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
Leon Smith
Location: West Eugene, Oregon With roots in the early rock ‘n roll scene, now known as Rockabilly music, Leon Smith can be found in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Leon Smith’s 1959 hit single, Little 40 Ford, quickly rose to the top of the charts on the West Coast and allowed him to make his mark […]
In Crowd
Active Years: 1965 Genre: Garage Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Members: Marve Floyd Clark Lynch – drums Lloyde Barnhurst Clark Lynch of the In Crowd at Bimbos
Harold Bradford Trio
Harold Bradford Trio (1973-1974) Genre: Blues, Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Members: Harold Bradford – Piano Harry Lassegard – Drums – also played in the Searchin’ Soul blues band (Passed 1979) Keith Doug Skelton – Bass – also played in the Searchin’ Soul Blues Band and Palace Meat Market Celeste Rauchert – Vocals Reid Smeltzer – […]
Caliente
Eugene’s premiere Salsa band! Active Years: 1987 – 2007 “The 11-piece group has gone through many phases since its formation in 1987 by band leader and lead singer Fernell Lopez and former Lane Community College music students Enrique Rios, Alejandro Gonzalez and David Bender. They began as a Latin-jazz combination band, but around 1993, pianist […]
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 […]
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 […]
Vern Minkler (1916-1984)
Vern Minkler was an baseball player, musician and music venue owner in Lane County. Background: 1916 – Born in Oklahoma 1932 – Name in RG Vaughn News Notes – attending a social 1937 – Worked at the Vaughn Store 1939 – Lived in Oakridge, Oregon 1938 – Baseball player for the Public Market (center fielder for local team) […]