Harpers Bizarre Biography & Awards

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Artist Info

Formed

1963 Santa Cruz, CA

Disbanded

1970

Members

Dick Scoppettone, John Petersen, Ted Templeman, Dick Yount, Eddie James

Biography

The eclectic pop group Harper's Bizarre was formed in Santa Cruz, CA, in 1963 by Ted Templeman (born October 24, 1944; Santa Cruz, CA) (vocals, drums, trumpet), Dickie Scoppettone (born July 5, 1945; Santa Cruz, CA) (guitar, vocals), Eddie James (born Santa Cruz, CA) (guitar, vocals), and Dick Yount (b. January 9, 1943) (guitar, bass, drums). John Peterson (b. January 8, 1945; San Francisco, CA) (drums) joined in 1966. After gaining attention as the surf-oriented Tikis in San Francisco, they were signed to Warner Bros. by producer Lenny Waronker, and they scored one of the sunniest hit singles of the 1967 Summer of Love with a version of Paul Simon's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)." Their brand of wistful, Roaring '20s pop enjoyed only a brief vogue, roughly from late 1966 to mid-1967, but they managed to get a few more minor chart singles -- notably Van Dyke Parks' "Come to the Sunshine" and covers of "Anything Goes" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" -- and released four albums before disbanding in 1970. Templeman went on to become one of Warner Bros.' primary staff producers. As Time Goes By (1976) marked a partial reunion of the group. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide