The Tripp
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
The Tripp, initially called The Just Us and later known as Livingston's Journey, was a Toronto-based Canadian rock group active from the mid-1960s, prominently featuring members Neil Merryweather and Stan Endersby.
History
The band’s origins trace back to the XLs, formed by keyboardist Ed Roth, drummer Bob Ablack, lead guitarist Bill Ross, and Brian Hughes. In 1964, with the addition of vocalist Gary Muir, they transitioned into Gary & The Reflections.
By early 1965, Gary Muir was replaced by Bob Neilson, prompting a name change to The Ookpiks, inspired by a government-endorsed stuffed owl designed by Indigenous artists. Following legal and naming conflicts, they briefly adopted The Sikusis before settling on The Just Us. During this phase, they recorded a single under Quality Records; however, it did not achieve commercial success, likely hindered by confusion stemming from their multiple name alterations.
Subsequently, Hughes, Ross, and new drummer Al Morrison departed to join David Clayton-Thomas's The Bossmen. Roth and Neilson (who later took the stage name Neil Merryweather) brought in bassist Wayne Davis and guitarist Stan Endersby, formerly of C.J. Feeney and the Spellbinders. They also persuaded Bob Ablack to return on drums. The lineup expanded with vocalist Jimmy Livingston (formerly of the Mynah Birds) and second keyboardist Richard Bell, recruited from Richie Knight and the Midknights.
In early 1966, The Just Us recorded an album at Arc Sound that remained unreleased while maintaining a steady presence at local venues such as the Gogue Inn and Hawk's Nest.
Transition from The Just Us to The Tripp
In June 1966, Wayne Davis exited to join Bobby Kris & The Imperials, with Lillie stepping in as his replacement. Due to an American duo named The Just Us having chart success on Colpix Records, the band briefly used the name The Group Therapy for a performance opening for The Byrds at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium on June 22. After learning that another local act already used that name, they adopted The Tripp following their September 10 appearance at El Patio.
Among their early gigs was a September 16 show at Toronto’s Gogue Inn alongside Luke & The Apostles. Although The Tripp never released any recordings, they featured on CBC Television’s Sunday Show and performed at notable Toronto venues including the Flick, El Patio, and Boris' in Yorkville. Shortly thereafter, Richard Bell departed to join Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks.
In 1966, The Tripp shared the stage at Maple Leaf Gardens with other prominent local groups and took part in the Toronto Sound-a-gogo event.
Lillie left in May 1967 to collaborate with Ricky James Matthews in The Mynah Byrds before forming a band with Bruce Cockburn, known as The Flying Circus. He was succeeded by Dennis Pendrith from Simon Caine & The Catch. Later that month, the group underwent another rebranding to Livingston's Tripp and subsequently Livingston's Journey.
Members
- Ed Roth (born 16 February 1947, Toronto)
- Bob Ablack
- Bill Ross (born in Bel Air, California)
- Brian Hughes
- Bob Neilson (born Robert Neilson Lillie, 27 December 1945, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
- Al Morrison
- Wayne Davis (born 28 April 1946, Toronto)
- Jimmy Livingston (born 28 February 1938)
- Stan Endersby
- Richard Bell
- Dennis Pendrith
The Just Us
Single released in 1965: "I Don't Love You" paired with "I Can Tell" (Quality 1738)