Moby Grape
The legend that continues to grow around one of San Francisco's late '60s group is mainly based on their sparkling debut album, which fans vainly willed them to repeat. This iconoclastic band was formed in September 1966, with the seminal line-up of Alexander ‘Skip’ Spence (b. 18 April 1946, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; guitar/vocals), Jerry Miller (b. 10 July 1943, Tacoma, Washington, USA; guitar/vocals), Bob Mosley (b. 4 December 1942, Paradise Valley, California, USA; bass/vocals), Don Stevenson (b. 15 October 1942, Seattle, Washington, USA; drums) and Peter Lewis (b. 15 July 1945, Los Angeles, California, USA; guitar/vocals). With record companies queueing up to sign them, they decided to go with CBS and became marketing guinea pigs for an unprecedented campaign, whereupon 10 tracks (five singles plus b-sides) were released simultaneously. Not even the Beatles could have lived up to that kind of launch. Only one of the records dented the US chart: Omaha reached a dismal number 88. Had the singles been released in normal sequence, they might have all been hits, as the quality of each song was outstanding. The band fell into immediate disarray, unable to cope with the pressure and hype. The resulting debut, MOBY GRAPE, contained all these 10 tracks plus an additional three, and it deservedly reached the US Top 30 album charts. It is now recognized as a classic. The short, brilliantly structured, guitar-based rock songs with fine harmonies still sound fresh in the '90s. 
Their follow-up was a similar success (yet a lesser work), and made the US Top 20 album chart. As with their debut, CBS continued with their ruthless marketing campaign, determined to see a return on their investment, as the Grape had originally held out for a considerable advance. WOW sported a beautiful surrealistic painting/collage by Bob Cato, depicting a huge bunch of grapes mixed with an 18th- century beach scene which came with a free album, GRAPE JAM. Additionally, one of the tracks was recorded at 78rpm, forcing the listener to get up and change the speed only to hear a spoof item played by Lou Waxman And His Orchestra. Amidst this spurious package were some of their finest songs, including Spence's Motorcycle Irene, Mosley's Murder In My Heart For The Judge and arguably their best track, Can't Be So Bad. Penned by Jerry Miller and featuring his exceptional guitar solo, this furious heavy rock item is suddenly sweetened by an outstanding four-part Mamas And The Papas-style harmony. The song failed to chart anywhere. 
By now, Spence had departed with drug problems upon the release of MOBY GRAPE ‘69, although his track Seeing is one of the highlights of this apologetic and occasionally brilliant album (the previous hype is disclaimed by the sleeve notes). Notable tracks included Lewis's hymn-like I Am Not Willing and the straightforward rocker Truck Driving Man. A disastrous European tour was arranged, whereby the band was constantly overshadowed by the support band Group Therapy. Mosley left on their return to the USA, leaving the rest to fulfil their contract by making a fourth album. The poor-selling and lacklustre TRULY FINE CITIZEN was badly received; the critics had already given up on them. The band then disintegrated, unable to use the name which was and still is owned by their manager, Matthew Katz. The remaining members have appeared as Maby Grope, Mosley Grape, Grape Escape, Fine Wine, the Melvills, the Grape and the Legendary Grape. During one of their many attempts at reformation, Mosley and Miller appeared on record as Fine Wine. 
The original five reunited for one more undistinguished album in 1971. Out of the mire, only Mosley's Gypsy Wedding showed some promise. Skip Spence delivered the quirky Chinese Song, played on a koto, and the silk-voiced Lewis produced Horse Out In The Rain with its unusual timing and extraordinary booming bass. A live album in 1978 delighted fans, but since then the ghost of Grape has been put to rest. Their influence has shown up in many bands over the past 20 years including the Doobie Brothers, R.E.M. and the Smithereens.