• 1966-

  Gary "Jules" AlexanderGuitar, vocals

  Russ GiguereGuitar, vocals

  Jim YesterGuitar, vocals

  Terry KirkmanKeyboards, vocals1966-1984

  Brian ColeBass, vocals

  Ted BluechelDrums, vocals

  Larry RamosGuitar, vocals
• All members of the group shared vocals.
• The group traces its roots to a 1964 meeting of Kirkman (who can play 23 different instruments) and Alexander (a sailor who plays rhythm, bass, and lead guitars) in Honolulu. Kirkman had played with Frank Zappa for five years in California coffee houses, but was selling office supplies (business forms) when he and Alexander agreed to meet again after he was discharged from the US Navy.
• In early 1965, Kirkman and Alexander formed a 13-man ensemble ("The Men") in LA and made their debut at the Troubadour; but during a rehearsal, disaster struck -- half the group left after a particularly heated argument, and the six remaining members of The Men met at Kirkman's house to ponder their future. The remaining members of The Men -- Kirkman, Alexander, Bluechtel, Cole, Russ Giguere, and Jim Page (no, not THAT Jimmy Page!) -- decided to change the group's name. When Kirkman's wife checked the meaning of their first choice, "The Aristocrats", she found another word that she thought would be more appropriate for the act -- "association."
• Jim Page left The Association shortly after the name change; he was replaced on guitars by Jim Yester.
• The Association developed a large following in southern California by performing in LA-area night clubs and folk clubs, but their first single, "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (Jubilee Records) sank without a trace. The group was subsequently turned down by every major label.
• Valiant Records, formed by Barry DeVorzon, Billy Sherman, and Budd Dolinger in 1960, took the chance and signed the group. The first Association single was a cover of a Bob Dylan song, "One Too Many Mornings." It sold well in the Los Angeles area, but nowhere else, as it failed to chart.
• After they had some hits with Valiant Records, the financially shaky label was purchased by Warner Brothers for the primary purpose of adding The Association to their roster of artists. Around this time, Alexander left the group to meditate in India (he was replaced by Larry Ramos, formerly of the New Christy Minstrels), and the group changed producers as Bones Howe sat in the producer's chair for their third LP. Alexander returned to the fold in 1969, in time to record "Goodbye Columbus."
• Cole died of a heroin overdose in 1972 and the group went into hiatus, returning in 1975 to make a last-gasp single, "One Sunday Morning," before fading away.
• The group reunited for an HBO special in 1980. They released singles for Elektra, and have been touring off-and-on since (the current lineup features founding member Russ Giguere, longtime member Larry Ramos and his brother Del, and Brian Cole's son Jordan). >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above

Comments: 6

• Isaac Mizrahi from Leiden, Nlkudos to commenter Kevin from Warwick, Ri...Barefoot Gentleman is one of my favorites of their's. the singer is Jim Yester, btw, since you were so impressed with his vocal. it's a shame that most people only know this group's hits because there was SO many OTHER good songs that never got airplay. you had to get the albums and listen to the whole of them to get any idea of this group's actual scope. and they WERE great...not only as vocalists but, also, as musicians...i saw them live quite a few times. each time they were amazing. perfect harmonies...again, great musicianship AND...they were QUITE entertaining, as well...i'm glad people appreciate them, still...and, again, good call, Kevin.
• Jean from Bradford, United KingdomI had never heard a sound such as "Along Comes Mary" - it blew me away in the Sixties! They were a much under-rated group in Britain and never got the exposure their music deserves. I had a hard time getting hold of their recordings but it was well worth the effort and they formed the musical backdrop to my life. I love all their music but "Everything That Touches You" is particularly outstanding.
• Jac from Waalwijk, NetherlandsIn 66 I was struck by the the unique associations sound, seldom to be heard op dutch radio, But now and then on the piratestations " along comes mary" was passing by. Unforgettable and still my all time favourite. Why? I don't know, bur for sure the first song I downloaded a long time ago
  Jac,Waalwijk, Netherlands
• Kevin from Warwick, Ri"Everything Touches You" is truly the most enduring of the Association's many songs(I think "Cherish" still sounds great-a standard really- but has been airplayed to the point of overexposure).On the "Just The Right Sound" anthology, one song that particularly impresses-which I hadn't heard previously-is "Barefoot Gentleman". It seems a bit of a departure from the "sunshine pop" style of the group; it's moody and melancholy,with rather unusual,complex lyrical images.Whoever is singing it really puts tremendous feeling ito his vocal; the overall feeling is of mysterioso.
• Wayne from Los Osos, Ca The Association took some chances, which is more than you can say about alot of cheesy rock/pop groups of the mid-60's.
  Never My Love rocked my world when it came out and I also particularly loved Everything That Touches You.
• Cynthia from Washington , DcIn this day in time when all you here is rap and not much originality, hearing songs by the Association brings happiness to my heart. Acapella is far and few in between these days. My favorite songs by the Association are" Everything That Touches You" and "Windy." These songs were part of my growing up years.

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