Mark Eric

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You've heard of one-hit wonders, but Mark Eric (last name Malmborg) was a one-album wonder. Maybe not commercially valid at the time, Mark's Beach Boys-inspired 1969 album "A Midsummer's Day Dream" was California Sunshine Pop at it's finest. It's considered a collector's classic these days. However, modeling and acting was his real dream (he had roles in many early 1970's TV sitcoms & a few movies as well). He literally walked away & totally disappeared from the music scene. A total "what could have been" story.

RECOMMENDED SONG: California Home (song video below + lyrics)

ALSO CHECK OUT: Don't Cry Over Me, Where Do the Girls of the Summer Go?

LYRICS: California Home

California, three hours away

Thinking of you just makes my day

All I know is I'm all alone

California, I'm coming home

Indiana was cloudy and grey

Illinois was about the same way

Homesick hours I spent lying 'round

DC-9, please take off the ground

Every night I dreamed that I would lose the right way back

But then a California girl would show me where it's at

LA Airport is coming in sight

There's my beach and the hills off to the right

Hollywood, get out your floodlights

California, I have arrived

The End

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The End (not to be confused with a 60's California band of the same name) was a psychedelic pop band hailing from England. Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones) both produced their music & arranged the band to tour with the Rolling Stones. The End were mainly a singles-only band until the release of their one-and-only album in 1969. In 1970 The End transitioned to hard rock renaming themselves Tucker Buzzard, releasing 3 more obscure albums under Wyman's control. They finally completely dissolved in 1973. Though relatively undiscovered at the time, The End would eventually earn street cred thanks to a 1996 CD comprising of 61 released & unreleased songs.

RECOMMENDED SONG: Shades of Orange (song video below + lyrics)

ALSO CHECK OUT: Loving, Sacred Loving, Don't Take Me, Under the Rainbow, Cardboard Watch

LYRICS: Shades of Orange

There he stands in

Shades of orange light

To chase away

The evils of the night

People came to

Worship in the flame

And build the golden temples

To his name

Then with bands

Of burning metal bright

They climbed into the mountains

Of the night

And the temples

That were left would show

The thousands

Coming after we're to go

One little mind

Was left behind

He would never see the land

He would never die

He would never understand

The reason why 

Now the sun shines

Down on him each day

And he just sits

And passes time away

But he can’t explain

The golden lights

He sees upon

The mountains of the night

One little mind

Was left behind

He would never see the land

He would never die

He would never understand

He would never see the land

He would never die

He would never understand

Eclection

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Eclection were a British-based band, originally formed in 1967. The 5-member unit included 2 Australians, 1 Norwegian and 1 Canadian. At the suggestion of Joni Mitchell, they chose the name Eclection - a way to describe their "eclectic" style and origins. Their lone self-titled album was released on Elektra records in August 1968. After releasing their first single, "Nevertheless," in June 1968, Eclection went on a PR blitz, appearing on Dutch TV, BBC radio & the BBC TV show Colour Me Pop. Reviews for both the album & single were mostly favorable if not fantastic. However airplay was scarce and sales were minimal in the UK, and they were virtually un-noticed on the world stage. They once supported the Beach Boys on a 10-day tour. From late 1968 to their breakup in late 1969, the group's chemistry was handcuffed with several personnel changes & a lack of direction.

RECOMMENDED SONG: Nevertheless (song video below + lyrics)

ALSO CHECK OUT: Still I Can See, In Her Mind, Mark Time, Please

LYRICS: Nevertheless

Nevertheless

I can't help dreaming of you

I can't help falling for you

I just can't help

Nevertheless

I won't try calling your name

I won't try hanging around

I just won't try

Now and again

I might think of you

Hiding the pain

That comes from loving you

Nevertheless

I'll go on waking each day

I'll go on making my way

I'll just go on

Nevertheless

I'll soon find someone who cares

I will find somebody else

I know I'll find

Now and again

I might think of you

Hiding the pain

That comes from loving you 

Nevertheless

I can't help dreaming of you

I can't help falling for you

I just can't help