Active Years: 1975 – 1977 Genre: Folk/Country Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Arroyo was founded by Don Ross after leaving the band “Wheatfield”. Arroyo had steady regular gigs at Murphy and Me in Eugene, the Reed Opera House and the Oregon Museum tavern in Salem, and Sacks Front Avenue and the Last Hurrah in Portland. They also […]
Featured Bands & Musicians
Wheatfield
Wheatfield (1971-2006) Genre: Americana/Folk/Bluegrass/Country/Rock Base Location: Eugene, OR Wheatfield formed in October, 1971, as a folk duo by Pete Wolfe and Will Hobbs, who met in the Odyssey Coffee House in Eugene, Oregon. Their first impromptu rendition of “Helplessly Hoping” met with immediate applause, and the two decided they had something special and worth pursuing. Within […]
Searchin’ Soul blues band
The Searchin’ Soul blues band was a popular Eugene-based blues band between 1966 and 1972, and was fronted by guitarist/vocalist, Dave Acker. The band played Blues covers by B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Paul Butterfield, and Little Walter plus their own originals. They had a unique Northwest Blues sound that helped establish the Blues movement in Eugene, Oregon and […]
Little John and the Monks
Active Years (1965-1967) AKA: The Nomads Genre: Garage Rock Base Location: Blue River, Oregon Winners of the Northwest Battle of The Bands at the Lane County Fair in July of 66′. Members: Tom Davis – Vocals Clark Lynch – Drums & Vocals Bob DiMartino – Keyboards (also played in Hot Spice from Spokane) Larry Harding – Lead […]
Elmac Spyder
Elmac Spyder (1969 – 1971) Genre: Eclectic with a mix of rock and blues with some jazz influences courtesy of Spencer Barton (a student of the late, great Gary Beck). The band was noted for its arrangements of cover tunes, sometimes in a quite different style. Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Members: Gordon Scott (lead vocals, harp) […]
Eugene City Brass Band
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 […]
Cole McElroy
Cole McElroy (1888 – 1947) J. Cole McElroy, also known as “Pop” McElroy was a popular Jazz musician and widely known dance hall manager from Oregon. “Born in Corvallis to E.B. McElroy, he moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon in the late 1800’s. He graduated from UO in 1900. In 1910, after nine years managing his father’s […]
Ten Commanders
The Ten Commanders were a popular big band based in Eugene, Oregon in the 1930’s. Music Events Jan 12, 1935 – Willamette Park June 1, 1935 – Willamette Park