Don Irving
Encyclopedia
Don Irving is an American musician, best known as a guitarist
for rock band The Beau Brummels
. He was a member of the band for their Beau Brummels '66
album and joined a revamped lineup for a 2002 concert tour.
, before returning to California at age nine.
His first band was The Showmen, where he played with Butch Engle, later of Butch Engle & the Styx
. Irving then joined The Opposite Six, which featured Bill Champlin
and two other future members of the Sons of Champlin
. In 1965, he played on demos composed by Beau Brummels
' lead vocalist, Sal Valentino
. Touring had heightened tensions within the Beau Brummels and led to the departure of Declan Mulligan
.
Later that year, guitarist Ron Elliott
was no longer able to perform live after suffering seizures from his diabetic condition. Elliott's father, who managed the Brummels as well as the Styx, was recommended by Engle to recruit Irving as a temporary replacement on the road. Irving became a permanent member in early 1966, and he performed on the band's third album—and first on Warner Bros. Records
—Beau Brummels '66
. He also played on the band's single, "One Too Many Mornings
", a Bob Dylan
cover
. Drummer John Petersen
recalled, "Irving was really cool. He played all of Elliott's licks perfectly. By then we had three albums and we were still a good draw but the vibes in the band weren't healthy. It was really strained. I would go out to Laurel Canyon and people weren't talking to each other. By the time we got sold to Warner Brothers, we weren't the same band anymore". Following the album's release, Petersen quit the band to join Harpers Bizarre
,
and Irving left when he received an induction notice into the armed forces
. In 2002, Irving joined original members Valentino and Ron Meagher
for a concert tour.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
for rock band The Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels were an American rock band. Formed in San Francisco in 1964, the band's original lineup included Sal Valentino , Ron Elliott , Ron Meagher , Declan Mulligan , and John Petersen...
. He was a member of the band for their Beau Brummels '66
Beau Brummels '66
Beau Brummels '66 is the third studio album by American rock group The Beau Brummels, and their first on Warner Bros. Records. The album consists of twelve cover songs and no originals...
album and joined a revamped lineup for a 2002 concert tour.
History
Don Irving, the son of a career military man, spent his early childhood in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, before returning to California at age nine.
His first band was The Showmen, where he played with Butch Engle, later of Butch Engle & the Styx
Butch Engle & the Styx
Butch Engle & the Styx were an American rock band formed in 1963 in Mill Valley, California. Originally named The Showmen, the members were Butch Engle , Bob Zamora , Mike Pardee , Harry "Happiness" Smith , and Rich Morrison . The band released three singles before breaking up in 1968...
. Irving then joined The Opposite Six, which featured Bill Champlin
Bill Champlin
William Bradford "Bill" Champlin is an American singer, guitarist, keyboard player, arranger, producer, and songwriter. His performance work is principally associated with the bands Chicago and the Sons of Champlin...
and two other future members of the Sons of Champlin
Sons of Champlin
The Sons of Champlin is an American rock band, formed in the late 1960s and hailing from the San Francisco-Bay area. They are fronted by vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Bill Champlin, who was also a member of the rock band Chicago.-Early years:...
. In 1965, he played on demos composed by Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels were an American rock band. Formed in San Francisco in 1964, the band's original lineup included Sal Valentino , Ron Elliott , Ron Meagher , Declan Mulligan , and John Petersen...
' lead vocalist, Sal Valentino
Sal Valentino
Sal Valentino is an American rock musician, singer and songwriter, best known as lead singer of The Beau Brummels, subsequently becoming a songwriter as well. The band released a pair of top 20 U.S...
. Touring had heightened tensions within the Beau Brummels and led to the departure of Declan Mulligan
Declan Mulligan
Declan Mulligan is an Irish rock musician, singer and songwriter, best known as a guitarist of American rock band The Beau Brummels...
.
Later that year, guitarist Ron Elliott
Ron Elliott (musician)
Ron Elliott on October 21, 1943) is an American musician, composer and producer, best known as songwriter and lead guitarist of rock band The Beau Brummels. Elliott wrote or co-wrote the band's 1965 U.S...
was no longer able to perform live after suffering seizures from his diabetic condition. Elliott's father, who managed the Brummels as well as the Styx, was recommended by Engle to recruit Irving as a temporary replacement on the road. Irving became a permanent member in early 1966, and he performed on the band's third album—and first on Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
—Beau Brummels '66
Beau Brummels '66
Beau Brummels '66 is the third studio album by American rock group The Beau Brummels, and their first on Warner Bros. Records. The album consists of twelve cover songs and no originals...
. He also played on the band's single, "One Too Many Mornings
One Too Many Mornings
"One Too Many Mornings" is a song by Bob Dylan, released on his third studio album The Times They Are a-Changin in 1964. The chords and vocal melody are in some places very similar to the song "The Times They Are A-Changin'". "One Too Many Mornings" is in the key of C Major and is fingerpicked...
", a Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
. Drummer John Petersen
John Petersen (musician)
John Petersen was an American drummer, most notably for rock bands The Beau Brummels and Harpers Bizarre. In 1964 he joined the Beau Brummels, whose first two singles, "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just a Little", reached the U.S. top 20...
recalled, "Irving was really cool. He played all of Elliott's licks perfectly. By then we had three albums and we were still a good draw but the vibes in the band weren't healthy. It was really strained. I would go out to Laurel Canyon and people weren't talking to each other. By the time we got sold to Warner Brothers, we weren't the same band anymore". Following the album's release, Petersen quit the band to join Harpers Bizarre
Harpers Bizarre
Harpers Bizarre was an American pop-rock band of the 1960s, best known for their Broadway/Sunshine Pop sound and their remake of Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song ."- Career :...
,
and Irving left when he received an induction notice into the armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
. In 2002, Irving joined original members Valentino and Ron Meagher
Ron Meagher
Ron Meagher is best known as bassist of American rock band The Beau Brummels. When guitarist-songwriter Ron Elliott was putting the band together in 1964, he asked a friend, Kay Dane, if she knew any good bass players....
for a concert tour.