McKendree Spring

McKendree Spring is a progressive folk-rock band, formed in 1968 and particularly active in the early 1970s. The band, originally known as McKendree Spring Quartet, formed at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, New York. 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.

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) died of cancer on June 10, 2021, at age 74.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1969, Died Ceased 1975

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1969 - 1972

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 40 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 121107 3/6/1969 I should've known McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121108 3/6/1969 I can't make it anymore McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121109 3/6/1969 Spock McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121110 3/6/1969 What will we do with the child McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121111 3/6/1969 If I gave you everything McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121112 3/6/1969 John Wesley Harding McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121113 3/6/1969 No regrets McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121114 3/6/1969 If the sun should rise McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121115 3/6/1969 Now you say McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 121230 3/6/1969 Morning glory McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122876 6/2/1970 Fire and rain McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122877 6/2/1970 Susie, Susie McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122878 6/2/1970 Friends die easy McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122879 6/2/1970 Got no place to fall McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122880 6/2/1970 Oh now my friend McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122881 6/2/1970 Cairo hotel McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122882 6/2/1970 Because it's time McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122883 6/2/1970 'Lani McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 122884 6/2/1970 For what was gained McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123201 11/9/1970 Because it's time McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123202 11/9/1970 Oh, now my friend McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123802 1/10/1972 Down by the river McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123803 1/10/1972 Fading lady McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123804 1/10/1972 Flying Dutchman McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123805 1/10/1972 Heart is like a wheel McKendree Spring Musical group  
(Results 1-25 of 40 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "McKendree Spring," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108054.

McKendree Spring. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108054.

"McKendree Spring." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108054

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