I used to see them live from time to time, and they wee the real thing, a great, innovative wonderful-sounding band. They deserved to go much farther than they did. "Sunday" was a great record.
I still listen to their music and just ordered the Spanky & Our Gang Anthology on CD last week. The albums contained in this two CD set are: Spanky And Our Gang - Featuring: Sunday Will Never Be The Same - 1967 Anything You Choose B/W Without Rhyme Or Reason Like To Get To Know You Spanky & Our Gang Live I got word from Amazon that this set will be delivered today so am looking forward to it. I really dig Spanky & Our Gang yet there are no documentaries on them that I know of. I often wonder why they never played Woodstock or any other popular festivals. Either/or I thank you What Happened to Them? for this presentation. Peace & power. ☮
My mom had a couple of their 45s in her collection and that's how I discovered them. Then recently I came across their old Ed Sullivan performances on here. Great job on the video!
Hi there...My dad was Bill Plummer...standup bass player in 1975 when they made their comeback and went "country" when they were on Don Kushner's rock concert. The song "Colorado Bill" was his song he wrote...It was about his life at that time... "Colorado Bill the Boulder Doghouse Man"...he was always in the doghouse...LOL
That is so cool! Your dad and the rest of the gang were so very talented. They should have gotten more recognition for their work. I have the box set and really enjoy listening to their songs; the sense of humor in the band is really evident!
My name is John Madden I was born in 1966 I enjoy listening to groups or rock groups or folk music like Spanky and Our Gang yeah I grew up listening to that type of music when I was going to Shay back in the early eighties of course there are other groups like Madonna Michael Jackson and many others but I grew up listening to Jim Morrison The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix I appreciate what they have is that they were great artists and Spanky and Our Gang is no different I love Spanky and Our Gang my favorite song I like to get to know you that is the most go to song I love with Spanky and Our Gang I love the video they're way ahead of their time
You are about 10 years younger than me so i would like to think that worked out for me since I grew up with this band, The Loving Spoonful, The Rascals, The Turtles et al . But I agree with you that " I like to get to know you " is their best song. Everyone in Canada and the USA tuned in on Sunday night to Ed Sullivan and I always remembered the way they opened the song on the show and when I watched the clip today of it - it was exactly as I remembered
There's something I want to add I love Spanky and Our Gang I love their video even though it was 1968 and I was 2 years old but looking back on it the way ahead of their time
Spanky is an awesome lady. I knew her when I was living in Ferndale, California and delivered lunch to her M-F. Also was privileged to sit in on some jam sessions she did with local musicians there in Ferndale. She’s a sweetheart.
I grew up with Spanky's and The Association's Greatest Hits albums in my parents' record collection. I have both of them in my CD collection. This music stands the test of time, and is better than most of what's been released especially in the 21st Century.
In interviews long after her time with the revived Mamas and Papas, McFarland put down that groups far less complex harmonies (vs. those in Spanky and Our Gang). She continues to perform, and her unique voice is still recognizable.
The Mamas and the Papas’ harmonies may not have been as complex, but they were as recognizable as the Our Gang’s. I love tight harmonies beginning back with The Beach Boys. When I think of harmony, I think of the Association. But, with a more sophisticated ear, I really love Spanky & Our Gang. Their songs have a lot going on musically.
Less complex? Really? I think the opposite. And the Mamas harmonies were better blended. Of course no one came close to those Beach guys when it came to harmonies.
I'm not schizoid...lol. responding to my own post about Spanky harmonies complexities compared to the Momas and Papas. After listening to more of their catalog, Spankys harmonies on certain songs are equal to and in some cases more complex than the Momas. In fact some were incredibly up there and beyond the Beach Boys! Hows that for a take back. Hale's passing ruined what should have been 10 + great albums. Now I wish that Spanky and Seiter play together one more concert series for closure.
Spanky & Our Gang released a single in 1968 called, "Like To Get To Know You." It was the title track of the album. "Coda" was the closing track from this album and it followed "Stardust," a Hoagy Carmichael classic. The engineers mixed "Coda" as the ending to the single release of "Like To Get To Know You." It is one of the most beautiful and greatest endings to any song in history. Check it out. The Coda begins at 2:02 of 3:20 in the single recording of "Like To Get To Know You."
You mentioned that Terry Cashman wrote their hit. He was part of Cashman and West in the early 70s. He and Tommy West had several hit records as well as producers of the big albums of Jim Croce.
I was friends with Gene and Tommy (RIP both of these talented singer-songwriters). I love Cashman, Pistilli and West's version of "Sunday will Never Be the Same" which is very different than Spanky and our Gang's, which I also love.
So great to see so many fans here in the comments. They were SO good. Their "Anything You Choose/Without Rhyme or Reason" album is in my top 10 forever. The 'Live' album is essential if only for Spanky's version of "Buddy Can You Spare a Dime" - SUCH a moving version.
Years ago in the late 1970's I was in Houston at the Texas Opry House Bar. Spanky and our Gang had become a country band. I listened to the sets and was not impressed. At the end of the night they said they would like to play some old songs of theirs. Sunday Morning, Like to get to know you and Give a Damn. They were wonderful.
I never met Elaine (Spanky) but I did play in a band with her bassist brother John “Pops” McFarlane. He was very talented and was very well thought of as not only a great bass player, but one heck of a guy. I knew he and his sister were from Peoria but I met him in Champaign. He brought our band to an awesome BBQ place after a gig in Peoria called Big John’s. I remember him asking us not to embarrass him because he knows these people really well. 😊
Mm, this is odd. Their biggest hit "Like To Get To Know You" is not mentioned at all al though it was on their second album with more ambitious direction.
I once asked Oz if he sang on Like to Get to Know You. His only comment was "I worked on it." It is possible they used several of the guys' voices alternating since they had such an amazing blend, they could all sound nearly alike. Another reason for this would be continuity. Oz had been the soloist on the B side of Sunday Will Never Be the Same. Stu would never talk about it, but when I asked him if he had done any of the vocal arranging, he said, "I hear tape hiss." That would explain the pristine quality of the later two albums. Add to that Dorough's superb jazz vocal stylings . . .
Excellent overview, only a few errors (and no mention of Lefty and Kenny's passings). I am so glad you mentioned that there are two possible causes of Malcolm's death - most people only mention the circumstantial theory and not the official cause nowadays.
Stu Scharf told me they were all taking decongestants so they could keep performing while plagued with respiratory or throat problems. Malcolm was on a National Guard weekend and died of pneumonia which went undiagnosed because of the medication. Stu remarked that the group he'd been signed to produce "no longer existed" because Oz had left the group. This meant hiring someone to replace him. Kenny and Lefty had worked together and were both hired. After Malcolm died, the group disbanded. Malcolm had been a long time friend of Spanky's dating back to the New Wine Singers.
It was in 1967 or 1968 that I heard the first swear word in a song. It was that song, "Give A Damn". My 14 yo mind said, "That's cool". I was for almost anything that would shake up the established order. I don't recall any uproar about it, but I'm sure there was some.
Kingston Trio..."Well, I don't give a damn about a GREEN BACK DOLLAR, spend it fast as i can...cause a wailin' song and a good guitar, the only thing that I understand.."
WHEN I SEE THEM DO I LIKE GET TO KNOW YOU. ON ED SULLIVAN SHOW. ITS SO CLASSY I MISS ALL THAT TALENT AND YOUTH. ITS REALLY SAD THINK WHY COULD IT JUST STAY
Nothing happened to them. They had a style that was only briefly fashionable and popular and naturally their fame and sales receded after the trend passed.
I presume they did an autopsy. If they said carbon monoxide, that's pretty much unmistakeable (globus pallidus turns cherry red). The pneumonia claim? Could be aspiration - something that can accompany CO poisoning especially if it is chronic.
I recently listened to all four spanky lps and then Mama's and papas four. Spanky singles equal to mama and papas singles, but their lps full of cringeworthy faux psychedelia
I recently listened to all four spanky lps and then Mama's and papas four. Spanky singles equal to mama and papas singles, but their lps full of cringeworthy faux psychedelia
I recently listened to all four spanky lps and then Mama's and papas four. Spanky singles equal to mama and papas singles, but their lps full of cringeworthy faux psychedelia
I used to see them live from time to time, and they wee the real thing, a great, innovative wonderful-sounding band. They deserved to go much farther than they did. "Sunday" was a great record.
Their music was happy and uplifting I remember groovin down the street with my transistor radio still have my original albums✌️
✌️👍😎
I remember those days....young and not a care in the world.🌷
No doubt one of the greatest groups of the 60s!! Play all of those LPs regularly!🥰😘😘🥳🥳
Agreed!!
Elaine was the most underrated female singers of the sixties
I recall SUNDAY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME playing on Houle's juke box in their bar. Awesome!
About 2008 she was asked if there'd be a reunion show. Her response was, "Well, two members are dead. They'll want a lotta money."
I still listen to their music and just ordered the Spanky & Our Gang Anthology on CD last week. The albums contained in this two CD set are:
Spanky And Our Gang - Featuring: Sunday Will Never Be The Same - 1967
Anything You Choose B/W Without Rhyme Or Reason
Like To Get To Know You
Spanky & Our Gang Live
I got word from Amazon that this set will be delivered today so am looking forward to it.
I really dig Spanky & Our Gang yet there are no documentaries on them that I know of. I often wonder why they never played Woodstock or any other popular festivals. Either/or I thank you What Happened to Them? for this presentation.
Peace & power. ☮
I still listen to their music, just so good. Thank you for posting
My mom had a couple of their 45s in her collection and that's how I discovered them. Then recently I came across their old Ed Sullivan performances on here. Great job on the video!
My father was Oz Bach. Got his start in clubs in The Grove in Coconut Grove in Miami. Talented folk singer and guitarist.
Hi there...My dad was Bill Plummer...standup bass player in 1975 when they made their comeback and went "country" when they were on Don Kushner's rock concert. The song "Colorado Bill" was his song he wrote...It was about his life at that time... "Colorado Bill the Boulder Doghouse Man"...he was always in the doghouse...LOL
That is so cool! Your dad and the rest of the gang were so very talented. They should have gotten more recognition for their work. I have the box set and really enjoy listening to their songs; the sense of humor in the band is really evident!
I moved to Asheville in early '98, just after your dad's bad VA experience. I corresponded with your mom at some point about all of that. Small world.
My name is John Madden I was born in 1966 I enjoy listening to groups or rock groups or folk music like Spanky and Our Gang yeah I grew up listening to that type of music when I was going to Shay back in the early eighties of course there are other groups like Madonna Michael Jackson and many others but I grew up listening to Jim Morrison The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix I appreciate what they have is that they were great artists and Spanky and Our Gang is no different I love Spanky and Our Gang my favorite song I like to get to know you that is the most go to song I love with Spanky and Our Gang I love the video they're way ahead of their time
You are about 10 years younger than me so i would like to think that worked out for me since I grew up with this band, The Loving Spoonful, The Rascals, The Turtles et al . But I agree with you that " I like to get to know you " is their best song. Everyone in Canada and the USA tuned in on Sunday night to Ed Sullivan and I always remembered the way they opened the song on the show and when I watched the clip today of it - it was exactly as I remembered
7
There's something I want to add I love Spanky and Our Gang I love their video even though it was 1968 and I was 2 years old but looking back on it the way ahead of their time
it's 2024 and my son has just turned 6 years old. He knows all the words to Lazy Day and sings it at the top of his voice 🙂
Though they had MANY great songs, "Give a damn" and "I'd like to get to know you" really touched me. Love them!
Spanky is an awesome lady. I knew her when I was living in Ferndale, California and delivered lunch to her M-F. Also was privileged to sit in on some jam sessions she did with local musicians there in Ferndale. She’s a sweetheart.
Thanks for sharing
That must’ve been a huge lunch.
I grew up with Spanky's and The Association's Greatest Hits albums in my parents' record collection. I have both of them in my CD collection. This music stands the test of time, and is better than most of what's been released especially in the 21st Century.
They toured thru Texas during this time. They rented a house over by my High School. I used to stand in their driveway and listen to them practice.
Thank you so very much. They made a lot of people very happy with these songs, and who does that nowadays?
In interviews long after her time with the revived Mamas and Papas, McFarland put down that groups far less complex harmonies (vs. those in Spanky and Our Gang). She continues to perform, and her unique voice is still recognizable.
The Mamas and the Papas’ harmonies may not have been as complex, but they were as recognizable as the Our Gang’s. I love tight harmonies beginning back with The Beach Boys. When I think of harmony, I think of the Association. But, with a more sophisticated ear, I really love Spanky & Our Gang. Their songs have a lot going on musically.
Less complex? Really?
I think the opposite. And the Mamas harmonies were better blended. Of course no one came close to those Beach guys when it came to harmonies.
I'm not schizoid...lol. responding to my own post about Spanky harmonies complexities compared to the Momas and Papas. After listening to more of their catalog, Spankys harmonies on certain songs are equal to and in some cases more complex than the Momas. In fact some were incredibly up there and beyond the Beach Boys! Hows that for a take back. Hale's passing ruined what should have been 10 + great albums. Now I wish that Spanky and Seiter play together one more concert series for closure.
Fantastic group,
Yes they are!
Teenager back then and just loved their music and such wonderful memories, thank you
... and in the process left behind some of the most utterly joyous music ever created.
An underrated group she had a beautiful voice and their harmonies were perfect ❤️💕
They were a very good band.
Good job. Love 'Lazy Day'.
Me too!
Nigel Pickering was my heartthrob. I adored him. And his hat!
Spanky & Our Gang released a single in 1968 called, "Like To Get To Know You." It was the title track of the album. "Coda" was the closing track from this album and it followed "Stardust," a Hoagy Carmichael classic. The engineers mixed "Coda" as the ending to the single release of "Like To Get To Know You." It is one of the most beautiful and greatest endings to any song in history. Check it out. The Coda begins at 2:02 of 3:20 in the single recording of "Like To Get To Know You."
They were part of my growing up with all the other wonderful 60's groups! And she was very cute back in the day! Elaine is still with us too!
Thanks for doing the research on this group as this was one of my favorite groups.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Such scholarship information. Details! I recall Spanky singing with the Mamas and the Papas.
Glad you enjoyed it
One of my fave bands of the 60's, still listen to them a lot, especially the great live album
My great uncle is Malcom hale. My grandpa would tell me alll the stories about Malcom. Rip to a legend
What great tslents they were. I love there songs every time they come on the radio.
I am so privileged to have lived and came of age in 1962 through the wonderful and turbulent 60’s. Class of 69 here
Also class of 69' here.
You mentioned that Terry Cashman wrote their hit. He was part of Cashman and West in the early 70s. He and Tommy West had several hit records as well as producers of the big albums of Jim Croce.
"Sunday will never be the same" was co-written by Terry Cashman & Gene Pistilli.
I was friends with Gene and Tommy (RIP both of these talented singer-songwriters). I love Cashman, Pistilli and West's version of "Sunday will Never Be the Same" which is very different than Spanky and our Gang's, which I also love.
My favorite song of theirs is an album track, "If You could Only be Me".
Went to school with John Seiter. I think he drummed with Flo and Eddie as well
Great channel👏
Glad you think so!
So great to see so many fans here in the comments. They were SO good. Their "Anything You Choose/Without Rhyme or Reason" album is in my top 10 forever. The 'Live' album is essential if only for Spanky's version of "Buddy Can You Spare a Dime" - SUCH a moving version.
I've been listening to a stack of their singles for days, now. Pretty amazing that this vid popped up in my suggestions.
Years ago in the late 1970's I was in Houston at the Texas Opry House Bar. Spanky and our Gang had become a country band. I listened to the sets and was not impressed. At the end of the night they said they would like to play some old songs of theirs. Sunday Morning, Like to get to know you and Give a Damn. They were wonderful.
Lazy Day is one of my favorite feel good songs!
Good information and subject. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
I ❤ spanky and our gang❤❤❤
I never met Elaine (Spanky) but I did play in a band with her bassist brother John “Pops” McFarlane. He was very talented and was very well thought of as not only a great bass player, but one heck of a guy.
I knew he and his sister were from Peoria but I met him in Champaign. He brought our band to an awesome BBQ place after a gig in Peoria called Big John’s. I remember him asking us not to embarrass him because he knows these people really well. 😊
I always really liked their music.
What is considered to be their best single? I've always been enthralled with Like to Get to Know You, but did not hear it mentioned in the video.
Mm, this is odd. Their biggest hit "Like To Get To Know You" is not mentioned at all al though it was on their second album with more ambitious direction.
I wonder why the narrator didn't mention "I'd Like to Get to Know You"?
I DONT NO BUT IN MY LIFE THEY WILL BE MISSED! 😢❤
Thank you ! They were sweet👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you too
Nicely done!
Thanks for the visit
I once asked Oz if he sang on Like to Get to Know You. His only comment was "I worked on it." It is possible they used several of the guys' voices alternating since they had such an amazing blend, they could all sound nearly alike. Another reason for this would be continuity. Oz had been the soloist on the B side of Sunday Will Never Be the Same. Stu would never talk about it, but when I asked him if he had done any of the vocal arranging, he said, "I hear tape hiss." That would explain the pristine quality of the later two albums. Add to that Dorough's superb jazz vocal stylings . . .
Oz was my father.
Lefty was the unsung hero of that song.His solo makes the record so good imo.
Id like to hear about one of my fave British 60s bands The Applejacks please?
Thank you very informative
Glad it was helpful!
When they appeared on the Merv Griffin show Merv thought they were going to sing an older song called Sunday will never come.
I would have asked Spanky for a date but I was only 13 in 1967 😆
😂was 13 in 67. 71 now 😮we're does the same one go
I’ve got some homework to do. I was looking for Alfalfa and Buckwheat.
Now I know “Talkin’ Baseball”!
That was the little rascals 😅😅
@@docheine and "Talkin' Softball" from the Simpsons
They were like the mamas and the papas
This was marginally interesting but it inspired me to go back and listen. Amazing.
I'm glad!
BEST MUSIC EVER
Spanky was dubbed the queen of Sunshine Pop
The early death of Malcolm Hale in Oct, 1968 no doubt hurt the future of the group and thus it's US chart run was cut short.
Thank you😊
Excellent overview, only a few errors (and no mention of Lefty and Kenny's passings). I am so glad you mentioned that there are two possible causes of Malcolm's death - most people only mention the circumstantial theory and not the official cause nowadays.
Stu Scharf told me they were all taking decongestants so they could keep performing while plagued with respiratory or throat problems. Malcolm was on a National Guard weekend and died of pneumonia which went undiagnosed because of the medication. Stu remarked that the group he'd been signed to produce "no longer existed" because Oz had left the group. This meant hiring someone to replace him. Kenny and Lefty had worked together and were both hired. After Malcolm died, the group disbanded. Malcolm had been a long time friend of Spanky's dating back to the New Wine Singers.
@@SaraConr yes, Stu also told me exactly the same
Lefty Baker died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1971 in California. When the band broke up he became a business partner in a recording studio in CA.
You forgot Lefty Baker. Great singer. Died a few years after the band broke up.
Hey ! Was she the daughter of spanky of little rascals ????
It was in 1967 or 1968 that I heard the first swear word in a song. It was that song, "Give A Damn". My 14 yo mind said, "That's cool". I was for almost anything that would shake up the established order. I don't recall any uproar about it, but I'm sure there was some.
Kingston Trio..."Well, I don't give a damn about a GREEN BACK DOLLAR, spend it fast as i can...cause a wailin' song and a good guitar, the only thing that I understand.."
@@philiprife5556 I remember Captain Kirk saying " Lets get the hell out of here" in that same time period, bold for those days
Ahhh, what happened to Lefty Baker?
They got a Spanky for being Gang members - and so they broke up🙄.
WHEN I SEE THEM DO I LIKE GET TO KNOW YOU. ON ED SULLIVAN SHOW. ITS SO CLASSY I MISS ALL THAT TALENT AND YOUTH. ITS REALLY SAD THINK WHY COULD IT JUST STAY
Absolutely
I thought their drummer went on to the Turtles? Sieder.
Good grief, can you turn a story into the most boring narrative? Why yes, he did!
create a channel so we can stop by to hear your wonderful thoughts and voice
Up there with Peter Paul and Mary who had a longer career
This narrator is almost as bad as AI
Thank you!! I don't like the song with dam in it either!!!!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Nothing happened to them. They had a style that was only briefly fashionable and popular and naturally their fame and sales receded after the trend passed.
I presume they did an autopsy. If they said carbon monoxide, that's pretty much unmistakeable (globus pallidus turns cherry red). The pneumonia claim? Could be aspiration - something that can accompany CO poisoning especially if it is chronic.
They claim it was carbon monoxide from a space heater. Space heaters were notorious back then for carbon monoxide.
Malcolm Hale died 1968.
And lefty Baker Died 1971.
The Fickle Pickle is a terrific name for a nightclub.
By AI
No cheeseburger was safe if Spanky was anywhere near.
@@glennday7802 Today she would be considered " Thicka than a Snicka" slang for desirable thickness 😄
I recently listened to all four spanky lps and then Mama's and papas four. Spanky singles equal to mama and papas singles, but their lps full of cringeworthy faux psychedelia
They got spanked
Spanky & Our Gangbang
Who else is bald
I recently listened to all four spanky lps and then Mama's and papas four. Spanky singles equal to mama and papas singles, but their lps full of cringeworthy faux psychedelia
I recently listened to all four spanky lps and then Mama's and papas four. Spanky singles equal to mama and papas singles, but their lps full of cringeworthy faux psychedelia