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
Featured Bands & Musicians
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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
Leon Smith and the Basics
Leon Smith and the Basics (1960-1966) Genre: Rockabilly Base Location: Eugene, Oregon Best known for the top 40’s hit song, “Little 40 Ford”. The song, written by Wayne Marshall, was recorded in early 1959 in a Eugene basement studio with an earlier version of the band, The Orbit Rockers. It was released on a local […]
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 […]
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 […]
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) […]