dec. 2, 1967
Cash Box
Dec. 2, 1967
Good and Plenty
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Living In A World Of Make Believe“
Note: Douglas Good and Ginny Plenty — produced by Wes Ferrell, in collaboration with Tony Romeo.
Billboard
Dec. 9, 1967
Erik
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Look Where I Am“
Note: Erik Heller made one full-length album for Vanguard, Look Where I Am.
Cash Box
Dec. 9, 1967
The Appletree Theatre
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Hightower Square“
Note: Two young song-poets = Buffalo, NY brothers, Terence and John Boylan. Terence would record a couple albums for David Geffen’s Asylum, while John would become a much in-demand producer.
Billboard
Dec. 16, 1967
45 picture sleeve
3’s A Crowd
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Bird Without Wings“
Note: Canadian folk-pop group whose lineup included Trevor Veitch, David Wiffen, Brent Titcomb, Donna Warner, Richard Patterson, Ken Koblun (Neil Young’s bandmate in The Squires), and later, Bruce Cockburn. Interest in the group from Cass Elliott would lead to the band’s signing with Dunhill. According to Garage Hangover, 3’s A Crowd would be “joined by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for a memorable performance at Massey Hall, where the group debuted the album in its entirety with full orchestration, an act never to be repeated.”
Cash Box
Jan. 6, 1968
[later that same year]
Billboard
Aug. 17, 1968
The Will-O-Bees
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Make Your Own Kind of Music“
Note: New York City folk-rock trio, according to Discogs — Janet Blossom, Steven Porter, and Robert Merchanthouse — who recorded a handful of singles between 1966 and 1968.
Billboard
Jan. 20, 1968
Jeremy & the Satyrs
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Lovely Child Of Tears“
Note: Group lineup comprised flutist Jeremy Steig (son of cartoonist, William Steig), bassist Edgar Gomez, guitarist Adrian Guillery, drummer Donald McDonald, and one-time Steely Dan music director, Warren Bernhardt, according to Discogs. The quintet recorded one full-length album for Reprise.
Cash Box
Feb. 10, 1968
Cash Box
May 18, 1968
October Country
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “October Country“
Note: A “fantastic group” (see ad above) whose lineup comprised siblings Joe and Caryle De Franca, along with Bob Wian, Bruce Wayne, Eddie Beram, and Marty Earle, per Discogs. October Country recorded one full-length album for Epic that would be reissued in 2003 in the US and the UK (with bonus tracks).
Billboard
Mar. 2, 1968
Billboard
Apr. 13, 1968
Autosalvage
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Rampant Generalities“
Note: According to Discogs, the group was started by Thomas Danaher, a folk and bluegrass freak, and Darius LaNoue Davenport, who came from a musical family. Lead guitarist Rick Turner, son of a poet and a painter, had worked with Ian and Sylvia and then a long line of rock groups. Bassist Skip Boone is the brother of Steve Boone, the bassist for The Lovin’ Spoonful. Autosalvage would record one full-length album for RCA Victor.
Cash Box
Mar. 16, 1968
45 picture sleeve
The Giant Jellybean Copout
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Awake In A Dream”
Note: Brainchild of Bob Dileo, who also recorded an overlooked psych-pop gem “Band In Boston” that same year for Columbia.
Billboard
Mar. 23, 1968
Fountain Of Youth
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Livin’ Too Fast“
Note: According to Discogs, The Crossfires were a teen group from Fredericksburg, Texas —
Gary Itri, Gary Jenschke, Jimmy Panza, and Ken Molberg — who relocated to Los Angeles in 1966, signed with Tower Records, and released one single. Then, in 1967, they signed with Colgems Records, who renamed them The Fountain Of Youth and released four singles over the next two years.
Billboard
Mar. 23, 1968
The Magic Fleet
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Mary Elizabeth” [unavailable]
Note: The group’s leader, Billy Carlucci, is a Philadelphia-born doo wop singer, songwriter and producer who once fronted Billy & The Essentials.
Billboard
Mar. 23, 1968
The Rich Kids
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio to “You Made Me A Man“
Note: Both sides of the group’s second and final 45 for Steed were written by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim.
Billboard
Mar. 23, 1968
The Magic Ring
Discography on 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Do I Love You“
Note: The band recorded two singles for tiny Tantara, with the latter 45 picked up for national distribution by MGM-affiliated Music Factory.
Cash Box
Mar. 23, 1968
Cash Box
June 29, 1968
T.I.M.E.
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Take Me Along“
Note: Initialized band name translates as Trust In Men Everywhere. Los Angeles group formed in early 1968 by Larry Byrom, Bill Richardson, Nick St. Nicholas, and Steve Rumph, according to Discogs.
Cash Box
Mar. 23, 1968
(thanks to Bryan Richardson for digitially stitching this 3-page ad)
Harumi
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Talk About It“
Note: Japanese singer songwriter who recorded a cult album in New York City produced by Tom Wilson. According to some sources he died in 2007 at the age of 62. There is very little known about the man named Harumi, if that’s even his real name (and it’s debatable, as “Harumi” has female connotations in Japanese). Virtually every source – every blog, every website – has the exact same information on him = He came from Japan to New York to record an album, and disappeared. Did he remain in America? (…) Nobody knows. (source: Last FM via Discogs).
Cash Box
Mar. 30, 1968
“You Must Be a Witch“
The Lollipop Shoppe
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “You Must Be A Witch“
Note: Psychedelic garage rockers who originally started out as The Weeds and featured Fred Cole, later of Dead Moon and Pierced Arrows. According to Discogs, after The Weeds signed to UNI Records, a subsidiary of MCA, their new manager, “Lord” Tim Hudson, insisted they change their name to The Lollipop Shoppe to fit in with the current trend of bubblegum music. The band’s actual recordings, including the 1968 LP Just Colour — with Ed Bowen (lead guitar & vocals), Ron Buzzell (rhythm guitar), John the Greek (piano & organ), Bob Atkins (bass), Tim Rockson (drums), Carl Fortina (accordion), and Fred Cole (lead vocals) — are hardly bubblegum, but instead a mix of garage rock and psychedelia. The album and its single, “You Must Be a Witch,” are regarded as period classics and still prized by collectors, though neither made the charts.
Cash Box
Mar. 30, 1968
The Banned
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “It Couldn’t Happen Here“
Note: “It Couldn’t Happen Here” and its B-side “Annie Goes Back To Ohio” were both written and produced by Gary Geld and Peter Udell — arranged and conducted by Garry Sherman.
Cash Box
Apr. 6, 1968
The Heads
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Are You Lonely For Me, Baby“
Note: Angelo Buonome (drums), Bob (B. T.) Tucallo (piano & organ), Lou Santilli (lead guitar & vocals), and Tommy Fraterrigo (bass & vocals) recorded one album for Liberty that was produced by George Goldner and Joe Negroni.
Billboard
Apr. 13, 1968
Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Does Your Mama Know About Me“
Note: Support musicians on the band’s debut album include guitarist, Tommy Chong, who also co-wrote the lead-off track “Does Your Mama Know About Me.”
Cash Box
Apr. 20, 1968
The Young Ideas
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Be My Baby“
Note: According to Discogs, this Allentown, Pennsylvania band originally started out as Kal’s Kids, who recorded the mega rare single “Long Lonely Broken Hearted / Oh Ronnie” recorded with another local garage rock musician Fred Milander (‘Frantic Freddie’) who co-wrote the song with Craig Kastelnik. The group then changed their name to The Young Ideas before recording their first commercial singles. They recorded one for Date and one for ABC Records with no success. In 1970, they recorded The Young Ideas and released it on their own private label. All the material was written by Craig Kastelnik except “People Care” (written By Tony Fasching) and “That Ain’t All We Gotta Say,” which was written by everyone in the band except Billy Fasching. The album is mostly funk, with a few psych and pop influences.
Musician credits for 1970 album –
Craig Kastelnik — Lead vocals, organ, piano, trumpet & recorder
Leni Martucci — Bass & backing vocals
Tony Fasching — Lead, rhythm, acoustic, electric guitars, alto saxophone & backing vocals
Rich Samar — Saxophone & backing vocals
Tom Nicholson — Organ, piano, harpsichord, trombone & backing vocals
Billy Fasching — Drums & percussion
Billboard
Apr. 20, 1968
Mortimer
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Dedicated Music Man“
Note: Per Discogs, Hyde Park, New York psychedelic folk-rock trio — Guy Masson, Tom Smith, and Tony Van Benschoten — who had previously released a single on Mercury as Pinocchio And The Puppets, and before that had recorded a pair of 45s for Cameo as The Teddy Boys.
Billboard
Apr. 27, 1968
The Joyfull Noise
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Animals, Flowers and Children”
Note: According to Discogs, these New York college graduates — David Rowe, John Rowe, David Hanni, Eric Von Ammon, and Wolcott Pugh — performed in May of 1968 in the East Village as part of RCA’s “Groupquake” promotional blitz, along with fellow RCA acts Autosalvage, Group Therapy, The Status Cymbal, and The Youngbloods (the only group to make it in terms of sales). The Joyfull Noise also participated in another promotional event at the Fillmore East, where RCA distributed free to attendees a various artists compilation album entitled Groupquake.
Billboard
May 4, 1968
The Curtain Calls
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Sock It To Me Sunshine“
Note: This pop trio — Stan Jay, Merryl Joy, and Garry Lynn — bequeathed unto humanity three single releases on Dot between the years 1968 and 1969. Their first single “Sock It To Me Sunshine” was arranged by David Gates and produced by James A. Griffin. One 45Cat contributor informs us that the song was performed/lip-synched on the Apr. 15, 1968 episode of TV’s Laugh-In, while another 45Cat contributor gives us a rundown on the song’s chart performance:
A-side reached Billboard “Bubbling Under” chart 25 May 1968; rose to #116 (3 weeks). A-side received mild chart action in NYC; Orlando, FL.; and Springfield, MA. However, we are missing a number of surveys. Its entry for Worcester, MA. had it charting for at least seven weeks.
Billboard
May 11, 1968
Group Therapy
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “People Get Ready“
Note: New York-based psychedelic blues rock quintet — Ray Kennedy, Art Del Gudico, Jerry Guida, Michael Lamont, and Tommy Burns — whose debut album for RCA Victor primarily comprised “heavy” versions of contemporary rock and soul hits (not unlike The Vanilla Fudge), while their follow-up for Philips would feature all (except for one) original compositions.
Cash Box
May 11, 1968
The Magistrates
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Here Comes The Judge” + “Girl“
Note: Very little information about the band per se on Discogs — instead, we are directed to two ‘aliases’ The Dovells (of “Bristol Stomp” fame, originally formed at Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School in 1957, under the name The Brooktones) and The Liverpools (a Beatles-inspired cover band), groups that were both signed to Cameo-Parkway. The Magistrates, featuring the vocals of Jean Hillary, would record one more rock ‘n’ soul 45 for MGM — “After The Fox” b/w “Tear Down the Walls” — before hanging up their robes one last time.
Billboard
June 1, 1968
Cherry People
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “And Suddenly“
Note: Originally The English Settlers, this Washington, DC outfit — Chris Grimes (guitar & vocals), Punky Meadows (guitar), Jan Zukowski (bass), Rocky Isaac (drums), Doug Grimes (harmonica & percussion), and Al Marks— relocated to New York City, where a good word from producer Ron Haffkine led to a deal with Heritage Records, a newly-created MGM-distributed label that promptly renamed the band, Cherry People. The group’s association with Jerry Ross Productions would result in an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.
As Wikipedia explains —
The band spent the fall of 1967 recording their debut album at Bell Sound Studios in New York City. Haffkine hired Barry Oslander to co-produce and a number of studio musicians were used to replace the band members during recording. When the eponymous album was released in May 1968, it had a bubblegum pop sound. The band toured the country in support of the album, including a show at Whisky a Go Go on Sunset Strip.
In April 1969 Chris Grimes, [future Angel guitarist] Punky Meadows, Rocky Isaac, Doug Grimes, Al Marks, and [future Nighthawks bassist] Jan Zukowski went to New York to try to negotiate a release from their recording contract. Unable to get a meeting with Jerry Ross the band went to a jam session at Steve Paul’s Scene, where they met Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox, and another person. Hendrix needed a drummer and invited the whole band to the studio, so Isaac, Grimes, Marks, and Zukowski went to the Record Plant and recorded three tracks with Hendrix — “Room Full Of Mirrors“; “Crash Landing“; and “Stone Free Again,“ with Isaac on drums, Marks and Grimes on percussion, and Zukowski on bass (though this was not used on the tracks). Two days later the band returned for another session, during which they recorded “Bleeding Heart” and “Drone Blues”. All the tracks were later released on Experience Hendrix reissues.
In the spring of 1969 Cherry People would return to Washington, D.C., adopting a more hard rock sound and continuing to play live locally for a few years into the 1970s with different personnel.
Cash Box
June 29, 1968
Bob Allen & Ray Ellis –
Architects behind Three Ring Circus‘ debut LP
The Three Ring Circus
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Groovin’ On The Sunshine“
Note: “Groovin’ In The Sunshine” written by Bob Allen, one of the ringleaders.
Billboard
July 13, 1968
1968 EP
Wind In The Willows
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Moments Spent“
Note: Lead vocalist Deborah Harry played tambura, tambourine, and finger cymbals on the group’s debut/sole album (produced by ‘percussionist’ Artie Kornfeld), along with Peter Brittain (guitar & vocals), Paul Klein (guitar & vocals), Ida Andrews (flute, bassoon, piccolo flute, chimes & vocals), Wayne Kirby (double bass, piano, harpsichord, organ & vibraphone), Steve DePhillips (bass & vocals), and Anton Carysforth (drums).
Cash Box
July 20, 1968
Mike Stoller & The Stoller System
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Silver Sea Horse“
Note: In 1968, hit songwriter Mike Stoller recorded a pair of 45s that were produced in tandem with his old partner, Jerry Leiber, three years before the pair took over Starday-King (along with Hal Neely and Freddy Bienstock) and renamed the enterprise, Tennessee Recording and Publishing.
Cash Box
July 20, 1968
The Chuck Barris Syndicate
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Baja California“
Note: The future Dating Game and Gong Show creator would dip his toe into the musical waters a few times over the years —
- 1968’s breezy Dot A-side “Baja California” (written by Chuck & Lin Barris) b/w “Donnie” (co-written by Bob Alcivar)
- 1969 Capitol single “Too Rich” b/w “I Know A Child” (arranged & conducted by Shorty Rogers)
- 1974 full-length release Themes From TV Game Shows
- 1978 DJ promo Gong Show 45 “Theme Theme From Gene Gene” b/w “Lovee’s Come Back“
- 1980 MCA single by Chuck Barris And The Hollywood Cowboys Orchestra “Why Me Oh Lord” b/w “Sometimes It Just Doesn’t Pay To Get Up“
Billboard
July 27, 1968
45 picture sleeve
The Sugar Shoppe
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Skip-A-Long Sam“
Note: Sugar Shoppe’s lineup included future stage and screen star (and Officer of the Order of Canada), Victor Garber, along with Laurie Hood, Lee Harris, and Peter Mann
Cash Box
July 27, 1968
The Daily News
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Everything“
Note: Two singles recorded in 1968 for London subsidiary label, Parrot, by this quartet — Frank Spinale (“Frankie Paris“), Bob Ealey, Harry Holt, and Wayne Holt.
Cash Box
July 27, 1968
Kangaroo
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Daydream Stallion“
Note: Boston psychedelic rock band — Barbara Keith, N.D. Smart II, (future New York congressman) John Hall, and Teddy Speleos — who recorded one full-length album for MGM.
Cash Box
July 27, 1968
Gary St. Clair, Demetri Callas & Danny Conway
Flavor
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Sally Had A Party“
Note: Frederick, Maryland’s Flavor — who evolved from The Bad Boys, notable for classic 1966 instrumental, “Black Olives” (included in Volume One of the Funkaphonix CD compilation series) — recorded three singles for Columbia between the years 1968 and 1969.
Billboard
August 3, 1968
US picture sleeve
Dec. 1968
Fuzzy Bunnies
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Live performance on WKBS-TV Philadelphia –
“The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore“
Note: NYC’s Fuzzy Bunnies — Chuck Alden (guitar), John Turi (vocals & organ), Roger Valdez (drums), and Robbie Foote (bass) — recorded three singles for Decca between the years 1968-1969.
Cash Box
Aug. 3, 1968
Extensive promo campaign =
“healing pins” & “love heals” bumper stickers
Colours
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Love Heals“
Note: According to Discogs, Los Angeles-based Colours formed in 1967 and included Jack Dalton (guitar), Gary Montgomery (piano), Chuck Blackwell (drums), Rob Edwards (lead guitar), and Carl Radle (bass). They signed to Dot Records and released their first single later that year. In 1968, they issued their self-titled debut LP. In 1969, they issued a follow up LP titled Atmosphere, but only Dalton and Montgomery are credited on the record. After the band broke up in late 1969, Radle went on to play in Delaney & Bonnie and, shortly afterward, Derek & the Dominoes, as well as with J.J. Cale and Clapton. Chuck Blackwell also achieved some renown in the early 70s by playing with Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal, Freddie King, and other artists.
Billboard
Aug. 17, 1968
The Pop Explosion
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Fill My Soul“
(you just gotta hear it)
Note: Three of The Pop Explosion‘s band’s members formerly of The Deadbeats (later The Puppet Men) — Randy Powell, Robert Terry, and Jerry Fuggett — all from Richmond, VA, according to 45Cat.
Billboard
Aug. 17, 1968
1968 EP
The World Of Oz
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Muffin Man“
Note: Birmingham, England psychedelic pop group — Christopher Robin (vocals & guitar), Tony Clarkson (bass), David Kubinec (guitar & organ), David Reay (drums), Geoff Nicholls (organ), and Rob Moore (drums) — who released one full-length album for Deram and were active between the years 1968 and 1969.
Billboard
Sept. 7, 1968
Larry Marks
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “L.A. Break Down“
Note: Los Angeles-born Lawrence B. Marks was a producer, songwriter, executive who worked for Columbia, A&M, and Warner Bros, so says Discogs. Marks’ first two 45s for A&M featured original songwriting, while the final A&M (promo) 45 is the joyful title song from legendary producer Pandro S. Berman‘s last production, “Move” (1970), composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman.
Billboard
Oct. 26, 1968
The Glitterhouse
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Tinkerbell’s Mind“
Note: The band’s “alias” – according to Discogs – is The Pop Art (see above, October 1966). All songs on the band’s debut album were written by Michael Gayle and produced by Bob Crewe. The Glitterhouse also contributed vocals on three songs from the Barbarella soundtrack, including “Barbarella.”
Billboard
Nov. 9, 1968
The Barracuda
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “The Dance at St. Francis“
Note: A solo project of Gandalf singer, Peter Sando, per Discogs — “Dance at St. Francis” 45 arranged by Leroy Glover.
Billboard
Nov. 16, 1968
Val Stöecklein
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Sounds of Yesterday“
Note: American folk-rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist who recorded one full-length album for Dot in 1968 plus a single release “All The Way Home” b/w “I Wonder Who I’ll Be Tomorrow” in 1969 (included as bonus tracks on the 2007 CD reissue).
Billboard
Nov. 23, 1968
45 picture sleeve
The Craig Hundley Trio
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Traces“
Note: Craig Hundley (piano), J.J. Wiggins (bass), and Gary Chase (drums) would record two full-length albums for World Pacific, including one with an orchestra (plus arrangement assistance from Don Sebesky).
Billboard
Nov. 23, 1968
Graffiti
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “He’s Got The Knack“
Note: Psychedelic-prog rockers — George Strunz (guitar), Jon St. John (guitar), Steve Benderroth (bass, piano & organ), Richie Blakin (drums & percussion), and Tony Taylor (vocals) — who recorded one full-length album for ABC, plus a separate A-side “He’s Got The Knack.”
Billboard
Dec. 7, 1968
Touch
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Miss Teach“
Note: Brainchild of Don Gallucci of Kingsmen/Don & the Goodtimes/Stooges-Fun-House-producer fame, with members from Portland, Oregon bands Hawk And The Randelas and The Enchanters, according to Discogs.
Packaging: Discogs contributor BadCatRecord celebrates the innovative LP sleeve —
Always loved the cover concept which was credited to ‘The Glass Eye.’ Housed in a tri-fold sleeve with a “pocket” for the album, the package included a poster. Coliseum obviously spent some big money on the packaging.
Billboard
Dec. 15, 1968
Barden
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio – not yet available for “July, You’re A Woman“
Note: John Stewart penned the A-side of Jimmy Barden‘s Dot single (which is 36 seconds shorter than Stewart’s version).
Billboard
Mar. 15, 1969
P.K. Limited
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio for “Oh! What A Fool I’ve Been“
Note: P.K. Limited‘s principal songwriters were Dan Peyton and Marty Kaniger — David Gates produced and arranged many of the singles recorded for Colgems, as well as the band’s final 45 released by Bell in late 1971.
Billboard
Mar. 22, 1969
45 picture sleeve
Ford Theatre
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Wake Up In The Morning“
Note: Ford Theatre was a Boston-based psychedelic rock band active in between the years 1966 and 1971. The band got its start as a band called The Continentals, which formed around 1961. Five years later, with the addition of two new members, they changed their name to Ford Theatre. After releasing two LPs on ABC Records, the band didn’t manage to get a new deal for a third album, so the members decided to disband Ford Theatre in 1971.
Joey Scott – lead vocals
John Mazzarelli – keyboards & vocals
Butch Webster – lead guitar
Harry Palmer – guitar
Jimmy Altieri – bass & vocals
Robert Tamagni – drums & vocals
Billboard
Apr. 5, 1969
Richard Kim Milford
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Muddy River Water“
Note: Besides this Decca 45, Glen Ridge, New Jersey native Richard Kim Milford (who appeared at The Kennedy Center in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass in 1971) made one other recording — “Justice” for the soundtrack of the avant garde film, Ciao! Manhattan starring Edie Sedgwick — on which the singer was backed, incredibly, by The Jeff Beck Group.
Billboard
Apr. 12, 1969
A Group Called Eve
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Smile“
Note: Thanks to Discogs for the fascinatingly tragic back story —
This was a studio only group assembled by Euclid Ohio native Phil Okulovich. Phil had been in The Caverns, the group Jim Bonfanti drummed for before joining The Mods/Choir. Phil wrote The Choir’s follow up to their hit “It’s Cold Outside“, a song called “No One Here To Play With“. He continued to work behind the scenes with Choir manager Ray Taylor. By 1968 he had gone out on his own, establishing a production company known as The Abbey Group. Bands were recruited and recordings were made both in Cleveland and Columbus. In early 1969 Phil landed a major distribution deal with Chess Records. Chess took out a large ad in Billboard to launch the new label and trumpet the first release, a single by A Group Called Eve. Unfortunately, before the ink was dry, Chess was suddenly sold to GRT and the entire project was scrapped. It’s a shame the single wasn’t promoted as it’s a fine example of Cleveland’s Anglo-pop sound pioneered by The Choir and continued into the 70s by The Raspberries and others. Not surprising since the band was a local “supergroup” of sorts. Behind Okulovich was the Choir’s Kenny Margolis on keyboards, John Aleksic, who came from The Denmarks and was soon to be the first Raspberries bass player, Joey Hudson on guitar, and Chuck Rapinz, formerly of The Mystics on drums. The songs were written by Okulovich under his pen name, Jason Richards.
Billboard
May 10, 1969
45 picture sleeve
Quick Brown Fox
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Come On Down To New Orleans“
Note: This clever medley arrangement of classic New Orleans rock ‘n’ soul hits is the entire recorded output of Quick Brown Fox.
Billboard
May 24, 1969
45 picture sleeve
Belgium
The Hubbels
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Hippy Dippy Funky Monkey Double Bubble Sitar Man“
Note: “Band” is actually a front for Robert Hubbel. Record World‘s review of “Hippy Dippy Funky Monkey Double Bubble Sitar Man” in their May 17, 1969 issue —
This nifty pretty nitty gritty ditty has humor, harmonizing, and all the necessary chart ingredients.
Billboard
June 14, 1969
Elyse Weinberg
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Meet Me At The Station“
Note: Elyse Weinberg‘s 1969 debut album was arranged by Jeremy Stewart & Don Gallucci.
Billboard
June 28, 1969
45 picture sleeve
Hank Schifter
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Long John“
Note: After three single releases in the US between the years 1967 and 1969, (two for Steed and one for Johnny Rivers’ Soul City label), Hank Schifter would then record three singles in 1972 for Eddie Barclay’s label in France (as Henry Schifter) before hanging up his hat.
Billboard
July 19, 1969
John Whitehawk
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “It Shows On Your Face“
Note: John Whitehawk recorded one full-length album for Little Darlin, the label jointly owned by Donald E. Lytle (a.k.a. Johnny Paycheck – also Donny Young) and producer-publisher Aubrey Mayhew.
Billboard
Aug. 30, 1969
The Mystics
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “Pain“
Note: Garage soul band (originally formed in 1961 as The Galaxies) that hails from, according to Discogs, the East Side of St Paul, Minnesota (vs. Minneapolis, as stated in the ad above). The group, led by Mike Stokes, was previously known as Michael’s Mystics — so named on this 1965 single recorded at Minneapolis’s Dove Recording Studios.
Billboard
Sep. 13, 1969
45 picture sleeve
Creme Caramel
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “My Idea“
Note: Very little known about this group (which included British drummer, Ross Mitchell) other than two singles released between the years 1969-1970.
Billboard
Sep. 20, 1969
1970 EP
front cover
rear cover
The Plastic Cow Goes Moooooog
(featuring Mike Melvoin)
Discography at 45Cat & Discogs
Streaming audio link to “One Man One Volt“
Note: Jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, Mike Melvoin is the mastermind behind The Plastic Cow Goes Moooooog.
