Eugene’s first documented organized band. Active years as a band: 1859 – 1872 Active years as an association: 1872 – 1940s? On March 5, 1859 the Eugene City Brass Band (a 14-piece band) gave a concert at the courthouse. A news item in the People’s Press had this to say about the concert: “…Notwithstanding the rain […]
Featured Bands & Musicians
Soft
The Soft was a three piece band that played at many of the junior & high schools and parks and recreation dances, the Springfield Broiler Festival, Valley River Center, private parties, the Eugene Armory, and various clubs around Lane County. The three members were in junior high school with they started the band. Active Years: Early 1970’s Genre: Rock Base […]
Dominions
The Dominions (1964-1967) Genre: Garage rock/punk band Members: Gene Garrett (guitar, lead vocals) Ron Gordon (bass) Frank Nachtman (lead guitar) also played with Small Crowd, and H.B. and The Checkmates Ken Paxton (organ, vocals) also played with Small Crowd John Peters (saxophone) Larry Rodman (drums) Ron Techel (guitar, vocals) The Dominions were formed in 1964 when I […]
Hammond Typewriter
Hammond Typewriter (1967-1971) The original name was “The Number Two Hammond Typewriter” Genre: Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Members: Wane Fuday – Lead Guitar Jay (John) Wilson – Vocals Ben Hall – Drums Cliff Hunter – Bass Debbie Gordon – Keyboards, Vocals Ken Biggs – Keyboards, Drums Randy Crawford – Rhythm Guitar Clel Gibson – Rhythm […]
Genetics
The Genetics (1965-1969) Genre: Music that Swings – Rock and Roll Base Location: Eugene, Oregon The Genetics were young…it’s reported that they were only 13 when they started in 1965. Group consisted of Vic Bearden (Guitar), Doug Gustafson (Guitar), and Phil Jessen (Drums). Members from 1967-1968 Vic Beardon – Guitar Jay Bonzer – Guitar Mike Chapman – Drums […]
Archie Parrott (1914-1972)
Archie Parrott and his orchestra played for many dances up and down the Willamette Valley and often traveled with many instruments. In the photo to the right, they are playing in a musical bandstand built of lattice work with a stylish decorative backdrop in Eugene’s Willamette Park in 1936. (Oct 17, 1936 RG article) Archie (standing) […]
Bill Rhoades and The Party Kings
Active Years: 1975 – 1985 in Eugene, Oregon Genre: Blues The band was originally formed in the mid-70’s in Eugene, Oregon as Bill Rhoades Blues Band then later became the Party Kings. Bill moved to Portland in the mid-80’s and continued the band in a different configuration. The Party Kings played a mixture of Blues music styles […]
Sires
The Sires (1964-1969) Genre: Garage Rock Base Location: Eugene, OR The Sires were teenagers from Eugene and nearby Springfield, Oregon, forming at Sheldon High School in 1964 and breaking up in 1969. Members: Marty Berg – Vocals Mike Briggs – Rhythm Guitar, Bass Ron Craig – Lead Guitar (also played in The Tempters) Robert Grebb – Drums […]