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'''The Lemon Drops''' were an American [[psychedelic pop]] band from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] that formed in 1966. The band, originally established by high school students, produced one single in their heyday that reached regional success, but also recorded several other unreleased material that garnered the group's re-interest in the 1980s. During their existence, the band was an essential piece in the development of psychedelic pop in Illinois.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/252523-Lemon-Drops-The|title=Lemon Drops, The|work=discogs.com|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>
'''The Lemon Drops''' were an American [[psychedelic pop]] band from [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] that formed in 1966. The band, originally established by high school students, produced one single in their heyday that achieved regional success. The Lemon Drops also recorded other unreleased material that led to a renewal of interest in the group in the 1980s. The band was essential in the development of psychedelic pop in Illinois.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/252523-Lemon-Drops-The|title=Lemon Drops, The|work=discogs.com|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>


==History==
==History==


In 1966, students of McHenry High School, Danny Smola ([[lead vocals]]), Eddy Weiss ([[rhythm guitar]]), Gary Weiss ([[drums]]), Jeff Brandht ([[bass guitar]]), George Sorrenson ([[lead guitar]]), and Bobby Lunak ([[acoustic guitar]]) formed The Lemon Drops in the midst of the developing Chicago music scene. The band gained a local following in the area as they constructed their own individual sound. By the end of the year, brother of Eddy and Gary Weiss, Reggie Weiss, formed his own recording company called '''Rembrandt Records'''. Upon hearing the band in rehearsal, Reggie Weiss signed the band to record in RCA Studios in Southern Illinois.<ref name=all>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-lemon-drops-mn0000091797/biography|title=The Lemon Drops - Biography|work=allmusic.com|author=Bruce Eder|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>
In 1966, McHenry High School students Danny Smola ([[lead vocals]]), Eddy Weiss ([[rhythm guitar]]), Gary Weiss ([[drums]]), Jeff Brand ([[bass guitar]]), George Sorrenson ([[lead guitar]]), and Bobby Lunak ([[acoustic guitar]]) formed The Lemon Drops in the midst of the developing Chicago music scene. The band gained a local following in the area as they constructed their own individual sound. By the end of the year Reggie Weiss (brother of Eddy and Gary) formed his own recording company called '''Rembrandt Records'''. Upon hearing the band in rehearsal, Reggie Weiss signed the band to record at RCA Studios in Southern Illinois.<ref name=all>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-lemon-drops-mn0000091797/biography|title=The Lemon Drops - Biography|work=allmusic.com|author=Bruce Eder|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>


Reggie Weiss wrote and recorded the band's debut single. The single included as the A-side "I Live in the Springtime" and the other featuring, "Listen Girl". Sorenson left the band a few days before recording, so Rick Ericksen is the guitarist the band added for the sessions on May 11, 1967. The band first 500 pressing were released, but recalled when Reggie Weiss discovered the drum track was not included. The drumless track was not totally recalled, and even made an appearance on the 1998 reissue of the ''Nuggets'' compilation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/nuggets-original-artyfacts-from-the-first-psychedelic-era-1965-1968-box-set-mr0001468869|title=Nuggets, Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965 - 1968 box set|work=allmusic.com|author=Richie Unterberger|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref> The second pressing of 1,000 copies featured the drums, and they were quickly bought out. AM Chicago radio station, WLS, wanted to distribute more copies, but Reggie Weiss could not afford to press more, so the single could not reach the charts nationally. The Lemon Drops gained notoriety from their debut, and performed all across Illinois. For their next proposed single, the band established themselves as a [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] band. To bolster their new sound, the band hired Dick Sidman as their lead singer. From October to December 1967, the band recorded numerous demos as they caught the attention of [[RCA Records]]. As Reggie Weiss recalled, "RCA was more interested in the $1,200 bill we ran up and I didn't have the money to pay for the sessions".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cicadelic.com/ld984.htm|title=The Lemon Drops - Flower Power|work=cicadelic.com|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>
Reggie Weiss wrote and produced the band's debut single, A-side "I Live in the Springtime" backed with "Listen Girl." Sorrenson left the band a few days before recording, so Rick Ericksen was the guitarist for the May 11, 1967 session. Five hundred pressings of the record were released, but recalled when Reggie Weiss discovered the drum track had not been included. Copies of the drumless version remained in circulation, and it even made an appearance on the 1998 reissue of the ''Nuggets'' compilation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/nuggets-original-artyfacts-from-the-first-psychedelic-era-1965-1968-box-set-mr0001468869|title=Nuggets, Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965 - 1968 box set|work=allmusic.com|author=Richie Unterberger|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref> A second pressing of 1,000 copies, featuring the drums, was released and quickly sold out. Chicago AM radio station WLS wanted to distribute more copies, but Reggie Weiss could not afford to press more, so the single did not reach the charts nationally. The Lemon Drops gained notoriety from their debut, and performed all across Illinois.


Ahead of their next single, the band re-established themselves as a [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] band. To bolster their new sound, the band hired Dick Sidman as their lead singer. From October to December 1967, the band recorded numerous demos and caught the attention of [[RCA Records]]. As Reggie Weiss recalled, "RCA was more interested in the $1,200 bill we ran up and I didn't have the money to pay for the sessions."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cicadelic.com/ld984.htm|title=The Lemon Drops - Flower Power|work=cicadelic.com|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>
In 1968, in an effort to intrigue a record label the band recorded two live albums from the Weiss home. Uni Records appeared to show interest, but the band declined after negotiations were considered unfavorably to them. As the band continued its search for a record deal, they performed live and continued recording as they still held a following in Chicago. The Bueno Vista label also expressed interest, however before the band could complete a deal, the owner unexpectedly died and the company folded. One last final attempt was also dashed when the band was involved in an acid party on the night before contract signing. The band would disband in the summer of 1969 as a result.<ref name=all/> Recordings of the Lemon Drops survived through the 1970s thanks to Reggie Weiss's management of several other bands. They, too, performed the Lemon Drops' songs and achieved substantial airplay in Illinois. The band's popularity was sustained enough for the returning interest in psychedelic music in the late 1980s. In 1985, the band received an official album release with their album, ''Crystal Pure'', and a followup the year after called ''Second Album!''. The albums included nearly all of the band's home recordings and the demos produced in RCA Studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/from-the-lemon-drops-to-the-vibration-of-the-sequence-in-order-mw0001061407|title=From the Lemon Drops to the Vibration of the Sequence In Order|work=allmusic.com|author=Stewart Mason|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>

In 1968, in an effort to interest a record label, the band recorded two live albums at the Weiss home. Uni Records appeared to show interest, but the band declined after considering the offered terms to be unfavorable to them. As the band continued its search for a record deal, they performed live and continued recording, as they still held a following in Chicago. The Buena Vista label also expressed interest, but before the band could complete a deal, the owner unexpectedly died and the company folded. One final attempt was dashed when the band was involved in an acid party on the night before contract signing. The Lemon Drops disbanded in the summer of 1969 as a result.<ref name="all" />

Reggie Weiss managed several other bands, which performed the Lemon Drops' songs and achieved substantial airplay with them in Illinois. Interest in the band was rekindled during the psychedelic revival of the mid-to-late 1980s. In 1985, the band received an official album release with ''Crystal Pure'', and a follow-up a year later called ''Second Album!'' The albums included nearly all of the band's home recordings and the demos produced at RCA Studios.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/from-the-lemon-drops-to-the-vibration-of-the-sequence-in-order-mw0001061407|title=From the Lemon Drops to the Vibration of the Sequence In Order|work=allmusic.com|author=Stewart Mason|accessdate=March 11, 2015}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 17:16, 30 May 2021

The Lemon Drops

The Lemon Drops were an American psychedelic pop band from Chicago, Illinois that formed in 1966. The band, originally established by high school students, produced one single in their heyday that achieved regional success. The Lemon Drops also recorded other unreleased material that led to a renewal of interest in the group in the 1980s. The band was essential in the development of psychedelic pop in Illinois.[1]

History

In 1966, McHenry High School students Danny Smola (lead vocals), Eddy Weiss (rhythm guitar), Gary Weiss (drums), Jeff Brand (bass guitar), George Sorrenson (lead guitar), and Bobby Lunak (acoustic guitar) formed The Lemon Drops in the midst of the developing Chicago music scene. The band gained a local following in the area as they constructed their own individual sound. By the end of the year Reggie Weiss (brother of Eddy and Gary) formed his own recording company called Rembrandt Records. Upon hearing the band in rehearsal, Reggie Weiss signed the band to record at RCA Studios in Southern Illinois.[2]

Reggie Weiss wrote and produced the band's debut single, A-side "I Live in the Springtime" backed with "Listen Girl." Sorrenson left the band a few days before recording, so Rick Ericksen was the guitarist for the May 11, 1967 session. Five hundred pressings of the record were released, but recalled when Reggie Weiss discovered the drum track had not been included. Copies of the drumless version remained in circulation, and it even made an appearance on the 1998 reissue of the Nuggets compilation.[3] A second pressing of 1,000 copies, featuring the drums, was released and quickly sold out. Chicago AM radio station WLS wanted to distribute more copies, but Reggie Weiss could not afford to press more, so the single did not reach the charts nationally. The Lemon Drops gained notoriety from their debut, and performed all across Illinois.

Ahead of their next single, the band re-established themselves as a psychedelic band. To bolster their new sound, the band hired Dick Sidman as their lead singer. From October to December 1967, the band recorded numerous demos and caught the attention of RCA Records. As Reggie Weiss recalled, "RCA was more interested in the $1,200 bill we ran up and I didn't have the money to pay for the sessions."[4]

In 1968, in an effort to interest a record label, the band recorded two live albums at the Weiss home. Uni Records appeared to show interest, but the band declined after considering the offered terms to be unfavorable to them. As the band continued its search for a record deal, they performed live and continued recording, as they still held a following in Chicago. The Buena Vista label also expressed interest, but before the band could complete a deal, the owner unexpectedly died and the company folded. One final attempt was dashed when the band was involved in an acid party on the night before contract signing. The Lemon Drops disbanded in the summer of 1969 as a result.[2]

Reggie Weiss managed several other bands, which performed the Lemon Drops' songs and achieved substantial airplay with them in Illinois. Interest in the band was rekindled during the psychedelic revival of the mid-to-late 1980s. In 1985, the band received an official album release with Crystal Pure, and a follow-up a year later called Second Album! The albums included nearly all of the band's home recordings and the demos produced at RCA Studios.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Lemon Drops, The". discogs.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Bruce Eder. "The Lemon Drops - Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  3. ^ Richie Unterberger. "Nuggets, Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965 - 1968 box set". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  4. ^ "The Lemon Drops - Flower Power". cicadelic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  5. ^ Stewart Mason. "From the Lemon Drops to the Vibration of the Sequence In Order". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.