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WE FIVE

FOLK ROCK REVIVAL

BAND HISTORY

WE FIVE was the first of the ‘Top 40’ San Francisco sound groups. They debuted at the world famous Hungry i, and were nominated for a Grammy as Best New Artist Of 1965. It was the definitive FOLK ROCK group: a bridge between Peter, Paul and Mary and the Doors. Their success marked the beginning of a jump by college age record buyers from acoustic groups to the ‘plugged in’ rock groups of the late 60's and early 70's.

The mid-60's began a period of social and traditional transitions. WE FIVE'S million selling version of YOU WERE ON MY MIND marked the beginning of a musical transition by adding drums and an electric 12 string guitar to a traditional acoustic folk song. Simon & Garfunkel, the Mamas And Papas, the Association--many others followed, but WE FIVE helped to lead the way.

While the BYRDS went straight to hard rock versions of Bob Dylan songs, WE FIVE kept powerful, polished vocals and a cross section of contemporary material in their repertoire. The mix was popular across the broad spectrum of current popular music. The group toured colleges as well as civic arenas; they performed on many top television shows of the time including Shindig, Hullabaloo, American Bandstand and Bob Hope specials.

You can still hear them every day on Classic Radio and in anthologies like the Time/Life Golden Hits of the Sixties series, PolyGram Records 60’s Folk, The Roots of Rock, Rhino Records One Hit Wonders of the 60’s, Image Entertainment The Golden Age of Rock ‘N Roll, Teledisc USA/Warner Special Products Our Generation Sampler. This quote, sent by a fan to the WE FIVE website in April 2002, sums it up.

“…1965 is my high school grad year, and I can still recite the charts....’You Were on My Mind’ stands out all by itself, among the classics of Mr.Tambourine Man, There but for Fortune, Downtown, Yesterday, and Satisfaction. Love the sound you created, you made millions of people happy with your art.”

WE FIVE
FOLK ROCK REVIVAL
BAND TODAY

A WE FIVE concert--then and now--means a totally entertaining experience: Acoustic and electric instruments, great harmony, songs about love and good times, humor and a performance style that's polished without being stagy. The WE FIVE Folk Rock Revival show will capture the mood of the times in the music of the times. The quality of their performance will provide audiences with a very enjoyable step back to a good time--to the mid-60's.
 
In addition to its first success with “You Were On My Mind,” some of WE FIVE'S background highlights include 6 albums, the original hit recording of "Let's Get Together” (later covered by the Jefferson Airplane and the Youngbloods), the first hit with a vocal version of "Cast Your Fate To The Wind," the first single release of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, "a Grammy nomination, tours with some of the top artists of the mid- sixties, television appearances with a range of artists from Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby to Soupy Sales, Billy Preston, and The Young Rascals. In recent years they have played a wide range of venues from the Greek Theater and Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles to Casino showrooms in Nevada, performing arts centers, school auditoriums, clubs and corporate concerts.

The WE FIVE reunion band includes talented musicians and singers who have all toured and recorded with WE FIVE over the years. The WE FIVE Folk Rock Revival show features all of their best known songs, along with tributes to many of their folk and rock contemporaries. In addition to great music, the show is funny and reflective: It is a totally entertaining experience that is guaranteed to trigger fond memories—and create new ones!

WE FIVE
FOLK ROCK REVIVAL  
BIOGRAPHY

THE SAN FRANCISCO SOUND. Before flower power. Before the Grateful Dead. Before the Jefferson Airplane took off for Haight-Ashbury -- It meant powerful vocals, a melding of acoustic and electric guitars, folk music, rock and a bit of jazz. In the mid-60's, it was called folk rock, and it described the music of WE FIVE. From 1965 to 1975, WE FIVE released five albums, appeared on dozens of network and regional television shows, and performed concerts for thousands of fans at colleges, civic arenas and nightclubs across America and Canada. The idea for blending an electric guitar into a folk group was conceived at the University of San Francisco when folk singers Mike Stewart* and Jerry Burgan met rock ‘n roller Bob Jones. The band continues to perform today, bringing that ‘60s sound to life every time they step onto the stage.

Jerry Burgan began singing with Mike Stewart in grade school, and they were performing as the Ridgerunners in venues like the Troubadour in Los Angeles before they were out of high school. Jerry has been singing, writing and arranging music for WE FIVE ever since. He continues as the leader of the group and plays guitar, banjo and ukulele in the band.

Debbie Burgan began arranging music and singing with Mike and Jerry in 1964 while still working with another group in Los Angeles. She joined WE FIVE as the lead singer in 1967 and can be heard on four of the first six albums: Return of We Five, Catch the Wind, Take Each Day As It Comes, and the We Five Folk Rock Revival Sampler.

Ray Scantlin was a classically trained pianist and composer, working as a songwriter in Hollywood when he first joined the band. Electric keyboards were added to the group in 1967, and the sound and the range of material performed by WE FIVE flourished with Ray’s talents. He also writes screenplays and film scores.

Terry Rangno came to WE FIVE after a career as a child actor where he appeared in movies like The Remarkable Mister Pennypacker, and The Long Hot Summer.  He was also a regular on several TV series of the late 50's and early 60's playing the role of ‘friend’ on shows like Lassie, and The Rifleman, and The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet. Terry is an excellent bass player and expert audio engineer who has worked with many world famous artists in LA area studios.

Chris Burgan (Jerry and Debbie’s son) grew up surrounded by the music of WE FIVE. He began appearing in concerts with the band in 1989; then, became the group’s newest member shortly before the 1998 K-Earth 101 Legends of Rock ‘n Roll concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. He has several solo CDs, and his lead guitar work adds a dynamic to the WE FIVE show that brings both traditional and contemporary elements to the group’s performance.

Bob Jones, was raised in Hawaii, but met Jerry and Mike at the University of San Francisco in 1963. His innovative electric guitar work set a standard for folk and rock artists that followed. Playing both guitar and drums, he has toured and recorded with many outstanding artists ranging from guitar legend Michael Bloomfield to Brewer & Shipley. A long time resident of Maui, Bob joins the group for mainland performances when scheduling permits.
*Mike Stewart passed away in 2003.
 
WE FIVE
FOLK ROCK REVIVAL
DISCOGRAPHY

Albums:
  You Were On My Mind A & M Records
Make Someone Happy A & M Records
Return Of We Five A & M Records
Catch The Wind Vault Records
Take Each Day As It Comes AVI/MGM
Folk Rock Revival Sampler Tricycle Music

Singles:
You Were On My Mind Somewhere Beyond The Sea
Cast Your Fate To The Wind My Favorite Things
(Let's) Get Together Small World
The First Time Walk On By
Lonesome Me Catch The Wind
Here Comes The Sun Bandstand Dancer

Collections:
Mellow Gold Time/Life Music
Classic Hits of the Sixties Time/Life Music
Folk Rock Favorites Collectors Choice Music
Billboard Top Hits of 1965 Rhino Records
Rob Bartlett’s 1 Hit Wonders Rhino Records
American Graffiti II Film Soundtrack
60’s Folk, The Roots of Rock PolyGram Records
The Golden Age of Rock ‘N Roll Image Entertainment
Our Generation Teledisc USA/Warner
A & M Records Million Dollar Sampler

CREDITS:
• "Million Seller" record (You Were on My Mind)
• Nominated for Grammy as "Best New Artist of 1965"
• #1 in CASHBOX, #3 in BILLBOARD (behind SATISFACTION)
• First folk rock group to live and record in San Francisco
• First Top 30 hit recording of "LET'S GET TOGETHER"
• First rock group to write and perform original music for Coca Cola commercials
 
 
FAN COMMENTS
I had the pleasure of hearing you tonight, and boy did it bring back memories of the mid 60's, and a warm, safe feeling, for me! In this violent and shaken world we are now living in, that was a welcome respite. I was raised on "We Five" as my parents, and uncle & aunt LOVED the group. Listening to the music tonight, I felt connected to my roots. I felt my mother’s presence for the first time since her passing, 28 years ago. The CD is playing as I type this, and tomorrow I will be ordering 5 copies of "You Were On My Mind/Make Someone Happy" from Tower Records (thanks for the link). A gift to my family and myself. I hope they feel the magic as I did. Godspeed as you continue making the music and singing the songs.
Sincerely, Melanie
******
It's nice to hear that familiar "We Five" sound, with some of the oldies as well as the new material (particularly the under appreciated Rain by the Beatles and a personal favorite, Wabash Cannonball, which is the signature song of the Kansas State University Wildcats). The harmonies are still tight and Debbie's voice still going strong. Only complaint is, like any good concert, I was left wanting even more! Hope the music continues.
Karl Crum
******
Hi from: North Carolina! Just wanted to write a few lines to say that we used a We Five mix when we did our cheerleading routine at state finals (at Sea World, Orlando Florida) earlier this month. In the competition, each squad was asked to do a "yester-year" routine. Most squads used the 1970's and 1980's. We did the 60's. We started out with the song, "You Were On My Mind", and finished up with, "Let's Get Together". It was so much fun. The judges really enjoyed our choice of songs and costumes. One of the judges came up to squad member Kelly and asked, "Who sings the song, "Let's Get Together"?. She responded, "Oh, that is WE FIVE". Their music is fun and we chose them for the energetic beat." The judges and the crowds loved it! WE WON FIRST PLACE !!! Wow, we had so much fun! Take care. Love your music. Ya'll at WE FIVE are too groovy! Peace!
Gary, Varsity Captain
*****
Glad to see you people are still out there. I have your original five albums, and frustratingly just missed you on a trip to Tahoe some years ago. I still think that Debbie's "One Last Time" was one of the best things We Five ever recorded... You'll probably get a mail order on the sampler from me soon.
Best, Eric
*****
Hello -- I just want to say that after all these years, I'm still We Five's biggest fan. I was born a bit too late (1964) to have been a fan of We Five during your heyday. However, I have three siblings who are much older; thanks to them, I'm sure I heard the band on the radio or on record when I was a toddler. I suppose hearing your music left a lasting impression on me, because to this day my most prized album is an original copy of "You Were on My Mind." Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for all the joy your music has given me. Thanks,
Don Clinchy
*****

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*** "On my mind" for 40 years We Five still keeps music alive ***
(Article by L.C. Greene, of the Daily Bulletin)

Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - In the summer of '65, some local kids hit the big time. Forty years later, their top-selling single still gets played, virtually every day, on KRTH, Mega 100 or some other oldies station. "When I woke up this mornin'..." The familiar lyrics start just above a whisper after a thumping guitar intro. "... you were on my mind." That's what follows and that's the title of We Five's hit song.

The vocalizations kick off in subdued unison and progress in intensity and evolving harmonies - unusual for the day. The music is carried on a mix of acoustic and electric instruments. "It's an important recording," Ace Records rock historian and archivist Alec Palao said of the song.

The performance formed a kind of bridge from folk to folk-rock with groups such as the Mamas and Papas, the Stone Poneys and the Jefferson Airplane. "It was seminal," said Bob Jones, who played electric 12- string guitar on the song. "It showed the other folk music people you could make dance music and top 40 hits with this stuff."

We Five founders Mike Stewart and Jerry Burgan first met back in the "Rock Around the Clock" mid-1950s as students (in) … Elementary School. Mike's older brother John had been a rising musical star at the time - first as a rocker and then as a folk singer - eventually joining the hugely popular Kingston Trio.

In High School…Mike became determined to start his own folk group. Peter Fullerton, who was part of another folk group at the time, recalled first hearing Mike and Jerry at a Claremont High School concert. "I said, "I'm going to be the bass player in that band.'" He eventually did. After high school, Jerry and Mike attended University of San Francisco for a year. That's where they hooked up with Bob Jones, an electric guitarist from Hawaii with a blues influence. Searching for a female vocalist who could belt out a tune, Mike found Bev Bivens from Santa Ana. And along with Fullerton, the group was born.

Playing first as the Ridgerunners and then as the Mike Stewart Quintet…around the Southland…(The quintet was eventually signed by Kingston Trio producer and manager Frank Werber who was building a new recording studio for his San Francisco production company.) That's when they officially took the name We Five. "You Were On My Mind," an adaptation of a Sylvia Tyson folk tune, was recorded in April 1965. By June, the single topped the charts in San Francisco and was heading to the top nationally. "Mind" made No. 1 on the Cash Box 100 and Billboard's No. 3, just behind the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction."

Burgan recalled hearing the song and his own voice on the radio for the very first time. "The first time it happens, it's really overpowering," he said. "It's very exciting and there's this "I can't believe this is happening,' and it did seem entirely too easy." We Five played on national TV, toured with the likes of The Byrds, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and The Righteous Brothers; played a concert with Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys, and earned a Grammy nomination for best new group.

By the end of '65, sales of the "You Were On My Mind" single had reached nearly a million. We Five recorded five albums in all, two with its original members. The single "Get Together" from its second album made the top 40 in 1966. When the original We Five broke up in 1967, Mike Stewart continued his musical career as a performer, producer and developer and programmer in the world of digital music. He produced Billy Joel's first album. Stewart died in 2003.

Bob Jones went on to found the group Southern Comfort and made several albums with guitarist Mike Bloomfield. And the spiritual Peter Fullerton moved into a ministry helping the poor and the homeless in San Jose. Over the years, We Five reconstituted itself with Burgan at the helm and his wife Debbie, … an accomplished vocalist, as lead singer. Their son Chris, who was born a year after "You Were On My Mind" was recorded, now plays as the group's electric guitarist. The We Five also includes Terry Rangno on bass and Ray Scantlin on keyboards.

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