Kaleidoscope (American band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Psychedelic folk music, albums, singles |
| Parent | Epic Records |
Kaleidoscope—initially known as the Kaleidoscope—was a pioneering American psychedelic folk ensemble that produced four albums and multiple singles under Epic Records from 1966 through 1970. The lineup featured notable musicians such as David Lindley, who later earned acclaim as a versatile session musician, and Chris Darrow, who went on to collaborate with groups including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Origins
Established in 1966, the founding members were:
- David Lindley
- Solomon Feldthouse
- Chris Darrow
- Chester Crill (also known by aliases such as Max Budda, Max Buda, Fenrus Epp, Templeton Parcely)
- John Vidican
Lindley was a skilled string player, having secured victories multiple times at the Topanga Canyon Banjo Contest during the early 1960s. While attending La Salle High School in Pasadena, he created the Mad Mountain Ramblers, performing in Los Angeles folk venues where he encountered Darrow from the competing Re-Organized Dry City Players.
By 1964, Lindley and Darrow formed the Dry City Scat Band alongside fiddler Richard Greene, although Darrow soon departed to form the rock band the Floggs. Subsequently, Lindley joined forces with Feldthouse, who brought influences from Turkish and flamenco traditions. The pair performed as David and Solomon before adding Chester Crill. By late 1966, Darrow and drummer John Vidican completed what became Kaleidoscope’s original roster.
Recording career and live performances
Operating without a designated leader and embracing a democratic approach, the group swiftly secured a deal with Epic Records. Their initial single, "Please," was issued in December 1966 under the production of Barry Friedman (later known as Frazier Mohawk), who also produced their debut album, Side Trips, released in May 1967. This record showcased their eclectic musical range and studio experimentation, featuring Feldthouse’s "Egyptian Gardens," Darrow’s "Keep Your Mind Open," alongside covers of Cab Calloway’s "Minnie the Moocher" and Dock Boggs’ "Oh Death." Due to concerns about his conservative family’s reception, Crill adopted the pseudonym "Fenrus Epp" on this album and continued using various aliases subsequently.
The band incorporated a diverse assortment of string instruments in psychedelic compositions such as "Egyptian Gardens" and "Pulsating Dream," merging Middle Eastern sounds with rock elements in extended pieces like "Taxim." Their live appearances included prestigious events like the Berkeley Folk Festival on July 4, 1967, Newport Folk Festival, and San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom. Performances often featured solo instrumental showcases accompanied by belly or flamenco dancers. Their musical selections spanned genres including rock, blues, folk, jazz, Middle Eastern styles, and works by Calloway and Duke Ellington.
Maintaining the original lineup but with Crill adopting the name "Max Buda," their sophomore album A Beacon from Mars arrived in November 1967 to favorable critical reception despite modest sales. This release blended Middle Eastern motifs with country, folk, and rock influences. The title track drew inspiration from a Howlin' Wolf riff on "Smokestack Lightning," featuring a live-recorded psychedelic guitar solo by Lindley that notably influenced Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who later described Kaleidoscope as his "favourite band of all time." Lindley’s use of a violin bow on electric guitar during concerts likely inspired Page’s similar technique. Another live recording from this album, "Taxim," displayed solos on harp guitar alongside traditional Middle Eastern instruments.
Despite rumors circulated by ZigZag, the album was never named "Bacon From Mars."
Following this release, Darrow departed and was succeeded by bassist Stuart Brotman, formerly associated with an early iteration of Canned Heat. Darrow briefly returned for studio work backing artists such as Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Larry Williams, and Leonard Cohen. Drummer Vidican was replaced by Paul Lagos, whose jazz and R&B background included collaborations with acts like Little Richard, Johnny Otis, and Ike and Tina Turner. Crill alternated between credits as "Templeton Parcely" and guest harmonica player "Max Buda."
Their third Epic album, Incredible! Kaleidoscope (1968), featured progressive instrumentals including "Seven-Ate Sweet," composed in an uncommon 7/8 time signature. This album reached No. 139 on Billboard charts in 1969—the only chart appearance for the band. During this era they contributed to movie soundtracks and made another appearance at Newport Folk Festival.
The fourth Epic release, Bernice, incorporated greater electric guitar prominence and country influences amid lineup changes: vocalist-guitarist Jeff Kaplan joined; Ron Johnston replaced Brotman on bass; Feldthouse exited. Crill appeared under both "Connie Crill" and guest harmonica persona "Max Buda."
At the close of 1969, Kaleidoscope contributed two songs to Michelangelo Antonioni's film Zabriskie Point. The group dissolved shortly afterward.
Later careers
Following his time with Kaleidoscope, Lindley earned recognition as a sought-after session and touring musician, collaborating with artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne, before establishing his own group, El Rayo-X, during the early 1980s. Feldthouse engaged in performances at Renaissance Pleasure Faires and participated with diverse flamenco and Middle Eastern ensembles. Darrow became a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and subsequently co-founded the Corvettes alongside Bernie Leadon, eventually gaining prominence as both a session musician and solo artist. Crill ventured into underground comic writing, co-creating the Mickey Rat series, and produced the inaugural 78rpm record for R. Crumb's band, Armstrong's Pasadenans. Brotman immersed himself in the Los Angeles folk dance community and took on roles as a film extra. In the 1980s, he contributed actively to the Klezmer revival, performing bass and tsimbl with Brave Old World; he currently plays in the San Francisco-based trio Veretski Pass, whose album The Magid Chronicles was released in 2019. Additionally, he frequently teaches at events such as KlezCalifornia, KlezKanada, and other ethnic music festivals.
Paul Lagos passed away on October 19, 2009. Chris Darrow died on January 15, 2020. Solomon Feldthouse died on December 12, 2021. Lindley passed on March 3, 2023.
Kaleidoscope reunions
In 1976, former members Brotman, Crill, Darrow, Feldthouse, and Lagos came together again to produce the album When Scopes Collide, which was issued by Michael Nesmith's Pacific Arts label. Although Lindley contributed to the project, he maintained some distance by appearing under the pseudonym "De Paris Letante" as a guest artist. Crill appeared credited twice under different aliases ("Templeton Parcely" and "Max Buda") and was also listed as producer using his real name.
Fourteen years later, Crill and Darrow arranged another reunion for Gifthorse Records. The album Greetings from Kartoonistan (We Ain't Dead Yet) featured the same lineup (with Crill credited solely as "Max Buda"), and included Brotman’s instrumental piece "Klezmer Suite." Lindley chose not to participate in this reunion.
Other information
- Actress Fairuza Balk is the daughter of Solomon Feldthouse.
- Chris Darrow contributed to James Taylor's album Sweet Baby James.
- David Lowery of Camper Van Beethoven has stated that their rendition of "O Death" on Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart was intended as an homage to Kaleidoscope.
Discography
Studio albums:
- Side Trips (1967)
- A Beacon from Mars (1968)
- Incredible! Kaleidoscope (1969)
- Bernice (1970)
- When Scopes Collide (1976)
- Greetings from Kartoonistan... (We Ain't Dead Yet) (1991)
Compilation albums:
- Bacon from Mars (1983)
- Rampe, Rampe (1983)
- Egyptian Candy (A Collection) (1990)
- Beacon from Mars & Other Psychedelic Side Trips (2004)
- Pulsating Dreams (2004) (a compilation encompassing the four Epic albums along with related recordings)