Roy Michaels (a.k.a. Loy Bones) d. 2008 Bob Smith d. 1991 Michael Equine William David "Charlie" Chin Larry Packer Jay Ungar Paul Johnson Charlie Prichard Steve Davidson Charlie Harcourt RJ "Beans" Bellanca d. 2014
Cat Mother and The All Night Newsboys was an American musical group, originally formed in
New York and later based in
Mendocino, California, most active in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
History
Cat Mother and The All Night Newsboys was co-founded by Roy Michaels (February 25, 1942–September 23, 2008) and Bob Smith (July 7, 1942–March 21, 1991) in the fall of 1967. Michaels had previously been playing with
Stephen Stills and
Richie Furay in the
Au Go Go Singers, prior to the formation of
Buffalo Springfield.[1][2] Initial members were Bob Smith on
vocals,
keyboards and
drums, Roy Michaels on vocals and
bass guitar, William David "Charlie" Chin on vocals and
guitar, Larry Packer on guitar and
violin, and Michael Equine on drums and guitar.
Jay Ungar was also initially associated with the group, on violin, and rejoined the group for their second album. Core band membership consisted of Michaels, Smith and Equine.
The ensemble's popularity in New York grew during 1967 and 1968, through regular appearances at the
Cafe Wha?, which led to an engagement as the
house band at New York's
Electric Circus.[3]
The
single and the band's first
album, The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away, were
produced by
Jimi Hendrix.[7] The association with Hendrix came through the band meeting him in New York City. Cat Mother was initially managed by
Michael Jeffery, who also managed Hendrix.[8] Cat Mother opened for Hendrix on several occasions, as a result. Other notable early appearances included playing at the
Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, the historic concert headlined by
The Doors, where
John Lennon and The
Plastic Ono Band appeared in a surprise performance.[9]
Other popular songs by the band included "Track in A" and "Strike a Match and Light Another." However, the band's principal chart success remained "Good Old Rock 'n' Roll", a work not representative of the diversity of its sound but rather the group's ability in original, late 50s rock style. Similar to contemporaries
Moby Grape,
Poco and the post-1967
Byrds,[10] as well as predating the
Eagles, Cat Mother was one of the first rock bands to blend rock and
country music.
As part of the band's actions to sever ties with manager Michael Jeffery,[11] the group relocated to San Francisco in 1970,[3] and later settled in the
Mendocino area. By the time of their 1970 second album, Albion Doo-Wah, they were joined by
Jay Ungar (
violin,
mandolin, guitar, & vocals),
Paul Johnson (guitar), and special guest Lyndon Lee Hardy (vocals on two songs). The third album, Cat Mother, released in 1972, featured Michaels, Smith and Equine joined by Charlie Prichard (lead &
slide guitar) and Steve Davidson (
congas &
percussion). By the time of the band's final album, Last Chance Dance, in 1973, Charlie Prichard had been replaced by Charlie Harcourt on guitar, harmonica and vocals. The band continued to perform until 1977.
Michaels,[12] Smith[13] Packer,[14] Chin,[15] Ungar,[16] Johnson [17] Prichard,[18] Davidson[19] and Harcourt [20] all continued in music. (As of November 2020, Michael Equine is alive and the last remaining corporate officer of the band.)
The Street Giveth ... and the Street Taketh Away and Albion Doo-Wah are available through streaming services and as a digital downloads.
Discography
1969 The Street Giveth... and the Street Taketh Away (
Polydor) (#24 Canada[21])
^After his experience with the Au Go Go Singers, Michaels relocated to
Toronto, where he played with
Amos Garrett in The Dirty Shames, prior to returning to New York City. See
Loy Bones Bio; www.myspace.com/loybonestheband. See also
Amos Garrett.
^Being the sole production activity by Hendrix of an independent artist.
^Hendrix also acted as the sponsor to obtain union membership for band members, in order that they could play professionally on tour with him. See comments of Larry Packer in Bonnie Langston,
'Roots of '69' return to WoodstockArchived 2012-03-04 at the
Wayback Machine, The
Daily Freeman, August 8, 2008; www.dailyfreeman.com.
^Austin-based Prichard, prior to joining Cat Mother, was originally associated with The Conqueroo, a legendary band that often played with the
13th Floor Elevators, among others. Prichard continues as an acclaimed guitarist in
Austin, Texas and area. See Carlton Crutcher,
The Conqueroo: The Charlie Prichard InterviewArchived 2009-08-18 at the
Wayback Machine, 2006; www.terrascope.co.uk. See also Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers.
^Davidson continues in Mendocino, playing and recording as a percussionist. See, for example,
Lenny Laks Press Release in relation to Ring Around The Sun (2005); www.lennylaks.com.
^Prior to joining Cat Mother, Harcourt had been a member of the Junco Partners, one of the first bands managed by
Robert Stigwood, and
Jackson Heights, formed by
Lee Jackson, formerly of
The Nice. Post Cat Mother, Harcourt joined
Lindisfarne and co-wrote a number of songs with
Ray Jackson. Jackson was later the lead singer in Harcourt's own band, Harcourt's Heroes. See Chris Kelly,
Interview with Ray Jackson, Part 2Archived 2011-07-25 at the
Wayback Machine, Autumn 2005; www.lindisfarne.co.uk. In later years, he has been associated with Whitaker Waller and Harcourt, which includes former Harcourt's Heroes member Mike Waller on keyboards.