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Lane County Music History Project

Explore Our Rich Music History

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Featured Bands & Musicians

Party Kings

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 […]

Cole McElroy

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 […]

harold bradford trio

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 – […]

Arroyo

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 […]

Truth

Truth

Truth  (1968-1973) Genre: Rock/Hard Rock Base Location: Eugene, OR Members: Rich Coe – Guitar Joe Crippen – Lead Vocals (also played in the Tempters) Larry Henderson – Bass Dave Rodakowski (1950-2009) – Drums (also played in the Tempters) Gary Van Koten – Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals (also played in Soundbarrier & Pure Sunshine) Tom Lasley (1948-2014) – […]

Turkey Run

Turkey Run

Genre: bluegrass/country-rock Base Location: Eugene, OR Members: Robert Adler – Drums, Standup Bass Tony Dal Molin – Guitar, Pedal Steel, Vocals Paul Friedlander – Bass, Banjo, Vocals Gary Robinson – Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals TURKEY RUN – started out as bluegrass/country-rock band initially.  In fact, Robert played stand up bass and there was no drummer.   Turkey Run, […]

Western Valley Boys at the Melody Ranch

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 […]

Ten Commanders

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  

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