EUPHORIA (band)
Encyclopedia
Euphoria was a short-lived band from 1968 to 1969, consisting of Roger Penney
,on electric autoharp
, Wendy Penney
,on Bass guitar
, Tom Pacheco,on Acoustic Guitar, and Sharon Alexander. Roger and Wendy were a folk duo performing in Greenwich Village
, using the names Roger Becket and Wendy Becket. Euphoria is generally regarded as a sunshine pop
group.
on electric autoharp
and keyboard, Wendy on bass guitar, Tom on guitar, and Sharon on percussion. They signed with Jerry Ross's Heritage Records
, which was affiliated with MGM as distributor and promoter, and recorded one album entitled "Euphoria".(Sunshine Pop music style, not unlike other music groups such as The Mamas And Papas or Spanky And Our Gang). Arranged by Joe Renzettii it was released in 1969, but without promotional support. A single was released of "You Must Forget", with Roger singing lead. Another single, of "Calm Down" was also released on Polydor Records. The album and the group's live performances were subjects of printed articles in Record World magazine, Go magazine,Cashbox magazine, and Variety. Euphoria performed live with musician Van Morrison
, and the 1910 Fruitgum Company
at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum as well as with Sly and the Family Stone and Iron Butterfly. They appeared on the Bozo the Clown
television show at WWOR-TV
from New York City, and were slated for a performance on the Johnny Carson Show but disbanded before appearing. Roger and Wendy went on to form Bermuda Triangle Band
.
The album has been reissued as a CD and a mini LP on the Heritage/Beatball label.
Roger Penney
Roger Penney is an innovative singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He pioneered a style of American psychedelic folk music in the late 60s, early 70s and is known for his inventive performances and recordings as Bermuda Triangle Band as well as ROGER AND WENDY and EUPHORIA.-Early life:Born...
,on electric autoharp
Autoharp
The autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the...
, Wendy Penney
Wendy Penney
Wendy Penney is a singer and bass guitar player who began performing in 1966, and founded with Roger Penney the musical groups Bermuda Triangle Band, Roger and Wendy, and Euphoria .- History :...
,on Bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Tom Pacheco,on Acoustic Guitar, and Sharon Alexander. Roger and Wendy were a folk duo performing in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, using the names Roger Becket and Wendy Becket. Euphoria is generally regarded as a sunshine pop
Sunshine pop
Sunshine pop is a subgenre of pop music originating in the United States, mainly the state of California, in the mid-1960s. Sunshine pop, by nature, is cheerful and upbeat music which is characterised by warm sounds, prominent vocal harmonies, as well as sophisticated productions...
group.
History
Initially, Roger and Wendy were approached by Tom and Sharon to form a band with the express purpose of procuring a recording deal. Roger and Wendy were to front the band as lead vocalists in the Folk Rock group, with Roger PenneyRoger Penney
Roger Penney is an innovative singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He pioneered a style of American psychedelic folk music in the late 60s, early 70s and is known for his inventive performances and recordings as Bermuda Triangle Band as well as ROGER AND WENDY and EUPHORIA.-Early life:Born...
on electric autoharp
Autoharp
The autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the...
and keyboard, Wendy on bass guitar, Tom on guitar, and Sharon on percussion. They signed with Jerry Ross's Heritage Records
Heritage Records
Heritage Records can refer to:* Heritage Records , a 1960s label from Jerry Ross Productions* Heritage Records , 1960s Blues and early Jazz label founded by Tony Standish...
, which was affiliated with MGM as distributor and promoter, and recorded one album entitled "Euphoria".(Sunshine Pop music style, not unlike other music groups such as The Mamas And Papas or Spanky And Our Gang). Arranged by Joe Renzettii it was released in 1969, but without promotional support. A single was released of "You Must Forget", with Roger singing lead. Another single, of "Calm Down" was also released on Polydor Records. The album and the group's live performances were subjects of printed articles in Record World magazine, Go magazine,Cashbox magazine, and Variety. Euphoria performed live with musician Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, and the 1910 Fruitgum Company
1910 Fruitgum Company
The 1910 Fruitgum Company is an American bubblegum pop band of the 1960s. The group's biggest hits included "Simon Says," "1, 2, 3, Red Light," "May I Take A Giant Step," "Special Delivery," "Goody Goody Gumdrops," and "Indian Giver." Guitarist Frank Jeckell claimed to have adopted the name from a...
at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum as well as with Sly and the Family Stone and Iron Butterfly. They appeared on the Bozo the Clown
Bozo the Clown
Bozo the Clown is a clown character very popular in the United States, peaking in the 1960s as a result of widespread franchising in early television.Originally created by Alan W...
television show at WWOR-TV
WWOR-TV
WWOR-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the flagship station of the MyNetworkTV programming service, licensed to Secaucus, New Jersey and serving the Tri-State metropolitan area. WWOR is owned by Fox Television Stations, a division of the News Corporation, and is a sister station to Fox network flagship...
from New York City, and were slated for a performance on the Johnny Carson Show but disbanded before appearing. Roger and Wendy went on to form Bermuda Triangle Band
Bermuda Triangle Band
Bermuda Triangle Bands wild psychedelic and delicately nuanced electric autoharp and transcendental vocals grew out of the late '60s folk rock scene. With an independent attitude, eccentric style and highly unusual instrument lineup, the group was unprecedented. Psychedelic rock autoharp was...
.
The album has been reissued as a CD and a mini LP on the Heritage/Beatball label.
Discography
- Euphoria Heritage/MGM Records (1969)
- Euphoria reissue Heritage/Beatball Records (2007)
- Euphoria Single on Polydor Records #59368
- "Euphoria" (You Must Forget) single on Heritage/MGM Records