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Mithrandir

Categories: 1970s, 1980s, Band, Eugene, Featured, Folk

Mithrandir_400Mithrandir was a popular folk band based in Eugene Oregon.

Active Years: 1970-1982

The three sisters Kathy Burleson, Janie Smith and Kriss Crowley moved to Eugene from L.A. in the ’70s.  Burleson describes Mithrandir’s music as “island rock, a cross between Latin and soul.” The group officially disbanded in 1982. – Source, Eugene Weekly – 2010

Members:

  • Janie Smith – flute
  • Kathy Burleson – violin, mandolin, vocals
  • Kriss Crowley – guitar, violin, mandolin, viola, vocals
  • Jorge/George Navarro – guitar, vocals
  • Dean Engleson – bass
  • Gary Jones – drums
  • Scott Struif – drums

Mirthrander2_400

Tagged With: Dean Engleson, Gary Jones, George Navarro, Janie Smith, Kathy Burleson, Kriss Crowley

Comments

  1. John Lyle says

    July 27, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    so glad I found this information about you all!

  2. Joel engleson says

    March 22, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    Why dont you mention dean engleson especally when he is in one of the pictures?

  3. Gary Jones says

    April 29, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    Hi,
    Gary Jones here out in South Carolina. I played drums with Mithrandir for about a year I think. Maybe more. I distinctly remember the three sisters … Janie, Kathy, and Kriss and their amazing harmony. I believe they learned to sing listening to their father compete in barbershop quartet competitions. Will never forget George and his mild temperament and smooth voice. And of course his Doberman that we kept in our equipment truck to protect our gear, who of course only responded to commands in Spanish. I also remember Denny who played bass and dressed like a midwestern cowboy … because that’s where he was from. I believe his dad was a college music instructor who instrument was the trumpet. I lived in Eugene from 1973 to 1977 and being in Mithrandir was definitely one of the high lights of my time there. Would love to hear from any of you if you should read this!

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