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!
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!
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!
They are indeed one of the best vocal bands of the 1960s!!! Thanks for presenting.
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.
'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.
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.
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'.
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
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.
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
"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.
“Anything You Choose B/W Without Rhyme or Reason” is an incredible piece of sonic art.
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! 😛
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.
A wonderful group
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 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.
Their cover of brother can you spare a dime has to be my favorite
"Lazy Day" is forever in our history...
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.
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.
There songs were played alot on Am radio in NYC...I was in high school and loved her singing. Yes summer of 67....
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.
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.
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
Love this group!!! Can't wait to watch this, what a treat!! 😄✌
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!
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.
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.
"It's ten PM on WOKY Milwaukee"! and "Lazy Day" kicks it off. Great memory.
Absolutely one of the best, I need get tired of any thing they sang and I have all their records on vinyl and cd
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 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.
They had some really nice hits,...especially Lazy Day.
Thank you, Matt.
This one too was really enjoyed.
Growing up in peoria....loved this band my whole life.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
Wonderful songs and brilliant harmonies. So understated.
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!
MAGNIFICENT PIECE.
The soundtrack of my life in summer 2019
And Summer of 2021 as Well!!!!!
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 this review. I love this Band and still listen to them to this day.
Just watched an interview from 1995 with "Spanky" and Art Fein.❤ her.
Schoolhouse Rocks rocked. Miss those days.
Also...by the way, your show is definitely the best of it's kind!!! Love it..
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for this informative history of one of Chicago's best vocal groups.
You ever notice their most effective hit, "Sunday Morning" was for the most part "banned" because it spoke of a number of things to do on a Sunday morning which didn't involve Church. I swear, I didn't hear it for 40 years, until I looked it up on UA-cam.
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 just discovered this band and there awesome
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!
Thankyou Matt for this very comprehensive history of one of the best bands ever.
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.
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 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.
Eustace Britchforth “Lefty” Baker (7 Jan 1939 Richmond City, Virginia, USA - 11 Aug 1971 (aged 32) Los Angeles County, California, USA) left the band in 1970. Sadly, he succumbed to cirrohosis of the liver and died young. That is his voice co-signing with Spanky on "Like to Get to Know you"... she actually wrote that song in response to what she felt was the "bubblegum" tracks the band had already done...
The Greatest Sunshine 🌞 Pop Rock Band of All Time PERIOD!!!!!
Great memories, Great post, thank you much :)
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!
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.
I still listen to Lazy Day every couple of weeks. Guaranteed to cheer me up.
I noticed that you have an album by The Collectors behind you. The Collectors were from my home town (Vancouver), and they were a first-rate band. Lead singer Howie Vickers had a great voice, and the group’s harmonies were as good as any band of that era. In 1970, the band changed its name to Chilliwack, a town about an hour’s drive from Vancouver. The group’s best-known tracks are “Looking at a Baby” (released as a single) and “Lydia Purple”, which is included on their self-titled album. The Collectors started their career as The Classics, which was the house band on the CBC TV show “Let’s Go”. After a couple of personnel changes, the band solidified its line-up with Howie Vickers on lead vocals, Bill Henderson on lead guitar, Claire Lawrence on keyboards, flute and saxophone, Glenn Miller on bass, and Ross Turney on drums. The band’s second album, “Grass and Wild Strawberries”, was actually the soundtrack to a live theatre production written by playwright George Ryga. What a great band they were!
Hello Greg and thank you for the comments. I didn't know that Grass and Wild Strawberries was a soundtrack! I do have that album and I hope to feature them at some point.
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.
You know Matt, when I listen to "Spanky And Our Gang" I feel an immediate sense of nostalgia for the 60s!
I don't hear their music on the radio anymore!
K-EARTH/KRTH FM RADIO 101.1, in Los Angeles, California, doesn't play 60s music anymore!
Spanky had a beautiful voice and sounded a lot like Judith Durham of The Seekers❤
Matt....thanks for this great history of a great band. One correction though: Nigel's last name was Pickering, not Pinkering. As a matter of fact his name was not actually Nigel either...he was Fred or sometimes Freddy before adopting the name Nigel for career and possibly other reasons. I was friends with his son Wayne in the 60s (Wayne did not know his father or have any idea his father was in a Rock band). I have a clear memory of GIVE A DAMN being played on some brave radio station and Wayne questioning the appropriateness of that 'bad word'! I used to tell him that I had seen some guy who looked just like him on a TV variety show.....little did we know!
Thank you for that correction, Mike - and for the background!
Nigel had a lot of kids out there. It was a very good tour.
Wow, thank you, that was really nice. Sixties was a crazy great time.
Matt, Once again you have sent me scurrying to my collection. In this case, A CD comp of Spanky with a few cuts of the Sunshine Company thrown in. 'Lazy Day' (and Cyrkle's 'Turn Down Day') makes me want to punt the day and lie on the grass. This video just makes me smile despite the death of Malcolm. On the other hand, it reminds of the Am/Fm and single/album divide of the late sixties. Spanky was just was too pop for the serious crowd of critics (and, yes, I am thinking of my buddies at Rolling Stone). 'Give a Damn' is the example par excellence. For one crowd it was time to get out the soap and water and wash out the band's collective mouths. And 'damn' didn't give Spanky enough street cred to make it with the hipsters. "Doesn't mean shit toa tree." Thanks agaian for really delivering the goods.
I have just recently discovered this greatly under-rated group. Thank you for the history.
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.
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 .
She could wail. I grew up on “oldies radio” and could remember hearing Sunday will never be the same in the car with my dad. It blew my mind.
Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane (born June 19, 1942) is still alive & singing at age 81 - as of 28 October 2023... when I left this comment!
This was a great group. Great vocals, great harmonies, great instruments. I miss these groups.
I always liked them.
Cool video.
📻🙂
Although AM radio certainly could never do justice in reproducing the actual sounds that were cut on the discs, there was nevertheless something ethereal about the sound as it played on our transistors and car radios. It was truly otherworldly.
I was just a lad in the late 60s, but I well remember my brother frequently having the radio on. The sound was, and still is overwhelmingly evocative of a world that from far away places like California or even England--that mysterious land of musical legend where groups like the Beatles produced such magical sounds.
Music is evocative and we merely need to hear clips like those that Matt has so graciously served up to us to be transported back to those ethereal sounds coming over the static crackle and pop of the AM frequency band.
As always Matt, thank you for providing this most excellent content.
To makes these sounds come over the tiny AM radio speakers and still have impact means they had to be good songs! Thank you for the kind words, Neal.
Funny, I have the Anything you choose, without rhyme or reason album, I listened to it on UA-cam last night. The back with the critics, I love the album. One of my favorite groups growing up in the '60s.
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.
What a great video, what about The Cyrkle?
The Cyrkle is on my very long list, so stay tuned.
I actually had an experience one time when listening to "I'd Like To Get To Know You", where it was as if I went back to '68. I'm sure it was probably some brain chemical thing that the music triggered, but for a few seconds, just a few seconds the world was magical again.
Enjoyable and very well-researched. Thanks.
One of my favorites and brings back such a nicer time for us
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!
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!
I love Spanky/Our Gang, but ever since I first heard them back in the late 1960s, the once song of theirs that has always blown me away (and still does) is "I'd Like to Get To Know You." It would be great if you could expand on that song just a tiny bit for the benefit of the younger fans who've never heard of them. To me, it's as great in many ways and in much the same unique genre as the Beatles' "A Day in the Life."
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.
Great vid and spot on about the differences between US and UK vocal recording technology.
Here's 3 excellent examples of UK multi-part harmony groups that do come close, or even reach their US contemporaries are:
West Coast Consortium "Looking Back"
The Bystanders "My Love Come Home"
Eclection "Nevertheless".
Thanks for the contribution mj!