An evening of hit after hit after hit that will have you heading home whistling the soundtrack of the 60s and 70s! Featuring The Turtles (“Happy Together”), Jay & The Americans (“Come a Little Bit Closer,” “This Magic Moment”), The Association (“Windy,” “Cherish My Love”), Badfinger (“Baby Blue,” “Come and Get It”, “Day After Day”), The Vogues (“Turn Around, Look at Me,” “Five O’ Clock World”), and The Cowsills (“The Rain The Park & Other Things”).
THE TURTLES
Very few rock performers have remained as vital through the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s as have Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. Initially they made their mark with the Turtles, then they joined Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, and then they glided into their own Flo & Eddie persona, dishing out records that have encompassed a multitude of personalities. They’ve always been smart enough to have responded to the latest worthwhile trends in a fashion that has yielded an abundance of quality records, and more than their share of hits. This history will attempt to add a depth and perspective to Kaylan’s and Volman’s unique musical journey, one that, perhaps encapsulates the post-Beatles rock era like no other. This text was originally a companion piece to Rhino’s exquisitely packaged, executive version of “The Turtles Greatest Hits” (RNLP 160). Let’s pause just for a second to make the totally subjective case that the Turtles were the closest America ever came to having a Beatles. Others, like the Lovin’ Spoonful, Rascals and Beach Boys, certainly had as many hits, but the Turtles hits were better conceived and arranged and, like the Beatles, transcended so many styles.
The Rascals lacked the heavy guitars that were the sound of the day; the Spoonful were limited in approach, and didn’t last that long anyway; and the Beach Boys were too square for too long, and somehow seemed tied to a pre-Beatles era. Suffice to say that, even the Turtles more minor hits, the ones which failed to make it onto “The Turtles Greatest Hits.”, all sound like first class records. This will provide a necessary primer for understanding Kaylan’s and Volman’s crazy world, so you’ll be better prepared when the duo hit you with their next record, as their “history” continues. Two guys from Westchester. The one with the curly hair and glasses, and the other with the beard. That’s how Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (AKA Flo and Eddie) refer to themselves. Two slightly bewildered kids thrust into the fast lane of rock ‘n’ roll stardom -hits, fame, national tours, hanging out with the Beatles, joining the Mothers of Invention, acting in the “200 Motels” movie, and on and on … Two guys from Westchester.
JAY & THE AMERICANS
Jay & The Americans consists of Jay Reincke, Sandy Deanne (founding member), Howie Kane (original member), and Marty Sanders (original member).
THE ASSOCIATION
In 1967, The Association® made history being the first band anywhere to open a rock festival – the now historic, Monterey Pop Festival.
One of the most successful bands to come out of the 60’s, they have sold millions of records, tapes, CDs and DVDs as well as earned a number of achievements including a Golden Globe nomination in 1970 for Best Original Song – Goodbye Columbus.
The Association has also received RIAA certifications for 6 gold and 3 platinum records. Their album, THE ASSOCIATION GREATEST HITS (Warner Brothers) is now double platinum and continues to be one of the longest best-selling albums in the
history of the company.
BADFINGER
Badfinger were a British rock band that originally consisted of Pete Ham, Mike Gibbins, Tom Evans and Joey Molland. The band evolved from an earlier group called The Iveys that was formed in 1961 by Ham, Ron Griffiths and David “Dai” Jenkins in Swansea, Wales. They were signed by the Beatles’ Apple label in 1968 as The Iveys. In 1969 Griffiths left and was replaced by Molland, and the band renamed itself Badfinger. Badfinger had four consecutive worldwide hits from 1970 to 1972: “Come and Get It” (written and produced by Paul McCartney), “No Matter What”, “Day After Day”, and “Baby Blue”. In 2013, “Baby Blue” made a resurgence onto the “Hot Rock Songs” Billboard 100 chart at No. 14, due to its featuring at the end of the series finale of the hit TV show, Breaking Bad. Their song “Without You” has been covered many times, including a Billboard number one hit for Harry Nilsson.
THE VOGUES
From the mid1960’s into the 70’s, “The Vogues” could be heard on radio stations coast to coast. They were also featured on the top television shows of the time like, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show, multiple times with Dick Clark’s iconic American Bandstand, and many more.
The Vogues unique sound was instantly recognizable and memorable. It was a lively fresh rock ’n roll with an American style that pierced the British invasion.” Their first song to top the charts at #4 and capture hearts was “You’re The One” written by Petula Clark in 1965.
Who can forget “Five O’clock World?” Not only was this a top 5 single in 1965, it remains a top request by fans today. In 1997, comedian and actor Drew Carey adopted this as the theme song for his very popular television sitcom, adding new fuel to the Vogues fire.
Military Veterans, particularly those who served during the Vietnam conflict, remember how Armed Forces Radio regularly featured the Vogues hits including, “You Are My Special Angel?” You may recall, Bobby Helms first hit the airwaves with this unforgettable lyric, but the Vogues took it to another level using lush orchestration combined with powerful vocal harmonies to make it even more memorable.
Also appearing in 1968, “Turn Around Look at Me” took the world by storm. It was also an orchestral love ballad that established this new sound for the Vogues and firmly locked it in time.
Four gold records, two platinum albums, and fifty plus years later, The Vogues continue to sellout audiences at concerts around the country.
The Vogues were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001, and remain one of the top vocal groups on the oldies concert circuit today.
THE COWSILLS
Back in the 1960’s, four brothers who wanted to be The Beatles formed a band called The Cowsills. The original Cowsills consisted of Bill on guitar, Bob on guitar and organ, Barry on bass and John on drums. Early gigs were at school dances and churches around their home in Newport, RI. Eventually, as their harmonic sound was perfected, they got a regular gig on Bannisters Wharf in Newport where they would sing Beatle songs hour after hour. Early recordings were released by the four brothers on Joda and Mercury Records. Barbara (“mini-mom”) joined the group to record The Rain, The Park and Other Things and shortly thereafter 7 year old Susan and brother, Paul, were added to the group. They were signed by MGM records and the group began it’s climb to the top!
