We Five Folk Rock Revival, Fan Comments

Fan Comments
We Five Folk Rock Revival:

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We Five was incredibly good. I used to think some of those people on the KPBS retro shows were studio dubbed but not these guys. This was talent and experience at it's best. Sixty is the new Thirty or something. They were fun and I think they're still showing the way for folk and pop musicians to form groups and to go electric. If it weren't for Carey's e-mail (Acoustic Music San Diego) I would have missed another important music group.

Thanks, Robert Gworek

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I saw them in San Jose about two years ago. Fantastic. If you are a folkie, this is a show NOT to be missed.

Hi We Five.
Although I had a wife and five kids, I was getting packed up for service in Vietnam with the Marine Corps in 1967. Two songs dominated my life at that time. As I left early one morning from Dulles Airport on my way to Vietnam, the song "Softly, As I Leave You..." just stuck in my mind, conveying the exact feelings for my wife and family that I could hardly express on my own. Later, when taking a break from my duties in Vietnam, I stood on China Beach, near Danang, several times, looking eastward toward our great country on the other side of the ocean. The song, "Somewhere, Beyond the Sea..." played over and over on my mind, reflecting my deep feelings, missing my family. Although I know I am forty one years late in expressing my appreciation for such meaningful music, I wanted to let you know how I felt. Many thanks.

Michael Leahy USMCR

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Jerry,

I came across the Ask We Five site tonight, and just felt compelled to write. I recently converted my vinyl collection to CD, and a gem from this collection was the single You Were On My Mind. I'm in Australia, and would have purchased that on its original release. I've always loved that tune, and its haunting drum introduction and vocals. So much so that having heard it again, I started on a web search to learn more about We Five. Initially, this seemed to lead to great sadness as I read stories that Beverly was killed in a road accident. Thankfully, these were not true. Then there were other stories that Beverly didn't actually sing You Were On My Mind. That was totally debunked when I found a golden nugget in that search, We Five's performance at The Hollywood Palace on YouTube, what a knock out, and Beverly was just sensational. So cute. Since then, I've been able to read and learn more about the group and individual members. I was enthralled tonight to read the note on you talking with Bev in 1999. I find it terribly disappointing that We Five with Bev didn't last longer, but at the same time, pleased to hear how the group has survived in various forms. There was obviously a lot of talent wrapped up in that team, the note about Mike Stewart producing Piano Man was so interesting.

I wish I could think of a good question to ask. I guess this note is more like a fan mail albeit some 42 years late. Thanks to We Five for adding something to my life, and I'm sure the life of many others. What you did was special.

All the best to everybody associated with We Five, and from me personally especially to Beverly.

Peter

It was great to hear your music live at the Coffee Gallery; it reminded me of those years in the early sixties when things were a little more innocent and people didn't have to be so guarded. I really enjoyed how warm the group was and how well you connected with the audience, making everyone feel welcome as though we were all hanging out at some friend's house. I must confess that when You Were on my Mind first became a smash hit, I thought for years that the lyric "wounds to bind" was "worms to buy". With the passing of time, I did indeed learn that there are wounds to bind.
Thanks for a great evening.

Mark Lamparter

Thank you all for a wonderful evening of terrific music at the Coffee Gallery Backstage. My personal thanks to each of you -- Jerry, Debbie, Chris, Ray, and especially Terry --for taking a moment to chat post-show. (Sorry to miss you, Steve.) It was not only a chance to hear great music, it's a joy to watch a group so tight, well-rehearsed, and cleanly harmonizing, playing and having FUN. Just fantastic! I wish there were a way to convey how much the music of that coming of age era meant to me, and how wonderful it was to hear you creating it anew with the original spirit.

I've been playing my CD of the first two albums this morning, and for fun dug out Ian & Sylvia to hear the original You Were On My Mind. A 40-year belated "Congratulations!" and thanks for a truly original and timeless arrangement. It sounds as fresh today as ever. The harmony and that electric 12-String guitar build still rock me. To me, that song positively defines "Folk Rock."

Looking forward to being one of the newest fans of the "Folk Rock Revival" moving forward. Hope to catch you in T.O. on the 17th.

Best wishes to each of you, and thanks again!

- Craig

With the help of a fellow disc jockey I have recently come upon your web site. I have been searching for years for information on the where abouts of the group. I first heard you music as a disc Jockey at WAAM in Ann Arbor...over the years have had up to five We Five "You Were On My Mind " albums and literally wore one of them out. I've gone so far as to telephone a Pete Fullerton in LA..not the right one (but did take note that he said he recieves several phone calls a year asking the same question..are you from the We Five? I have also made contact with Beverly Biven's in Arizona and Kentucky. Still not the right ones.
Have been in radio since 1965...and only one female singer comes close to matching Beverly Bivens on the album and that would be some of the work of Allison Krause. Now that I know I can get your later material on line I will be ordering soon. Thanks for the many enjoyable hours of listening.

Please take care....

Greg Siefker
WMLM-AM

I was just a young girl when you played at the Ice House in Pasadena, California. My mom was the head waitress there (Nellie). Debbie was playing with you then. I remember her big hoop earrings and long blonde hair. I wanted to grow up to look and sound like her. I used to pretend when I was young. Now I just belt it out with you on the radio. By the way, I still have the tambourine Debbie gave me.

Thanks for the wonderful youth memory.
God Bless You All. Love, Robin.

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there are so many great songs on this album, softly as i leave you is the most romantic ever, and
somewhere beyond the sea.. i just loved this group and it was my music therapy when i was a troubled young teen. i think i remember seeing the group perform on the lloyd thaxton show--they
were and are just wonderful.

Hey guys - Just an old fan here checking in...I've been listening to the Collector's Choice re-issue lately and appreciating your good work. I also have all five albums in vinyl, plus "There Stands the Door" (shoulda been on Collector's Choice) and "Cabin Fever" and the second West album that Michael did. I reviewed Return for the UCLA Daily Bruin (loved "Mountain Greenery") and saw the Catch the Wind band at the Ice House once upon a time. Also saw you on TV a few times (I seem to recall "You Let a Love Burn Out" on Shindig, among others - you guys were the original "raga rockers"!).

I stumbled into Chris' website today and was pleased to find the We Five link. It's nice to read a bit about your doings and to see that you still play out once in a while. I hope I hear about the next public SoCal gig in time to attend.

We Five was, and is, a powerful concept - perhaps too misunderstood in, and at cross-purposes with the prevailing trends of, its time to sustain itself (and your comments about breaking into factions are well-taken). But it was good that someone tried to pull so many different strains of American music together in one context once upon a time. We Five are unique and deserve to be better remembered than they are.

Some reviewers wonder how a group with such a great sound, led by the magnificent tones of Beverly Bivens, could only account for two charted single hits. Well, look at the time-frame. This was in the midst of the British Invasion, and like it or not, very few North American artists found space on the charts when confronted by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, The Dave Clark Five, Chad & Jeremy, Peter & Gordon, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Freddie & The Dreamers, etc., etc. Only the very best, like The Supremes, Four Tops, Temptations, Beach Boys, Four Seasons, and The Byrds, could maintain their success for long. Anyone else, especially those with a quasi-folk sound, were doomed by the switch in allegiance by the fickle, adoring North American fans.

One such was The We Five, which actually started out in 1962 as The Ridgerunners, organized by Mike Stewart (and Jerry Burgan)* in the mold of his brother John's more successful group, The Kingston Trio. However, it was only when their manager, Frank Werber, suggested they drop straight folk for the more commercially successful pop sound did things begin to turn around. In 1965, now with members Jerry Burgan, Pete Fullerton, and Beverly Bivens (and Bob Jones)*, they joined the A&M label and released the classic You Were On My Mind which roared to # 3 pop and # 1 Adult Contemporary in August/September 1965 b/w Small World, a 1959 hit for Johnny Mathis. By late 1965 the British influx was in full swing, and so the equally good Let's Get Together could only manage a # 31 in December b/w Cast Your Fate To The Wind [an instrumental 1963 hit for The Vince Guaraldi Trio, and a # 10 in 1965 for Sounds Orchestral]. When nothing else worked, the group disbanded (problems compounded by the band using it's energy on Coca-Cola spots instead of finishing Make Someone Happy)*. In 1967 Crispian St. Peters had a # 36 pop hit with You Were On My Mind, the same year The Youngbloods took Let's Get Together [as simply Get Together] to # 62. In 1969 their version would re-chart at # 5. I add my voice to those recommending this great collection (You Were On My Mind / Make Someone Happy) of the songs of a vastly underrated and sadly overlooked group.

To whom it may Concern: The Upland High School Boosters wishes to thank Don Goethals for his efforts in arranging the group “We Five” to perform at our first annual concert. “We Five” are a very entertaining and finely tuned musical group. Their performance was enjoyed by all in attendance. We look forward to having them perform again.

I had the pleasure of hearing you tonight, and boy did it bring back memories of the mid 60's, and a warm, safe feeling, for me! In this violent and shaken world we are now living in, that was a welcome respite. I was raised on "We Five" as my parents, and uncle & aunt LOVED the group. Listening to the music tonight, I felt connected to my roots. I felt my mother’s presence for the first time since her passing, 28 years ago. The cd is playing as I type this, and tomorrow I will be ordering 5 copies of "You Were On My Mind/Make Someone Happy" from Tower Records (thanks for the link). A gift to my family and myself. I hope they feel the magic as I did. Godspeed as you continue making the music and singing the songs.

Hello, I just want to say that after all these years, I'm still We Five's biggest fan. I was born a bit too late (1964) to have been a fan of We Five during your heyday. However, I have three siblings who are much older; thanks to them, I'm sure I heard the band on the radio or on record when I was a toddler. I suppose hearing your music left a lasting impression on me, because to this day my most prized album is an original copy of "You Were on My Mind."

An Absolute Gem

Oldies radio stations never do justice to We Five. While "You Were on My Mind" is a terrific record and gets a fair amount of airplay 34 years after its release, there was much more to this group than a lone top-40 hit. (Actually, We Five had TWO hits, but youll never hear "Lets Get Together" on the radio these days...)

These albums are classics of the folk/pop genre. Mike Stewarts arrangements lend a warmth and depth to We Fives music, especially the pop and show tunes on their first album, and are a perfect accompaniment to Beverly Bivens soaring vocals. Her voice was unique and gave the group an instantly recognizable sound.

Im lucky enough to own an original copy of the "You Were on My Mind" album, which is one of the most cherished in my collection. If you have plenty of free time to nose around in used record stores looking for a copy, by all means do so; if not, buy the CD and get "Make Someone Happy" as a bonus. You wont be disappointed.

Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your music. "You Were On My Mind" has always been one of my favorites. I have wondered for along time about what happened to the group. So it was great finding your web site. Thanks for the songs and the memories they bring back. George Brandenburg Memphis, TN

I was fortunate to see We Five in person at Yuba College, CA in 1966. Three weeks later, I shipped out for the Southeast Asian War Games. The sound, depth, and range of Beverly Bivens voice stayed with me, as well as the groups arrangements featuring the then-new electric "San Francisco Sound". I bought a copy of You Were On My Mind in a PX in Japan, and memorized the entire album. I still have it and regard it as a prized posession, even though it shows the scars of being played hundreds of times on less-than-studio-quality equipment!

Make Someone Happy has about four outstanding cuts, the rest are merely wonderful. If you remember the mid-1960s the two-album CD is for you. If you dont remember the mid-60s it's an excellent way to get acquainted with the transition from popular folk to folk-rock.

Ill be eternally grateful for your helping me hang on through a very rough time in my life.

It's nice to hear that familiar "We Five" sound, with some of the oldies as well as the new material (particularly the under appreciated Rain by the Beatles and a personal favorite, Wabash Cannonball, which is the signature song of the Kansas State University Wildcats). The harmonies are still tight and Debbie's voice still going strong. Only complaint is, like any good concert, I was left wanting even more!

Hope the music continues. I'll keep my eye on your web site for any news and engagements...

Jerry: Glad to see you people are still out there. I have your original four albums, and frustratingly just missed you on a trip to Tahoe some years ago when The Burgans were a lounge act. (When would that have been, mid-80s?)

I still think that Debbie's "One Last Time" was one of the best things We Five ever recorded...You'll probably get a mail order on the sampler from me soon.

Just wanted to write a few lines to say that we used a We Five mix when we did our cheerleading routine at state finals (at Sea World, Orlando Florida) earlier this month. In the competition, each squad was asked to do a "yester-year" routine. Most squads used the 1970's and 1980's. We did the 60's. We started out with the song, "You Were On My Mind", and finished up with, "Let's Get Together". It was so much fun. The judges really enjoyed our choice of songs and costumes. One of the judges came up to squad member Kelly and asked, "Who sings the song, "Let's Get Together"?. She responded, "Oh, that is WE FIVE". Their music is fun and we chose them for the energetic beat." The judges and the crowds loved it! WE WON FIRST PLACE !!! Wow, we had so much fun!