Beacon Street Union
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Psychedelic rock music |
The Beacon Street Union was a psychedelic rock group originating from Boston, Massachusetts, active during the late 1960s.
The band was formed by students attending Boston College and featured vocalist John Lincoln Wright (September 23, 1947 – December 4, 2011), guitarist and vocalist Paul Tartachny, bassist and vocalist Wayne Ulaky, keyboardist Robert Rhodes (originally Rosenblatt), and drummer Richard Weisberg. Their eclectic repertoire was mainly created in-house, with Wright and Ulaky serving as the principal songwriters.
Signed to MGM Records, they were marketed as part of the Bosstown Sound campaign alongside acts such as Ultimate Spinach and Orpheus, with production overseen by Alan Lorber. Despite this promotional effort, the band experienced only modest national recognition. Their first album, The Eyes of the Beacon Street Union, reached number 75 on the charts on May 4, 1968. Subsequently, they relocated to New York to record their sophomore release, The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens. Additionally, Wright, Ulaky, Weisberg, and Rhodes collaborated under the name Eagle for the 1970 album Come Under Nancy's Tent released by Janus Records. On August 12, 1970, Beacon Street Union served as the opening act for Janis Joplin at Harvard Stadium during her final live show. That same year saw the release of their last single, "Lord Why Is it So Hard" / "Can't Find My Fingers," featuring Charlie Vatalaro on tenor saxophone.
Following the band's dissolution, Wright shifted his focus to country music, fronting the Sour Mash Boys and touring extensively across North America until the mid-1990s. Health concerns forced him to retire from performing in 2007. He passed away in 2011 at age 64 after suffering strokes and enduring long-term health complications. At the time of his death, he was separated from his spouse but remained covered under her health insurance plan.
Albums
| Year | Title | Highest chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 200 | US CB | ||
| 1968 | The Eyes of the Beacon Street Union | 75 | 89 |
| The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens | 173 | — | |
| 1969 | Come Under Nancy's Tent (credited as Eagle) |
— | — |
Singles
- "South End Incident" / "Speed Kills" (1968)
- "Four Hundred and Five" / "Blue Suede Shoes" (1968)
- "May I Light Your Cigarette" / "Mayola" (1968)
- "Lord Why Is It So Hard" / "Can't Find My Fingers" (1970)