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.
Song for a Friend
The Kingston Trio Lyrics
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And you wish someone would tell us where our friend has gone.
Look then in the hills when there's courage in the wind
And in the face of freedom and those who look to him.
And search within the heart of ev'ry young man with a song
Then I think we'll know where our friend has gone.
Summer takes the winter as the good years take the pain.
And I know I'll remember when a chill wind takes the sky
And speak of the years he gave us hope for they will never die.
And as we gaze at brave young men when yesterdays grow long,
Then I think we'll know where our friend has gone.
When you sit and wonder why things have gone so wrong.
It's then that we'll remember where our friend has gone.
The Kingston Trio's song "Song for a Friend" is a tribute to a friend who has passed away. The first verse speaks to the confusion and sadness felt when someone we care about leaves us unexpectedly. The second verse reminds us to look for our friend in the hills, in brave young people who stand up for what they believe in, and in the hearts of all those who carry a song within them. It suggests that our friend's spirit lives on in these things.
In the third verse, the song acknowledges that time will pass and the pain will lessen but that our hearts will never be the same. The fourth verse declares that our friend's legacy is hope, and that we can find comfort in remembering the good he brought into our lives. The final verse repeats the opening lines, but with a twist. Instead of asking where our friend has gone, it tells us that when we remember him, we will know where he is.
Overall, "Song for a Friend" is a poignant reminder that even when we lose someone we love, their memory and spirit can continue to inspire us.
Line by Line Meaning
When you sit and wonder why things have gone so wrong
Reflecting on the negative circumstances that have arisen.
And you wish someone would tell us where our friend has gone.
Desiring to know the location and fate of a friend.
Look then in the hills when there's courage in the wind
Observe the natural world for signs of bravery and strength.
And in the face of freedom and those who look to him.
Freedom and those who embrace it can offer clues to our friend's whereabouts.
And search within the heart of ev'ry young man with a song
Find inspiration and insight in the music and hearts of young people.
Then I think we'll know where our friend has gone.
By exploring these avenues, we may discover our friend's location.
Summer takes the winter as the good years take the pain.
Time and seasons bring change and growth, but also loss and difficulty.
There'll be laughter in the land again but hearts won't be the same.
Joy may return, but the sadness of our friend's absence will still be felt.
And I know I'll remember when a chill wind takes the sky
Recalling memories of our friend during cold, difficult times.
And speak of the years he gave us hope for they will never die.
Sharing stories of our friend and their positive impact on our lives and spirits.
And as we gaze at brave young men when yesterdays grow long,
Reflecting on the courage and potential of the next generation.
Then I think we'll know where our friend has gone.
Realizing the ways in which our friend's legacy and spirit live on through others.
When you sit and wonder why things have gone so wrong.
Again acknowledging the difficulties and challenges we face.
It's then that we'll remember where our friend has gone.
Finding solace and comfort in the memories and legacies of those we have lost.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind