McKendree Spring
McKendree Spring in 1970
McKendree Spring in 1970
Background information
OriginGlens Falls, New York, United States
Genresfolk rock
Years active1969–1976, 2009-2021
LabelsDecca
MCA
Pye
MembersFran McKendree
Dr. Michael Dreyfuss
Christopher Bishop
Martin Slutsky
Carson Michaels
Websitemckendreespring.com

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]

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

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

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

  1. ^ Mayer, Ira (1972-06-11). "Article 2 -- No Title; McIlwaine To Jake's Jewels". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  2. ^ "McKendree Spring Get Me to the Country". The Village Voice. 1975-04-14. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  3. ^ Glens Falls Post-Star 5 August 1968, p. 2
  4. ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 20 May 1972. p. 14. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Michael "Doc" Dreyfuss, Electronic Violist and Violinist Extraordinaire!". Archived from the original on 16 September 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Robert Francis McKendree May 9, 1947 ~ June 10, 2021 (age 74)". Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services, LLC. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  7. ^ "Episcopal Musician Fran McKendree Dies at 74", Living Church, August 12, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022

External links


Authority control databases
Categories