The Association
Band members Related acts
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line-up 1 (1965) - Gary Alexander (aka Jules Alexander) -- vocals, guitar - Ted Bleuchel Jr. -- vocals, drums, percussion - Brian Cole (RIP 1972) -- vocals, bass, woodwinds - Russ Giguere -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1965-70) - Terry Kirkman (RIP 2023) - lead vocals, woodwinds, percussion - Bob Page --
line-up 2 (1965-67) - Gary Alexander (aka Jules Alexander) -- vocals, guitar - Ted Bleuchel Jr. -- vocals, drums, percussion - Brian Cole (RIP 1972) -- vocals, bass, woodwinds - Russ Giguere -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1965-70) - Terry Kirkman (RIP 2023) - lead vocals, woodwinds, percussion NEW - Jim Yester -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (replaced Bob Page)
line-up 3 (1967-68) - Ted Bleuchel Jr. -- vocals, drums, percussion - Brian Cole (RIP 1972) -- vocals, bass, woodwinds - Russ Giguere -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1965-70) - Terry Kirkman (RIP 2023) - lead vocals, woodwinds, percussion- NEW - Larry Ramos Jr. (RIP 2014) -- lead vocals, lead guitar, percussion (replaced Gary Alexander) - Jim Yester -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
line-up 4 (1968-70) NEW - Gary Alexander (aka Jules Alexander) -- vocals, guitar - Ted Bleuchel Jr. -- vocals, drums, percussion - Brian Cole (RIP 1972) -- vocals, bass, woodwinds - Russ Giguere -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1965-70) - Terry Kirkman (RIP 2023) - lead vocals, woodwinds, percussion - Jim Yester -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard
supporting musicians (1968) - Paulo Alencar -- strings - Dale Anderson -- percussion, vibes - Arnold Belnick -- strings - Hal Blaine -- drums , percussion - Bobby Bryant -- trumpet - Dennis Budimir -- guitar - Larry Bunker -- percussion, vibes - Red Callender -- double bass, tuba - Al Casey -- guitar - Buddy Childers -- trumpet - David Bennett Cohen -- guitar - Mike Deasy -- guitar - James Decker -- French horn - David Duke -- French horn - Gene Estes -- percussion, vibes - Henry Ferber -- strings - Jacques Gasselin -- strings - William Hinshaw -- French horn - Milt Holland -- percussion, vibes - John Johnson-- sax - Emanuel Klein -- trumpet - Larry Knechtel -- piano, keyboards - Arthur Maebe -- French horn - Lew McCreary -- trombone - Joe Osborn -- bass - Ray Pohlman -- bass - Jerome Reisler -- strings - Ralph Schaeffer-- strings - Sidney Sharp -- strings - Tommy Tedesco -- guitar - Tony Terran -- trumpet - David Wells -- trombone - William Weiss -- strings - Shari Zippert -- strings - Jimmy Zito -- trumpet
line-up 5 (1970-72) - Gary Alexander (aka Jules Alexander) -- vocals, guitar - Ted Bleuchel Jr. -- vocals, drums, percussion - Brian Cole (RIP 1972) -- vocals, bass, woodwinds - Terry Kirkman (RIP 2023) - lead vocals, woodwinds, percussion NEW - Richard Thompson -- keyboards (replaced Russ Giguere) - Jim Yester -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard
line-up 5 (1972-) - Gary Alexander (aka Jules Alexander) -- vocals, guitar - Ted Bleuchel Jr. -- vocals, drums, percussion - Terry Kirkman (RIP 2023) - lead vocals, woodwinds, percussion NEW - Richard Thompson -- keyboards (replaced Russ Giguere) - Jim Yester -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboard
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- The Advancement (Art Johnson and Richard Thompson) - The Bag (Rick Ulsky) - Bijou (Gary Alexander and Russ Gigurer) - The City Limits (Rick Ulsky) - Jordan Cole (solo efforts) - Cosmic Brotherhood (Richard Thompson) - The Easy Riders (Jerry Yester) - Jango Edwards & Friends Roadshow Jango Edwards & Friends Roadshow (Paul Holland) - Epicenter (Rick Ulsky) - Gabriel & The Teenage Choir (Jerry Yester) - Russ Giguere (solo efforts) - Judy Henske and Jerry Yester) (Jerry Yester) - The Paul Horn Quintet (Art Johnson) - The Art Johnson Trio (Art Johnson) - The Lovin' Spoonful (Jerry Yester) - The Men (Ted Bleuchel Jr) - The Modern Folk Quartet (Jerry Yester and Jim Yester) - The New Christie Minstrels (Larry Ramos Jr.) - The New Society (Delmiro Ramos) - Larry Ramos Jr. (solo efforts) - Rocky & The Riddlers (Rick Ulsky) - Rosebud (Jerry Yester) - Dwayne Smith and Art Johnson (Art Johnson) - Summerhill (Delmiro Ramos) - Jerry Yester (solo efforts) - Yester, Belland & Somerville (Jim Yester)
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Genre: sunshine pop Rating: **** (4 stars) Title: Birthday Company: Warner Brothers Catalog: W 1733 Year: 1968 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Country/State: US Comments: still in shrink wrap, though opened and torn Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5093 Price: $20.00
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This is one of those albums that didn't make much of an impression when I originally heard it in my twenties. Bought it, listened to it a couple of times and then sold it. Revisiting it in my sixties I have to admit I found it far more charming and enjoyable. Not a classic collection, but pretty close and certainly one of the best releases in The Association's catalog.
By the time 1968's
"Birthday" was released
The Association were in a major battle to save their artistic
credibility. Much to the band's chagrin, sessions players had handled
most of the material on their previous three studio albums. Moreover, interested in
shedding their squeaky clean top-40 image, the band wanted to explore more
contemporary and experimental genres. All of that put them at odds
with producer Bones Howe and Warner Brothers management who were interested
in preserving the status quo. Adding to their problems were increasing
personality clashes with various members criticizing each others musical
interests - as an example Larry Ramos unhappy with some of Jim Yester's
"deeper" lyrics ("Barefoot Gentleman"). For better or worse
the creative infighting resulted in
While the set didn't enjoy the same commercial success as their first three studio sets, it still managed to hit # 23.
"Birthday" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Come On In (Jo Mapes) - 3:19 rating: **** stars Jim Yester knew songwriter Jo Mapes from their time playing the coffeehouse circuit and apparently brought "Come On In" to the band and producer Bones Howes attention. Anyhow, you obviously know what you're getting if you buy an Association album. That said, their cover was one of those unexpected treasures. With Russ Giguere and Terry Kirkman handling the lead vocals, the song sported a killer bass line, one of those irresistible sunshine-pop melodies and a patented Bob Alcivar arrangement. Sure it was hyper-MOR, but darn if it wasn't catchy. And that bass line ... With a country and folk background Mapes apparently wasn't a big fan of their cover. (The Monkees also covered the song.) 2.) Rose Petals, Incense and a Kitten (Ric McClelland - Jim Yester) - 2:49 rating: *** stars Written by guitarist Jim Yester, "Rose Petals, Incense and a Kitten" was your typical Association ballad - hyper-romantic and seemingly geared to sending English majors into spasms of tear-infused ecstasy. Admittedly Yester's fragile voice was perfect for delivering a tune like this, though it's always struck me as a little over-the-top. Today is sounds very dates and I suspect given the public's ever changing musical tastes, I wonder if it didn't sounded dated in 1968 3.) Like Always (Bob Alcivar - Tony Oretga - Larry Ramos Jr.) - 3:04 rating: **** stars The late Larry Ramos Jr. on lead vocals ... I always liked his slinky voice. Admittedly it took me years to discover the charm of "Like Always" . What I initially thought was throw-away "parent pop" eventually revealed itself to be a wonderful piece of sunshine-pop that incorporated a cool swing melody and one of the coolest vocal arrangements this side of The Beach Boys. Credit co-writer Bob Alcivar with the arrangement. 4.) Everything That Touches You (Terry Kirkman) - 3:17 rating: **** stars A band with six strong lead vocalists can overwhelm you, but I have to admit Terry Kirkman is the singer I most frequently associate with The Association. Like millions, he was the voice I grew up hearing on AM radio - think "Chersh" and "Windy". Written by Kirkman, "Everything That Touches You" offered up another dazzling Association ballad. Powered by a beautiful melody, a killer bass line and another stunning Alcivar vocal arrangement, it was every bit as sensitive and sappy as those earlier monster hits. When Warner Brothers dropped it as a single it should have enjoyed the same successes. Though it went top-10, it has never had the same staying power as some of the band's other hits.
- 1968's 'Everything That Touches You' b/w 'We Love Us' (Warner Brothers catalog number 7163) # 10 US Billboard Top 100 charts
5.) Toymaker (Jeff Comanor) - 3:25 rating: **** stars Penned by former The Hi-Five member Jeff Comanor, "Toymaker" offered up a good example of the marketing dilemma mid-'60s The Association must have posed for Warner Brothers. With Yester and Kirkman on lead vocals, the tune offered up another pretty sunshine-pop ballad, but this time out the sound was overwhelming MOR-ish. Mom and Dad and the grandparents probably loved this one, but those rebellious teens had moved on to other musical pastures. With the benefit of hindsight and sixty plus years of maturity (wife would disagree with the latter statement), this was the kind of music Baroque pop bands like The High Llamas and The Wondermints would have died to write and record.
(side 2) 1.) Barefoot Gentleman (Jim Yester - Skip Carmel) - 3:23 rating: **** stars I have to snicker when I think of producer Howe recruiting Jimmy Webb to write a song for the band ... what was the need for that when these guys were capable of penning something easily on a par with Webb's hyper-sensitive and deeply ornate sound. Yester wrote this and handled lead vocals on "Barefoot Gentleman". A quick look at the over-the-top lyrics and you quickly realize he may have out-Webbed-Webb ... "'And the orange open glow and sunset of goodbye is singing Through woman there's a home in the heart of man right now Barefoot gentleman there's a woman's hand under the moon 'Neath the moon, an ever new light." Good grief ... extra star for the amazing vocal arrangement, 2.) Time for Livin' (Dick Addrisi - Don Addrisi) - 2:43 rating: *** stars The Addrissi Brothers had previously penned The Association's hit cover of "Never My Love", so it should have come as a surprise to see them revisited as a source for material. One of three cover tunes, feeling it was too "bubblegummy" the band apparently weren't thrilled about recording "Time for Livin'". In spite of their misgivings, with a bouncy, horn-powered, old-timey feel, it wasn't hard to see why Warner Brothers picked it as the album's leadoff single. Russ Giguere and Larry Ramos shared lead vocals, but about the best thing I can say is the track would have made a dandy sitcom theme song.
- 1968's 'Time for Livin'' b/w 'Birthday' (Warner Brothers catalog number 7195) # 39 US Billboard Top 100 charts
YouTube has a black and white clip of the band lip-synching the song for the German Beat-Club television program. Half the band look like they're having a blast. Half look like they want to walk off the stage in disgust, but be sure to check out Ramos' fancy foot work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwgj6vRTLg8 3.) Hear In Here (Ted Blueschel Jr) - 3:13 rating: **** stars Drummer Blueschel Jr. songwriting contribution to the album, the bouncy "Hear In Here" was actually surprisingly catchy. Not nearly as ornate as some of the ballads, the track served as a nice platform for his easy-going voice and also featured the album's best guitar and bass solos (guessing it was Tommy Tedesco and Joe Osborn). 4.) The Time Is Today (Russ Giguere) - 2:15 rating: **** stars Written and sung by guitarist Russ Giguere, the ballad "The Time Is Today" introduced a touch of psych to the mix. Not as intricate as some of the other performances, it was still a pretty tune; perhaps even better for the lack of heavy orchestration. Giguuere's lone songwriting credit on the album, I guess he was already starting to hoard material for his solo album. 5.) The Bus Song (Terry Kirkman) - 3:27 rating: ** stars Complete with barbershop quartet mid-section and canned applause, Kirkman's overblown ballad "The Bus Song" could have been mistaken for a Jimmy Webb tune. No, that wasn't a good thing. It's always reminded me of a lousy Michael Nesmith tune. 6.) Birthday Morning (Jim Yester - Skip Carmel) - 2:25 rating: **** stars Harp, harpsichord, Yester's fragile voice and those stunning harmony vocals ... What wasn't there to like on this sweet ballad? The song also appeared as the "B" side on their "Time for Livin'" 45. YouTube has a clip of the group lip-synching the song on the Smothers Brothers television show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvDib155QA8
© Scott R.Blackerby June 2025
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Genre: sunshine-pop Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: Goodbye, Columbus Company: Warner Brothers Catalog: 1786 Year: 1969 Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Country/State: Comments: still in shrink wrap Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $15.00
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Since most Association studio LPs are less than essential listening, you've probably already figured out that this 1969 soundtrack LP is something that all but the most hardcore Association fanatic will be able to live without. I'm not even going to try to BS you on this one ... Produced by John Boylan, "Goodbye, Columbus" provided the soundtrack to a throwaway film starring Ali MacGraw and Richard Benjamin (I've seen it and it's one super lame flick - always loved the line "every father's daughter is a virgin" - tres risque for 1969). While billed as an Association album, most of the set consisted of throwaway incidental instrumentals courtesy of composer Charles Fox. Those section were rounded out by some half-assed film dialog ('Ron's Reverie'). Counting the title track (which was included in vocal and instrumental renditions), there were only four Association compositions. The title track was a typical Association styled ballad and provided the group with a minor radio hit, while "So Kind To Me (Brenda's Theme)" was bland and instantly forgettable. Sporting a decent melody, "It's Gotta Be Real" was easily the standout effort.
"Goodbye, Columbus" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Goodbye, Columbus () - 2:21 2.) How Will I Know You (instrumental) - 1:52 3.) Dartmouth? Dartmouth!! (instrumental) - 2:20 4.) Goodbye, Columbus (instrumental) - 2:07 5.) Ron's Reverie a.) Across the Field (W.A. Dougherty) b.) Carmen, Ohio (Fred Cornell)
(side 2) 1.) It's Gotta Be Real - 2:14 2.) A Moment To Share - 2:28 3.) Love Has a Way - 2:06 4.) A Time for Love - 1:24 5.) So Kind To Me (Brenda's Theme) - 4:01
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Genre: pop Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: The Association Live Company: Warner Brothers Catalog: 2SW 1868 Year: 1970 Country/State: Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: double LP; embossed, gatefold sleeve Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 86 Price: $8.00
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A 22 song, double album concert set recorded at the University of Utah, my first impressions of 1970's "The Association Live" were less than overwhelming. I'm not sure why I was so critical of the set. It may have had something to do with the group's cheesy stage patter, or perhaps I was just listening to critics who rejoice in slamming the group for their MOR reputation. While I can't tell how much post-production went into the LP, the fact of the matter is that these guys were excellent musicians, responsible for some of the mid-1960s most memorable top-40 pop. Anyone doubting their talents need only listen to the wonderful harmony work on hits such as 'Along Comes Mary' and 'Never My Love'. Sure, there was plenty of filler here. America probably didn't need another version of Dino Valenti's 'Get Together'. Biggest surprise here - tracks such as 'Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You', 'Are You Ready' and 'Seven Man Band' showed these guys could actually rock out fairly convincingly.
"The Association Live" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Dream Girl (Dressing Room) (Ted Bluechel, Jr.) 2.) One Too Many Mornings (Bob Dylan) 3.) Along Comes Mary (Tandyn Almar) - 4.) I'll Be Your Man (Russ Giguere) - 5.) Goodbye Columbus (James Yester) - 6.) Get Together (Dino Valenti) -
(side 2) 1.) Wasn't It a Bit Like That (Terry Kirkman) - 2.) Never My Love (Don Addrisi - Dick Addrisi) - 3.) Goodbye Forever (Gary Alexander) - 4.) Just About the Same (Rhodes - Stec - Fennelly - Mallary - Edgar) - 5.) Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You (Joan Baez) -
(side 3) 1.) Seven Man Band (Terry Kirkman) - 2.) The Tie Is Totally Today (Russell Giguere) - 3.) Dubuque Blues (Jules Alexander) - 4.) Blistered (E. Wheeler) - 5.) What Were the Words (Jim Yester) - 6.) Remember (Gary Alexander) -
(side 4) 1.) Are You Ready (Larry Ramos - Anthony Ortego) - 2.) Cherish (Terry Kirkman) - 3.) Requiem for the Masses (Terry Kirkman) - 4.) Windy (Ruthann Friedman) - 5.) Enter the Young (Terry Kirkman) -
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Genre: pop Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: Waterbeds In Trinidad! Company: Columbia Catalog: KC-31348 Year: 1971 Country/State: US Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: ownership stamp on back cover; includes original insert Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4500 Price: $15.00 Cost: $1.00
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No Association album is particularly rare, but this (their final studio release), isn't exactly common. This is only the third copy we've ever seen.
Ending their longstanding relationship with Warner Brothers, in 1971 Clive Davis signed the band to Columbia. Released the same year, "Waterbeds In Trinidad!" teamed the band with producer Lewis Merenstein. A mix of originals and well chosen covers, to my ears the collection's surprisingly impressive. Musically material such as 'Silent Song Thru the Land', 'Come the Fall' and 'Midnight Wind' retains the band's trademarked penchant for radio friendly pop, complete with those instantly recognizable group harmonies. At the same time, the band sounds somewhat reinvigorated, almost as if the new label gave them a chance at a new creative life. Even better, most of the mind numbing MOR touches that plagued their latter day Warner Brothers releases (sappy string arrangements and instantly forgettable ballads) is absent. Mind you, you won't mistake this for "Led Zepplin II" and nothing here will change your outlook on life. Besides, musically the set was hopelessly out of synch with then prevailing popular tastes. Both of those facts probably help to explain why the album faltered at # 194 - by far their worst selling album. Columbia also pulled a pair of unsuccessful singles from the album:
- 1972's 'Darling Be Home Soon' b/w ''Indian Wells Woman' (Columbia catalog number 4-45602 ) - 1972's 'Kicking the Gong Around' b/w 'Come the Fall' (Columbia catalog number 4-45???)
Adding to the group's ongoing problems, shortly after the album's release long time bassist Brian Cole died from a heroin overdose.
"Waterbeds In Trinidad!" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Silent Song Thru the Land (Ron Davies) - 3:17 2.) Darling Be Home Soon (John Sebastian) - 3:36 3.) Midnight Wind (Jules Alexander - Steve Carey) - 2:59 4.) Come the Fall (Terry Kirkman) - 3:38 5.) Kicking the Gong Around (Jules Alexander - Steve Carey) - 3:30
(side 2) 1.) Rainbow's Bent (Jules Alexander - Steve Carey) - 2:23 2.) Snow Queen (Carole King - Gerry Goffin - 3:13 3.) Indian Wells Woman (Del Ramos - Larry Hickman - Larry Ramos) - 3:19 4.) Please Don't Go (Round the Bend) (Jules Alexander) - 3:21 5.) Little Road and a Stone To Roll (John Stewart) - 3:34
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what most folks would consider to be a draw.. Much to the band's dismay most of the
recording sessions were again handled by members of the Wrecking Crew. On the other hand, whereas
the first three studio sets featured lots of outside material, the band
were successful in insisting on being allowed to showcase original material.
In fact eight of the eleven tracks were band originals. Interesting
sidebar: producer Howe challenged Jimmy Webb to compose something for the
group - the result being the hysterically overblown "MacArthur
Park". Presented to the group, running out of time to arrange and
record the song and unwilling to delete some of their original contributions
to the track listing, the band wisely
passed on the song. The whole episode was made funnier by the fact Jim
Yester's "Barefoot Gentleman"
was easily as over-the-top as anything in Webb's catalog.
In spite of their victory on the creative
front and the now obligatory psych
cover, their fourth album may have been their most commercial and
pop-oriented release. Tracks like "Rose
Petals". "Incense and a Kitten", "Toymaker"
and '"he Time It Is Today" showcased their instantly recognizable silky
smooth vocal harmonies and highly commercial MOR sound. Ironically the
band's stabs at more up-tempo pop were actually far more impressive.
The bouncy opener "Come On It" and "The Time Is Today"
stood as a couple of their most impressive
performances, while "Hear
In Here" (sporting a true guitar solo)
and Ted Bleuchel Jr.'s "Hear In Here" would
both have made dandy singles. Sure, none of it may not
have been particularly cool, but it sure sounded great. 
