McKendree Spring is a progressive folk-rock band, formed in 1968 and particularly active in the early 1970s.[1][2] The band, originally known as McKendree Spring Quartet, formed at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, New York.[3] The group's leader was Fran McKendree (vocals and guitar); their first bass player was Larry Tucker then Fred Holman; Dr. Michael Dreyfuss (electric violin, viola, Moog, Arp, Mellotron); and Martin Slutsky (electric guitar). Christopher Bishop replaced Holman on bass as of the 1973 release Spring Suite. Some of their music ventured into avant-garde or experimental territory, such as "God Bless the Conspiracy" from their album 3, with its violin/viola/synthesizer solo by Dreyfuss.[4][5]
McKendree Spring | |
|---|---|
 McKendree Spring in 1970 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Glens Falls, New York, United States |
| Genres | folk rock |
| Years active | 1969–1976, 2009-2021 |
| Labels | Decca MCA Pye |
| Members | Fran McKendree Dr. Michael Dreyfuss Christopher Bishop Martin Slutsky Carson Michaels |
| Website | mckendreespring.com |
Steve Anderson (bass and vocals) and Alan Stoker (drums and vocals) were added for the "Live at the Beachland" live performance recording and 2007 release. In addition, Dave Morrison (harmonica) also played on the live album.
In the summer of 2010, Christopher Bishop (bass and vocals) rejoined the group for the recording of 5 songs for "McKendree Spring: Recording No. 9". This recording also featured Alan Stoker (drums/percussion/vocals), Paul Hollowell (keys) and Fred Mollin (synth).
The band reunited for one final show at the legendary Douglas Corner club in Nashville, May 2013, which was video recorded and released in Dec. 2015 on DVD as McKendree Spring: Times Like These. Fran McKendree, Mike 'Doc' Dreyfuss, and Marty Slutsky, the three founding members of the band, are supported by bassist Chris Bishop, keyboardist Paul Hollowell [Dolly Parton], Nashville standouts Alan Stoker (drums and vocals) and Rock Williams on sax, along with harmony singing by Carol Anderson and Sharon Ferrara Slutsky.
According to the official site, Michael Dreyfuss died on September 25, 2017.
Fran McKendree (born Robert Francis McKendree on May 9, 1947, in Springfield, Massachusetts)[6] died of cancer on June 10, 2021, at age 74.[6][7]
Albums
edit| Year | Album | Chart Positions | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Top 200 | |||
| 1969 | McKendree Spring | — | Decca |
| 1970 | Second Thoughts | 192 | |
| 1972 | McKendree Spring 3 | 163 | |
| Tracks | — | ||
| 1973 | Spring Suite | — | MCA |
| 1975 | Get Me to the Country | 118 | Pye |
| 1976 | Too Young To Feel This Old | 193 | |
| 2007 | Live at the Beachland Ballroom | — | McKendree Spring Records |
| 2010 | Recording No. 9 | — | |
| 2015 | Times Like These | — |
Charted singles
edit| Year | Single | Chart
positions |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/US Bub. | |||
| 1971 | "Because It's Time" | 105 | Second Thoughts (1970) |
| 1976 | "Too Young to Feel This Old" | 110 | Too Young to Feel This Old (1976) |
References
edit- ^ Mayer, Ira (1972-06-11). "Article 2 -- No Title; McIlwaine To Jake's Jewels". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
- ^ "McKendree Spring Get Me to the Country". The Village Voice. 1975-04-14. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
- ^ Glens Falls Post-Star 5 August 1968, p. 2
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 20 May 1972. p. 14. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "Michael "Doc" Dreyfuss, Electronic Violist and Violinist Extraordinaire!". Archived from the original on 16 September 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Robert Francis McKendree May 9, 1947 ~ June 10, 2021 (age 74)". Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services, LLC. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ "Episcopal Musician Fran McKendree Dies at 74", Living Church, August 12, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022
External links
edit- Official site
- McKendree Spring on Facebook
- McKendree Spring discography at Discogs
