Plank Road Folk Music Society

Summer - July, 2026 www.plankroad.org

AMERICA 250

“Come on people now

Smile on your brother

Everybody get together

Try to love one another right now”

           “Get Together” - The Youngbloods, 1967

Did you know . . .?

The very first commercial recording of the iconic 60s peace anthem “Get Together,” was made by The Kingston Trio in 1964 on their album Back in Town. The song was written by Chet Powers, who later recorded it himself under the name Dino Valenti. Other artists like Hamilton Camp and We Five also recorded it before it became the cultural phenomenon made famous by The Youngbloods in 1967 and re-released in 1969.

There’s a new venue in town . . .

Actually, it’s not new, and it’s not in town. It’s in Berwyn, and has been recently discovered by some of our Plank Road members. It goes by the name “Friendly’s” — for a very good reason . . .

The Friendly Music Community has been around since 2007, but due to its location in Berwyn, and the fact that it’s just down the road from the better-known venue, Fitzgeralds, Friendly’s has not been on our radar.

But a few Plank Roaders know about Friendly’s — and several weeks ago Jim Gilroy (above) and your trusty reporter made the journey east to this unlikely venue on Roosevelt Road for the weekly Wednesday open mic.

There we met Wayne Oestreicher and Mark Dvorak, as well as a number of Friendly regulars. Who, by the way, were very welcoming and, in fact, friendly.

The Friendly Music Community is a cultural gathering place, featuring music, arts, education and neighborhood events, all under one roof. Not to mention a bar and coffee lounge.

Its goal is to provide affordable space where local artists, nonprofits, educators, and residents can gather.

The weekly open mic features folk, blues, jazz, and more.

David Allan Coe 

One of country music’s most provocative and influential figures, David Allan Coe, passed away April 29. He was 86. 

Emerging in the 1970s, Coe became a central figure in the outlaw country movement, alongside icons like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings — while never quite fitting into Nashville’s establishment. His songwriting talent was undeniable: he wrote the blue‑collar anthem “Take This Job and Shove It” for Johnny Paycheck and was the first country artist to record “Tennessee Whiskey,” a song that would later become a standard. 

Born in Ohio, Coe’s early life was marked by hardship, including years spent in reformatories and a 4-year prison sentence. He often said music was what carried him through those years, and it became the force that defined the rest of his life. 

As a performer, Coe cultivated a persona that was equal parts mystique and defiance. His hits, including “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” “The Ride,” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” cemented his place in country music history. 



Coe’s life was not without controversy. His lyrics were often explicit, his stories sometimes exaggerated, and his reputation as an outsider never faded. Yet those who knew him personally remembered him as a deep thinker and a “fiercely authentic soul.”

David Clayton-Thomas   

The powerful, unmistakable voice behind Blood, Sweat & Tears, David Clayton‑Thomas, died June 24. He was 84.

Known for his commanding stage presence and soulful vocals, Clayton‑Thomas helped define an era of genre‑blending rock that fused jazz, blues, and pop into something entirely its own. 

His performance on the band’s 1968 album featured classics like “Spinning Wheel” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.” It became a landmark in American music and earned the group a Grammy for Album of the Year. Both songs reached No. 2 on the Billboard 100. 

Born in England, and raised in Canada, Clayton‑Thomas came to music the hard way. In his teenage years he was homeless, sleeping in unlocked cars and surviving on stolen food. But he found purpose in the blues clubs of Toronto, where his raw talent quickly set him apart. In fact, Judy Collins saw him perform and was influential in connecting him with Blood, Sweat & Tears.

“Spinning Wheel” tells us life’s ups and downs are inevitable. He wrote it two years before joining Blood, Sweat & Tears — and every Canadian label rejected it for being “too jazzy.” He carried it around in his guitar case until joining the band — and then it became their signature hit. 

Clive Davis

Clive Davis, the legendary record executive whose ear for talent reshaped the sound of popular music for more than half a century, died June 22 at the age of 92. 

Davis is regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern music, discovering and mentoring artists whose voices defined generations. His instinct for recognizing extraordinary talent became evident early, launching the careers of Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Over a five‑decade career, he led Columbia Records, and founded Arista Records. He signed Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando, Pink Floyd, Sly & the Family Stone, Chicago, Donovan, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Patti Smith, Milli Vanilli, Alicia Keys, Carly Simon, Melissa Manchester, Patti Smith, Santana, the Grateful Dead, The Kinks, Aerosmith, Loggins & Messina, Kenny G, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis and Lou Reed . . . to name a few.

He was known as the "hitmaking titan of the music industry," receiving multiple Grammy Awards. His ability to pair artists with the right material, producers, and collaborators earned him a reputation as a visionary who understood both artistry and the marketplace.

Brooklyn-born and a Harvard Law graduate, Davis said his life changed when he went to the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. “I sensed a total social, cultural, musical revolution, and my peers in the music business had no idea — they didn’t see it. Janis Joplin was performing there, and I went on to sign her.”

Beyond his professional achievements, he was known for his warmth, loyalty, and deep commitment to the artists he supported. 

Tobias Music

www.tobiasmusic.com 

WDCB Folk Festival

Hope you’re enjoying the Music Trivia.  Fred Spanuello had some interesting answers that were correct, and again perfect.

Answers to April 2026 Quiz:

Q1.  What early 60s song includes a line about a penthouse, a brand new car, and a mohair suit?

A1.   The Ad-Libs  took "The Boy From New York City" to #8 BB100 and #6 BBR&B in Nov 1965.

Q2.   What was Motown's first #1 Hit, and what did Marvin Gaye have to do with it?

A2.   "Please Mr Postman" sung by high school girls, the Marvelettes, went to #1 BB100, and #1 BBR&B in Sep 1961.  Marvin Gaye was on drums.

Q3.   NAME THAT TUNE! – What song begins with the words "When the (Whoops – Lights) Lights Go Down in the California town"?

A3.  John Stewart (previously a member of the Kingston Trio) wrote and recorded "Gold" in 1975 peaking at #5 on BB100. This was big when I did it at WVF several years back. The WHAKEIWEINN camp loved it for instrumental leads.

Q4.   NAME THAT TUNE! – What song begins with the words "How Many Roads Must a Man Walk Down?"

A4.   Bob Dylan/Peter, Paul & Mary "Blowin In the Wind.”  Another great song in our folk book.

Q5.   Name 3 things that Joanie Sommers is known for.

A5.   Joanie had a #7 BB100 hit in 1962 with "Johnny Get Angry.”  She was the voice of mid-60s Pepsi jingles; eg: "… Come alive. You're in the Pepsi Generation."  In 1959, she replaced Connie Stevens as Ed Kookie Byrnes singing partner. Also, in 1951 at age 10, she won a TV amateur talent contest singing "Your Cheating Heart.”

Q6.   What Everly Brothers hit did they not want to do, and never performed live?

A6.   “Ebony Eyes” was a double sided hit with "Walk Right Back" on the Warner Bros. label.  It is the most requested song that they never did live. They felt the song was a downer, and Phil was afraid of flying. Don never wanted to do the recitation. Also, they may have not performed their 1961 #27 BB100 song, "Temptation," live either.

Q7.   What were the Vogues first two hits?

A7.   From Turtle Creek Pennsylvania, they formed in high school (1959) as the Val-Aires. They stayed together, and in 1965, finally had a hit with a cover of Petula Clark's "You're the One” on a local Pittsburgh label. In 1966 they hit big (#5 BB100) with "Five O'Clock World.” By late 1967, their fortunes were on the wane. They were picked up by Reprise, remade into a Lettermen type group, and hit pay dirt with Glen Campbell's 1961 "Turn Around Look at Me."  Of related note is that Glen insists that he wrote the song, though his late manager took the credit.

Q8.  What was the first Beatles song played in the US. When, where and how did it chart locally?

A.  Chicago's WLS radio DJ Dick Biondi was the first US DJ to play a Beatles song in Feb. 1963.  “Please Please Me” peaked at #35 on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.

NEW! July 2026 Trivia Quiz:

Q1.  What was the duo of Sonny & Cher's first name?  What earlier hit might "I've Got You Babe" be derived from?  What instrument is used for its "identifying musical motif?”

Q2.   Name the #4 BB100 hit song by comedian and actor Bill Cosby?

TRIVIA SNIPPET:

Dodie Stevens and “Pink Shoe Laces.”

Dodie was born Geraldine Ann Pasquale, 2/17/1946. The family moved from Chicago to San Gabriel Valley CA when she was 3. Soon after took singing and dancing lessons, and at the age of 8 in 1954, recorded her first song which she performed on Art Linkletter's House Party show.

Crystalette Records renamed her to Dodie Stevens, and in 1959 recorded "Pink Shoe Laces."  Dot Records picked up Dodie and her song, and one day short of her 13^th birthday, it peaked at #3 on the BB100. She continued to record, and sing backup, but never had another big hit.

Q3.   NAME THAT TUNE! – What song begins with the words "The night we met I knew?"

Q4.   NAME THAT TUNE! – What song begins with the words "When you live in the country?"

Q5.   What is the origin/inspiration for Ritchie Valens "La Bamba?”

TRIVIA SNIPPET: 

Do You Wanna Dance

Bette Midler and others covered "Do You Want to Dance."  Bette took it to #17 BB100 in 1973. The original was written and recorded by Bobby Freeman, going to #5 in1958. It could not be confirmed, but widely believed that a 15-year old Jerry Garcia played guitar on the original.

Q6.  On what show, and at what age was Teresa Brewer's first performance?  What song did she sing?

Q7.   What year did Ned Miller first release "From a Jack to a King?"

Q8.  Who took over the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, when and why?  When was the first TV broadcast?

Everyone is invited to respond with answers. Send them to AndyM @ 

pictq@yahoo.com

Fox Valley Folk Music Festival

Labor Day Weekend

September 6 & 7

Wheeler Park, Geneva

Mark your calendar now!

Please visit us at

Plank Road Folk Music Society

Questions? Please send us an email at:

plankroadfolk@plankroad.org