They made history by becoming the first band anywhere to open a rock festival, the infamous 1967 Monterey Festival. One of the mid-1960s’ most distinctive sounds belonged to The Association.
Playing the LA Folk-centric scene around ‘The Troubadour’ alongside other aspirants, David Crosby, Frank Zappa, Doug Dillard and Cass Elliot, the band was at the forefront of the folk movement's assimilation into California sunshine pop.
The Association will perform at The Emerson Center in Vero Beach on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m.
Lionized for its complex six-part harmonies on stage, The Association hit really big with a string of radio-friendly pop hits, including “Along Comes Mary," “Cherish,” and "Windy." Those first two singles charted at #7 and #1, respectively.
"Along Comes Mary" gained a reputation as a thinly veiled reference to marijuana, while "Cherish" remains one of the era's most durable and romantic ballads. "Windy" offers happy melodies, twinkling bells and a strident beat to fill the song to the brim.
The Association's sound produced great choruses and catchy pop hooks, but the key to the band was always its vocals. All members sang lead, and all sang background vocals. Inductees into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003, three of the 100 most played tunes of all time on the radio by The Association-- “Never My Love” #2, “Cherish” #22 and “Windy” #61.
The Association’s music has endured for more than five decades that has resulted in 42 different lineup versions. The most recent is a six-piece outfit, highlighted by original members Jim Yester (sings tenor and plays guitar) and Jules Alexander (sings tenor and plays guitar and keyboards.) Yester provided the riveting lead vocal for “Along Comes Mary."
After fifty years of singing these timeless songs, recent concert performances tout the band still in possession of the old magic.
Tickets range from $35 to $75. For more information call 772.778.5249 or visit www.theemersoncenter.org