SPANKY & OUR GANG Band History |
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- Опубліковано 21 тра 2021
- Spanky And Our Gang was one of the best vocal groups of the 1960s. This video explores their history from start to finish and offers samples of many of their best songs.
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CD Spanky & Our Gang Greatest Hits: amzn.to/3ud7cuT
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This band has a special place in my heart--always will. On the heels of losing my Mom in 1965, I had an increased desire to connect with popular music of the day, and WABC NYC was my transistor radio's favorite tune spot. I spent many days at the window pane looking at the sky--asking why? In the background, in 1967, I heard this group with Spanky's soaring vocals giving me comfort...at 11 years of age...a kid needs comfort. Thanks SAOG!
We're the same age, and I grew up in Brooklyn N.Y. it 77 WABC or WMCA 660 ". The Good Guys "
No group sounded better coming from a transistor radio on a sweltering summer day in 1967.
@Ed what a wonderful comment. I was 13 then and never went anywhere without my little radio and crystal earphone.
Hit records had to sound good on low-fi sound equipment. Sometimes, I'd like to hear those old records that way, but just for nostalgia sake & not on a regular basis.
Really? Not even the Beatles? That was the Summer of Love, which was dominated by Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
On my sting ray five speed stock shify
@@imkluu I would say more by Big Brother and the Holding Company, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Grateful Dead, and other San Francisco bands. Sgt. Peppers was the backdrop.
When she sings, "I remember children feeding flocks of pigeons. I remember sunshine and you were mine..." always choked me up. She put a lot of emphasis with her vocal.
Are you referring to Sunday Will Never Be the Same? That song and Lazy Day were Incredible!!!!!
@@scottmiller6495 Yes, always thought she was the sister voice of Grace Slick.
@@ConglomerationCat Very interesting comparison!!!!!
@@scottmiller6495 Similar projection and vibrato...
@@ConglomerationCat Absolutely!
I once read where Tim Hauser was so inspired by listening to Spanky & Our Gang’s harmonies, it helped him get the motivation to go out & form The Manhattan Transfer!
😲 Thank you - I love knowing that!
One of those groups that when I hear them I'm transported through time.
Cannot imagine recalling the summer of 1967 without Spanky And Our Gang.
I hear them often - I've collected nearly all of their recordings, and play them often. Yum!
They are indeed one of the best vocal bands of the 1960s!!! Thanks for presenting.
I was a sophomore in high school when "I like to get to know you" was released and still today as then, I find this song very magical and by far my favorite of this group. Especially the ending movement which begins with the classical guitar and string ensemble with the haunting sustained electric guitar and heavily echoed vocals! It never fails to take me back to that time in my life that was very meaningfull to me and always will!!
"Magical" is the right word. It pulls me out of present time and transports me to an innocent 15 years old (69 now). Wow.
Lefty Baker is the man!
Those strings, man. The way they descend, like an unraveling braid.
Yes Indeed, so happy you mentioned the different mixes in the Mercury Greatest Hits package- a great set for sure. I was a little disappointed in the sound quality of the Rhino endeavor. Surprised you did not mention LA Freeway and I Wish We'd All Been Ready from the Change lp, both fine tracks IMHO. I love what you bring us Matt. The 60's scene was the best.
*I'd;...
My first exposure to them (besides occasionally hearing Sunday Will Never Be The same as a child) was I'd Like to Get to Know You. THe production, songwriting, orchestration, vocals are OUT OF THIS WORLD! It's very haunting as well... Malcolm Hale was a great player.. The break between the 1st half of the song and 2nd half are mind-blowing. It reminds me of Some Velvet Morning in a very haunting way.
'Yesterday's Rain' was nothing less than genius, it really should have been a smash hit. I always looked at Spanky and our gang as a perfect bookend with the 5th Dimension these two bands, one Black the other white were busting at the seams with unbelievable talent.
It was sad that the group disintegrated after the death of guitarist Malcolm Hale. He left us way too soon!
They were heartbroken so I get it but you are right.
Malcolm's voice was so important to their 'sound'. Silky, Strong, and Sublime.
“Anything You Choose B/W Without Rhyme or Reason” is an incredible piece of sonic art.
I always consider these guys the locally popular but internationally underrated cousins of the Mamas and Papas
Yes! Later on, Spanky became a Mama. John P called her 'Mama Spanks'.
Sunday Will Never Be the Same is my favorite song of 1967 and easily a desert island pick for me. Distance, the flip side, was a great song, too. Thanks for giving your time to a very talented but nearly forgotten band.
I can't believe Sunday Morning only reached #30!! That's my favorite Spanky song! This band is amazing.
For the lesser known groups, that was often due to their records being released across the country at different times. So they never got to the tops of the charts.
Mine, too! It's an awesome song! I heard a recording by the woman who wrote the song, Margo Guryan. Also great, but not as good as Spanky's recording.
My name is John Madden from Pawtucket Rhode Island I was born in 1966 I love Spanky and Our Gang and I I love their music and there's like three or four songs I like but my go-to song is I like to get to know you back in 1968 that's my favorite song I was growing up listening to it in the 70s and early 80s I love it
LOVE Spanky & Our Gang. I still have a second (unopened) copy of the 3rd album- so totally under appreciated! "Yesterday's Rain" is classic.. but so are so many other tunes. The Live Album (recorded in Coconut Grove, FL) brings me back to the swinging '60s. Great musicianship throughout- topped by that 5+ part harmony and of course, the amazing lead vocal of Elaine (Spanky) McFarlane. Classic!
I'll see your second copy, and raise you a white-label promo! 😛
They sounded fantastic on an A M transistor radio! That was a MAGICAL TIME for music. Spanky at the beach, the Doors on the car radio on the way home...
everything sounded good on an AM transistor radio... even a ballgame.
Their cover of brother can you spare a dime has to be my favorite
"Like To Get To Know You" will always be their definitive song for me. I love the change in tempo and dreamy psychedelia at the close. Very fond memories circa 1968, just before entering the ARMY.
Their version of Everybody's Talking is one of my favorites. It Ain't Necessarily Byrd Avenue has great lyrics and a wonderful story packed in 2 minutes. This group is one of the best from the 60s.
Great video. Spanky & Our Gang were a special group. Beautiful and engaging songs. Always wondered why they turned down John Stewart's "Daydream Believer"? The gang has a special place in my heart.
Daydream Believer would have been perfect for them! Thanks for the comment!
Wow!
Daydream Believer would have been beautiful by them.
In the early 80's I attended the FIRST gig of the NEW Mamas and Papas at the Sands Hotel in Vegas. John , Denny, Spanky and McKenzie Phillips (bonus Scott McKenzie in the band and sang San Francisco). Opening act Gary Puckett. Michelle Phillips was at the table next to me. I met McKenzie Phillips and Gary Puckett. WHAT A NIGHT....Both acts were WONDERFUL !!!! Thanks for the video.
Wow, you were very fortunate to see Michelle that night too!
I saw them then, up in Minneapolis. MUCH later, Scott and I became friends. I still miss him. EVERY day. I met MacKenzie at Scott's memorial, at the Whisky. Michelle was there, but kept to herself in the back of the balcony.
Michelle was there to cheer them on.....80's Vegas with ticket prices around $15-$20. I remember tipping $20 to get front row stage next to Michelle. @@popgoesthe60s52
Better than the so-called music of today. I was 12 years old.
I haven't heard anything in decades that compares to them, and the other greats from the '60s
They are my favorite along with The We Five.Thank you
The We Five are another underrated group! Thank you for commenting, Ann.
@@popgoesthe60s52 We Five recorded the first version I'm aware of, of "Let's Get Together" (later, "Get Together" by the Youngbloods). I've always preferred their version.
Thanks, Matt. And She's Mine was an especially good pop song that deserved a better fate on the charts. It did make the original 12-song greatest hits album though.
A wonderful group
Nice mention of "Jane"...part of a musical triptych 13587..., Jane, and Since You've Gone. Thanks for putting together this piece.
So cool that you mentioned the free design. They're one of the most amazing bands out there. I think they're equal with the Beach Boys as far as complex music with harmonies.
Love this group!!! Can't wait to watch this, what a treat!! 😄✌
Oz Bach lived near me in Brevard, NC. Incredible musician! Nice guy. I wish he had stayed with the group but I don’t think he had any regrets. RIP Oz.
He and daughter, Belinda, are buried in Blue Ridge Gardens.
Absolutely one of the best, I need get tired of any thing they sang and I have all their records on vinyl and cd
I love music from the 1960s. I just rediscovered this band. Thanks for giving us their history. I really enjoy watching their appearances on Ed Sullivan show.
Thanks for featuring the band. I have all of their albums. Never huge over here in the UK but just so great to listen to.
Thank you, Matt.
This one too was really enjoyed.
There songs were played alot on Am radio in NYC...I was in high school and loved her singing. Yes summer of 67....
I have only just discovered this documentary and I have enjoyed listening to it I was born in 1962 and I remember this group Spanky and the Gang very well i was quite young but I have very vivid memories of some of their songs that were absolutely fantastic and upon finding this it brought a lot of memories flooding back I am now a 60yr old man and I often sit back with a drink in my hand and listen to Spanky and the Gang and to other groups and music that was around at the same time and get totally lost down memory lane they were absolutely bloody brilliant and wonderful times that will live with me forever if only I could turn the clock back or find a time machine and go back in time Thank you for producing this video I enjoyed watching and listening to it please keep up your brilliant work greetings from Swansea South Wales UK 🏴😊🎶🎶🎶
Thank you so much, Martin!
i know this series doesn’t get as many views as the beatles content but this kinda stuff is my favorite stuff on the channel, fantastic way to find new bands and a great overview and preview of them in a way, never heard of this group ever until now
Thank you, there are plenty more bands to come!
Thanks, Matt! Another excellent job that again took a lot of heartfelt work. Your fans appreciate it. Spanky and Our Gang was not one of my favorite 60s groups but the fresh, clean sound was easy listening while I waited for a more favored song on the radio. When you talk about harmonies, I do think the Beach Boys deserve some credit. It amuses and surprises me that the Beach boys provide some of my favorite running and workout music in 2021. The Beach Boys were explicitly influenced by the Four Freshmen who in turn had been influenced by one of my favorite, yet unheralded harmonic groups - the Hi-Lo‘s! Could be a bit corny, as were the Kingston Trio, but you have to give them credit for filling a great need of their time. Matt I suppose you also enjoy classical chorale. PS if you listen to some old recordings of Beach Boy rehearsals, easily available on UA-cam, the harmonics they strive for can be incredible. And even their fans often don’t realize how hard the BB worked to refine their craft. Again Matt thanks for unlocking your music vault and flooding us with beautiful musical memories. The 60s was a most special decade for those lucky enough to actually live it. For young musicians and historians, dig into the 1960s and be transported. It’s amazing!
Thank you, John! I am planning a multi-video series on the Beach Boys which will explore their harmonies at a deeper level. Thanks for watching!
getting started in the music business in Vancouver BC in 1972 I worked with Nigel Pickering (Pinkering) in his band Ones Mans Family. He was an amazing vocalist and vocal arranger. Played a few Spanky and Our Gang songs and he had all those harmony parts in his head and believe me, it was quite a very steep learning curve. He left Vancouver and went back to LA. Really appreciate this feature on one of the very finest US vocal bands.
Thanks for the comments, cjm!
I'm happy to see this your post today. Spanky & Our Gang is a favorite group of mine. Regretfully, the band's career didn't last longer.
I was honored to see the New Mama's and the Papa's in 1982, featuring Elaine, Scott Macenzie, John Phillips, and Macenzie Phillips. They put on a great show and Elaine and Scott sang some of their old songs as well.
I saw them too that year at the Chicago's Biograph. Damn good show considering the patch work lineup.
I saw them, too. It was a great show. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were the other band that night.
Ditto on Cape Cod
I saw them in Dallas 85-86ish great show.
This group has always been underrated, possibly for not having a huge, Top 5 single. For the same reason they are more forgotten than, say, the Mamas & the Papas. They have never been very well served on CD with the catalog albums in and out of print and "Without Rhyme or Reason" going for $300 and the "Complete Mercury Recordings" unavailable except as an mp3 for $40. "Like to Get to Know You" was a masterful album. Thanks for telling their story.
Thanks for the comments, John!
Matt, this was very informative. One band I've started become more familiar with is The Left Banke. I'd love to find out more about them. Their first album is one of my current favorites. Spanky And Our Gang is another one I've recently begun listening to.
The Left Banke is a group I will be featuring, so stay tuned!
A truly excellent band.
Great job Matt, I remember many of these songs so well. You do such a good job of getting people in touch with some music that shouldn't be forgotten.
Thank you James!
Thanks for doing an episode on one of my favorite groups. I have loved S&OG since I was a kid in the 1960s, "I'd Like To Get To Know You" was magical to me. I only knew their music through 45 singles and radio, I never heard an album by them until the early 90s when everyone was dumping their LPs for CDs. I was blown away at how beautiful the second & third albums are! The production, vocals, and the way the songs blend and fade together are incredible. I had been missing so much all those years.
"Echoes (everybody's talking)" was on the second album before the movie Midnight Cowboy made it famous, and S&OG do an awesome version.
Wonderful songs and brilliant harmonies. So understated.
"Lazy Day" is forever in our history...
Also...by the way, your show is definitely the best of it's kind!!! Love it..
Thanks for doing this review. I love this Band and still listen to them to this day.
Enjoyable and very well-researched. Thanks.
They had some really nice hits,...especially Lazy Day.
Thank you for this informative history of one of Chicago's best vocal groups.
These people had real talent check out their live performances. Malcom's death and Elaines having a child ended this group.{ I'd like to get know you } should have been a huge hit . The vocals and time changes are incredible. I am a Musician and you can't duplicate these great songs they had. RIP Malcom, Lefty, Nigel, Kenny and Oz you left your mark on this world.
Hi Matt, please keep going full steam ahead. You are beautifully and thoroughly covering so many excellent bands and music I grew up listening to. It's so awesome to discover AND rediscover some of these tunes. So appreciate your work!
Thank you, Michael! I have a very long list that I do plan to get through so stay tuned!
MAGNIFICENT PIECE.
WOW! Thank you for this comprehensive history of one of my top favorite pop artists. I was a huge fan of Spanky and Our Gang all through the years. Their "Anything You Choose/Without Rhyme or Reason" album is way up there in my top 10 favorite albums. Their 'Live' album's version of "Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime" is SO moving! That performance alone makes the album essential.
The second time I saw The Mama's and the Papa's, Spanky was singing Mama Cass' parts. I never was able to meet her, and express my deep devotion, but at least I got to be in the same 'room'. Again, thanks - I slammed the 'subscribe' button immediately. I only wish I'd found your channel sooner.
Their version of "Stardust" clinched the deal for me - it instantly became my favorite version of that chestnut, and inspired me to become a devoted collector of their recordings.
This band to me IS THE MOST UNDERRATED BAND of the 60s!! Love all the lps..even the epic lp.. this my favorite band with the turtles and the mama's and the papa's
I think some people considered them to be "bubble gum pop" at the time, but there were so wrong. They were very sophisticated musicians, and Spanky had such an amazing voice.
Thankyou Matt for this very comprehensive history of one of the best bands ever.
Great memories, Great post, thank you much :)
I have just recently discovered this greatly under-rated group. Thank you for the history.
Thank you I asked for this I’m glad you did this Spanky Mcfarlane has one my fave voices of the era
Thanks for the request!
Some of the very best, most intelligently presented and objective sounding narrative presentation I’ve ever heard in any doc or docu-series. Cheers and well done, sir.
Thank you, Timothy!
The soundtrack of my life in summer 2019
And Summer of 2021 as Well!!!!!
Growing up in peoria....loved this band my whole life.
I just discovered this band and there awesome
"It's ten PM on WOKY Milwaukee"! and "Lazy Day" kicks it off. Great memory.
If I may offer my opinions - I was a huge Spanky/Our Gang fan. First LP I listened to thousands of times. Spanky's rendition of 'Brother Can You Spare a Dime' is absolutely mind blowing, and still sends chills up my spine. Second LP was every bit as good, and more polished. But the Anything You Choose/Rhyme or Reason LP is a true gem from every angle. The vocals, the arrangements, the segues set a precedent. I still listen to it at least once a month, sometimes more, and is best when listening from start to finish. To me, it was ground breaking. I cherish the CD (vinyl long since worn out) as one of my very favorites. There, I said my piece, and I thank you for allowing me to. And thank you for the background info, some of which I was not aware of.
This band really deserved some love because people just think of them as a one hit or two hit wonder. They were so much more.
I always liked them.
Cool video.
📻🙂
I remember walking home from school with those small G.E portable radio's of the day with SAOG playing "lazy day" most have been 5th grade spring of 67 I was in 5h grade and had a huge crush on this blond girl......
im getting old hard to remember what year it was now
My favorite is their third album. I have to admit, during my large purge I sold all of their records. I’m wishing I had not now. Yesterdays Rain is easily my favorite track. You called it, great harmonies.
never get the urge to purge...
This is an excellent example of how well they could do harmonies as well as featuring McFarland's excellent contra alto.
Thanks Pop Goes the 60's. I always enjoyed their songs without being aware of that last studio album. The bits you played from that were fantastic and I look forward to hearing the whole record. It was also a kick to see the Nazz listed on one of their concert posters. Another great presentation.
Thanks Martin! I couldn't resist giving the Nazz a little attention. I appreciate the comment.
Just watched an interview from 1995 with "Spanky" and Art Fein.❤ her.
I didn’t know anything about this band. The name is kind of funny sounding. I’m familiar with some of the songs you played and I’m a fan. I just never they were from a band called Spanky and the Gang. Watching this video makes me want to check out more of their music.
Wow, thank you, that was really nice. Sixties was a crazy great time.
The Greatest Sunshine 🌞 Pop Rock Band of All Time PERIOD!!!!!
Great content! "Like to Get to Know You" is one of my all time favorite songs (especially the almost haunting coda.)
That coda is the icing on the cake! Thanks for the comment.
So good that track, I always thought some jazz artist could have covered it.
This is what I call a great music channel!! Matt is the best
Thanks Cleve!
Great video. So much I learned. TY!
...Terrific video. Thank you for your awesome work...
My pleasure.
One of my favorite groups from the 60's! Thank you very much for presenting them as a topic on your already awesome channel. Just sad that the band had already lost two members by the early 1970s.
Great choice! I really enjoyed learning about this group who I only knew in passing prior. One tiny nit: I wouldn't have included them in the same like sub genre as Peter Paul and Mary. Mamas/Papas yes. Byrds, Association, Turtles yes. But those groups were all distinctly late-60s-mod, visually colorful and highly produced and electric and "what's happenin' now" kinda vibe (even if some had previous association with the true folk scene). Peter, Paul and Mary were exactly early 60s folk. They were simple and natural and stood there stoically in a skirt and tweed sports jackets (with elbow patches lol) with their 2 acoustic guitars and sang mostly just plain folk songs. Sure they harmonized but so did the Lennon sisters. In fact PP&M distinctly set themselves apart from the likes of Mamas/Papas with whimsical barbs in their song I Dig Rock & Roll Music. PP&M were more tied to the early 60s true folk scene, even if Spanky & co hung out with Leonard Cohen.
I always found the middle period of Peter, Paul & Mary (1966-1967) quite vocally daring as they entered their "more-produced" phase, where they often had a full band back up. I'm a sucker for great harmony. Thanks for commenting.
I agree 100%. I had the exact same reaction. Like “what the hell is he talking about?”
Well put. I thought their vocals were the best of all those groups, a combination of arrangements, blend and beauty, with Spanky's powerhouse vocals in the fore. In one of my two faves, the 'bones horn break near the end of "Get to Know You" just knocked me out. Wonderful, imaginative arrangement of a great song. I loved "Give a Damn" and performed it at every opportunity. Thank you for this most excellent video.
So far, imo, your BEST VIDEO EVER! This is fantastic stuff!
Thank you. The lesser known groups don't get the big view numbers, but they are certainly worth doing. More to come!
I still listen to Lazy Day every couple of weeks. Guaranteed to cheer me up.
Disappointed that you didn't mention the death of Lefty Baker. He left us too soon. Loved him as lead singer of "I'd Like to get to know you."
I absolutely love these. You do a wonderful job! Thank you.
Wow. Thank you. I've now discovered another singer I absolutely love. Reminds me a little of how Grace Slick sounds on Lather and David Crosby's Triad. Especially on that there Yesterday's Rain. Kills me!
One of my favorites and brings back such a nicer time for us
Thanks for this. They certainly crystallize the 60's sound and vibe.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Schoolhouse Rocks rocked. Miss those days.
Thank you for creating this. Just a couple corrections. Nigel Pickering. Owner of Mother Blues was the legendary Lorraine Blue. Curley was her manager. Seiler is pronounced Sighder, Dorough is Dur-oh. Thank you for calling 6:19 attention to this Amazeballs band of singers, and producers, who were way ahead of their time. And funny. Always fun.
This was a great group. Great vocals, great harmonies, great instruments. I miss these groups.
Another great episode, Matt. I never realized until today how much the reminded me of The Seekers.
I'm so glad you did this video. It's funny cuz I was just playing the song give a damn before I found this. One thing I was hoping you would do was compare the single version of the song Sunday morning compared to the album version. The single version has a part where it stops comes back in and fades really fast compared to the album version where the band gets to have a good time toward the end of the song and then the producer comes in and they're talking and it's just really really cool.
Thanks so much for this great podcast on this group which I love. I am more familiar with you great Beatles podcasts. Love to see that collection behind you sometime!
I'll be pulling out the old collection as I continue to do band history videos so stay tuned!
Your channel has helped me not only discover cool music from the 60's but at the same time is helping me with my own channel format.
Really enjoyed this, thanks 😊
Jerry Ross was a record biz mentor in my career. Jerry called "Like To Get To Know You" the song he wished he'd produced.
I listened to this group when I was a boy of ten , on my transistor radio . I will never forget this music . It is timeless .