Peppermint Trolley Company
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in Redlands, California, United States |
| Founder | Jimmy Faragher, Danny Faragher, Casey Cunningham, Patrick McClure |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Redlands, California , United States |
| Products | Sunshine pop music, albums, singles |
Number of employees | 4 (final lineup) |
The Peppermint Trolley Company was a United States-based sunshine pop ensemble recognized for their 1968 hit single "Baby You Come Rollin' 'Cross My Mind", appearances on television programs such as Mannix and The Beverly Hillbillies, and for performing the original theme tune of The Brady Bunch.
Their discography on Acta Records, a branch of Dot Records, includes one album and five singles. The founding members were Jimmy Faragher (vocals, bass, guitar), Danny Faragher (vocals, keyboards), Casey Cunningham (drums), and Patrick McClure (guitar, vocals). McClure was eventually succeeded by Greg Tornquist. In 1969, the Faragher brothers, along with Cunningham and Tornquist, exited Acta to establish the rock/soul band Bones.
History
Originating in Redlands, California in 1966, the group developed from the Mark V—which comprised Danny and Jimmy Faragher, Steve Hauser, Dave Kelliher, Brad Madson, and Dick Owens—after collaborating with producer Dan Dalton who suggested a name change. The band adopted the name Peppermint Trolley Company, proposed by Jimmy Faragher and agreed upon by all members. Their track "Lollipop Train" was issued under Valiant Records.
By early 1967, the original group had disbanded except for Danny and Jimmy Faragher. They continued their musical efforts and secured a contract with Acta Records. Casey Cunningham joined the lineup in June 1967; that same month saw the release of "It's a Lazy Summer Day." Shortly after, Patrick McClure became part of the band but departed by autumn 1967, making way for Greg Tornquist.
In November 1967, they began recording "Baby You Come Rollin' Across My Mind," which was released in January 1968 and attained No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 38 in Canada. Their follow-up single "Trust," written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, came out in September 1968 alongside their self-titled album. Though the album did not enter the charts, it achieved solid sales in various regions through several pressings.
The band left Acta Records in January 1969 and transformed into Bones, subsequently releasing two albums with Signpost Records and MCA.
Television appearances
The Peppermint Trolley Company made guest appearances on prominent TV shows including Mannix, The Beverly Hillbillies, Happening '68, and Upbeat.
The Brady Bunch theme song
They were responsible for arranging and performing the original theme song for The Brady Bunch pilot episode. After their departure from Acta Records, studio vocalists Paul Parrish, John Beland, and Lois Fletcher re-recorded the vocals.
2009 re-issue
In 2009, Now Sounds—a subdivision of Cherry Red—re-released their self-titled album under the title Beautiful Sun, with production by Steve Stanley. This edition featured all 11 original tracks plus an additional 16 bonus songs comprising B-sides and singles from The Mark V era.
Members
Final lineup
- Jimmy Faragher – lead vocals, bass guitar, occasional guitar (1965–1968)
- Danny Faragher – keyboards, flute (1967–1968), lead vocals, harmonica (1965–1968); trombone (1965–1966)
- Greg Tornquist – guitar, backing vocals (1967–1968)
- Casey Cunningham – drums (1967–1968)
Former members
- Brad Madson – keyboards (1965–1967)
- Dick Owens – drums (1965–1967)
- Dave Kelliher – trumpet, guitar, backing vocals (1965–1967)
- Steve Hauser – saxophone, flute, clarinet, backing vocals (1965–1967)
- Patrick McClure – guitar, backing vocals (1967; died 2014)
Timeline
Studio Albums
- 1968: The Peppermint Trolley Company
Compilation Albums
- 2009: Beautiful Sun (features the 1968 album along with earlier singles and B-side tracks)