|
|
In
1961 Dave Guard left The Kingston Trio to pursue a different
musical direction. Several musicans were given serious
consideration to fill the opening, including Roger McGuinn
of Byrds fame. Nick and Bob agreed on John Stewart as
the new member. "John was a natural" according
to Nick. Bob said John gave the group "that extra
solid sound" they had been looking for. John truly
was the right fit. A first rate entertainer & gifted
songwiter, he also had the good fortune to look great
in a striped shirt. Anxiety at Capitol over the future
of their best selling act quickly vanished when a group
of label execs heard the band play their newest song,
Jesse James, at Frank Werber's house.
|
|
1010
|
The
Trio enjoyed six productive years with John Stewart.
Although the flavor of the sound evolved, it remained
as infectious as ever with the fans. The national
and worldwide acclaim continued, and thirteen more
albums were released. Many singles made the charts
and several received Grammy nominations. Among the
memorable albums were: Close Up, College
Concert, Something Special, Back In Town, #16 and
New Frontier. In 1967 Nick, Bob and John disbanded
the Trio to pursue individual careers. "Pop music
tastes were changing" says Bob. "That whole
rock revolution spread from San Francisco across the
country and took a lot of our audience with it. But
you know folk music is timeless, and I knew it would
come around again."
|
|
|
|
|
Bob
recorded four singles for Decca, including Rod McKuen's
Simple Gifts & Bobby Russell's Honey.
Although Honey sold like hot cakes in two test
markets, Decca failed to promote the record, and Bob
declined to record Russell's Little Green Apples.
Both songs, of course, ultimately sold millions for
Bobby Goldsboro. John went on to record with Buffy
Ford on Capitol, and continued to write; his Daydream
Believer was a
million seller for the Monkees. He and Buffy also campaigned
vigorously for Robert Kennedy. Nick hung up his guitar
for a time and took up auto racing. In 1967 he moved
with his family to Oregon, where he ranched, antiqued
and pursued other diversions.
|
|
|
By
1968, Bob was eager to perform with a trio again. The
New Kingston Trio featured Pat Horine and banjoist Jim
Conner, accompanied by bassist Frank Passantino and drummer
Frank Sanchez. The New Kingston Trio enjoyed renewed sucess,
recording two albums, and adding new material to the KT
repitoire. In 1973 Bob teamed up with Bill Zorn, formerly
of The New Christy Minstrels, and North Carolinan Roger
Gambill. Roger brought vocal talents to the group ranging
from pop to operatic. His rendition of Danny Boy
was never recorded, but got to be a regular request from
the fans. In 1976 Bob & Roger teamed with George Grove,
another North Carolinan who had written and performed
in Nashville. George's vocal and insturmental talents
are unsurpassed in the Trio's history, and it should be
noted that the symphony shows - of which they perform
many each year - are made possible by his orchestral arrangements.
|
|
|
 |
For
Trio fans, March of 1982 brought a magical television
event when PBS broascast "The Kingston Trio and Friends
Reunion." Bob, Nick and Dave performed for the first
time since 1961; Bob, Nick and John for the first time
since 1967. Every member who had ever performed as part
of The Kingston Trio appeared that night. Surely this
was one of the most notable shows in Kingston history.
Tommy Smothers hosted, while each former Trio member performed
a memorable sampling. Although the Kingstons had played
to many sold out stadiums, this was different. People
had traveled from all over the country, and much of the
"who's who" of the music industry attended.
Each generation of the Trio performed that night - to
deafening applause. Long time Trio fanatic Lindsay Buckingham
of Fleetwood Mac played bass. Mary Travers graced the
show by singing Where Have All the Flowers Gone...
it was truly a pinnacle night for Kingston fans.
|
|
|
Shortly
after this phenomenal event, Bob, Roger & George recorded
25 Years Non-Stop, faithfully reproducing the Trio's
biggest hits over the years. It was followed in January
of 1983 by Looking For The Sunshine, a collection
of new songs. The Trio was maintaining a busy concert
schedule when suddenly in 1985 Roger died of a heart attack.
Roger was a superb musician and outstanding humorist...
his shoes would be hard to fill.
|
|
|
|
|
Enter
Bob Haworth, a musician who had cut his musical teeth
on Kingston material. Bob was with the Brothers Four &
managed to fill in so that neither group missed any dates.
Bob remained with the Trio for three years, then left
to pursue his solo career. At this point, it seemed natural
for the Trio to turn to the man who had helped forge the
original, compelling Kingston sound more than thirty years
earlier - Nick Reynolds. "It took me about 15 minutes
to feel comfortable singing with the Trio again",
commented Reynolds. The Shane, Reynolds & Grove Trio
enjoyed many years of sold out shows.
|
|
|
The
close of the Twentieth Century saw change come again
to the Kingston Trio, as Bobby Haworth returned following
Nick's second retirement. Nick's last show with the
Trio was performed December 2, 1999 in Scottsdale,
Az. The Trio then continued on with
Bob Shane, George
Grove and Bobby Haworth for five years, playing
to sold out audiences and garnering rave reviews wherever
they went.
|
|
|
|
