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
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
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 […]
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 […]
Arroyo
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Lon Guitarski
The Lon Guitarski Group was a popular jazz fusion band of that era! Active Years: Late 1970s – Genre: Original instrumental jazz fusion Home Base: Eugene, Oregon Members Don Latarski – Guitarist & Co-principal Songwriter Tom Grote – Drums Mark Schneider -Bass Jack Buddeke – Keyboards & Co-principal Songwriter Jeff Kirsch – Woodwinds & Percussion Jeff Homan – Saxophones Lynn […]