The Kingston Trio was formed in 1957 in the Palo Alto, California area by original lineup of Dave Guard (1934–1991), Bob Shane (1934–2020), and Nick Reynolds (1933–2008), who were just out of college. Greatly influenced by The Weavers, the calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte, and other semi-popular folk artists such as the Gateway Singers and the Tarriers, they were discovered playing at a college club called the Cracked Pot by Frank Werber, a local publicist then working at the Hungry i. He became their manager, and secured them a one-shot deal with Capitol Records.
Their first hit was a catchy rendition of an old-time folk song, "Tom Dooley", which went gold in 1958. It was so popular that it entered popular culture as a catchphrase: Ella Fitzgerald, for example, parodies it during her recorded version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". It won them the first Grammy award for Best Country & Western Performance in 1959. The next year, they won the first Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category for the album The Kingston Trio at Large.
At one point in the early 1960s The Kingston Trio had four albums at the same time among the Top 10 selling albums, a record unmatched for nearly 40 years. In spite of this, they had a relatively small number of hit singles.
The group's music was simple and accessible, with much use of tight vocal harmony, signature riffs (often played on the banjo), and repetitive choruses. Capitol producer Voyle Gilmore[1] enhanced their vocal sound to great effect with reverb and the relatively new process of doubletracking, in which the performers sang along with their own pre-recorded part to produce a stronger sound than with a single voice, in part due to a natural time gap of a fraction of a second between the original recording and the overdubbed part. At first pairs of tape recorders were used, then later multitrack recording machines, to produce the effect.
Guard left the band in 1961 as part of a disagreement over its musical direction. He formed the group Whiskey Hill Singers, and was replaced by John Stewart, who led the group through several more years of popularity until the arrival of The Beatles and British invasion rock bands pushed them from the charts.
In 1967 the Trio disbanded after a final performance at the Hungry i, June 17, 1967.
Shane, the lone member to resist the break-up of the Trio, started a new group, aptly named, "The New Kingston Trio," in 1969. Eventually, Shane was successful in reaching a contractual agreement with his former partners, Guard, Reynolds, and Werber, to secure and license once again, the original name, "The Kingston Trio" (unencumbered by the adjective new), in 1976.(Blake et al. 1986.) Shane still owns the property today, 2006.
For a number of years in the 1980s Reynolds, one of the original three members, rejoined Shane.
In 2004 Shane retired from the group due to health problems. He was replaced by Bill Zorn, who had been with Shane in an iteration of the group called The New Kingston Trio; Zorn also has been a member of The Limeliters.
In 2005 Bobby Haworth (a one-time member of The Brothers Four) left the group to be replaced by Rick Dougherty, who also had been a member of The Limeliters.
As of 2006, The Kingston Trio consisted of George Grove, Bill Zorn and Rick Dougherty.
in October 2017, Grove, Zorn, and Dougherty were replaced as the Trio by new licensees Reynolds and Marvin and their friend, Tim Gorelangton. In 2018, Josh Reynolds left the group and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who became a member of the band for the third time. At the end of 2018, Haworth left the group and was replaced by Don Marovich.
Jesse James
The Kingston Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When Jesse James was a lad he killed many-a man. He robbed the Glendale train.
And the people they did say for many miles away. It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James.
[Chorus]
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave.
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave.
It was one of the Younger boys who gathered in the spoils and he carried Jesse's monies away.
[Chorus]
He was standin' on a chair just a-dustin' pictures there.
He thought he heard a noise (Yeah, what did he do?)
When he turned his head around,
Why that bullet smacked him down and it laid poor Jesse on the floor.
[Chorus]
Jesse robbed from the poor and he gave to the rich. He never did a friendly thing.
And when his best friend died he was right there by her side
And he lifted off her golden wedding ring.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of The Kingston Trio's song "Jesse James" recount the life and death of the notorious outlaw Jesse James, who along with his brother Frank and other members of their gang, ravaged the American West during the mid-19th century. The lyrics paint Jesse James as a violent and cold-blooded criminal who gained notoriety through his daring robberies, including that of the Glendale train. The song also highlights the impact of James' actions on his loved ones, particularly his wife and children, who mourned his untimely death at the hands of the "dirty little coward" who shot him in the back.
The song also includes a recitation which suggests that Jesse James' ruthless nature may have been the result of his upbringing in a harsh environment, where he and his brother were forced to forage for food and fend for themselves. This may have instilled in them a survivalist mentality that fueled their criminal activities later in life. The song ends with a reference to Jesse James' final act of betrayal, where he stole a gold ring from the finger of his dying friend, cementing his legacy as one of the most infamous outlaws in American history.
Line by Line Meaning
When Jesse James was a lad he killed many-a man. He robbed the Glendale train.
Jesse James committed murder and robbery from a young age.
And the people they did say for many miles away. It was robbed by Frank and Jesse James.
The people identified Frank and Jesse James as the train robbers from afar.
[Chorus]
Refrain
Poor Jesse had a wife who mourned for his life, three children, they were brave.
Jesse had a family who suffered when he died.
But that dirty little coward who shot Mister Howard has laid poor Jesse in his grave.
Someone cowardly killed Jesse and caused his death.
It was on a Saturday night if I remember right when they robbed that Glendale train.
The train robbery happened on a Saturday night.
It was one of the Younger boys who gathered in the spoils and he carried Jesse's monies away.
One of the Younger boys took Jesse's share of the stolen money.
[Chorus]
Refrain
He was standin' on a chair just a-dustin' pictures there.
Jesse was cleaning while standing on a chair.
He thought he heard a noise (Yeah, what did he do?)
Jesse heard a noise and reacted.
When he turned his head around, Why that bullet smacked him down and it laid poor Jesse on the floor.
Jesse was shot and killed while cleaning.
[Chorus]
Refrain
Jesse robbed from the poor and he gave to the rich. He never did a friendly thing.
Jesse took from the poor and gave to the rich, and was not friendly.
And when his best friend died he was right there by her side
Jesse was present when his best friend died.
And he lifted off her golden wedding ring.
Jesse took his best friend's wedding ring after she died.
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB SHANE, JOHN STEWART, NICK REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheTyrantOfTyrus
This version of the song was always so much fun and upbeat, especially since a lot of the traditional versions are much slower and sadder. This songs just a real fun inversion of the old story.
Neftali Rivera Jr
Rest In Peace Frank and Jesse James! My favorite two outlaws in western history. Don't mess with the James Brothers,blood is thicker than water!
George Vreeland Hill
This is a great version of the song. Thank you, and RIP Jesse James.
Jake 2204
I had the honor of doing a project on jesse james in criminology class when I was in high school. Whether you think he's a hero or just another ruthless outlaw, you can't deny that he left quite the legacy.
TwoBrokeWolves '
My grandpa sang this to me when I was little. Some good memories associated with this song.
Jay Igaboo
Superb! i love the montage and the song. Thank you.
Ghaz Man
If it wasn't for the KT, I would have never known about the Thresher. They have kept history alive. RIP Bob, Nick, and John, you will always be remembered.
That One Person
Kt
serzh ranimed
A great version of the song.
dill pickel
I've been a KT fan for over 50 years. Love this song.