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 26-40 of 40 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 123806 1/10/1972 Feeling bad ain't good enough McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123807 1/10/1972 Hobo lady McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123808 1/10/1972 Oh! In the morning McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123809 1/10/1972 God bless the conspiracy McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca 123924 Get date Down by the river McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16178 August 1972 Don't keep me waiting McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16179 August 1972 Underground railroad McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16180 August 1972 The man in me McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16181 August 1972 watch those pennies McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16182 August 1972 Shoot me McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16183 August 1972 Two of me McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16184 August 1972 Train to Dixie McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16185 August 1972 Friends die easy II McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16186 August 1972 Road to somewhere McKendree Spring Musical group  
Decca L 16187 August 1972 Light up the skies McKendree Spring Musical group  
(Results 26-40 of 40 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "McKendree Spring," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108054.

McKendree Spring. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108054.

"McKendree Spring." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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