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
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) […]
Femmes
The Femmes were an all female rock band based in Eugene Oregon in the 1970’s. Genre: Rock Active Years: Home Base: Eugene, Oregon Members: Serena Wright – piano/keyboards Sonja Crockett (from Australia) – bass Patricia Claggett French – drums
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Nighthawks
aka: Crayhawks, Double Trouble Active Years: 1974-1977 Genre: Blues Base Location: Eugene, Oregon “When Steve Mosher left Three Fingered Jack, he was replaced by a bassist named Harold. The group was re-named Harold and the Nighthawks. When Harold was replaced by Richard Cousins and Robert Cray became a member, the group became The Nighthawks. When Robert […]
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 […]