The Morning Dew
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Topeka , United States |
| Products | Garage rock, psychedelic rock music |
The Morning Dew was a garage rock group from Topeka, Kansas, active between 1966 and 1971. They played a significant role in the regional expansion of psychedelic music, releasing a highly regarded studio album that highlighted their transition into psychedelic rock.
History
The band's origins trace back to 1963 when lead guitarist Mal Robinson and drummer Don Sligar established The Impacts. After undergoing several lineup changes, they evolved into The Toads, a folk rock trio that included bassist Don Shuford. By June 1966, with the addition of rhythm guitarist Don Anderson, the group adopted the name The Morning Dew, inspired by the Bonnie Dobson song. Following high school graduation, members enrolled at Washburn University and operated primarily within the local scene.
They dedicated significant time to rehearsing and recorded four demo tracks in August 1966. These sessions featured two cover songs—"I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone" and "The Sportin' Life"—alongside two original compositions by Robinson titled "Winter Dreams" and "Touch of Magic," which demonstrated their progression toward more intricate musical arrangements. The demos garnered attention from promoters, resulting in a recording contract.
In late 1966, Fairyland Records signed the band, leading to their debut single recorded in April 1967. Robinson wrote both songs despite lacking formal music reading skills. The single, "No More" backed with "Look at Me Now," was produced for $200 and sold approximately 2,000 copies, climbing to number nine on Topeka's KEWI chart. This success expanded their touring presence across the Midwest and prompted a shift toward a heavier psychedelic rock sound complemented by sophisticated light displays. In July 1967, they secured a month-long engagement near Lake of the Ozarks, accompanied by daily interviews on KEWI.
Later that year, they released another single, "Be A Friend" backed with "Go Away," which featured regional bands Plato and the Philosophers and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This release reflected their psychedelic influences while maintaining folk elements and achieved a top 30 position locally. Throughout 1967 and 1968, The Morning Dew performed alongside prominent groups such as Strawberry Alarm Clock and The Turtles.
During 1968 recording sessions, they produced ten tracks—nine penned by Robinson—that attracted Roulette Records in 1969. This signing marked them as Kansas's first rock band to join a major label. Despite challenges posed by their location outside major psychedelic centers, their musical style advanced considerably. Bassist Blair Honeyman replaced Shuford following his military draft induction. Their debut album, At Last, released in 1970, suffered from inadequate promotion but later gained recognition among collectors for its fuzz guitar tones and unique sonic effects.
Contracted for a second album, the band underwent lineup changes including Dave Howell replacing Anderson on guitar and keyboards, while Ferdy Baumgart joined on Hammond B3 organ and guitar, steering the group toward progressive rock stylings. However, financial difficulties and legal disputes with Roulette prevented this material from being released. Before disbanding in May 1971 due to these obstacles, Bill Stahlin took over bass duties from Honeyman.
In 1995, Collectables Records issued Second Album, compiling previously unreleased tracks intended for their follow-up record. A 2010 compilation titled No More 1966-1969 gathered early recordings from their career. That same year, The Morning Dew was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame and reunited for a performance at Liberty Hall in Lawrence.