The Journeymen
| Company type | Folk music trio |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Defunct | 1964 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Dick Weissman |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Journeymen were a folk music trio from the United States, active between 1961 and 1964, composed of John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, and Dick Weissman.
Formation and career
Childhood friends John Phillips and Scott McKenzie, who had previously performed with groups such as the Abstracts and the Smoothies, began appearing in Greenwich Village clubs by early 1961. They joined forces with singer-songwriter and banjo player Dick Weissman to create The Journeymen, securing a five-month engagement at Gerdes Folk City. Under the management of Frank Werber, also known for managing The Kingston Trio, they signed with Capitol Records and released their first self-titled album, which included traditional folk tunes alongside two original songs penned by Phillips.
When Dave Guard left The Kingston Trio, Werber invited Phillips to join the group, but he declined, opting instead to continue working with McKenzie and Weissman. The trio gained a loyal audience through their rich vocal harmonies—often led by McKenzie—their arrangements, and an increasing number of original compositions. Their second release, Coming Attraction - Live!, was recorded in Minneapolis and accompanied by several singles on Capitol Records. Music critic Bruce Eder from AllMusic described their style as blending "piercing, topical humor," capturing the spirit of the early 1960s.
They were responsible for the earliest recording of "500 Miles", a traditional piece attributed to Hedy West. Their single "River Come Down," co-written by Phillips and Weissman, enjoyed moderate success. Although they continued performing through 1962, Capitol Records' enthusiasm diminished partly due to McKenzie's struggles with mental health. The third album, New Directions In Folk Music, primarily showcased original material but was marked by increasing internal discord. The group's decline coincided with Phillips's 1963 marriage to Michelle Gilliam and was further hastened by the advent of the "British Invasion", which altered the popular music landscape. Ultimately, The Journeymen disbanded in early 1964.
Later activities
Following the breakup, Phillips teamed up with his wife Michelle and banjoist Marshall Brickman to form The New Journeymen. When Brickman departed to become head writer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, he was succeeded by Denny Doherty. In 1965, John and Michelle Phillips joined Doherty and Cass Elliot to establish The Mamas and the Papas, who achieved widespread acclaim throughout the mid-to-late 1960s. Additionally, John Phillips co-wrote and produced McKenzie's international hit in 1967, "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)". Meanwhile, Weissman pursued a career as an accomplished banjo player, vocalist, songwriter, and music scholar.
John Phillips passed away in 2001; Scott McKenzie died in 2012.
Albums
- The Journeymen (1961)
- Coming Attraction - Live! (1962)
- New Directions In Folk Music (1963)
- The Very Best of the Journeymen (compilation, 1988)
- Capitol Collectors Series: The Journeymen (compilation, 1992)
Singles
- "500 Miles" / "River Come Down" (1961)
- "Soft Blow The Summer Winds" / "Kumbaya" (1962)
- "Hush Now Sally" / "Don't Turn Around" (1962)
- "What'll I Do" / "Loadin' Coal" (1962)
- "Ja-Da" / "Kumbaya" (1963)