On this day in music history: November 25, 1967 - Incense And Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week. Written by John Carter and Tim Gilbert, it is the debut single and biggest hit for the psychedelic pop/rock band from Los Angeles, CA. Formed from the bands Thee Sixpence and Waterfyrd Traene in 1966, the original line up consists of Mark Weitz (keyboards, vocals), Randy Seol (drums, percussion, vocals), Ed King (lead guitar, vocals), Lee Freeman (rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals), Gary Lovetro (bass, vocals), and George Bunnell (bass, vocals). The band will hear the song Incense And Peppermints by way of demo given to their producer Frank Slay by songwriter John Carter who penned it with his roomate Tim Gilbert, while he is a student at the University of Colorado and performing in a band called Rainy Daze. Carter is initially considered to sing the song, but when the rest of the band are unimpressed with his vocals, they will have their Greg Munford (who is only sixteen years old at the time) to sing lead vocals on the track. The song is initially released as the B-side of The Birdman of Alkatrash on indie label All-American Records in mid 1967. When Incense begins generating a buzz, it attracts the interest of MCA Records who re-release it on their Uni imprint. But before they do, the band will change their name from Thee Sixpence to Strawberry Alarm Clock, while looking at an issue of Billboard Magazine, and a band member closes his eyes and his finger lands on The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever. Entering the Hot 100 at #88 on September 30, 1967, it will climb to the top of the chart eight weeks later. The band will score another top 40 single with Tomorrow (#23 Pop) in February of 1968. The Strawberry Alarm Clock will go through a number of line up changes before finally disbanding in 1971. Guitarist Ed King will go on to join Lynyrd Skynyrd, co-writing the bands classic Sweet Home Alabama and remaining with them until 1975. John Carter will also co-write Sugarloafs second major hit Dont Call Us, Well Call You (#9 Pop) in 1974. He will also establish himself as a major player in the music business as an A&R man and record producer at Atlantic Records and Capitol Records. While at Capitol, Carter will work with Bob Seger and The Steve Miller Band, as well as signing The Motels, Bob Welch, Sammy Hagar and is the guiding force behind Tina Turners comeback in the 80s. Incense will also be featured prominently in the film and on the soundtrack for Austin Powers - International Man Of Mystery in 1997. Incense And Peppermints is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 22:30:11 +0000
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