The Love Generation
| Company type | Studio-based music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | John Bahler, Tom Bahler |
| Defunct | 1969 |
Key people | John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Mitch Gordon, Jimmy Wasson, Marilyn Miller, Annie White |
| Products | Albums: two original albums produced by Tommy Oliver, Montage (third album) |
The Love Generation was a U.S.-based pop rock ensemble active between 1967 and 1969, created by siblings John Bahler and Tom Bahler. Both brothers contributed vocals and were affiliated with Imperial Records as well as members of the Ron Hicklin Singers. Their tracks "Together (Havin' a Ball)" and "Let the Good Times In" appeared in the initial episode of The Partridge Family. Members from The Love Generation alongside the Ron Hicklin Singers—John and Tom Bahler, Ron Hicklin, and Jackie Ward—provided background vocals on the 1970 debut album of The Partridge Family, The Partridge Family Album, as well as on later studio releases. Importantly, they performed lead vocals on two songs, "I'm on the Road" and "I Really Want to Know You," both composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, substituting for David Cassidy.
The founding members also included Mitch Gordon, Jimmy Wasson, Marilyn Miller, and Annie White, in addition to the Bahler brothers.
Recording career
Functioning mainly as a studio-based group without live performances, The Love Generation dissolved after producing two albums under the production of Tommy Oliver, which featured songs such as "Let the Good Times In" and "Groovy Summertime." Subsequently, John and Tom Bahler released a third album titled Montage under The Love Generation name. These original albums are scarce, although some Japanese compilations like Love and Sunshine exist. In 2003, Rev-Ola Records released a CD anthology compiling selections from their three albums accompanied by liner notes authored by Steve Stanley.
Later years
Following the group's breakup, John and Tom engaged in new ventures including The Going Thing, which included vocalist Janis Hansen and guitarist Larry Carlton. This ensemble was recognized for endorsing Ford Motor Company products during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Furthermore, they contributed backing vocals for artist Mark Lindsay when his band Instant Joy was unavailable, and briefly worked with The Carpenters on their first two records before the Bahler brothers ended their collaboration by the mid-1970s.
Notes
- Marilyn Miller performed with The Good Time Singers and served as the singing voice for Sally Field in Gidget. She should not be mistaken for Marilyn Monroe, whose married name was Marilyn Miller after wedding Arthur Miller, nor confused with the Broadway performer Marilyn Miller from the early 20th century.
- Ann White (alto-soprano) was also a member of The New Christy Minstrels.
References