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) […]
Featured Musicians and Bands
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 – […]
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 […]
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) […]
Chevelles
The Chevelles started in 1962, in Eugene, Oregon and dissolved in 1964. Genre: Garage Rock Members: Skip Biggs (drums) also played in The Moguls Greg Nance (guitar) also played in The Moguls
Blues Print
Blues Print was started in 1967, in Eugene, Oregon and dissolved in 1969. Genre: Blues and Rock Original Members from 1967-1968: (all 16-17 years old) Bruce Knutson – Drums (’67-’68) Allan Pearson – Lead Guitar Doug Moore – Guitar Dennis Haase – Bass Darrell Murray – Vocals, Trombone Members between 1968-1969: John Tabor – Drums Stan Beacraft – […]
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 […]
University Orchestra
University Orchestra Active Years: 1893- Members pose with their instruments in 1893. Left to right are Damaris Schofield (later Mrs. Lester Hulin), David Linn, Len Stevens with violin, Charlie Chambers with cello, Emma Dorris, Fletcher Linn, Frederick Dunn with stringed bass, Jesse G. Miller and Mamie Linn. 1910 – 1911 1912 – 1913 […]
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
Burton Sisters
Burton Co-Ed Harmonizers were a popular family musical group who performed with a non-traditional mix of instruments and comedic costumes. The Harmonizers comprised of five sisters and performed in 1926-1929. Nov 5, 1928 – The McDonald has selected Johnny Robinson’s “Varsity Vagabonds” and the Burton Sisters’ “Co-Ed Harmonizers” Orchestra. The Burton Sisters are to appear in […]
Eugene’s Firemen Band
Eugene’s Firemen Band was based in Eugene Oregon in the early 1900’s. Members wearing uniforms with brass buttons and tall hats with tassels, pose with their horns and drums. Genre: Brass Band for Marching Active Years: 1910
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 […]
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 […]
Los Xplorers
Active Years: 1980-1982 Genre: Blues-Rock Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Original Members 1980-1981: John Barley – Guitar (also played in Nads) Henry Cooper – Guitar Louis Samora – Drums (also played in Foamlords, The Flapjacks, The Jackals, and The Rats with Oregon legends Fred and Toody Cole) Fred Kellogg – Bass Members 1981-1982: John Barley – […]