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List of the Association members

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The Association in 1966. Top: from left to right; Jules Alexander, Brian Cole, Russ Giguere. Bottom; from left to right: Ted Bluchel Jr., Jim Yester, Terry Kirkman.
The Association in 1968. Top: from left to right; Jim Yester, Brian Cole, Ted Bluchel Jr. Bottom: from left to right; Russ Giguere, Larry Ramos, Terry Kirkman.

The Association are an American pop band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. When their breakthrough came in 1966, their line-up consisted of Terry Kirkman, Russ Giguere, Jules Alexander, Jim Yester, Brian Cole and Ted Bluechel Jr. Following Alexander's departure in 1967, Larry Ramos came in and filled his place.

History

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In 1962, Jules Alexander was in Hawaii, serving in the navy. Whilst there, he met traveling salesman Terry Kirkman. The two became close friends and remained in contact. When Jules was discharged from the navy a year later, the two moved to Los Angeles and played in clubs all in different parts of the city. The two became members of a thirteen-piece folk group called The Men. In 1965, the Men split up and six of their members, Alexander, Kirkman, Russ Giguere, Bob Page, Brian Cole and Ted Bluechel Jr., formed their own group. The band decided to spend six months practicing before performing on stage, during that time, Page left and Jim Yester replaced him. In late 1965, they signed to Jubilee Records. Jubilee label issued a single of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (a song originally recorded by Joan Baez, later popularized by Led Zeppelin), but nothing happened. Finally, Valiant Records offered them a contract, with the first result being a version of Bob Dylan's "One Too Many Mornings", which was produced by Valiant's owner, Barry De Vorzon, at Gold Star Studios.

In July of 1966, their debut album, And Then... Along Comes the Association, was released. The track Along Comes Mary was an instant hit, charting at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100[1] and their song Cherish would hit number one on the Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks straight, before being replaced by The Four Tops' Reach Out I'll Be There.[2] In November 1966, their second album, Renaissance was released, although none of their songs managed to meet the success that Along Comes Mary and Cherish did. In March 1967, Alexander left to move to India, and Larry Ramos (previously of New Christy Minstrels fame) came in and filled his place. Insight Out, their third album, was released on June 8, 1967 and first on Warner Bros. Records after Warner Bros. bought out Valiant. Two tracks from that album include "Windy" and "Never My Love". Windy went to number one on four different American and Canadian charts.[3][4] Never My Love charted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, but was a chart-topper on the Cash Box 100 and Canadian RPM Top Singles.[5]

Four more albums were released from 1968 to 1972, Birthday (1968), The Association (1969), Stop Your Motor (1971), and Waterbeds in Trinidad! (1972). Alexander returned to the group in 1969, while Russ Giguere left in 1970 to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Richard Thompson. A few months after the release of Waterbeds in Trinidad, bassist Brian Cole died aged 29 from a heroin overdose. The band saw a rotating list of personnel until the band split in 1978. The split was proven to be short, and they regrouped again the following year. The band has been performing non-stop since. The current version of the band is led by Jules Alexander and Jim Yester, as well as Del Ramos, brother of Larry Ramos, and Jordan Cole, son of Brian Cole. During the 1970s and 80s, the band went through numerous line-up changes, with, at one point, only one original member in the band. Past notable members include Jerry Yester, Andy Chapin, and Ray Pohlman.

Members

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Current

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Jules Alexander 1965–1967, 1969–1974, 1979–1989, 2012–present Vocals, guitar, piano, bass
Jim Yester 1965–1973, 1974–1977, 1979–1983, 2007–present Vocals, guitar, keyboards All releases
Bruce Pictor 1985–present Drums None
Paul Holland 1987-1989, 2014–present Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards
Del Ramos 1999–present Sound engineer, vocals, bass
Jordan Cole Vocals, guitar, keyboards

Former

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Terry Kirkman 1965-1972, 1979-1984 (died 2023) Vocals, woodwind instruments All releases
Russ Giguere 1965-1970, 1979-2014 Vocals, guitar
Brian Cole 1965-1972 (died 1972) Bass All releases
Ted Bluechel Jr. 1965-1978, 1979-1984 Drums
Bob Page 1965 Guitar None
Larry Ramos 1967-1975, 1979-2014 (died 2014) Vocals, guitar All releases from Insight Out (1967)
Richard Thompson 1970-1974, 1979-1980 Keyboard
Wolfgang Melz 1972 Bass None
Mike Berkowitz Drums
David Vaught 1972-1978 Bass
Maurice Miller Drums
Jerry Yester 1973-1974, 1978 Guitar
Art Johnson 1974-1975
Dwayne Smith Keyboards
Larry Brown 1975-1977 Vocals
Andy Chapin 1975-1976 (died 1985) Keyboards
Jay Gruska 1976
David Morgan 1976-1978
Ric Ulsky 1977-1978, 1980-1984
Cliff Wooley 1977-1978 Guitar
John William Tuttle 1978
Jack Harris
Davey Bernie 1978 Bass
Ray Pohlman 1979-1980 (died 1990)
Keith Moret 1983
Joe Lamanno 1984
Brian Puckett 1984-1985 Drums
Mike Peed 1984 Keyboards
Donni Gougeon 1984-1987, 1999
Paul Beach 1985-1989 Bass
Chris Urmston 1987 Keyboards
Bob Werner 1999-2007 Guitar
David Jackson 2007
Blair Anderson 2008 Drums
Godfrey Townsend 2012 Guitar

Timeline

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Lineups

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Period Members
1965
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Bob Page – rhythm guitar, vocals, banjo
  • Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
1965 – March 1967
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
March 1967 – Late 1968
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
Late 1968 – June 1970
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
June 1970 – August 1972
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Richard Thompson – keyboards
  • Brian Cole – bass, vocals, woodwinds
  • Wolfgang Melz - bass (joined in 1972)
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
August–December 1972
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Richard Thompson – keyboards
  • Wolfgang Melz – bass
  • Mike Berkowitz – drums
December 1972 – mid-1973
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Richard Thompson – keyboards
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
mid–late 1973
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Richard Thompson – keyboards
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
late 1973 – late 1974
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Yester – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Richard Thompson – keyboards
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
late 1974 – mid-1975
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Art Johnson – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Dwayne Smith – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
mid–late 1975
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Art Johnson – lead guitar, vocals
  • Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Dwayne Smith – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
late 1975 – mid-1976
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Andy Chapin – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
mid-1976
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jay Gruska – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
mid-1976 – mid-1977
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Brown – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • David Morgan – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
mid-1977
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Jim Yester – lead guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals
  • David Morgan – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
mid-1977 – 1978
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Cliff Woolley – lead guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals
  • David Morgan – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Maurice Miller – drums, vocals, percussion
1978
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Cliff Woolley – lead guitar, vocals
  • John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Russ Levine – drums, vocals
mid-1978
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Jack Harris – lead guitar, vocals
  • John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Russ Levine – drums, vocals
late-1978
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Jack Harris – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jerry Yester - lead guitar, vocals
  • John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals
  • David Vaught – bass, vocals
  • Russ Levine – drums, vocals
December 1978
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Jack Harris – lead guitar, vocals
  • John William Tuttle – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards, vocals
  • Davey Bernie – bass, vocals
  • Russ Levine – drums, vocals
December 1978 – September 1979 Disbanded
September 1979 – 1980
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Richard Thompson – keyboards
  • Ray Pohlman – bass
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
1980 – June 1983
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards
  • Jules Alexander – bass, vocals
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
  • Russ Levine - drums (left in 1980)
June 1983 – July 1984
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards
  • Keith Moret – bass
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – drums, vocals, rhythm guitar, bass
July–September 1984
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Terry Kirkman – vocals, wind instruments, percussion
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Ric Ulsky – keyboards
  • Joe Lamanno – bass
  • Brian Puckett – drums
September–November 1984
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Mike Peed – keyboards
  • Joe Lamanno – bass
  • Brian Puckett – drums
November 1984
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Ted Bluechel, Jr. – vocals, rhythm guitar, bass, drums
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Donni Gougeon – keyboards
  • Joe Lamanno – bass
  • Brian Puckett – drums
early 1985 – early 1987
  • 3uss Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Donni Gougeon – keyboards
  • Paul Beach – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
  • Del Ramos – sound, vocals
1987
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Chris Urmston – keyboards, vocals
  • Paul Beach – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
  • Del Ramos – sound, vocals
1987 – early 1989
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Holland – keyboards, vocals
  • Paul Beach – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
  • Del Ramos – sound, vocals
early 1989 – 1999
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Donni Gougeon – keyboards
  • Paul Holland – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
  • Del Ramos – sound, vocals
1999
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Bob Werner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Donni Gougeon – keyboards, vocals
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
1999–2007
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Bob Werner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
2007
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • David Jackson – bass, rhythm guitar
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
2007
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Bob Werner – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
2007–2008
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
2008
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Blair Anderson – drums
2008 – January 2012
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
January–February 2012
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Godfrey Townsend – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
February–March 2012
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
March 2012 – January 2014
  • Russ Giguere – vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
January–February 2014
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Larry Ramos – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion
February 2014 – present
  • Jules Alexander – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Holland – lead guitar, vocals
  • Jim Yester – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Jordan Cole – keyboards, vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Del Ramos – bass, vocals
  • Bruce Pictor – drums, vocals, percussion

References

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  1. ^ Gilliland, John. "Show 37 - The Rubberization of Soul: The great pop music renaissance. [Part 3]". UNT Digital Library. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  2. ^ tolsen (2013-01-02). "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  3. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 7/08/67". tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  4. ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). 2022-10-11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  5. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 10/14/67". tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.