The Happenings - Lost Tracks 1969 - 77

The Four Seasons created a pop genre when the early 60s hits regularly sat in the Top 50. Doo-wop had been developed by them and their sound-alike imitators so that by 1966 harmony groups were an accepted part of the pop sound. Even UK groups like the Ivy League, The Fortunes and The Tremeloes would cash in on the ‘sound’.

In America the East Coast and West Coast had their own distinct ‘sounds with The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean competing with The Tokens and The Happenings as well as The Four Seasons.

The Happenings had success with ‘old hits’ re-worked and by 1968 they had enjoyed 2 years of consistent hits. But by 1969 the harmony groups started to struggle as ‘rock’ became established and ‘pop’ became ‘adult contemporary’ music.

In an attempt to find a new direction and identity The Happenings recorded a very unusual and diverse album with a very different cover. ‘Piece Of Mind’ had a cover with a man’s head portrayed as a geodetic sphere with pull out pieces. The music was very different to their ‘formulaic’ hits of the past.

We researched the background to this album and discovered through the group’s members the story behind the album. But we also discovered the ‘Lost Tracks’ released on 45s during the 70s and never heard by many who collected group harmony music at the time.

Read the story behind their ‘Lost Tracks below and listen to the group’s leader Bob Miranda’s favourite track from ‘Piece Of Mind’ re-mixed from vinyl. Click the links below and 'play' on the player

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• The Happenings Lost Tracks 1969 – 1977
• Album Review
• Lyric sheets
• 1973 Promo Information

and to see the rest of Bob Miranda's album pose....

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Casey Chameleon