The Myddle Class
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, United States |
| Headquarters | Berkeley Heights , United States |
| Products | Garage rock music, singles |
The Myddle Class was a 1960s American garage rock ensemble originating from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. They were signed to Tomorrow Records, a label owned by the songwriting duo Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Known for their energetic live performances throughout the New Jersey and New York areas, the band released several singles that achieved local acclaim, particularly in Albany. Toward the late 1960s, members began focusing on higher education and other musical endeavors. In 1967, Charles Larkey joined the Fugs, later marrying Carole King following her separation from Goffin, and contributed bass tracks to her recordings during the 1970s. Although plans were underway for an album in 1969, the group disbanded after guitarist Rick Philp was tragically killed. Lead vocalist Dave Palmer subsequently became part of Steely Dan and appeared on King's successful track "Jazzman".
Origins
The band initially formed in 1964 under the name King Bees by high school students hailing from Passaic Valley townships near Interstate 78 in New Jersey. The original lineup featured Dave Palmer (vocals), Rick Philp (guitar), Chris Irby (bass), Danny Mansolino (organ), and Mike Rosa (drums). Palmer and Philp attended Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren Township. Mansolino, originally an accordion player from North Plainfield, transitioned to organ at Philp’s suggestion. When bassist Irby departed, drummer Rosa introduced Charles Larkey—a beginner bassist known for his commanding stage presence and distinctive mod attire sourced from his family's Newark store.
Palmer attributed his musical direction to inspiration drawn from the Rolling Stones’ emergence and his aspiration to build a career in music. The King Bees earned a reputation for lively shows featuring covers such as "Shout" and "She's Not There", alongside original compositions like "It's the Season." After a December 1964 performance, they connected with New York Post columnist Al Aronowitz—renowned for linking Bob Dylan with The Beatles—who became their manager despite limited experience in the music industry. Aronowitz facilitated introductions to Carole King and Gerry Goffin, who agreed to write songs and produce the group.
By fall 1965, to distinguish themselves from Danny Kortchmar's King Bees (band), they adopted the name Myddle Class. In October of that year, Goffin and King signed them to their newly established label, Tomorrow Records, which was distributed through Atlantic-Atco.
Recording
Their debut single, "Free As The Wind," featuring a full-band cover of Bob Dylan's "Gates of Eden" as the B-side, was released on Tomorrow Records in December 1965. This track blended Goffin and King's polished songwriting with garage rock-influenced folk elements. Although Billboard praised it for its potential as a hit, it only achieved regional success around Albany without breaking nationally. The Myddle Class gained traction performing at notable New York venues such as the Night Owl and Cafe Au Go Go. On December 11, 1965, they headlined a concert at Summit High School Auditorium alongside opening acts the Forty Fingers and the Velvet Underground—marking the Velvet Underground’s first performance under that name with Maureen Tucker on drums.
In 1966, they released "Don't Let Me Sleep Too Long," an adaptation of a Blues Project demo that evolved into their local hit "Wake Me Shake Me." This more rock-driven single reached number two on Albany’s charts but did not extend beyond that market. Its flip side, "I Happen To Love You," was later covered by the Electric Prunes. That same year, Myddle Class served as an opening act for the Blues Project.
Following the collapse of Goffin and King's distribution arrangement with Atco, they secured a deal with Cameo-Parkway to distribute Tomorrow label releases. The initial release under this arrangement featured Bach's Lunch—a female vocal group including Darlene McCrea of the Cookies and Raelettes—with instrumental support from Myddle Class. The band enjoyed enthusiastic audiences during regional tours in Montreal and Boston, maintained a residency at Manhattan’s Ungano's club, and performed before approximately 3,000 attendees at a Smithtown, Long Island event promoted by DJ Scott Ross. However, challenges included a thwarted MGM Records contract—allegedly obstructed by manager Al Aronowitz—and negative reviews stemming from technical difficulties during a February 1967 opening slot for the Animals.
In April 1967, they self-produced their final single: a rendition of the Temptations' "Don't Look Back" backed with "Wind Chime Laughter," co-written by Philp and Palmer but credited collectively to the band and Goffin. When Allen Klein assumed control of Cameo-Parkway in August 1968, he dismissed several representatives including Neil Bogart (later founder of Casablanca Records), leaving this single without promotional support. Some band members participated anonymously in Richard Avedon photo sessions used for advertising; notably, an image of Larkey appeared on Esquire's September 1967 cover. Late that year, Larkey joined the Fugs for performances at Players Theater.
Late period
By late 1967, as members pursued college or other projects, live performances by Myddle Class became infrequent. Their remaining focus was recording demos of Goffin and King compositions intended for other artists. They reportedly worked on demos like "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Porpoise Song" for the Monkees, though these have never been officially released. Existing demos include "Goin' Back," which later appeared as a single by the Byrds on their Notorious Byrd Brothers album, and "I Can't Make It Alone," recorded by Dusty Springfield on Dusty in Memphis. Palmer and Philp secured publishing agreements with Screen Gems-Columbia representing Goffin and King; however, an anticipated Colgems deal brokered by Don Kirshner did not come to fruition. The band also recorded demos of original Palmer-Philp material such as "Man on the Bridge."
After Goffin and King's divorce and relocation to California in early 1968, Larkey began a relationship with King that culminated in marriage. During summer 1968 in Los Angeles, Philp and Larkey collaborated with King arranging songs for her group the City’s album Now That Everything's Been Said. Palmer co-wrote "Paradise City" with King for this project. Guitarist Danny Kortchmar replicated Philp's parts for Myddle Class’s final recordings released in 1969. In fall 1968, Mansolino, Palmer, and Philp worked alongside pianist Lloyd Baskin in Boston. By March 1969 they recorded several tracks including Goffin and King's "Mr. Charlie" plus Palmer-Philp originals "Redbeard" and "Keys to the Kingdom." Plans for an album were abandoned following Philp’s murder by his former roommate in May; dwindling motivation led to the group's dissolution soon after.
Post-breakup
Following their departure from Cameo-Parkway to Buddah Records, Neil Bogart posthumously reissued "Don't Let Me Sleep Too Long" b/w "I Happen to Love You" mid-1969 with limited impact. An unreleased cut titled "Lovin' Season" surfaced on a 1970 Buddah sampler LP distributed at the National Entertainment Conference. Mansolino and Rosa joined Jake and the Family Jewels for two Polydor albums between 1969–1970; they also recruited Palmer as vocalist on a 1971 Elektra Records release by the Quinames Band—where Rosa served as staff producer alongside Ken Pine (who had played with Charlie Larkey in the Fugs) and Jerry Burnham. Palmer later contributed vocals to Steely Dan’s early records and sang on King's 1974 hit "Jazzman." Larkey married King in September 1970 as she rose to prominence as a leading artist.
The Myddle Class’s recordings have garnered interest among garage rock enthusiasts and appear on compilations such as Mindrocker: the Complete Series Volumes 1-3 (Past & Present Records) and Boulders, Volume 3 (Moxie).
Membership around 1965–1967
- Dave Palmer – lead vocals
- Rick Philp – guitar
- Danny Mansolino – organ
- Charles Larkey – bass guitar
- Michael "Myke" Rosa – drums
Discography
- "Free as the Wind" paired with "Gates of Eden" (Tomorrow 7501, November 1965)
- "Don't Let Me Sleep Too Long" coupled with "I Happen to Love You" (Tomorrow 7503, June 1966)
- "Don't Look Back" backed by "Wind Chime Laughter" (Tomorrow 912, June 1967)
- "Don't Let Me Sleep Too Long" alongside "I Happen to Love You" (Buddah 150, November 1969)