This photo taken in 1969 shows the personel of the original Stony Brook People.
This group recorded for Columbia Records and released the single "Easy To Be Hard" b/w "There's Tomorrow". The members shown recorded the original Vocals and Instrumental tracks to these titles. There are names & videos of other persons who are supposedly this band performing these tracks. They are NOT, repeat NOT, the band that did in fact record these tracks!
The original band members that are shown in this photo are (left to right) Larry Wurtzel-Trumpet,Vocals/ Mary Jane Mandela-Vocals/ Al Dittrich-Drums / Leah Santos-Lead Vocals / Phil Pollack-Keyboards / Russ Rosenfeld- Guitar/ George Reich-Trumpet,Keyboards / Julie Thompson-Lead & backing Vocals / Bob Rosenfeld-Bass Guitar. They were signed by Clive Davis personally (President) to Columbia Records in early 1968 as The Penny Candy (name given the band by Neil Diamond who was originally producing them) but Columbia felt the name did not fit the sound of the group and it was changed to The Stony Brook People by a Vice President of the label who lived in Stony Brook Long Island NY and quickly renamed the band so the single could go into release in early 1969. Album tracks were being put together to follow-up the single when internal problems, after spending quite a while on the road promoting the single (TV shows,large & small venues,etc)caused the band to splinter, with most members going on to other music projects. I was a member of the band and had been with them from their roots. When the 'new' Stony Brook People were thrown together, the bands original manager brought me to a rehearsal and asked if I wanted to be the road manager for the group. I told him I was insulted that he would let them use the name as they only had the quality of a decent bar band, but he was holding these Columbia Records contracts and wanted to make some money off the momentum the originals started. The next single released under The Stony Brook People name was produced by studio wiz Paul Leka who actually used studio musicians on the tracks for 'He's Back Again' and 'Just A Little Lovin' with Leah Santos from the original group singing Lead Vocal. The other 'new' members were not involved at all on the recordings. They were dropped by Columbia when Clive Davis heard the second single and the band live, saying this was not the product he signed to the label.
Hi. This is Phil Pollack, the keyboard player pictured in the above photo as an original member of the Stony Brook People. Seems that the history outlined above is essentially accurate.
Who is the creator of this blog and what was your association with the band?
While some of your information sounds correct, you are absolutely wrong about the musicians used on the track, "He's Back Again." George Reich (who wrote the song), Mark Levine, Leah Santos, Joy Lesem, Eddie Rodriguez and Mike Gregory (later replaced by Mike Bernardo) all played on that track....no studio musicians were used at all. These people replaced the original band members when Tommy Smothers' management company, SmoBro Talent,who represented the group, decided that they wanted fewer members in the band. Additionally, when "Easy to be Hard" was released by Three Dog Night and ran up the charts, Clive Davis decided to make the Stony Brook People a tax write off for Columbia Records, since Columbia Records was having some financial problems at the time. The "new" Stony Brook People toured all over the U.S. doing many concerts and TV appearances, including The Joey Bishop Show, where Tommy Smothers introduced the group. They also had a good run at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, appearing at the same time as Ella Fitzgerald and Fats Domino. All in all, the "new" Stony Brook People lasted much longer than the original group and had a good deal of success. After almost 43 years it seems rather petty and cynical for you to have such a "sour grapes" attitude towards a group of musicians who had nothing to do with the changes made to the group, yet performed with dignity and professionalism.
Hi PHIL......Al Dittrich (Drums). As a member of the original band I commend you for pointing out that the history of the group is accurate, as you obviously were a big part of it.
KERI...There are no 'sour grapes' nor any intent to be petty and cynical towards the 'replacement' band. If you read the caption accompaning the photo, it merely points out that the members that are shown are in fact the musicians and vocalists who actually recorded "Easy To Be Hard' and 'There's Tomorrow'. While randomly brousing utube and finding the videos of these two tracks that have different members shown as being the band performing them, it was only right to correct the facts due to the original band being such a great group and receiving credit where due. I don't want to rehash over and over the breakup of the band, but your statements are wrong! First, the original group worked with Tommy Smothers during 1969 in San Francisco (along with Rick Nelson) on a special filmed for TV about the city. There were no discussions of him managing the band even though he liked us very much, but later on after the breakup, Don Dwyer, the bands manager did swing a deal with Smothers to take over managment of the new members as he (Dwyer) wanted out after Clive Davis released the band for reasons cited in my first telling of this saga. There was no such reason for being released because of a tax write-off, and Columbia was by NO MEANS having financial difficulty. To prove this, one has to realize that at this time Columbia had acts such as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, Simon & Garfunkel et al so they (Columbia) were in no way hurting. Be sensible and think about that as compared to what you may have been told. Besides playing Drums for the band, I also assisted Dwyer in some of the business aspects of the group, and was with Dwyer in Clive Davis' office when he told us why the band was being dropped (the new group that is). I kept an association with Dwyer for a few years afterward, but mainly had also gone on to playing professionally with a number of name acts on the road for quite a number of years throughout the 1970's. Many years on the road wear you down, so I finally went into a partnership owning a nite club which fortunately was very successful. So again, no 'sour grapes', as being with the original Stony Brook People was an adventure, but a fun one to say the least. My 'history' was just meant to correct some facts!
As for this person 'Hart', check with Leah Santos or George Reich as to knowing me and my part in the band.
There is no disputing that the people in the picture above did, in fact, record “Easy to Be Hard” and “There’s Tomorrow”. They were a wonderful bunch of talented musicians. However, if you consider the actual facts and chronology of events regarding the band, some of your statements are very suspect.
First, Don Dwyer, the original manager of the band, might have offered you the position of road manager, after you were replaced by Eddie Rodriguez, but you never actually were the road manager. The two road managers were Bob Kolowitz and Ricky Morgenstern.
Second, after the “original” Stony Brook People” did the TV show with Tommy Smothers and Rick Nelson, which taped on Lombard Street, in San Francisco, CA, the personnel changes happened in the group. Actually, Tommy Smothers did, in fact, like the group, but wanted fewer people, as he thought it would be easier to manage and that is why the personnel changes were made. Would you have us believe that all those original members of the band, having worked so hard to get to the point of having a recording contract and finally realizing their dream of “making it” would actually, “splinter apart” and go their separate ways?
Third, subsequent to your replacement you were never at a band meeting, rehearsal, recording session, concert, TV appearance, or club appearance (unless you were in the audience and did not make your presence known to the band). The idea you might have had any “first hand” knowledge of anything that happened with the band, after you were replaced, is impossible. Additionally, the fact that you insisted that studio musicians recorded “He’s Back Again”, when it is a known fact the “new” band members actually did that recording further proves that the only information you might have had regarding the band was whatever Don Dwyer told you.
Fourth, the band recorded in California, at a number of studios and the second single, “Just A Little Lovin’”/ “He’s Back Again” was released long AFTER the personnel changes had occurred. Only then did Clive Davis and Columbia Records make any decision regarding the band. Since you had no known or real involvement with the band, at that point, it is highly improbable that you would have been included at any important meeting with any official at Columbia Records.
While you may have been associated with Don Dwyer for a few years, you definitely were not involved with the band after the personnel changes happened in the Stony Brook People. Don Dwyer was a liar, embezzler and thief and very little of what he told you was the truth.
Keri Apparently you are turning this post into a debate by your use of One, Two, Three, Four and statements in such order, while using some strong language. I will gladly supply you with true info regarding your assumptions or your version of the story, but at this point I feel I really should know who I am conversing with being that you are making allegations that should be answered with real and in proper order facts. Therefore, if you would please email your info (this will ONLY be available to me and will NOT be emailed to anyone else nor posted on this blog, that's a promise!) to lranger194910@yahoo.com Looking forward to hearing from you.......
As expected, this KERI did not crawl out of its cave and tell me who they are, even though I pledged not to reveal to anyone else its name. I don't want a reply to my comments now from KERI, as it has NO CREDIBILITY. The facts are what they are: The TV special on San Fran was begun at Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, where the group met with Tommy Smothers and Rick Nelson for the first time, then had a late night recording session with Nelson. Lombard St only leads to Telegraph Hill. There was no taping on Lombard. The band did not split right after SF. We went on to L.A. and joined forces with Jerry Styner, producer of "Easy To Be Hard' and 'There's Tomorrow' to rehearse possible LP tracks. There, Styner had some of the band come to his house in Hollywood (I say some because not all chose to go, there was bickering among some members at this time, which KERI finds impossible to believe, and there were some problems at his house between members that startled Styner and he remarked "what's the deal with that?" which I tried to shrug off). The band returned to the East Coast ending in Baltimore MD where things really fell apart among the members. Of course I wasn't the road manager of the 'new' band and I said so in my first comment. I declined Don Dwyer's offer to be such when I heard the group, nothing like the quality of the original signed to Columbia. Understand what you read. My reply to a statement that I was NEVER at a performance or rehearsal when in fact I WAS at a rehearsal with Dwyer, again, as told in my original comment. Hearing them is precisely why I told Dwyer I was insulted that he would let this group coast on the name of The Stony Brook People, and I wanted no involvement. Mind altering matter, or years, would most likely make one not remember my presence which was definitely very low key due to what I heard. The statement that it was "impossible" that I had any "first hand" knowledge about the band is downright wrong. I was joined in business with Dwyer,some involved the group but most, other matters, out of sight of the band as there was no reason for them to know what I was doing after the breakup of the original. And YES, I WAS with Dwyer when he was informed by Clive Davis the band was being dropped,contrary to what KERI would like to believe. Let's say I was a 'security blanket' for Dwyer when he was to meet Davis as he knew some tough talk was going to go down. And it did! Davis made it very clear that Columbia was being duped with a replacement nothing like the band HE personally signed to the label, and the fact that front money was given to the band (that was supposed to end up in the Corporation the band formed). I still have in my possession the 'Legal Releases' for each member of the band from Columbia that I held for Dwyer. The front money went elsewhere, legal reasons at the time, though Dwyer and myself had some difficulties resolving that but eventually did settle. A very libelous statement was made by KERI regarding Don Dwyer being a LIAR, EMBEZZLER AND THIEF and claiming very little of what he told me was the TRUTH. If this is so easily stated by a low life that won't reveal to me who they are, I only say that it would have to be PROVEN these labels are true! Being associated with Dwyer, I'll surely acknowledge that he was no angel in some matters, with me and otherwise, but using the language KERI has requires some hard and factual documenting as to Dwyer's handling of the band to be believed. This and my original comments put to bed the real story, not the 'history' that exists elsewhere or the phony credits on videos showing the 'new' band being the musicians performing 'Easy To Be Hard' and 'There's Tomorrow'. In retrospect, I'm very happy that I left behind the 'soap operas' of bands and was able to perform pro on the road with a number of name acts and shows for many years after. Adios
Omg. Can't believe I stumbled upon this blog. I dated Russell from early 1969 to 1974 or 1975? I remember all this going on. I am still friends with Phil but none of the others. I was Linda Swartz back then.
I'm saddened to hear that Leah Santos passed away 11/17/2016. Working with Leah was working with a great talent and good friend. Thanks for having me as part of your life Leah...
What are the names of these band members and what is your relationship to them?
ReplyDeleteThe original band members that are shown in this photo are (left to right) Larry Wurtzel-Trumpet,Vocals/ Mary Jane Mandela-Vocals/ Al Dittrich-Drums / Leah Santos-Lead Vocals / Phil Pollack-Keyboards / Russ Rosenfeld- Guitar/ George Reich-Trumpet,Keyboards / Julie Thompson-Lead & backing Vocals / Bob Rosenfeld-Bass Guitar. They were signed by Clive Davis personally (President) to Columbia Records in early 1968 as The Penny Candy (name given the band by Neil Diamond who was originally producing them) but Columbia felt the name did not fit the sound of the group and it was changed to The Stony Brook People by a Vice President of the label who lived in Stony Brook Long Island NY and quickly renamed the band so the single could go into release in early 1969. Album tracks were being put together to follow-up the single when internal problems, after spending quite a while on the road promoting the single (TV shows,large & small venues,etc)caused the band to splinter, with most members going on to other music projects. I was a member of the band and had been with them from their roots. When the 'new' Stony Brook People were thrown together, the bands original manager brought me to a rehearsal and asked if I wanted to be the road manager for the group. I told him I was insulted that he would let them use the name as they only had the quality of a decent bar band, but he was holding these Columbia Records contracts and wanted to make some money off the momentum the originals started. The next single released under The Stony Brook People name was produced by studio wiz Paul Leka who actually used studio musicians on the tracks for 'He's Back Again' and 'Just A Little Lovin' with Leah Santos from the original group singing Lead Vocal. The other 'new' members were not involved at all on the recordings. They were dropped by Columbia when Clive Davis heard the second single and the band live, saying this was not the product he signed to the label.
ReplyDeleteYou say you were with the band... how come none of the band members know who you are?
ReplyDeleteHi. This is Phil Pollack, the keyboard player pictured in the above photo as an original member of the Stony Brook People. Seems that the history outlined above is essentially accurate.
ReplyDeleteWho is the creator of this blog and what was your association with the band?
Thanks.
While some of your information sounds correct, you are absolutely wrong about the musicians used on the track, "He's Back Again." George Reich (who wrote the song), Mark Levine, Leah Santos, Joy Lesem, Eddie Rodriguez and Mike Gregory (later replaced by Mike Bernardo) all played on that track....no studio musicians were used at all. These people replaced the original band members when Tommy Smothers' management company, SmoBro Talent,who represented the group, decided that they wanted fewer members in the band. Additionally, when "Easy to be Hard" was released by Three Dog Night and ran up the charts, Clive Davis decided to make the Stony Brook People a tax write off for Columbia Records, since Columbia Records was having some financial problems at the time. The "new" Stony Brook People toured all over the U.S. doing many concerts and TV appearances, including The Joey Bishop Show, where Tommy Smothers introduced the group. They also had a good run at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, appearing at the same time as Ella Fitzgerald and Fats Domino. All in all, the "new" Stony Brook People lasted much longer than the original group and had a good deal of success. After almost 43 years it seems rather petty and cynical for you to have such a "sour grapes" attitude towards a group of musicians who had nothing to do with the changes made to the group, yet performed with dignity and professionalism.
ReplyDeleteHi PHIL......Al Dittrich (Drums). As a member of the original band I commend you for pointing out that the history of the group is accurate, as you obviously were a big part of it.
ReplyDeleteKERI...There are no 'sour grapes' nor any intent to be petty and cynical towards the 'replacement' band. If you read the caption accompaning the photo, it merely points out that the members that are shown are in fact the musicians and vocalists who actually recorded "Easy To Be Hard' and 'There's Tomorrow'. While randomly brousing utube and finding the videos of these two tracks that have different members shown as being the band performing them, it was only right to correct the facts due to the original band being such a great group and receiving credit where due. I don't want to rehash over and over the breakup of the band, but your statements are wrong! First, the original group worked with Tommy Smothers during 1969 in San Francisco (along with Rick Nelson) on a special filmed for TV about the city. There were no discussions of him managing the band even though he liked us very much, but later on after the breakup, Don Dwyer, the bands manager did swing a deal with Smothers to take over managment of the new members as he (Dwyer) wanted out after Clive Davis released the band for reasons cited in my first telling of this saga. There was no such reason for being released because of a tax write-off, and Columbia was by NO MEANS having financial difficulty. To prove this, one has to realize that at this time Columbia had acts such as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Janis Joplin, Sly & The Family Stone, Simon & Garfunkel et al so they (Columbia) were in no way hurting. Be sensible and think about that as compared to what you may have been told. Besides playing Drums for the band, I also assisted Dwyer in some of the business aspects of the group, and was with Dwyer in Clive Davis' office when he told us why the band was being dropped (the new group that is). I kept an association with Dwyer for a few years afterward, but mainly had also gone on to playing professionally with a number of name acts on the road for quite a number of years throughout the 1970's. Many years on the road wear you down, so I finally went into a partnership owning a nite club which fortunately was very successful.
So again, no 'sour grapes', as being with the original Stony Brook People was an adventure, but a fun one to say the least. My 'history' was just meant to correct some facts!
As for this person 'Hart', check with Leah Santos or George Reich as to knowing me and my part in the band.
Al,
ReplyDeleteThere is no disputing that the people in the picture above did, in fact, record “Easy to Be Hard” and “There’s Tomorrow”. They were a wonderful bunch of talented musicians. However, if you consider the actual facts and chronology of events regarding the band, some of your statements are very suspect.
First, Don Dwyer, the original manager of the band, might have offered you the position of road manager, after you were replaced by Eddie Rodriguez, but you never actually were the road manager. The two road managers were Bob Kolowitz and Ricky Morgenstern.
Second, after the “original” Stony Brook People” did the TV show with Tommy Smothers and Rick Nelson, which taped on Lombard Street, in San Francisco, CA, the personnel changes happened in the group. Actually, Tommy Smothers did, in fact, like the group, but wanted fewer people, as he thought it would be easier to manage and that is why the personnel changes were made. Would you have us believe that all those original members of the band, having worked so hard to get to the point of having a recording contract and finally realizing their dream of “making it” would actually, “splinter apart” and go their separate ways?
Third, subsequent to your replacement you were never at a band meeting, rehearsal, recording session, concert, TV appearance, or club appearance (unless you were in the audience and did not make your presence known to the band). The idea you might have had any “first hand” knowledge of anything that happened with the band, after you were replaced, is impossible. Additionally, the fact that you insisted that studio musicians recorded “He’s Back Again”, when it is a known fact the “new” band members actually did that recording further proves that the only information you might have had regarding the band was whatever Don Dwyer told you.
Fourth, the band recorded in California, at a number of studios and the second single, “Just A Little Lovin’”/ “He’s Back Again” was released long AFTER the personnel changes had occurred. Only then did Clive Davis and Columbia Records make any decision regarding the band. Since you had no known or real involvement with the band, at that point, it is highly improbable that you would have been included at any important meeting with any official at Columbia Records.
While you may have been associated with Don Dwyer for a few years, you definitely were not involved with the band after the personnel changes happened in the Stony Brook People. Don Dwyer was a liar, embezzler and thief and very little of what he told you was the truth.
Keri
ReplyDeleteApparently you are turning this post into a debate by your use of One, Two, Three, Four and statements in such order, while using some strong language.
I will gladly supply you with true info regarding your assumptions or your version of the story, but at this point I feel I really should know who I am conversing with being that you are making allegations that should be answered with real and in proper order facts. Therefore, if you would please email your info (this will ONLY be available to me and will NOT be emailed to anyone else nor posted on this blog, that's a promise!) to lranger194910@yahoo.com
Looking forward to hearing from you.......
As expected, this KERI did not crawl out of its cave and tell me who they are, even though I pledged not to reveal to anyone else its name.
ReplyDeleteI don't want a reply to my comments now from KERI, as it has NO CREDIBILITY.
The facts are what they are:
The TV special on San Fran was begun at Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, where the group met with Tommy Smothers and Rick Nelson for the first time, then had a late night recording session with Nelson. Lombard St only leads to Telegraph Hill. There was no taping on Lombard.
The band did not split right after SF. We went on to L.A. and joined forces with Jerry Styner, producer of "Easy To Be Hard' and 'There's Tomorrow' to rehearse possible LP tracks. There, Styner had some of the band come to his house in Hollywood (I say some because not all chose to go, there was bickering among some members at this time, which KERI finds impossible to believe, and there were some problems at his house between members that startled Styner and he remarked "what's the deal with that?" which I tried to shrug off).
The band returned to the East Coast ending in Baltimore MD where things really fell apart among the members.
Of course I wasn't the road manager of the 'new' band and I said so in my first comment. I declined Don Dwyer's offer to be such when I heard the group, nothing like the quality of the original signed to Columbia. Understand what you read.
My reply to a statement that I was NEVER at a performance or rehearsal when in fact I WAS at a rehearsal with Dwyer, again, as told in my original comment. Hearing them is precisely why I told Dwyer I was insulted that he would let this group coast on the name of The Stony Brook People, and I wanted no involvement. Mind altering matter, or years, would most likely make one not remember my presence which was definitely very low key due to what I heard.
The statement that it was "impossible" that I had any "first hand" knowledge about the band is downright wrong. I was joined in business with Dwyer,some involved the group but most, other matters, out of sight of the band as there was no reason for them to know what I was doing after the breakup of the original.
And YES, I WAS with Dwyer when he was informed by Clive Davis the band was being dropped,contrary to what KERI would like to believe. Let's say I was a 'security blanket' for Dwyer when he was to meet Davis as he knew some tough talk was going to go down. And it did! Davis made it very clear that Columbia was being duped with a replacement nothing like the band HE personally signed to the label, and the fact that front money was given to the band (that was supposed to end up in the Corporation the band formed).
I still have in my possession the 'Legal Releases' for each member of the band from Columbia that I held for Dwyer.
The front money went elsewhere, legal reasons at the time, though Dwyer and myself had some difficulties resolving that but eventually did settle.
A very libelous statement was made by KERI regarding Don Dwyer being a LIAR, EMBEZZLER AND THIEF and claiming very little of what he told me was the TRUTH. If this is so easily stated by a low life that won't reveal to me who they are, I only say that it would have to be PROVEN these labels are true!
Being associated with Dwyer, I'll surely acknowledge that he was no angel in some matters, with me and otherwise, but using the language KERI has requires some hard and factual documenting as to Dwyer's handling of the band to be believed.
This and my original comments put to bed the real story, not the 'history' that exists elsewhere or the phony credits on videos showing the 'new' band being the musicians performing 'Easy To Be Hard' and 'There's Tomorrow'.
In retrospect, I'm very happy that I left behind the 'soap operas' of bands and was able to perform pro on the road with a number of name acts and shows for many years after.
Adios
Omg. Can't believe I stumbled upon this blog. I dated Russell from early 1969 to 1974 or 1975? I remember all this going on. I am still friends with Phil but none of the others. I was Linda Swartz back then.
ReplyDeleteI'm saddened to hear that Leah Santos passed away 11/17/2016. Working with Leah was working with a great talent and good friend. Thanks for having me as part of your life Leah...
ReplyDelete