The Magic Mushrooms
Encyclopedia
The Magic Mushrooms were an American psychedelic
garage rock
band in the 1960s.
The Magic Mushrooms were originally composed of five students from the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia. They were:
They came together shortly after they started their freshman year and practiced in the freshman commons until they started playing gigs. They named themselves the Magic Mushrooms after Allen Ginsberg
suggested that name during an on-campus lecture in the fall of 1965. In the Spring of 1966, they were joined by Josh Rice (Vocals, Flute, Harmonica), who had been the lead singer of a competing band on the Penn Campus, and 2 or 3 months after Josh arrived, Dick and Charles left the band, and were replaced by Bob Grady and Chris Barbieri, on keyboards and bass, both of whom had been in a band with Stu for a couple years previously.
The band was heard by Sonny Casella while playing at Drexel University later in the Fall and he signed on as the Manager shortly thereafter. They played mostly around the Philadelphia area into the Spring of 1966, most of their bookings being arranged by their new manager.
They released the single "It's A-Happening"('B' side- Nevermore), in September 1966. A Zappa-esque piece of psychedelic madness, the single hit #93 in the American charts. It became popular in garage circles, and was included on the Nuggets
compilation in 1972.
"It's A-Happening" was written by Stu Freeman and Josh Rice. Sonny Cassella produced, arranged and mixed the song. When Herb Alpert
of A&M Records
found out what Magic Mushrooms were, he pulled the record off the market because the band would not change their name.
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band in the 1960s.
The Magic Mushrooms were originally composed of five students from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in Philadelphia. They were:
- Joe Lacavera (Drums),
- Stu Freeman (Vocals and Guitar),
- Ted Cahill (Lead Guitar and Autoharp),
- Dick Richardson (Keyboards) and,
- Charles Ingersol (Bass).
They came together shortly after they started their freshman year and practiced in the freshman commons until they started playing gigs. They named themselves the Magic Mushrooms after Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
suggested that name during an on-campus lecture in the fall of 1965. In the Spring of 1966, they were joined by Josh Rice (Vocals, Flute, Harmonica), who had been the lead singer of a competing band on the Penn Campus, and 2 or 3 months after Josh arrived, Dick and Charles left the band, and were replaced by Bob Grady and Chris Barbieri, on keyboards and bass, both of whom had been in a band with Stu for a couple years previously.
The band was heard by Sonny Casella while playing at Drexel University later in the Fall and he signed on as the Manager shortly thereafter. They played mostly around the Philadelphia area into the Spring of 1966, most of their bookings being arranged by their new manager.
They released the single "It's A-Happening"('B' side- Nevermore), in September 1966. A Zappa-esque piece of psychedelic madness, the single hit #93 in the American charts. It became popular in garage circles, and was included on the Nuggets
Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968
Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era is a compilation album of American garage rock singles released in the mid- to late 1960s. It was assembled by Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, and Lenny Kaye, later lead guitarist for the Patti Smith Group...
compilation in 1972.
"It's A-Happening" was written by Stu Freeman and Josh Rice. Sonny Cassella produced, arranged and mixed the song. When Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
of A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
found out what Magic Mushrooms were, he pulled the record off the market because the band would not change their name.