Running Faster Than an LP at 78 RPMs

On My Mind For 50 Years...and Counting!

I don’t know what were you doing 50 years ago, but August and September of 1965 were pretty big months in the life of this former 20 year old from Pomona who was then living his dream from a houseboat tied up near Sausalito on the San Francisco Bay. 

We Five’s hit single, “You Were On My Mind” was climbing the charts all across America and the ascent dropped us onto a merry-go-round spinning faster than a record played at 78 RPMs. In a period of about 8 weeks, We Five played concerts in Santa Clara with the Beach Boys, and in San Francisco with Herman’s Hermits and the Turtles. We flew south to tape several installments of “Where The Action Is” on the beach in Malibu, then appeared on Shindig, Shivaree, and Shebang further down Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. A PSA Electra Jet (remember those?) took us back to San Francisco to play a concert with Bill Cosby and to finish recording “Love Me Not Tomorrow.” It was the last song completed and the first track heard on our new album, We Five – You Were On My Mind. The album was released in September of 1965 with a reception at the Continental Hotel—while in Hollywood again for appearances at It’s Boss on the Sunset Strip. Since it was just down the street, we stopped in to Capitol Records to put the finishing touches on our 2^nd single, “(Let’s) Get Together,” in Studio B. 

 Exhilarating at the time, but 50 years later, I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

As the month ended, we were taping a live performance on the Hollywood Palace in a segment later memorialized with Fred Astaire’s introduction of us on YouTube: “A few weeks ago, five youngsters from San Francisco made a recording and just like that (Snap!), it became one of the top musical hits in the country.”

You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_f16t1JGHo, and for more backstories, check out my book, “Wounds to Bind – A Memoir of the Folk Rock Revolution” at www.woundstobind.com.

                                       

             

We Five at McCabes

WE FIVE Special McCabe’s Appearance

You Were On My Mind for 50 Years ….

It’s been 50 years since We Five came to LA from our houseboat in Sausalito to play at IT’S BOSS (now the Comedy Store) and do some TV shows like Where The Action Is, Shindig, and American Bandstand.

For those who have been waiting almost that long for us to play a show on the West Side, the time has come.  We Five will be at McCabe’s, the iconic guitar store and concert club in Santa Monica, for one show on Sunday, August 16. The doors open at 7:30 pm and the show starts at 8:00 pm.

Also on the bill that night will be Jeff Alan Ross with ‘Straight Up: The Songs of Badfinger.’

Should be a great night of music!

For more information and tickets, go to McCabe’s website at www.mccabes.com

Remembering BB

A lot has been written and said about BB King and his impact on music this week because of his passing. While I am certainly a fan on that front, one recollection of him will always stand out that had nothing to do with music. We were opening for him in Tahoe and our son Chris was standing alone watching his parents from the wings when BB King approached him. Chris was about 10 at the time and he was wearing a cowboy hat, boots and a fringe vest. BB was a very large man and dwarfed Chris as he bent over and said something then shook his hand and stood with a big hand on his shoulder to watch us. When asked later what BB had said, Chris's comment was, "Hey cowboy, where's your horse?" Above all else, I'll remember him as a good man who reached out to a young boy.

Fifty Years and Counting...

Hey, can you believe that it has been fifty years since we recorded You Were On My Mind? We are honored that you still remember that amazing time! Check out this this flashback on YouTube.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbuzEjEHso0

Getting 'Discovered'

I recently heard from a singer in his 20s who asked for some insights on getting discovered or signed... That's the g'zillion dollar question with no simple answer.
For what it's worth, here's may take on it. - jb

Brandon
Thanks for writing. I'm glad you somehow found and like the work of We Five.

I'm afraid I don't have any great insights on how to be discovered. We now live in the era of downloads and American Idol-- and it didn't exist when I got started. We were discovered because my partner Michael's brother was in the Kingston Trio and he was a great mentor who eventually led us to a record deal.

Regarding record deals, record labels don't sign and develop acts the way they used to do. They package material by artists that have a following, or serve as an outlet for entertainment management companies that link talent to an audience.
The only thing I can suggest (and it applies to everything, not just music), is to:
1) get good at what you want to do -- that means study (with people better than you), don't limit the kind of music you listen to or sing, and practice everything. Figure out what the successful people are doing regardless of your personal taste and learn to do it; then use your talent to make it your own.
2) find places that use what you want to do and get involved. For a singer, that could be a school, church, theater group or someplace like Disneyland, a band, etc. (though being in a band with friends will often limit your exposure to a lowest common denominator that may limit who sees you. Assuming everyone is good, your singing and performing needs fit what's going on--and yet still somehow stand out).
3) Try out for a talent discovery show and see where you fit in against others in the world who have the same dream.
4) Always do your best when you are performing and be ready to walk through a door if it opens.

I don't know where you live - but there are probably people doing what you want to do in your area making music in churches, clubs, local commercials, community theater, and such. Find them. If there isn't a music business of some kind where you can develop relationships, you may need to go where they are.
In any case, good luck in your pursuit.
Jerry

Jerry Burgan - Outsight Interview

I was asked to do a radio interview that We Five fans might find interesting. It was podcast live to San Francisco and to England this week by Tom Schulte for Outsight.

It began with a discussion of the We Five single, "There Stands The Door" that was released in 1965 and then goes on to cover an array of topics. If you'd like to check it out, the We Five segment starts about 50 minutes in with There Stands The Door followed by several cuts from my solo CD Jerry Burgan - Reflections, Songs & Stories (available from the Global Recording Artists website at GRAgroup.com). The 30 minute discussion with Tom begins at about 60 minutes. The URL for the interview is http://outsight.podomatic.com

Parting words for a friend

You may have seen the obituary last month when actor Tim Robbins’ father, Gil Robbins, passed away. He was an old friend of our family who had a profound affect on me in the late 1950s. Gil directed my parents in their church choir in Pomona. He also gave me clarinet lessons, taught music at our school, and directed the boys’ choir where Michael Stewart and I first sang together. Gil was a talented musician who found delight in music as a key element of life. I loved his quirkiness and that he didn’t simply ‘teach’ music. He would seek the unusual--sometimes reading to us from Beethoven’s biography exposing us to the human side of the musical genius. I recall one occasion where he brought a portable pump organ to class, set it up in the class room and proceeded to play-sing-alongs as he huffed and puffed and pumped the pedals. Not everyone was impressed, but I loved it.

His work with the Glee Club at Pomona Catholic High School led to meeting John Stewart and eventually playing bass with him in a folk trio called The Cumberland Three. They signed with Roulette and moved to New York where he remained until retiring. His departure left a void in my musical life until I met John Stewart a few months later. I followed Gil’s career when John left the Cumberland Three to join the Kingston Trio and in the mid-60s would occasionally see him when We Five was in the Big Apple.

Gil went on to play with Harry Belafonte and The Highwaymen and though he was not ‘man on the street’ famous in the classic sense, he was definitely a player. Along with his wife Mary, who was active in children’s theater the last time I saw her, they taught countless of kids like me to embrace music and the performing arts (and Mary died only weeks after he did).

We communicated for while by email when it first appeared, but only enough to regret not really getting to know him as an adult. He will always hold a special place in my heart, and with thanks I say, “Farewell.”

Phil in Idaho

Do you by any chance remember doing a concert in a stadium in Caldwell, Idaho in the mid-sixties. If you do , I was there. Infact I worked with a fellow named Denny Smith who was the Mayors son and I helped him put the concert together. I also remember a party at his house after the show. You were great and I still love your music. Phil

Phil
I remember it well!
We were on a bill with the Four Freshmen, and a (short) train went behind the stage while we were playing. The Four Freshmen saw what happened and were prepared with some one liners -- but they got a slow freight that took several minutes to pass!

I don't recall the party, but I do recall an airline strike beginning at midnite stranding us in Boise until our agent sent a Lear jet to pick us up. It was an awesome experience.

Thanks for writing.
Be well.
Jerry

Was Lance Masters ever in your group We Five

Brenda
The name sounds vaguely familiar but I cannot say why.
We have only had a few drummers over the years that actually played live with We Five. None of them were short term and I know all their names except …
There was a fellow who auditioned with us after our 3rd album but I don't recall his name. I do recall that his tenure was brief because he got hospitalized with meningitis and had to drop out for extended rehab right after spending a day with us at A&M and shooting some pix. We were quarantined but came up clean and I never heard from him again.
Jerry

Still ringing...

To: jerry@officialwefive.com
Sent: Mon, January 17, 2011 8:24:45 PM
Subject: (no subject)

I must say that your music is still the best ever, even without Beverly.

I remember where I was when I first heard " You were on my Mind".

I was in 6th grade at Lucy elementary school in Millington, Tn.

That song still rings in my mind and have enjoyed all the videos of your group
with the lovely Beverly out front.


Thanks for your wonderful music.

Mike Sparks
>>>
Mike,
I'm glad that we have made some music that brought joy into your life -- and that it's still working!
Jerry
Jerry

Dutchman discussion

Jim Moran, has a blog where he features and disseminates videos of various songs - mostly Kingston Trio-related.

He often throws his postings up against the Kingston Crossroads message board for discussion, and this past week, he'd featured "The Dutchman."

A friend chimed in with We Five's version on YouTube.

There are now several versions of the tune posted at his blog if you are interested check it out.

http://compvid101.blogspot.com/2011/02/michael-peter-smith-steve-goodman-and.html

We Five singers

Jerry,

Did you have a singer Kathy, who left your band prior to the single "You are on my mind"? A friend who has passed away had told many of us his wife was with the band as a singer in the early 60's.

Steve in Western Wisconsin

ANSWER:
Not that I recall. Michael Stewart and I began singing together in 1959, and until we recorded the “Catch The Wind” album in 1969, the only female singers I ever worked with were Sue Davies, Eileen Duffy, Bev Bivens and Debbie Burgan. Only Bev and Debbie ever appeared on “We Five” recordings.

I’ve received numerous emails over the years from people asking a similar question to yours and I suspect that most, if not all, of them could be traced back to a period from late 1963 to the end of 1964 when Mike found Beverly. He was always ready to switch into the ‘audition mode’ if he met a singer or musician who might fit into the core group. Those investigations would last anywhere from a few minutes at a party to a couple weeks of rehearsals. A few even included recording at a friend’s home studio in Pomona. While none ever materialized into anything, they were probably memorable to the participants when We Five eventually became popular.
Jerry

Covina Nightclub

Oh you bring back so very wonderful memories. You used to play at a little bar in the mid '60's either in West Covina or Covina. Little fuzzy right now since we certainly had some good times. But I do remember, I tried to make it there every weekend you guys were playing and we'd dance all night to your wonderful music.

You Were On My Mind was my absolute favorite but I seem to remember a song called 'Time' that I simply adored. Cannot find it anywhere as I more than likely don't have the title right.

In any event, please keep me posted where you were be performing either in the Phoenix area or the Southern California area. I will definitely try to make it a point to attend as many times as possible.

You are the tops in my book and to hear you sound as strong and super as before is so very, as they say it now, 'kewl'. Trying to keep up with this stuff but it's getting tough.

Ricki, Phoenix (formerly from Monrovia).

Ricki,
That was a fun place to play while we were breaking in a drummer so We Five could tour again. It was called the Hob Nob and the sign we use as a graphic on our website and logo was painted for us while working there. Unfortunately, the place suffered in 70s and became a strip club before the demolition ball took it down.

The song you are thinking of may be “One Last Time.” It was on our “Catch The Wind” album that was recorded back then. You can get that album on CD from our Website. We also did a song called “All The Time” that was on “the Return of We Five,” but that one is out of print.
Jerry

>>>

Bev's range

At the age of 77, I still tingle when I hear Beverly Bivens sing La Mare (aka Somewhere Beyond the Sea). The We Five album that it was on was sensational. What I am wondering is how many octaves was Beverly able to hit? In La Mare, it was incredible to here her move up and up, octave after octave. I kept listening in the We Five's other songs to hear that range, but never found it again. Though their song that got all the publicity was "You Were on My Mind", for me, La Mare was their (at least, Beverly's) stellar performance. So how did she learn to sing like that and when/where did she realize her talent? Her voice was like a drug, I just wanted to hear more and more, always hoping for an album or some singles of just Beverly solo. Then, just a suddenly as the We Five appeared on the scene, they were gone.
Win
Houston, TX

ANSWER: Win,
Beverly did study voice, but only in her soprano range. She had an alto voice that was very strong in the range used for things like You Were On My Mind and Love Me Not Tomorrow. Her soprano range (that so touched you) actually overlapped the alto and you can hear the cross over in songs like Cast Your Fate To the Wind. You are correct that most of her work with We Five after the hit record did not use as much of the upper register.

If you haven’t done so, you might want to order the CD Best Of We Five – There Stands The Door that does include songs not previously available, as well as some Coke commercials that featured her very special vocal abilities. It’s available from our website: www.wefive.net.

Jerry

Christmas CD Single

Check out our two new recordings of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas at www.CDBaby.com/wefive. It's our first entry into the direct download world. We'd love to get feedback on the tunes.
There's a shortened version of White Christmas with a slideshow video on YouTube at youtube.com/officialwefive.
Hope you have a great Christmas.

Randi comments on Power88 interview

Following is a comment received from Randi in Florida who heard an interview I did with Mike Callahan at Boston radio station Power 88 this week. If you’d like to hear it – or a remarkable interview Mike Stewart did in Chicago back in 1965, the URL connection to his website is:
http://mikebehindthemikecallahan.i8.com/box_widget.html
--Jerry
>>>>>>
Jerry, I was saddened to hear about your loss of Mike Stewart. The interview was wonderful! It was a pleasure hearing about the history of the We Five "up to the minute", and to hear that a book is in the works!

Your version of Walk on By, played at the end, is one of the best I've heard.

P.S. - Just wanted to say that, while You Were On My Mind may be considered to be the showcase number from that first album, ALL of the songs were so good that the entire album remained one of my favorites throughout the years. In the "old days of music purchasing", I'd often buy an album and only find two or three songs that were "grabbers". The only other album I can think of that was a pleasure throughout and has withstood the Randi Meyer Test of Time is Fleetwood Mac's Rumors. Thanks for forging ahead in a challenging industry!***Randi

New We Five Video - The Dutchman

We Five has been singing The Dutchman, Mike Smith’s enchanting song about loved ones aging, since I first learned if from the Irish Rovers in 1970. It’s one of the most requested songs at our concerts after You Were On My Mind—which is amazing since it has never made it onto one of our CDs! After seeing and hearing a recording that was made of us performing the song at a concert earlier this year, we’ve decided to share it with fans who’ve been asking for almost forty years. It’s now posted on YouTube and you can access it from the interactive Blog page on our website, www.wefive.net, or by going to YouTube at www.youtube.com/officialwefive.

Please feel to share it with others who love music done in a classic folk style—or to anyone else who might find the tender treatment of love and aging comforting. JB

New Promo Video

Check out the latest We Five promo video- -it’s now viewable on YouTube at www.youtube.com/officialwefive
Or, from our website at http://www.wefive.net/
Please feel free to forward it to venues in your area where you'd like to see We Five play.
jb

New CD: There Stands The Door- The Best Of We Five

Some exciting things are on the horizon for 2009. Perhaps topping the list is the first new album of material from the original 1965-1967 group since Make Someone Happy was released four decades ago!

A British company, Ace Records is preparing to issue a CD called There Stands the Door – the Best of We Five on the Big Beat label. It was produced by Alec Palao and utilizes recordings that were in the vaults at Universal (they bought A&M), as well as material still owned by Frank Werber (former We Five and Kingston Trio manager) that was made available when Frank passed away. In addition to the title song, You Were On My Mind, Let’s Get Together, and some of other things you would expect to find, it will include several songs that were never released, and some songs the group recorded with alternate versions, or with mixes what were not previously released. The 22 tracks will also include about ten minutes of soft drink spots we recorded, and two songs from the Return Of We Five album that was also originally released on A&M.

For those who have wondered over the years if the original group did any other recordings, here is your chance to find out. It is scheduled for release in late February and we'll get it on the website as soon as delivery can be arranged.

Happy New Year!!

Jerry

Welcome

Welcome to the first We Five blog entry. Whoever thought in the 60's that we would be able to communicate so easily with those who have followed the band all these years? Please feel free to add comments to posted blogs and check back often for what is going on in the We Five community.